NorCal Kayak Anglers

Dive Zone => Kayak Diving and Spearfishing => Topic started by: Wilderness medic on March 01, 2018, 04:47:49 PM

Title: New Zealand report (broke a world record, pic heavy)
Post by: Wilderness medic on March 01, 2018, 04:47:49 PM
My girlfriend, Jason O, and I flew to New Zealand last week where we met up with Greg G from Alaska. The first day way pretty terrible as my girlfriend was battling a cold and Greg showed up with what appeared to be the last stages of AIDS.
(https://i.imgur.com/TV6x11g.jpg)

The second day Jason and I went out on our charter but the other two were too sick to even give it a shot. At the first spot we saw a few kingfish, but nothing big. Right before we left Jason had two giant black marlin swim by him but didn't feel like taking one. At the second spot Jason shot two kingfish.

(https://i.imgur.com/a4OxC6u.jpg)

The kingis were out in numbers at this spot. I did a drop and nailed my first yellowtail (and first pelagic period) on my pole spear.


(https://i.imgur.com/RyU0aEy.png)

We hit another spot where we shot some kahawai and pinkies and then went in.
(https://i.imgur.com/x9mZTcW.jpg)

The second day the others were able to give the charter a try but were both still pretty messed up from being sick. I woke up and felt like I had strep throat. We stopped at a giant cut back into a cliff that was only maybe 50-100' wide, but a quarter mile long and a couple hundred feet deep.

(https://i.imgur.com/ERn6FQv.png)


At another spot there were a dozen giant fish swarming the pinnacle. I did a drop and over my shoulder a big 40+ pound fish swims right into range and I let my pole spear fly and see an excellent shot with great penetration.

(https://i.imgur.com/9FjQ7Qj.png)

 At first I thought I stoned it because it sank almost motionlessly to the bottom. As I start yarding it in the thing comes to life and tows me around. I end up right next to Jason who has one on the line as well, and a 10'+ bronze whaler shark is coming up towards us. After some fighting I get it up, brain it, and take it to the boat.

It weighed out at 41 pounds and some change, beating the current pole spear world record of 34.5 pounds.
(https://i.imgur.com/42CSLIv.jpg)


On the third day I'm feeling like garbage but the other two sick people are feeling much better. I swim around buddied up with my girlfriend. She takes a couple drops and misses a few shots, but eventually lines up and gets one.
(https://i.imgur.com/O1qHf4B.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/9zngkiq.jpg)

Greg gets a nice sized one, Jason gets another one or two, and we head in to a scallop bed. We spent about 20 minutes pulling up 30-40 scallops, which are free swimmers in NZ, and head in.

(https://i.imgur.com/jx5WK67.jpg)

All in all a fun dive trip.
(https://i.imgur.com/Ah5R9UE.jpg)

Here is a short teaser video of the pole speared yellowtail

https://vimeo.com/258183795
Title: Re: New Zealand report (broke a world record, pic heavy)
Post by: Sailfish on March 01, 2018, 05:04:24 PM
Awesome! Congrats on the WR YT Tuna  :smt007  Thanks for the report, pictures, and video Gio.
Title: Re: New Zealand report (broke a world record, pic heavy)
Post by: Cod Almighty on March 01, 2018, 05:22:06 PM
Looks like an Epic trip!!!! Congrats on the YT kingfish!!!!!
Title: Re: New Zealand report (broke a world record, pic heavy)
Post by: Cod Almighty on March 01, 2018, 05:24:15 PM
Awesome! Congrats on the WR YT Tuna  :smt007  Thanks for the report, pictures, and video Gio.
Just a little FYI Yellowtail are part of the Amberjack family and not a tuna. I think people get confused because of the yellowfin tuna being so close in name.
Title: Re: New Zealand report (broke a world record, pic heavy)
Post by: Wilderness medic on March 01, 2018, 05:29:21 PM
Awesome! Congrats on the WR YT Tuna  :smt007  Thanks for the report, pictures, and video Gio.
Just a little FYI Yellowtail are part of the Amberjack family and not a tuna. I think people get confused because of the yellowfin tuna being so close in name.

