Taipā man Aaron Mickelson is a veteran kayak fisherman, but he's never had an experience like he did on Tuesday.
With Covid-19 alert level 3 in place, he set off from Cooper's Beach, planning to stick close to shore, in compliance with the lockdown rules, hoping to catch a meal for himself and maybe a few friends. He ended up with a chilly bin full of kahawai, and his first kingfish.
The 20kg catch did not give up without a fight, towing him back and forth for some 30 minutes before conceding defeat.
It was a memorable outing all round, Aaron said.
"There were so many kahawai schooling, and kingfish chasing them," he said.