In an exciting start to the year, local fisherman and captain of Te Kukupa II, Lieutenant Commander Tuariki Stu Henry and his dad Strickland Henry from Aitutaki, landed two marlins off the east side of the island on Sunday.

It was a double strike, with the impressive 260.9-kilogram marlin taking less than 15 minutes to land and the smaller fighting fish knocking the scales at just 53.5kg, proving that size isn't everything when it comes to the thrill of the catch.

To add to their catch, as they headed out of Avarua Harbour passage on Tuariki’s boat “Mahina”, they hooked a hearty 45.5kg yellowfin tuna.

“It was good my dad was with me to experience this while he’s here on a holiday, definitely this big marlin would be his biggest fish catch,” said Tuariki.

This isn’t Tuariki’s heaviest catch. Eleven years ago, he landed a 278kg marlin.

Local fishermen Kirikava Tutavake, Simon and Jojo assisted the Henry’s to transport the fish to the Cook Islands Game Fishing Club to weigh in. The catch was also the club’s first marlin of the year.

Last week in Aitutaki, amazing local anglers Aquila Tatira and Ben Samuel also reeled in two marlin. Unfortunately, the duo returned to shore too late to have their marlin weighed.