IF YOU spend your spare time fishing and enjoy a challenge, here it is.
Mitchell Maric has set the bar after catching a 120-centimetre mulloway from a stand up paddleboard.
Maric has been fishing for as long as he can remember.
“I’m always looking for a challenge. I’ve caught lots of fish from a kayak so this is the next step,” he said.
“I only know of a handful of people who fish off a SUP.”
Landing the 120cm mulloway took almost 30 minutes, using only a light line and small 10cm lure.
And Maric’s already set himself a new test.
“This is all great practice for landing a marlin off a SUP,’’ he said.
“That’s the goal. I can’t say I’ve heard of anybody who has landed a marlin from a SUP before.”
Maric has had his stand up paddleboard for only a few months. But years of surfing experience helped him master the craft quickly.
The keen fisherman grew up in Coffs Harbour but in recent years moved to South West Rocks, NSW, where he operates Outdoor Adventure South West Rocks.
I only know of a handful of people who fish off a SUP
- Mitchell Maric
South West Rocks is one of the few places on the east coast where these large fish come in close to the coast.
“They’re here in summer, around Christmas time. They follow the warmer water current that comes down at that time of year,’’ Maric said.
“South West Rocks is one of the few places they come within 100 metres of the shore.”
As for the massive mulloway, he put it straight on ice and separated it into vacuum sealed packages ready to prepare to his liking – either crumbed and fried or on a burger.
''Although I let many of them go, when I do keep a fish I ensure none of it is wasted. Mulloway are one of my preferred fish to eat and this one will feed my family for the next few weeks very well.''
Janine Watson
Group digital journalist for the NSW Mid North Coast covering Forster to Bellingen, Wauchope and beyond.
Group digital journalist for the NSW Mid North Coast covering Forster to Bellingen, Wauchope and beyond.
