SECOND time Moet has tagged first Striped Marlin for NZ for game season since Lynda and Robbie Matthews have owned her. She came up trumps while trolling early season back on the 29th of December 2007. They had just purchased the 2006  13M Riviera launch and with youngest son Leighton, they were out off North Cape heading deep for a Hapuka fish and decided to troll out. Such an exciting outcome that day hooking up to a Stripey before destination fishing spot. Lynda was the fortunate angler that day getting recognition for her efforts of 1st Striped Marlin of the season section and 1st T/R. 

Recent trip with lucky charm Leighton on board with his parents and good friends Ali and Ken Lousley was fantastic. They headed up from Opua to the 60 Mile  grounds (off Cape Reinga) with the intension of fishing for some Blue Nose and Hapuka out wide. The Game rods were part of the game plan, loaded on for trolling on route.

Success stopping at Cavallis first night anchorage, catching snapper before anchoring up. Next day heading North after receiving some marks as Moet had new electronics and no marks for these grounds as the crew had never fished out there. 
 

With the exceptional conditions they stayed out on the sea overnight while anticipating the troll around these grounds before heading down to Opua home port.  It was while Ken and Robbie were preparing lunch the tailer Stripey was observed by Leighton. We all got very excited and the marlin quickly decided to know us and came and took the short corner lure but got hooked in the head and disappeared, to then  resurface on the Shot gun chasing Kens Flasha Bou and nailing it !! The fight was short only 12 minutes, going crazy on the trace when Robbie was trying to pull him closer to the boat. Big excitment, high fives all round with the early season prospect of being the first for NZ. It was the first T/R and first for Marlin for NZ.  Ken, also clinching the Fingers First Trophy for Ahipara Gamefish Club.