b'EPIC CHARTERSCUVIER SHALLOWS thumb on the spool to help drag the fishTrolling mackerel live baits Owen decided to head to Cuvier Islandinto deeper water. in close to Cuvier Island (Repanga) which is 15km north of theThe kingfish had other plans as it triedoften produces.Mercury Islands and approximatelyto head back to the reef and Scott had to 23km south-east of Great Barrier.Wecrank hard and fast, keeping its head up have fished here before and the area hasand with a bit of luck it swam out where extensive reefs with good snapper andhe could fight it better.Owen warned him kingfish.Owen planned to go in closenot to take too long as sharks had been to slow troll live baits and get out of thea constant problem recently.The fish messy conditions for a while. soon tired after such pressure and Owen We arrived and set to putting twoboated it, with a few quick photos and it mackerels out and down 3-line colourswas kept for the smoker.as Owen moved in close and positionedWe tried several more trolls here but Kaos on a slow troll.There were hugedidnt get any more takes so we headed schools of maomao, kahawai and trevallyback towards the Mercs to try the and the place screamed predators here. shallows there and we got a bit beat up as As we came to the end of the island, Scottwe had to go directly into the south-east had a good hit, and the fish took off asswell and chop that had built up over the he yelled out and Owen gunned it outpast couple of hours.towards deeper water.We all hung onBack at the Mercs and in the shelter of and Scott did well to balance and keep histhe islands it was much nicer, and Owens 14FISHING IN GODZONE MAY/JUNE2022'