Ross Sherman caught a 142kg striped marlin off Ripiro Beach in Dargaville. Photo / Supplied
A Northland fisherman had a big surprise this afternoon after he caught a 142kg striped marlin at Ripiro Beach in Dargaville.
Ross Sherman, from Baylys Beach, was land-based fishing with his wife, brother and son when he hooked the huge fish on his longline.
Sherman said he had his Seahorse Electric Kontiki longline cast 1800m out when he started to see splashing in the distance.
"I obviously caught a kahawai and a marlin has come in and taken the kahawai," he said.
"I could see the splashing going on because it was a nice day and the sea was nice and calm.
"I was in the process of getting my binoculars out when my longline reel started taking off, so I knew I had something large on."
Sherman said it was quite difficult to pull the game fish in.
"I have an electric winch which I had to help as it came in. It took about three quarters of an hour to get it in," he said.
"I got it to about 50m from the shore and then it actually came disconnected from the line, so I got my son who is a good surfer to go out there and tie the line around its tail."
He said he was elated, and still a bit stunned, by the hefty catch.
"This is definitely the biggest fish I have ever caught. I must have got a bit lucky today."
Sherman believed he may have broken a national record by reeling in the first land-based marlin caught in New Zealand.
"I haven't heard of it being done before," he said. "They are usually caught off boats, a few kilometres out to sea."
He said it took four people to lift the fish, which was now prepped and cooking in the smokehouse.
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