Incredible 52kg Tuna Catch on a Jetski in the Hauraki Gulf

At Mariner, we love seeing our customers push the boundaries of what’s possible on the water. That’s why we were excited to hear about Hector de Mornac’s latest adventure - landing a massive 52kg (155cm) yellowfin tuna from his jetski in the Hauraki Gulf!

A Fishing Tale for the Ages

Armed with determination, a Sea-Doo FishPro, and just 50lb line, Hector and his grandfather set off at 5am, heading 20+ km offshore, west of Little Barrier Island. After two and a half hours without a bite, most would have called it quits. But then Hector spotted nature's own fishing radar - a flock of diving gannets and hunting dolphins. As they moved in closer, a whale surfaced just 40 meters away, and suddenly, one of his rods screamed to life.

What followed was pure chaos. The jetski began to spin as Hector cut the engine, tangling his lines around the motor. The fish made three massive runs, stripping line and testing both skill and gear. Just when victory seemed close, his gaff started to crack under the weight of the monster fish. Through sheer determination, Hector managed to wrestle it into the footwell of his jet-ski.

You can watch the heart-pounding moment unfold in Hector's YouTube video below:

The Huge Buzz of the Final Weigh-In

The adventure wasn't over yet. With the massive tuna aboard, Hector and his grandfather faced a precarious 40-minute journey back to shore, the jetski tilting to one side under the weight of their catch. Back on land, the moment of truth arrived - the fish was so massive that Hector's onboard scales couldn't even register its weight. Creative math was needed: Hector (82kg) plus tuna equalled 134kg, confirming their epic 52kg catch.

Mike Plant from the Sport Fishing Council called it "an incredible catch" and "a fantastic achievement." While the national record stands at 95kg, landing a fish this size from a jetski puts it in a class of its own!

Want to follow Hector's fishing adventures?

Check out Hector's YouTube: Hector’s Gone Fishing and you can catch his latest exploits on Instagram: @hector_de_mornac. Hector's been sharing fishing tips and adventures since he was 14, and we can't wait to see what he catches next!

Have you pushed the boundaries in your own fishing adventures? We'd love to hear about it! Share your story with us – you might inspire fellow Kiwi boaties in our next feature.

Source: NZ Herald