Searching for Southern Bluefin Tuna off Waihau
Every offshore angler dreams of hooking a giant Southern Bluefin Tuna. They're one of the most powerful pelagic game fish in the ocean, capable of blistering runs, incredible endurance, and pushing both tackle and anglers to their limits. For Chris Maine and the crew aboard Obsidian, that dream became reality off New Zealand's east coast when a 137kg (302 lb) Southern Bluefin Tuna crushed a Fathom Offshore Fatboy Medium in Glow after an unforgettable two-hour battle.
The crew left Tauranga Friday evening and launched from Waihau before daylight on June 27, making the run toward East Cape and eventually the Lotin Rise, an area well known among New Zealand anglers targeting Bluefin Tuna. Bird activity was everywhere, but rough seas made it difficult to mark fish below 50 meters or spot surface action. Despite the conditions, confidence in the area remained high.
Around 8:00 a.m., the crew deployed a spread of offshore trolling lures, including a Fatboy Medium in Glow fishing from the shotgun position.
One Missed Opportunity... Then Chaos
At 8:49 a.m. the first strike came... Unfortunately, the fish pulled free after only a few seconds.
Just one minute later, the shotgun rod folded over again. This time the Fathom Offshore Fatboy Medium tuna lure in Glow stayed connected.
Within seconds the giant Southern Bluefin Tuna ripped nearly 600 meters of line from an 800-meter spool, putting the crew dangerously close to being spooled before the fight had truly begun. After clearing the rest of the trolling spread, everyone settled into what would become a serious battle.
A Two-Hour Bluefin Tuna Fight
During the first thirty minutes, the crew regained the topshot twice, only to watch the tuna peel another 200 meters of line with powerful runs.
At the one-hour mark, the fish surged again, leaving only about 200 meters of line remaining on the reel. Rather than increase drag too early, the crew stayed patient and continued working the fish.
By the ninety-minute mark they finally regained the topshot again. This time, angler Chris Maine carefully thumbed the spool to apply just enough additional pressure while continuing to gain line meter by meter.
Nearly two hours after the hookup, the line angle flattened, the wind-on leader appeared, and the massive Southern Bluefin Tuna surfaced beside the boat. Josh secured the leader while the first gaff found its mark. At just after 11:00 a.m., the fish was finally aboard.
Back on shore, the Southern Bluefin Tuna officially weighed 137 kilograms (302 pounds), gilled and gutted.
For us, stories like this represent the true test of an offshore trolling lure.
Congratulations to Chris Maine and the crew aboard Obsidian on an incredible catch and an unforgettable Southern Bluefin Tuna fishing adventure.
To see the lure used: checkout the Fatboy Medium Trolling Lure HERE
