My first Metro Harpuka 15.3.09 and 16.3.09
* 15.3.09 *
With my search to tick of all species in WA i hadnt yet ticked off the deepwater Harpuka. In saying that i havnt spent anytime in search of this elusive species either. With yesterday forecast being very suitable to go well offshore i took the steps and went solo as this takes the pressure off me through reconaisance . Having spent many trips out in the deepwater for Ruby Snapper & Greybanded cod i thought the deeper step would just perhaps produce my first Harpuka!
With plenty of driving around and sounder searching i found a new spot that looked fishy and thought i'd give it a drop. My baits hit the bottom and and no touches, with every second ticking by i was waiting for the green-eye sharks to lock onto my baits. Within seconds i got a descent deepwater hit and just maybe it was a puka. A few seconds had passed and no load mmhhhhh small fish or just picky fish.....withing seconds i get the rod load up and i'm on. The long way back to the surface had me very eager to see just what it was. As it neared, i was thinking a small greybanded cod perhaps? but nope....My First Metro Harpuka.......woooohoooooooo 
I kept the fish and did another drift with another Harpuka coming up also...wow. With my limit and a big smile I headed home and what a buzz that was.
* Got my neighbour to take a quick pic, both Harpuka were the same size!
* 16.3.09 *
With such a great reconaisance day yesterday i just had to get out there one more time and give it another crack. Another solo mission just incase i jinxed it. Today was a carbon copy day with myself getting another two Metro Harpuka and similar size fish also.Got a few bycatch and plenty of sharks.....part of the day really!
* My 130lt ice box and some Harpuka colour!
Peter Mac
Posts: 59
Date Joined: 05/01/09
Nice One
How deep do you have to go those?
Pete
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SamC
Posts: 2013
Date Joined: 30/08/06
Nice Ryan, fight like a
Nice Ryan, fight like a typical cod?
What are they like on the chew?
Cheers,
Sam
Cheers,
Sam
Ryan Thipthorp (not verified)
Posts: 16
Date Joined: 01/01/70
deep!
I was searcing the 400m contour mate!
Yeh cod fight and persistant, never eaten one but will have a few feeds over the next week or so!
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hlokk
Posts: 4290
Date Joined: 04/04/08
Nice catch Ryan. Always good
Nice catch Ryan. Always good to tick a new species off, especially when its a pretty long list allready :p. The electric reel must of made the sharks a lot more bearable though.
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Addicted to jiggingRyan Thipthorp (not verified)
Posts: 16
Date Joined: 01/01/70
yeh!
Yeh it did, plenty of recon dropping where i got zip or small green-eye sharks so the electric was great for that!
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wopjrb
Posts: 1407
Date Joined: 05/03/09
nice fish ryan
somthing different to read about mate, sounds like hard work in 400m of water, could be blue grenadier out there as well?
Andy Mac
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Ryan strikes again!
Cheers
Cheers
Andy Mac (Fishwrecked Reeltime Editor & Forum Moderator)
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Tim
Posts: 2497
Date Joined: 26/09/06
Nice
Nice work Ryan. Firsts are always good especially with the effort for the deep species.
Electric reels are cheating tho.
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bod
Posts: 2319
Date Joined: 03/05/06
harpuka
Looking forward to hearing what it tastes like. Great catch.
milsey
Posts: 1462
Date Joined: 22/08/07
nice effort, expecially
nice effort, expecially solo. what time did you head out as it looks dark..
cheers
Ryan Thipthorp (not verified)
Posts: 16
Date Joined: 01/01/70
next step!
Left at gentlemans hours Milsey but came back late the first day.My neighbour took the picture on sunset on my boat at the front of my house before filleting!
ha ha Russ, yeh i'll keep ya some and you can let me know your thoughts. The flesh looks great. I've been using my manual reel to 300m and going deeper made me take the next step. Still a normal overhead reel to fight descent fish but atleast if the fish arent bitting or your need a bait change its not the end of the world!
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Faulkner Family
Posts: 18032
Date Joined: 11/03/08
well done on the deep water
well done on the deep water paddle tail , i think i will leave those to you
200mtrs is hard enough with a NORMAL MANUAL reel
seriously top catch there ryan, you will have to put on a bbq and invite us all for a taste so we will know what we are missing
RUSS & SANDY
"A family that fishes together stays together"
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
Ryan Thipthorp (not verified)
Posts: 16
Date Joined: 01/01/70
Deepwater!
Cheers fella's, will do and yes a long way to wind up but knowing there's a descent fish attached helps.
