Friday is usually my day, off after the Golf of the week and recharges my batteries for the Fishing on Saturday. So it was with some interest, that when my Wife phoned me at 1045am to say they already had 4 big fish in the boat, I thought maybe I had picked the wrong day. When she came through the door at 1800hrs, dragging a bag of Cobia, and told me they had 7 Cobia to 15kg and a Queen Fish, I wondered what would tomorrow bring, and was I a Day too late?.  

 Bright and breezy next morning I was on my way, to be joined by Chris and David on the quest for the big one. It is every fisherman's dream to catch that special fish, and whilst many Cobia, Queenfish, Barracuda, Rays, etc, may be great, the dream persists for the special one. Those of us who have caught special fish do not forget the thrill.

 Out we went, a little later than I wanted, but we were soon passing the area we had stopped a couple of weeks ago to watch the Bill Fish playing and we had forlornly attempted to catch one with the comments 'One Day'.

 Soon we anchored at our first fishing location, and the big rods started to go out, while the fishermen all stumbled around thinking of the day ahead. Maybe this would be a great day, many fish the day before, and the weather was superb. Nice weather for a dedicated fisherman to dream to, especially me upstairs in the deck chair, while the rest did the fishing bit.

 Upstairs I was just getting comfortable with my feet up and a good book, when I heard the scream of the reel, and the Captain shouting it was a Bill Fish, Chris, our single handicap fisherman, was on the rod before the shout had finished, and the line was ripped from the reel at a quick rate as the reel screamed. Chris was soon shouting that if he couldn't turn it he would lose it, and the Captain up anchored and let the boat follow the fish. I was pretty sure we would have enough line as it was a new reel with over 400 yards on it.

 Chris was desperately trying to turn it, and then the fish jumped out of the water to confirm it was indeed a Sailfish, the fish was some hundreds of yards away. Chris is not designated a single handicap fisherman for nothing and soon had the fish turned and started to haul it in. These are tremendously powerful fish and will often just run away, but once you hold this initial power surge you have a chance.

 Now Chris was shouting in glee as he fought this magnificent fish, this is a fish to dream about and Chris had done his dreaming, and now if he did not make a mistake he would realise it. As the time wore on Chris slowly started to get the line back on the reel, and slowly the fish came back to the boat. Once one of these fish see the boat, they will shoot off at and angle and this is a dangerous time, but Chris once again handled the turn well.

 If you catch a Ray of this weight it will take well over an hour to get it in, it is a good fight but pretty well just muscle, one of these Sailfish or a Marlin show such power at the start it is surprising they are at the boat in about 40 minutes, but this is a dangerous time, as they can shake the hook here.

   Our fish did not and with shaking hands The Captain hauled it aboard, and it was well over 7 foot long, and the whooping started. A check of the fish showed it would not have shaken the hook loose as it had swallowed the bait and the hook was deep in the gills.

  The rest of the day, pretty much an anti climax, but with the special fish everyones day was made. 

   Want to go Fishing Phone Bua on 0819 495 070   T.T.F.N.