RADICAL FISHING - Stripeys plentiful for all

While the Hokianga is not quite the hot spot it was last year, with only 15 striped marlin weighed in so far, further south off the Kaipara and Manukau, enterprising fishos have been enjoying a striped marlin bonanza.
And I'm advised that the action continues right down to the New Plymouth region with the warm water that hung off the Hokianga last year having moved right on down the island this year.
Nationally, best fish of the season is reckoned likely to be the 188kg stripey landed in 70m off the Manukau mid-February.
However, there are some who reckon we ain't seen nothin' yet. Based on the `horses' they've encountered but lost and the fantastic condition of those landed,, there are some who anticipate several New Zealand records for striped marlin could be under threat before the season is over.
The Dargaville boys, locally known as the Kumara boats, have been setting the pace.
Known as Kumara boats because a fair few of them are in fact professional Kumara growers with money to spare and time on there hands at this time of the year, these good keen men with friends from around and about have been doing the business out wide.
While launching from the Hokianga and trolling south is a strategy often employed, many prefer to launch off the beach with mass launchings of up to half a dozen boats at a time not uncommon.
The advantage of the mass launching is primarily one of safety with plenty of back-up should anyone get into trouble.
Being out on your own on the west coast is not recommended. That's because there's little help available should you find yourself up the creek without a paddle.
Recent failures on both Kaipara and Hokianga bars reinforce the need to show respect for the sea.
Many are concerned that visitors without suitable experience are asking for trouble.
Once on the water, the Kumara boats keep in touch on air and share advice on sightings of work-ups and are often on hand to observe one another's tussles with their striped marlin.
The strategy of beach launching is reported to work well for swells of about up to 1.5m with bar crossings required for bigger seas.
Crossing the Kaipara bar is considered a last resort with distances required to get there and the vastness and dangers of the Kaipara bar encouraging some that I've spoken too to stay at home if a Kaipara bar crossing is the only viable option.
In case you're looking for a few facts, try these for size: Bob Seigel, Northern Wairoa Club Deputy weigh-master reported seven marlins weighed in during the first three days of last week. Best fish was a 143.6kg stripey landed by John Adolph.
Others in on the action included `Bones' Mike Nola with one of 105kg and visiting Dr Andrew Hollings with another of 90kg. Another good keen man who, with crew, captured a further three, reports having seen 30 marlin over the two days he was on the water.