Tim, so are sounders & GPS's
.......he he he . If i get zip or a green-eye shark or a shitty fish then up it comes with the electric but if its a descent fish then up it comes naturally......2 in 1 reel.....smart 
Thanks Andy, i thought it would take me longer i'll be honest hense the solo trip. I was shocked to get the target species quickly and a new area that i've never fished before either . Not always that easy i suppose but i'm looking forward to doing more in the future and deeper......a good break up!
* Oceanside- Advice, Knowledge, Experience....that's our difference *
Owner of "Oceanside Tackle & Marine"
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Faulkner Family
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i have heard they taste
i have heard they taste pretty good ,if they taste like or better than grey banded you wont be dissapointed for your effort
RUSS & SANDY
"A family that fishes together stays together"
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
Kasey L.
Posts: 1390
Date Joined: 02/03/06
Congratulations Ryan, well
Congratulations Ryan, well done!
400m is a deep drop
Loco
Posts: 46
Date Joined: 29/06/07
Awesome effort!
Goodness Ryan, that's rare awesome stuff! Congrats! Haven't seen your reports in awhile but boy you sure come up with something special when you do. Looking forward to more =)
Leyenda pesca
dpost80
Posts: 439
Date Joined: 01/08/07
Nice work Ryan
Nice work Ryan
Auslobster
Posts: 1901
Date Joined: 03/05/08
Something different!
Always thought of them as an eastern states/NZ fish and the ones here were just a bycatch but you've clearly dialed into a stash of them!
Good onya, I have neither the patience or fortitude to pursue something like that but if it gets others out there having a look eases the pressure on the V5!
Rick
Posts: 1113
Date Joined: 22/12/06
Well done Ryan
Big effort 2 days in a row, arms must feel heavier than the leads you were using
PGFC Member
Pete D
Posts: 1681
Date Joined: 07/06/07
Nice
Great stuff Ryan.
Better get a photographer on board for some fresh shots on ya next trip!
Cheers Pete
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
Awesome work there Ryan, I'm
Awesome work there Ryan, I'm very jealous of everything but the long winch =)
Bodie
Posts: 3758
Date Joined: 05/11/07
well done mr Ryan.... and at
well done mr Ryan.... and at 400m :|
you will have to fill us in with how well they taste. would be interesting to know!!!
Not quite what i thought they looked like tho
Good fish!!
Albee Mangles
Posts: 985
Date Joined: 20/05/08
Great Stuff Ryan!!!
Awesome looking fish, how were they on the chew?
400m you say?@?!@?
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Bodie
Posts: 3758
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long way to paddle on the
long way to paddle on the yak!!!!
Brody
Posts: 1025
Date Joined: 06/02/07
Awesome fish Ryan. They are
Awesome fish Ryan. They are excellent on the plate.
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Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
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Excellent Ryan Great effort and a great first
I really admire your dedication to your sport.
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7739ian
Posts: 948
Date Joined: 25/06/08
My wife
is a Kiwi and has been raving over Hapuka for 25 years. I tried some some in NZ a few years ago - it was so-so but i think the problem was not the quality of the fish but the cooking. Still, that applied to all but 3 meals over 15 days. Can it be bought from fish shops here? I would like to try it again without the rancid cooking oil overtones.
Kasey L.
Posts: 1390
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Yes Ian, You can try the
Yes Ian,
You can try the fishmongers at Limes Myaree, near Dominoes
7739ian
Posts: 948
Date Joined: 25/06/08
Thanks Kasey
i will check them out when in Perth next.
alfred
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That is a top effort!
That is a top effort! Fantastic!
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Adam Gallash
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Congrats
Congrats on cracking it Ryan, also for being so keen to get back into metro fishing after an Exmouth stint! ;)
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Faulkner Family
Posts: 18032
Date Joined: 11/03/08
fishing in exxy is a walk in
fishing in exxy is a walk in the park, most of the time the fish come to you
down here you have to travel to earths end to get a decent fish
RUSS & SANDY
"A family that fishes together stays together"
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
fishcrazy
Posts: 1235
Date Joined: 27/01/07
hapuka steaks
hey ryan hapuka steaks on the bbq are bloody awesome
Paul G
Posts: 5215
Date Joined: 12/12/07
Well done Ryan you sure have
Well done Ryan you sure have the nack off searching out the deep water fish .Hours of recon ,you deserve all the fish you catch top stuff ..
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Noahs Ark
Posts: 88
Date Joined: 22/10/08
well done
great fish mate i would like to get some of them one day
granta
Posts: 53
Date Joined: 01/01/09
nice fish mate had them as
nice fish mate had them as steaks in n.z
injected80
Posts: 90
Date Joined: 07/01/09
HARPUKA
AWESOME SOLO EFFORT MAN SHE,D BE A LONELY OLE PLACE OUT THERE ON YA OWN . HEARD THE HARPUKA IS BEAUTIFUL ON THE TOOTH ENJOY M8 .
out wide
Posts: 1535
Date Joined: 30/12/08
OH NO.........
