News from John and Meg Batterton at Middlesex NZ via Tim from Bluewater of some amazing World Record captures fishing with owners Eryn and Guy on board the "Hookin' Bull" this past weekend. Eryn just missing the mark with her first fish (85.2 kg on 4 - just .5kg shy of the current world record) brought it home with her second stripey which tipped the scales at 94kg - a new pending World Record - a great effort after a 3 hour battle.

Following up and not to be outdone, Guy weighed a 105kg striped marlin on 1kg line - another fantastic world record claim. Congrats guys!

Reports from the Gold Coast - Blues are there to catch, unfortunately the weather doesn't let us....! Hopefully the weather improves soon.

There was a concern after the final day of the tourn that the Stripies had left town but we're happy to report they showed up again today. We had a fun day switch baiting starting with a double hookup and ending with three from four hooked and raising another five or so that just wanted to admire the teaser. It was glamour weather too which made a real nice change. We're heading home after fishing tomorrow so it is nice to end on a good weather and good fishing high.

Bring on the GC Blue Marlin!

On the trip back to the GC yesterday, Capt. Luke and team on Kekoa had a busy day three Stripies and a Blue.

Pictures: I wonder why they call them Striped Marlin?? Haha... And the resident
Fairy Penguin at D'Albora Marina shows us what a bait ball should look like.

Sunday fishing was by all reports - red hot. Provided you were in the right spot. It's a pity I don't have any photos for you because we weren't there. Kekoa returned to the Car Park where they had spotted the bait balls earlier in the week and found themselves in the middle of the action. A double header straight up (two Stripeys) was followed by consistent bites throughout the day. Angler Pete O'Brien (formerly Australia's biggest boat builder but now 30kgs lighter) finished the day with a Marlin Grand Slam (Blue, Black and Stripe) as the team came home with 6 tags for the day and 7 for the tournament.

Other boats in the thick of it Capt Brett on the newly appointed Assegai Gorilla (also finishing the tournament on 7 tags), Capt Tim on Born Free (tagging 5), Perry and Vanessa on Mauna Kea (tagging 3 for the day - also a Grand Slam - and hooking up again mere seconds after cease fishing), Tomo, Chris and the boys on Mojo, Capt Trent on Iona and Capt Graham on Cabo 1 stuck to his game plan releasing two Blues.

The results (I believe but correct me if I'm wrong - I heard a few trophies needed to be reassigned):
NSW Champion Club - Newcastle Port Stephens, NSW Champion Capture Boat - Rampage from Offshore, NSW Champion Tag & Release Boat - Gorilla. Champion Visiting Boat Tag & Release being Kekoa who also took home the Champion and Runner Up Angler (Peter and Leigh) for the Visiting Boats as well. Good showing for the Townsville GFC!

Did anyone hear how big the Mako Shark was that was weighed on 6kg and how big the biggest Marlin was?

But it was okay.

We made sushi!