A mere 7 years ago a bunch of us Guys and Gals from Zeal Church embarked on our annual Fishing Competition. We had some sponsors with a shiny new reel up for grabs.
The Venue: Kauri mountain Beach
Prize: For the biggest Kahawai (quite prolific at Kauri Mountain)
We spread out across the beach and began hurling our baits out as far as they could fly. Seaweed littered the sand at the hightide mark and many a cast reeled in hefty clupms too add to the smelly piles.
The going was slow and heads began to drop and murmers could be heard from the less stallwart amongst us.
Some waded out into the cold surf to gain a few important metres on their cast. Hours later they were seen stuffing as much newspaper, smelling suspiciously like bait, down their jacket to protect themselves from the bone-chilling cold. Full marks for perseverance.
A whooping shout could be heard from down the beach. The first of the long awaited Kahawai had been caught. It's shimmering silver form coming with a promise of a brand new reel.
Heads perked up and casts seemed to sail out with renewed vigor. As time went on several more Kahawai were harvested from the sea. Runners kept up a commentary as these 'non-fishers' ran between contestants shouting and comparing fish sizes.
Almost as a surprise a Schnapper was caught, not very big mind you, but all the same it was a Schnapper! Suddenly it was like the windows of Heaven were thrown open. Hoots could be heard up and down the beach as one after another the sea gave up Schnapper in increasing sizes.
I was watching this spectacle, enjoying my comrades success, but dreaming of my turn, when my line rapidly peeled off out to sea. My drag had been fairly loose so I tightened it a notch or two with no effect. As my heart began to beat faster I tentatively wound my drag tighter and tighter. The steamtrain on the other end began to tire and after three strong runs straight out to sea against almost full drag this monster was beat.
I hesitantly reeled in my prize with comrades searching the waves for a glint of scaly silver. Shauny leapt into the frey with a long handled Gaff and secured my prize! Thanks Shauny, I owe you one.
I could scarcley believe my eyes as a Schnapper as long as my fully extended arm flopped on the sand. Wooooo Hoooo!
Shauny 'Gaff Man / Hohepa / Honey Boy C. was having an absolute shocker of a night. Having borrowed a rod from his mate he promptly broke it and later injured himself (quite how I can't recall). Turns out the rod was his mates Dad's...oops.
In any case, with the promise of even larger Schnapper with the next cast, I selflessly baited my line and handed it to Shaun. "Catch a monster Mate"
Unfortunately Shauny had other plans and turned my reel into a fish mish ending birds nest of all birds nests :(
I don't know who I was more sad for...Shauny and his shockingly memorable night or myself for not having another crack at those once in a life time MOOCHERS!
At prize giving my mighty Schnapper dwarfed the competition. I was all smiles until I remembered the prize was for the biggest Kahawai. I wasn't worried, I already had my prize!
Good times all round I say. Here's a picture of the one that didn't get away :)
