Junior kingfish record set

Crewman Lindsay Hunt holds Chayse Learmond's New Zealand junior record kingfish, caught aboard 38 South II out from Whakatane

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When 13-year-old Chayse Learmond set out with his family for a day’s snapper fishing aboard the Whakatane-based charter vessel, 38 South II, skippered by Chris Soanes, a record was the farthest thing from his mind.

His fishing experience prior to this day was confined to eeling in a creek at the back of the farm, so catching snapper and kahawai in 18 metres of water not far from the entrance to the Whakatane River mouth was a bonus.

He hooked into a good fish, which, under the expert guidance of crewman Lindsay Hunt, was landed an hour later after taking Chayse on three circuits of the boat.

What was initially thought to be a stingray turned into a junior New Zealand line-class record claim for a 21.2kg kingfish on 8kg tackle. As the 8kg Black Magic IGFA line was tied directly to the 6/0 Black Magic KL hook, with no heavy trace to reduce the chance of a bust-off, Chayse had managed to overcome a rather daunting challenge.

Good Friday turned out to be a great Friday for the young angler, who will remember his Easter holiday at Whakatane with great fondness – especially as he now has a NZ Big Game Fishing Council record certificate to remind him of the experience.

- © Fairfax NZ News