Fishing - Potential record-breaking catch landed by 15-year-old

Striped Marlin fever has hit Tasmania after some great catches last week, and a potential National and State record Broadbill Swordfish was also landed last Saturday.

Game fishing anglers targeting Striped Marlin would be happy to land one in a day, let alone three, which is what happened off St Helens to the crew of Seismic Fishing led by Eythan Purton last Friday.

For reference, all three Marlin were caught on Meridian Skirt lures and were tagged and released.

The St Helens Game Fishing Club is hosting the 2026 Game Fishing Classic competition from March 6th-8th, and anglers are now expecting great things.

A crazy catch was also reported from game fishing gurus Leo and Lochie Miller from "Team Choonachasa" whilst fishing in the Tuna Club Of Tasmania's Shark & Game Fishing Challenge last Saturday off Eagle Hawk Neck.

Leo and 15-year-old son Lochie have been chasing a big Swordfish and a junior record for a few years now with limited luck, but that changed on Saturday.

After heading out for two drops for zero interest, the crew moved and got a hookup for it to be a 40kg-50 kg Sword, which freed itself close to the boat.

Within 10 minutes of dropping back down, the crew were back on with 15-year-old Lochie locking into what was thought to be a decent Swordfish.

After a slow start, as the fight went on, the fight in the fish got stronger, and after a 2-hour battle, every time the fish was close to the boat side, it took off, taking 40-80 metres of line to deeper water.

Finally, after a long and tiring 3-hour and 15-minute battle and over 7 km of travel, Lochie, Leo, and the crew had the Swordfish close, but it wasn't done yet either, diving for the boat motor's propeller numerous times.

After one of the hardest fights the crew could remember, Lochie had the Swordfish beaten and boated, which, back at the weigh station, pulled the scales down to 151kg - 333 lb, which is a pending junior male club, State and National 60kg line and all tackle record.

Dad Leo said, "from attempting to catch one on a modified game chair on a pallet at 7 years of age to battling a real gladiator on stand-up heavy tackle at 15years old, it’s been a journey with a fairytale ending, and I love it when a plan comes together”.

For the record, Lochie won the competition and turned 16 years old on Monday, and what a way to celebrate it, too.

Snapper catches are improving statewide, with one of the better fish I've seen landed by Sebastian Longman in the South, which was 830 mm or 83 cm long.

Often, older Snappers develop big bumps on their forehead and nose, which are characteristics that some connect to age or past injury.

The real reason Snapper develops these distinctive features is through contracting what's called hyperostosis, which is a fancy word for above-normal bone growth.

Fresh bait like Squid, fillets and cut chunks of Salmon, Mackerel & Mullet and other bait like Pilchards give you the best chance of catching Snapper, combined with a good, consistent berley trail as well.

YellowTail Kingfish catches have been a little quieter than usual in the South, but some big fish over a metre in length have been caught from waters off the North, North West & North East of the state.

Waters off the East Coast around Coles Bay and Triabunna have offered rewards as well.

Hydro Tasmania has stated that access to St Clair Dam at the Southern End of St Clair Lagoon will not be permitted for six weeks from Monday, February 16.

The closure is due to planned work to replace the radial gates at the dam, and because of this, anglers will not be permitted to cross the dam or fish downstream whilst this is happening.

Access to St Clair Lagoon will still be possible via the Fisherman’s Trail at the northern end of the lagoon.

Also, from Monday, the 16th of February to Monday, the 16th of March, there will be no access permitted at Tarraleah's Number 1 pond due to annual maintenance on Number 1's canal.

The Boomer Bay boat ramp and jetty will also need to be closed for the duration of planned construction works, which will last for two weeks.

Scheduled work is from 8am Monday the 16th until 4pm Friday the 20th of February 2026, and from 8am Monday the 23rd until 4pm Friday the 27th of February 2026.

Please note that access to the boat ramp and jetty will not be available during these times.

Tip Of The Week- Garden mulchers are great for mincing up fish to make berley.

Send in your fishing reports, pics and tips to valleyfishes@gmail.com

Tight Lines until next week.