Professional Skipper - Free Sample issue (July/Aug 2011)

The birds had no fear and laid their eggs in front of us Visitors know who has sovereign rights board. On our voyage from Noumea to Chesterfield, a distance of around 500 miles, pushing 25 tonnes, the twin Steyr diesel motors used only 400 litres! Shifts on board are always accompanied by lots of tea and John's favourite, Gingernuts, on which we are all now hooked. You would not believe how many packets were stowed aboard. One of the cool things about being in a French territory is the pastries. Noumea has a fantastic pastry shop we often visit. With the groceries collected and Ron and Spoon completing our Customs formalities, it was time to fuel up and head off. After making excellent pasage the wind strength began to increase and by midnight on day four it was blowing 20 knots. John and I decided to hove to so we would arrive at the first reef complex at first light. As dawn broke we set the gear and we were fishing. We approached the first rise and hooked a mack tuna, or kawakawa, almost immediately. The lures were reset and there was another strike fairly soon after. Before we knew it we had a quadruple hookup and the Fin Nors growled into life. I grabbed the nearest 80, as it seemed to be a small fish and everyone else was scrambling for the others. One fell off and my yellowfin was soon at the boat. The dinner menu was solved. John's had been raked by sharks on the way to the boat. Christine caught the third and biggest yellowfin, although it weighed only around 15 kilos. We let that one go. The anticipation was high as we reset the gear. On day five we motored down to the second set of islands on the reef and set the anchor. There was a happy air on board. We'd made the crossing and it was time to start the trip proper! It wasn't long coming. As I walked back to the cockpit after anchoring I spotted a huge giant trevally. I called Spoon over and grabbed the rigged and waiting popper set. I made a perfectly placed cast about 6m from the boat and the popper was instantly engulfed! At that point I realised how reef-strewn our anchorage was. Among the adrenalin-fuelled laughter I realised I was seriously under-gunned and was going to need something special to stop this fish. I chose my fingers and clamped on tight. At times that wasn't possible as the spool spun under huge drag but didn't miss a beat. The battle raged for 15 minutes with a full audience of crew and a million birds. Three times the big giant trevally changed direction and three times I turned it. With the fish just half a cricket pitch away it turned one more time and the hooks pulled. I was gutted. It must have weighed 45 kilos. What a start – one minute, one cast and one huge GT hooked up! The weather was calm and it bode well. Boy, did I get that bit wrong We unloaded the dinghy and the Erkkila clan plus Spoon set off for a shore mission. Alex and James burnt off unused energy after three days at sea and everyone went hunting for shells. They returned with a wonderful collection, including some intact nautilus and lovely cowries. Once they were back I set up a softbait set while pre-dinner drinks and nibbles were prepared. I made my first cast and it was hit by a freight train that had me wrapped around a piece of coral in seconds. Unfortunately, that was the end of the action. To set the scene, the islands of Chesterfield are covered in low, scrubby trees and very resilient grass. It was the breeding season and every inch of seemed to be covered in birds, chicks and eggs. There seemed to be three main species – one happily laid eggs on the beach, often right at the high tide mark, another occupied the trees and the third laid individual eggs on the ground. It was a great example of cohabitation and adaptation. Nothing feared us. There can't be a better place to take bird images and that alone is worth the price of admission. After a wonderful breakfast of pancakes and one of barista Christine's wonderful coffees, we headed off on our first expedition. Our destination was the first pass, where we had previously found dogtooth tuna and monster coral trout. The anticipation level was high as we entered the pass. Work in Comfort John Deere 8.1 Litre Engines - 235-330 hp Commercial Rating - Long stroke, low speed quiet & smooth operation - Easy to service - Proven reliability From $38,250 +GST* *while stocks last John Deere Marine Engines Work in comfort and condence with the reliable, powerful line of John Deere ma- rine engines. If you are building a new vessel or re-powering one, the quiet John Deere engine is worthy of the most important compartment - your engine room. John Deere propulsion systems cover a wide range of power ratings and deliver 75-750hp (56-559KW). John Deere gives you more horsepower at a lower-rated speed - as well as more torque - without extra weight or size. Trust in John Deere for reliability, low noise, fuel eff ciency and a great service / support network. Your SOUTH ISLAND & Wellington John Deere Marine Engine Dealer Gordon Handy Machinery Ltd Warwick Street, Blenheim Ph: 03 579 1111 Email: chrisj@gordonhandy.co.nz July/August 2011 Professional Skipper r 57 VIPS8IP.S81 S81

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