I think you mean yellowfin amberjack. Otherwise known as the yellowtail Tuna.
Title: Re: New Zealand report (broke a world record, pic heavy)
Post by: Tote on March 01, 2018, 07:21:50 PM
CREDIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: New Zealand report (broke a world record, pic heavy)
Post by: TenCrabs on March 01, 2018, 10:08:12 PM
Nice going with the pole spear! Hamachi chow down!! That reminds me of diving the pacific side of Baja. We caught scallops like those in Ireland, it is cool how they swim away from you...good fun! Thanks for bringing back some memories.
Title: Re: New Zealand report (broke a world record, pic heavy)
Post by: Str8FishiN on March 01, 2018, 11:14:59 PM
HELL YEAH!  CONGRATS ON SLAYFEST!!! 
Title: Re: New Zealand report (broke a world record, pic heavy)
Post by: Eddie on March 02, 2018, 07:25:11 AM
Awesome! Congrats on the WR YT Tuna  :smt007  Thanks for the report, pictures, and video Gio.
Just a little FYI Yellowtail are part of the Amberjack family and not a tuna. I think people get confused because of the yellowfin tuna being so close in name.
Amberjack like trevally....?  Papio...Ulua....Giant Trevally...
Title: Re: New Zealand report (broke a world record, pic heavy)
Post by: Otter on March 02, 2018, 08:42:06 AM
Oh man that looks like an amazing trip!! Thanks for sharing and congrats on the yellowtail!

What part of New Zealand was this? Looks like a really beautiful spot.

-Eliot
Title: Re: New Zealand report (broke a world record, pic heavy)
Post by: Wilderness medic on March 02, 2018, 09:02:05 AM
Awesome! Congrats on the WR YT Tuna  :smt007  Thanks for the report, pictures, and video Gio.
Just a little FYI Yellowtail are part of the Amberjack family and not a tuna. I think people get confused because of the yellowfin tuna being so close in name.
Amberjack like trevally....?  Papio...Ulua....Giant Trevally...

Same family different genus. Seriola lalandi grandis. S. pacific yellowtail amberjack.


Oh man that looks like an amazing trip!! Thanks for sharing and congrats on the yellowtail!

What part of New Zealand was this? Looks like a really beautiful spot.

-Eliot

Whangarei. North part of the north island.
Title: Re: New Zealand report (broke a world record, pic heavy)
Post by: Scurvy on March 02, 2018, 09:23:09 AM
Wow, that was awesome.  How deep were you?  With the GoPro wide angle, it's very hard to tell how long the pole and shot were, can you share that too?
Title: Re: New Zealand report (broke a world record, pic heavy)
Post by: Wilderness medic on March 02, 2018, 09:33:00 AM
Wow, that was awesome.  How deep were you?  With the GoPro wide angle, it's very hard to tell how long the pole and shot were, can you share that too?

Only 30/35’.

Here’s some perspective on my bluewater pole. It is not an easy thing to dive with, pull back, or hold.


Not sure why this site is flipping my picture...
Title: Re: New Zealand report (broke a world record, pic heavy)
Post by: Wilderness medic on March 02, 2018, 09:35:49 AM
Maybe this one will work.
Title: Re: New Zealand report (broke a world record, pic heavy)
Post by: Fish Master1 on March 02, 2018, 10:16:26 AM
EPIC!!!!! :smt007
Title: Re: New Zealand report (broke a world record, pic heavy)
Post by: soleman on March 02, 2018, 10:21:49 AM
Nice work, congrats on the YT!
Title: Re: New Zealand report (broke a world record, pic heavy)
Post by: Wilderness medic on March 02, 2018, 09:36:26 PM
AIDS comedic references always funny.

Just like kids with cancer.

So funny.

