2010 Season Underway

Our 2010 season began on the 24th Jan with a two day trip to the Poor Knights trench and was successful on both days with a striped Marlin caught each day. We tagged and released a first Marlin for John Donald of Whanganui. The next day we weighed a first stripy for John's 13 year old son William Donald. Father and son both very pleased.

To cap off the story John's father - JB Donald, came out on Shiraz a fortnight later and landed his first stripy ever, north of Whangaroa. Not bad going - 3 generations landing their first fish within a fortnight, especially so considering JB turns 88 tomorrow!

The team is now looking forward to the first trip to the Kings for the nationals starting this weekend.

Easter Weekend brings the Season Total to 46!!

With a change of crew at Hohoura, Shiraz headed back to North Cape for the Easter weekend. The fishing continued in similar vein with pack attacks of stripies the order of the day. Over three days, 25 bites resulted in 7 tagged marlin and Ben and Shule got not just their first marlin ever, but 2 each! Shiraz is having an amazing season, this weekend bringing the grand total to 46 striped Marlin (51 gamefish) for the season. Long may it continue!

Marlin Madness

On a pre Easter trip north, Shiraz struck gold en route to the Three Kings Islands. After hearing the water around the Kings was not firing, Skipper Mike Wilson located the hot spot which resulted in Shiraz hauling in 17 Striped Marlin in just 4 days! All fish were tagged and released and estimated up to 150 kgs. Incredible stuff - an unforgettable trip!

8 Stripies and a Broadbill

Shiraz returned late March from another successful charter up at the Three Kings Islands. The fishing was great with good sized fish around. Shiraz tagged 8 striped marlin, congrats to Kyle and Mike for angling their first marlin. John MacDowell landed the elusive Broadbill he'd been chasing for years on the last night of the trip. A great trip, and some very happy anglers! More photos in the gallery.

9 Marlin in 9 Days

The fishing has been great in the far north recently as Shiraz spent a very successful 9 days at sea. Firstly fishing in the annual Houhoura One Base tournament, Shiraz bagged 5 Striped Marlin.The highlight of the trip being a quadruple strike of which 2 stripeys were tagged and released on Shiraz's first visit to the Three Kings Islands for the season. At the completion of the tournament, Shiraz headed back up to the Kings as the weather was looking perfect. The bottom fishing at the Kings is amazing and the fish bin was full with 10Kg+ Kingfish, Albacore Tuna and a huge 30Kg Bass! Another 2 Striped Marlin were tagged and released at the Kings and 2 more on the way home bringing the total to 9 Striped Marlin for the trip.Amzing time was had by all, check out the pics!

Shiraz Successful at Whangaroa One Base Tournament

Shiraz had an great Whangaroa One Base Tournament.

Day One saw the team tag and release the first striped Marlin of the competition, angled by Bridget. The morning of Day Three was all action with another tagged and released striped Marlin switched on a live bait, again caught by Bridget. Moments after the release of the fish a large Mako Shark was spotted just off the boat. A live bait was pitched and the Mako ate it. Andrew had a 20 minute battle to get the shark to the boat and then the crew had a huge tussle with it before securing the shark to the duckboard. The Mako weighed in at 226.3kg and took top honours as the heaviest gamefish of the competition. The Mako was donated for preservation and display in a wildlife exhibition.

Shiraz Strikes Twice

Shiraz had an action packed day yesterday with 6 bites and 2 striped marlin successfully landed by Ken & Bridget, first billfish for both anglers. Shiraz was fishing south east of Cape Brett where the bite was hot. Skipper Mike Wilson compared the fishing to days up at the Three Kings Islands. Loads of fun, good work team!