Martin

Thanks guys for the positive comments, its makes the experience that bit extra special for Matthew. The special thing about fishing with your kids is it gives them happy memories that they can share one day with their children. I know the times I have spent with Matthew fishing are special as they are for all dads to spend time with your children where there are no day to day distractions. That’s what so great about fishing, it brings people together, its fun and relaxing

I had made a promise to my son Matthew who is 12, that this year he would get a Marlin. So I took the easy option while on holidays for 10 days at Nelson Bay, I left our boat at home and went out with Ivan on board Ambition . Ivan was fantastic with Matthew and really looked after us. I must admit I was a little sceptic and thought it may still be a little early in the season for a high probability, after all, how many times have you gone out and not even had a strike or you do hook up but loose one, however there had been some captures. So on 20th January 2010 we headed out at 7.00am. Now my dad had caught Marlin, I had caught Marlin and now it was Matthews turn (third generation to catch a marlin) Five 24kg outfits were set up and around 12.30pm, 86 fathoms in perfect weather the centre shot gun out rigger released. Out she came, head shaking, tail walking black marlin. Matthew did an excellent job on the rod and Chris our deck hand had the trace then tagged and it was all over in 20 minutes with the help of Ivan’s boat manoeuvring. So an extremely excited son had gone marlin fishing for the first time, hooked up on his first marlin, landed and tagged his first marlin. Not bad considering many people take years and a many attempts before they get their first marlin. We estimated the black Marlin to be between 75kg to 85kg, perfect size for a 12 year old boy on 24kg tackle on a perfect day. I am a very proud dad who has taken great pleasure in seeing the joy and excitement his son gets from fishing. A big thank you to Ivan and crew of Ambition Cheers Martin

Congratulations, that is one mighty mako on 15kg from a 21 footer At 40 minutes on 15kg he must have been a real arm streacher on the trace. A gutsy effort that must have required some real team work to make it all happen (drive the boat, fight the fish, trace, gaffs and tail rope) Well done guys

Great looking boat on a great part of the world God's country

Coral Trout Flathead Snapper Spanish mackeral

I have known Tim for a long time and fished for the same game club and served on committes together. Tim is an outstanding angler, always thinking of new ways and techniques. He was one of the early elite group of anglers who developed the method to take on 350 kg tiger sharks using only 15kg tackle. The boat he fished from was Bite Me a 31ft Deep Vee flybridge at Matava Resort in Fiji with Capt Adrian Watt. Tim loves light tackle and been on a mission to attempt world records. They fished exclusively with 4kg gamefishing tackle while trolling the outer coral barrier reef around Kadavu Island. Tim has chased this record for about 4 years and the lure was a Halco Laser Pro 190 trolling minnow.

Top fish

A big congratulations on an excellent capture, particularly in light of it being a first Marlin. She looks to be in excellent condition with big shoulders and a deep body Well done guys Cheers

Looks better than a good feed, it loks like a fantastic feed, just add chips

Great report and some top fishing

Top outing and a great feed

In last Sundays news papers fishing section was an editorial by Dennis Lockwood saying its only a matter of time before someone gets attacked in the Harbour. This was based on the number of shark sightings/encounters by anglers in recent weeks and the improved water quality. Cheers

What a great flathead and no better start to getting back into fishing. Hope there are many more great catches installed for you and the wife Cheers

Nice Marlin and going by the photo she would be in that 70 to 80 kg range. Most importantly they are great to eat and make some of the best fish burgers and cold fish sandwiches. BBQ or beer batter marlin is great to eat hot or cold. Anyway nice fish and well done. Hope its the beginning of many more to come Cheers

Theres a months worth of fish and chip meals there. Nice catch