The Day

“”” It was a cracker typical early morning 4am to be exact, in the Hawkesbury with the boys. Conditions were perfect, slight breeze of fresh air, pitch dark, calm but ready for what’s to come. We had fresh Hawkesbury squid prepped for bait the night before and without any time being wasted, we were onto a few Soapies measuring around 70-73cm on the run out tide as we kept jumping spots trying to chase after my PB, which is 1m+.

It was around 9.30am, enjoying the sunrise, listening to the birds, when suddenly the tip of my rod had a massive thud and next thing you know, my reel started screaming! I knew at that moment she was a big girl as i held the rod in my hand.  I kept my cool, kept the tension on the line while she pulled and swam left , right, up, down, doing everything in its power to bust me off but eventually got tired and that’s when i knew to tighten that drag, as it was time to work and reel her in. Five minutes in we saw her colour and what do you know, she was a gorgeous one! We quickly netted her and as soon as she landed on the boat, the boys and i were over the moon, jumping and screaming at the top of our lungs on how big this girl was compared to the rest. I was tearing up like a baby as it was a very special moment for me, not just because of the catch but the memories i have with my late father, chasing mulloway over 20 years, the laughs, the good times, precious moments and of coarse the catches, which we never caught one this big. She measured at a whopping 102cm!

For the last year and a half, i have been putting my heart and soul, every weekend chasing after these beauties and i finally did it! I know deep down, dad is looking down proud and smiling, which means the world to me.
Ever since this experience, my addiction grew bigger, i was hooked and set myself the next PB goal! I know there are much much bigger ones out there in the Hawkesbury, so let the games begin for whatever, whenever and however! “””

YEWWWW!!

Gear Setup & Bait

Angler: Joey Habkouk