I threw out the Maggot and put 
the rod in the holder while checking 
the drag, as I turned to get another 
lure out the rod bent over with line 
running out at speed!  “We are on 
Graeme!” I yelled out as he slowed 
from trolling speed and I grabbed 
the rod to put more drag on the fish.
It went down deep and after a 
brief fight, I had it up close thanks 
to the Lanza rod and Accurate’s 
powerful drag hurting the fish.  It 
was glowing bright silver down 
deep as the fish neared the boat 
and Graeme had the gaff ready; it 
turned out to be a kingfish.  Not 
quite the tuna we hoped for but 
still a fat fish kept for fresh sashimi 
and taken on a trolling lure.
We quickly gunned it back around 
to follow the diving gannets, and I put 
out the bright Maggot and we were 
on again in less than twenty seconds!  
Graeme was on the rod this time and 
landed a similar good conditioned 
kingie which was also kept.
After bleeding both kings for the 
bin and covering with ice, we trolled 
around and caught a few more 
rat kingfish which we released 
and had a jig on some sign on the 
bottom, catching a snapper and 
more rat kings.  The sea conditions 
were now glassy calm and with 
no wind it was warm, so we could 
take off the beanies and coats to 
enjoy the milder conditions.
We headed back in around 4pm 
with a good catch of snapper and 
kingfish for the family to enjoy, and 
the trip to Whakatane was well 
worth it and I think another trip 
to chase tuna is on the cards.
The writer with 
one of several kings 
that hit the Black 
Magic Maggot 
trolling lure kept 
for fresh sashimi.
Later that evening and the fresh 
kingfish sashimi was outstanding!
Feature
16  FISHING IN GODZONE MAGAZINE

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