Visitors on board a Raro Fishing Charters vessel eturned to Avatiu Harbour ecstatic as they had just become part of their very own extraordinary fishing tale, reeling in their biggest fish ever.

Aotearoa New Zealand visitors Justin Gardner and Richard Williams were both “stoked” to land the 210kg marlin in the waters of Rarotonga late las week. 

The marlin was hooked at the Rarotongan FAD (Fishing Aggregate Device) and took about 20 minutes to reel in.

For Williams, the marlin was an extra special birthday present. The fishing trip had been a gift from his brother.

“It is way the biggest fish I’ve caught and I’m just about to have my birthday.

“I’m pretty stoked, a little bit surreal… who gets up in the morning and goes out and catches a marlin that’s 210 kilos,” Williams said.

It was Gardner’s first game fishing experience, he said he was hoping for a mahi or a tuna at least, “not this monster”.

“Back home I usually just go fishing for snapper, I’m stoked to be honest, it’s like a dream fish to me,” he said.

Captain of Raro Fishing Charters, Alfred Story said the marlin is the heaviest they have landed this year, however, in the past they had reeled in bigger beasts.

The fishing group also included Sarah Gardner and Kevin Williams who were just as excited as the anglers for catching a whopper on the game fishing trip.