AT just 10 years old Makayla Buttigieg is the toast of the junior fishing world after hauling in a world record marlin under the small fry category.
Makayla has been fishing since she was four years old and has always had a passion for being out on the water whether its chasing snapper, whiting or squid in Port Phillip Bay or tuna and marlin offshore.
Now at 10 years old and after watching her dad and uncles catching numerous marlin over the years she thought it was her turn to do something special. Along with her father Darren and some friends they decided to head to Eden in search of a record or two aboard the 675 Haines Hunter Happy Hour.
A few weeks prior Makayla caught her first marlin with the drag backed off on 37kg line with a helping hand but she was determined this time to do it on her own.
This was a good enough reason for Makayla to finish half a day earlier from school to prepare for the seven hour drive ahead to Eden. The first day the weather forecast was a light north-easterly wind and the colour of the water was cobalt blue which lead to a successful day tagging two marlin and boating one. But what made the day special was Makayla caught a NSW and Australian record with a 92.5kg striped marlin on 15kg line class. Makayla was so excited she fell asleep with a smile on her face!
The weather the following day was even better and Darren went on a search to get Makayla another record but this time on 24kg line. Her first fish of the day was a black marlin which Darren disqualified because it tangled with another rod and to save Makayla’s energy the fish was caught by another angler.
Makayla was not disappointed for long because 30 minutes later she was on to another fish which was going to really test her strength. Makayla was completely exhausted after an hour and was close to giving up. After a bit of a rest and some refreshing cold water over the head, and drinking two litres of water throughout the battle, she managed to go all the way.
Makayla was on the rod for one hour and 45 minutes before the leader was grabbed and the fish brought boat side.
The end result was a pending world and Australian record with a Striped marlin of 147kg on 24kg line.
The previous world record was caught in New Zealand in 2002 and weighed 132kgs.
Both fish were weighed by the Merimbula Big Game Angling Club with paperwork to be sent to the International Game Fishing Association to endorse.
