Marlin Queen pulls them in!

Local fishing charter Marlin Queen and her crew have started the 2012 fishing season in style reeling in what they believe is the first two marlins of the season.

On Wednesday, January 4, the charter hooked a whopping 91kg blue marlin not far from the Avatiu harbour.

It took Marlin Queen customer Simon just over an hour to reel in the first monster of the season and despite the long fight with the fish the visiting angler was over the moon to finally realise a lifelong dream of catching a marlin which he did on his second trip with the local charter.

Exactly a week later, Marlin Queen struck again with Canadian anglers battling for a little over an hour to pull in the charters second marlin a 70kg beauty.

It was certainly a change from catching trout and salmon for the Canadian group of fishermen and women who were all smiles back on land despite a few blisters from the battle with the fish.

Marlin Queen crewman Pauro Arnold says the fish was caught just miles out from the Avatiu harbour after the marlin took to the flying fish bait.

Marlin Queen captain Junior Ioaba had little time to discuss the charters first two marlin catch of the season as he was busy getting more bait and the boat ready for an afternoon charter in pursuit of a third January marlin.