On Saturday I landed one of my proudest catches to date - a 44.2kg bass. These fish are typically caught in depths of 200-350m, meaning the chances of catching one on a kayak in New Zealand are exceptionally slim. However, that challenge is what excites me about game fishing from a kayak! I've spent countless hours on the water targeting hapuka and bass and returning home unsuccessful. However the stars truly aligned on this adventure. It took 3 hours of pedaling off Northland's coast to just get to the fringes of terrain that could hold hapuka and bass. When I hooked the bass it put up an incredible fight, and truly tested my relatively light slow pitch jigging gear. After a hugely tense 10-minute fight, this enormous creature exploded on the surface. Words can't describe the feeling of seeing a fish like this breach alongside my kayak - it was truly remarkable. I'm still buzzing 2 days on, and I'm sure I will be for a long time to come!
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Ugly Stik and Pure Fishing NZ: https://www.purefishing.com/pages/ugly-stik
Rob Fort Series: https://www.robfortseries.co.nz
Coromandel Kayak & Fishing: https://kayakadventures.co.nz/
Rod and Paddle: https://rodandpaddle.co.nz/
Kayak: 2018 Old Town Predator PDL
Rods used: Ugly Stik (https://www.uglystik.com.au/)
Reels used: Penn (https://pennfishing.co.nz/)
Accessories: Rob Fort Series (https://www.robfortseries.co.nz/)
Cameras: GoPro Hero6 Black / GoPro Hero 11 Black
Softbait setup:
Abu Garcia Veritas Tournament 6-10kg
Penn Authority 3500
Berkley ProSpec x8 30lb
Kingfish setup:
Ugly Stik Black Tiger 10-15kg
Penn Authority 6500
Berkley ProSpec x8 50lb
Bluewater setup:
Ugly Stik Bluewater 24kg overhead
Penn Fathom FTH30LD2
Owner Kizuna PE8 Multicolour Braid 300m 80lb/37.1kg
Slow pitch jigging setup:
Penn Battalion 250-450g SPJ rod
Penn Fathom 25NLD
Penn Slammer braid 40lb
Music by callahan: https://soundcloud.com/cxllxhxn/tracks
Music by Zodiaque: https://soundcloud.com/zodiaquemusic
Music by ASONE: https://soundcloud.com/asone_official