100pd Hapuka and a mean day out with good mates

At the last minute on Tuesday I saw a bit of an opening and called Owen up 7.30pm "bro shall we go for a puka hunt." Owen didn't take much convincing at all, and I put in a call to Tony Carpenter who was back in NZ at the mo after his record breaking stint overseas - yep keen as mustard.

We launched from Whiti and soon had two tanks of slimeys loaded in the live thanks

Felt good to be back on the briny in good company

BushBilly in his element - got to say this RH690 is a sweet ride that punches through the sea very nicely We mooched around a bit of deep foul known to hold a few this time of year, Tony and I took turns on the helm so Owen could get amongst the action, Owen's first ever puka and the first for CoroKing

JM350 bent as

Boom, yeah Owen! What a fish - 24kg

And another PB - this one 28kg

Big T got some time on the rail too - is that your knuckles getting dusted Tony?

Tony stoked to be back into some Kiwi goodness

It was turning into a hell of a day, awesome conditions, good company and some good kai coming on board to feed a few families

I was plugging away with a CD tournament bent butt and a Boulders old Avet T-RX I bought off him last year.Tony lined up the next drift and the next one had me in some serious trouble! Peeling line off the T-RX on some serious drag, and, with no gimbal - it was hurting somewhat! Fair bit of squealing, and Tony backing down hard on this fish which was heading in whatever direction it wanted - man, anyone who says puka don't fight - these fish I reckon are the ultimate!! Back was starting to ache lifting it up and a doozy popped to the surface!

It hurt!

46.9kg weighed back on land on Tony's IGFA scales

It was 1pm now and with plenty of good eating on board we called it quits with the fish still biting, it was inshore to check on the scallies at Optio, in no time Owen had his fill