Almost as funny as people with no sense of humor. :smt044
Title: Re: New Zealand report (broke a world record, pic heavy)
Post by: Wilderness medic on March 02, 2018, 09:40:28 PM
Spent the entire day processing the catch. All vacuum sealed and frozen, with enough for tonights dinner held to the side.
(https://i.imgur.com/Fqd9Cyu.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/mXNM5uO.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/wF3NTon.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/tKM42DX.jpg)

A solid 10 or more pounds of belly meat brining ready to smoke tomorrow.
(https://i.imgur.com/uqXK3ku.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/GFuCKuc.jpg)
Title: Re: New Zealand report (broke a world record, pic heavy)
Post by: Sailfish on March 03, 2018, 05:27:20 AM
Wow!!!  :smt007
Title: Re: New Zealand report (broke a world record, pic heavy)
Post by: Treso on March 03, 2018, 06:42:11 AM
That is epic! Congratulations!
Title: Re: New Zealand report (broke a world record, pic heavy)
Post by: Sarge on March 03, 2018, 09:55:57 AM
AWESOME....you are a BAD ASS.
Title: Re: New Zealand report (broke a world record, pic heavy)
Post by: gelbyak on March 03, 2018, 11:14:59 AM
It's not the length of a man's pole, it's how he uses it. Apparently in your case it's both. Holy hell, how do you wield that thing? My uninformed arse didn't know they made 'em that long.

Very cool fish and photos. Way to power through illness to make the best of what looks like a great trip!
Title: Re: New Zealand report (broke a world record, pic heavy)
Post by: Wilderness medic on March 03, 2018, 11:38:45 AM
It's not the length of a man's pole, it's how he uses it. Apparently in your case it's both. Holy hell, how do you wield that thing? My uninformed arse didn't know they made 'em that long.

Very cool fish and photos. Way to power through illness to make the best of what looks like a great trip!
:smt005

Loading it is a two stage proces. Pull the band 1/3 of the way up, grab another arms length up and pull it the rest of the way. It’s not easy to move in the water. Even though it’s just a pole it shakes and makes noise trying to move it to aim.
Title: Re: New Zealand report (broke a world record, pic heavy)
Post by: I Zod Out on March 03, 2018, 08:01:05 PM
You were lucky!

Cheers,

I Zod Out
Title: Re: New Zealand report (broke a world record, pic heavy)
Post by: AnnieAreYouOk on March 03, 2018, 09:55:12 PM
Badass Gio and J!!!

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Title: Re: New Zealand report (broke a world record, pic heavy)
Post by: Cabeza de Martillo on March 04, 2018, 12:22:18 AM
Crushed it! :smt007

Way to go bro...congrats!
Title: Re: New Zealand report (broke a world record, pic heavy)
Post by: Pacifica on March 04, 2018, 11:53:44 AM
Congrats!  I have so much to learn and these pics just motivate me even more!
Title: Re: New Zealand report (broke a world record, pic heavy)
Post by: Wilderness medic on April 08, 2018, 11:07:48 AM
Finally put together the video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzJ4N80ldE4&lc=z22zdjm5dlbaezgbz04t1aokgxvoxmms2y2bmlsuinrgbk0h00410
Title: Re: New Zealand report (broke a world record, pic heavy)
Post by: Bushy on April 08, 2018, 09:25:28 PM
AWESOME!!!!!!


Who Da Man??

YOU da MAN!!!!



Bushy
Title: Re: New Zealand report (broke a world record, pic heavy)
Post by: FishWorks on April 09, 2018, 05:40:31 AM
Looked like an EPIC TRIP! Congrats. That's a big ass YT
Title: Re: New Zealand report (broke a world record, pic heavy)
Post by: Tote on April 09, 2018, 06:53:07 PM
Badass underwater shots!
Title: Re: New Zealand report (broke a world record, pic heavy)
Post by: agoodhi on April 09, 2018, 10:10:54 PM
Wow!!!!  Congrats on the WR fish!!!
Title: Re: New Zealand report (broke a world record, pic heavy)
Post by: rockfish on April 10, 2018, 02:51:06 PM
IMPRESSIVE!!!!
Title: Re: New Zealand report (broke a world record, pic heavy)
Post by: Wilderness medic on April 11, 2018, 10:28:40 PM
Finally approved