The Kermadec Islands
I had been eyeing up the Kermadecs now for some time, and was convinced there was good ground up there to explore and big fish to catch. Apart from the occasional boat passing through, and the commercial surface liners that venture up there, the Kermadecs hadn't yet been fished, to my knowledge anyway.
Some one once told me that Bill Hall, on the way through to Tonga had hooked a marlin leaving one of the anchorages, of course before the marine reserves were set up. So this, along with info that the Japanese surface liners fished for striped marlin in the kermadec area in the 50 and 60s and some stories from commercial fishermen friends of mine-it all looked too good to be true!
As the Kermadecs lie approximately 600 nautical miles from Auckland, almost twice the distance as the Wanganellas, we prepared the boat as usual. However before reaching the Kermadec Islands, we de-toured slightly to the east to run over the Star of Bengal Bank. The Bengal bank, is situated 380nm from Auckland and has a series of shallow hills that run for about 20nm. Further to the south run some deeper hills, so all in all this is another oasis in the dessert.
6th Novemeber
Arriving at the Bengal Bank about 12 noon, we were all fairly positive, as the water was blue and temperature 20 degrees. However one thing we all noticed was the lack of bird life. Anyway we continued to investigate the area and after a couple of hours, were somewhat disappointed in the complete lack of bait. So we pulled the pin and dropped some bottom gear on one of the little hills. There might not have been any marlin around, but sure as hell there was Hapuka and Bass! Just a couple of drops yielded enough table fish for the trip. So that night we steamed on through to the Kermadecs, but before we pulled the gear, we managed to land a couple of Albies and Mahimahi.
7Th Novemeber
We had to slow down a little last night due to the seas conditions so we didn't arrive at the next bank till just after midday. Here lies a bank that shallows up to 112 meters, 5 miles by 3 miles and just outside the 12-mile marine reserve. The water was up a degree and the color was brilliant. Two yellow fin later and the boys had lunch on the BBQ. I think when the reel squealed in to life again that everyone was asleep, as it took some time for anyone to get to the rod, and as they applied some heat a billfish lept from the water. It was a surprise to all of us! While we got settled, the fish put on an awesome display of figure of eights in the water, and I hadn't seen a marlin put on such a head shaking display since we were fishing down at Waihou Bay. Never the less, he threwthe hook! The day finished off with two more billfish bites, but no hook ups. We headed into Raoul with renewed enthusiasm.
Now I wont go into Rauol Island, as there is more then enough info on the internet, but I will say that it reminded me very much of the Three Kings and also of the Island in Jurassic park.
8th November
The weather was still comfortable, but was blowing 20knts from the east with showers forecasted. The next bank lies 20nm to the north of Raoul and again is approx 20nm long with various shallow spots and hills marked on the chart. As we approached and set the gear, we noticed birds on the horizon and set about heading for them, here we found the first hill and heaps of school yellow fin tuna, around the 15kg mark. We fished this area through the tide then headed north in disgust! As we weren't here to catch baitfish!!! The rest of the bank was BARE. So back to the bait fish and well they were feeding on something, so I know if I was a marlin, where I would be hiding out. With nothing more then yellow fin, we headed north that night bound for another bank.
9th November
We set the sea anchor late last night endeavoring to get a decent nights sleep, however by the morning the breeze had set in to a constant 30knts with showers on top of that. Pulling the pin we headed took the day to head back to Raoul, stopping of at yellow fin hill for dinner. Some friends of mine on another vessel, The Southern Salvor were in, at Denham Bay, and since it was Jonny the engineers birthday, we were invited over after dinner for a couple of quiet ones.
10th November
Needless to say, my guests slept in this morning, and since the weather hadn't abated, we spent the day diving/snorkeling and relaxing.
11th 12th November
We fished the southern bank again for zip and then back down to the Bengal, where we did some more bottom fishing and drifted some deep baits for a sword. The other species we were told bout up here was how prolific the swords were and boy the territory looked good. We trolled for half the night marking the best meatballs of bait I have ever seen while sword fishing, but with no luck. With bad weather looming in the Tasman, we headed home the next morning.
The Kermadecs in November wasn't what we had hope for, I think we were a little late for the striped marlin and a little early for the blue and black marlin and well one night sword fishing don't say much at all. It is a very exciting place and one we will be visiting again.
Good fishing. Tom |
