AS Fisho mentioned in a “sneak peek” news story a couple of weeks ago, Rob Paxevanos and the Fishing Australia crew have been out capturing footage of marlin fishing – notably, from sail ‘yaks.
While sailing and big fish isn’t new, Steve Fields, the CEO of Hobie Cat Australasia has something new: a modern day high tech sailing kayak purpose built for two anglers. Being an expert on both small sail boats and fishing kayaks and an accomplished/mad keen angler to boot, Fields worked with Hobie in the US to bring down under a ripper craft that already can’t keep up with demand.
The Hobie Mirage Tandem Island is essentially a kayak that can sail along at well over 10 knots, is as stable as they come, and in the process opens up a whole new world of fishing to keen kayak fishos.
Two hours into the fight of his life with a rampaging black marlin on 37kg tackle Rob Paxevanos – the camera boat had called it for 80 kilos – he wondered if the fish had been drinking Red Bull… he’d knocked over dozens of 100kg plus south coast marlin on line class half the size and in well under an hour.
Enter the man in the Tandem Island’s front seat- Paul O’Leary – a legend in sail ‘yak circles – the giant fish changed direction jumped and smoked off 200 yards of line like it was just hooked. Paul cranked the Mirage Drive and gave chase. Around the three hour mark the marlin was finally tagged and the support team let out a cheer well above the sound of camera boats, wind and rain.
That wasn’t the only sail ‘yak marlin encounter that week… for the full story stay tuned for future episodes of Fishing Australia, via the WIN network.
More info at www.hobiefishing.com.au
