Napier boat Lexington and its crew have taken home the grand prize of $10,000 for the heaviest marlin at the Gisborne Tatapouri Sports Fishing Club Liquorland Marlin and Tuna Tournament.
Don Arnold reeled in the massive 223.75kg marlin with the help of skipper Alex Smith, Graeme Flett and Don's son Scott Arnold.
The marlin was the biggest hooked in the competition for more than 10 years.
The catch caught them all by surprise, coming on the first day of the four-day tournament.
"We were heading up towards Gisborne, it was a bit quiet so we were all relaxed. I was actually having a snooze and then the next thing the reel starts screaming of its head," said Scott Arnold.