The one that didn't get away!

This afternoon we headed off to a local beach to have a go at surf casting. Within 10 minutes we caught a little mullet which was promptly released. Over the next hour we got another mullet and kahawai, both returned to the sea, before landing a good sized kahawai which we planned for tea. Another cast out and we had a couple of tugs before the line started heading off the reel. "It feels like a smaller kahawai" said dcysurfer and started to wind in the line. Finally we caught a glimpse of the fish - a snapper was identified. Yum! I thought and headed down the beach to pick it up from the sand. Then the surf rolled back to reveal this monster just as the line went ping. Bugger! I made a grab for it just as another wave broke and it was picked up by the water and away. But how did we get this photo then? I hear you ask.

Well, I ran into the surf after it and dcysurfer threw down the rod and charged in too. The next frantic minutes involved grabbing the fish, losing it again, running around with waves breaking over us, lots of cursing and finally with a lucky wave, managing to haul it out of the water. Other fishermen on the beach came along to comment on us clowning around in the surf but were suitably impressed by the reason for it all.

It weighed in at 7.5kg (17lbs) and tasted very nice for tea tonight and we'll be enjoying it for several nights to come. We gave the kahawai to the fisherman who came over to our spot as we packed up to go home wet but happy.