Aussie Dave cock-a-hoop over kingfish
An Australian visitor has taken home fond fishing memories of his three-week stay in Nelson after catching his first kingfish.
Queensland car restorer Dave Muller landed the 5.7kg, 95cm-long fish off the Wakefield Quay wharf while holidaying in the top of the south with his wife Lesley.
Staying at The Quay apartments overlooking the Nelson waterfront, Muller made the most of his close proximity to the water during his stay, although success did not come easily.
‘‘I lost about four or five big fish that I couldn’t identify, or at least I couldn’t stop them using live bait, but I guess I was trying every couple of days for three weeks to land that one big one.’’
A keen fisherman back home, Maryboroughbased Muller said there was no shortage of quality fishing around the waterways of the Fraser Coast region.
Last Wednesday, using borrowed gear from his Kiwi friends, Muller finally managed to hook one species of fish that had eluded him.
‘‘We have them [in Australia], but I’ve never caught one – I had to travel to NZ to land my first kingfish,’’ he said.
Once the obligatory photo had been taken, discussions soon turned to the best way for Muller to enjoy his bounty.
‘‘I talked to a guy on the wharf who suggested slicing it into steaks, but I ended up taking the fillets off either side and cooked it in egg and breadcrumb – it was brilliant.’’
Muller said the excitement of his catch had been the perfect way to finish his trip across the Tasman.
‘‘It was our first time in New Zealand and we were so impressed with the country ... just incredible,’’ he said.
‘‘We dearly wanted to get down to Invercargill to see Burt Munro’s bikes, but rest assured I’ll be coming back to have a look.’’