RYAN YOU MUST WORK FOR BP OR CALTEX ,ITS GUNNA COST US A FORTUNE IN FUEL AND GEAR TO FISH WHERE YOUR AT. CONGRADS ON A GREAT DAY FISHING THE EDGE. 22PPC
Mulloway360
Posts: 209
Date Joined: 23/12/08
bet that would of put up a
bet that would of put up a fight and reeling up 4 400m that would of had a good time out there by ur self
top fish
Ryan Thipthorp (not verified)
Posts: 16
Date Joined: 01/01/70
Harpuka Verdict!
Thanks for ALL the comments, much appreciated.
Loco, i'm getting out every week mate but only post up when something really tickles me....this did for sure.
Colin, I love targetting fish and getting that species....stepping outside the square is big motivation for me.
Okay,I had my first meal last night with friends and WOW we all gave it the big thumbs up . I personally rate Ruby snapper as the best fish i've eaten so far and this was equal to at the least.
Was a sweet meaty flesh that tasted great and was cooked up as beer battered small nuggets.....mmhhhhhhhhhh. My fisherman neighbour who took the pic of me had a feed also and rated it highly. I'll be wanting more & keeping for sure....the hype was worth it!
* Oceanside- Advice, Knowledge, Experience....that's our difference *
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Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
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You deserve all the success you get Ryan
You don't consistently catch good fish without putting ina lot of sweat and tears, and years of learning.
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NOHA
Posts: 914
Date Joined: 24/06/07
Maybe I should pull some of
Maybe I should pull some of mine out the freezer and try it again. I tought it was a bit course and bland last time i tried it.
But I did catch spawning fish that may of effected the quality and i did try it against some bass groper which was magnificent.
For a fish that gets to 100kg, makes you wonder where the big ones are, hey Ryan!
.
.
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Bluetonic
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Awesome and well done Ryan!
Awesome and well done Ryan!
I used to catch a lot of Harpuka in my days growing up in NZ. I think they are very nice on the chew but my question here Ryan is,... Are they the same species as the NZ or Eastern States Harpuka? They look to me that they are similar fish apart from your fish being slimmer in the body? Again! great capture all the same!
Blue Sky! Blue Water! BLUETONIC
Blue Sky, Blue Water, Bluetonic!
Ryan Thipthorp (not verified)
Posts: 16
Date Joined: 01/01/70
Nice taste!
Yeh was very nice Mark and i'll be having some more tomorrow and that will be frozen flesh. I look forward to Bass Groper & Trevalla when that time happens and heard they're nice also. I've heard about some big Puka over the years....gotta be around for sure!
Thanks Bluetonic, i'm asuming they're the same but the Harpuka we got whilst filming in NZ were definatly more plump!
* Oceanside- Advice, Knowledge, Experience....that's our difference *
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NOHA
Posts: 914
Date Joined: 24/06/07
You got to remember these
You got to remember these ones are just babies. They may fatten up as the get bigger
.
.
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V8 twin turbo diesel....Ohh what a feeling!
Twin turbo..V8 diesel..Ohh what a feeling!!
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Ryan Thipthorp (not verified)
Posts: 16
Date Joined: 01/01/70
Yeh!
The ones from NZ were babies also, definatly more plump over there from what i saw (pound for pound).....i prefer the smaller fish to eat anyway!
Enjoy the tempura Harpuka Russ, we'll be having another feed tonight also....yumo!
* Oceanside- Advice, Knowledge, Experience....that's our difference *
Owner of "Oceanside Tackle & Marine"
364 South St, O'Connor, Perth Ph 9337 5682
Faulkner Family
Posts: 18032
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got to agree with you
that fish was absolutely delicious, definately worth the effort
got to try out there one day (when i feel fit enough)
RUSS & SANDY
"A family that fishes together stays together"
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
Wild Turkey
Posts: 14
Date Joined: 13/03/09
Sounder
Hi Ryan
New to the site, just wondering what type of sounder you are using for those sought of Depths and if you are runing 1KW transducer.
Chris
Ryan Thipthorp (not verified)
Posts: 16
Date Joined: 01/01/70
using!
Chris, im using a FCV1100 with a 2kw 200khz (shallow stuff) and 2kw 28khz (deepwater stuff)
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Frank F
Posts: 481
Date Joined: 17/03/09
Good stuff Ryan. You
Good stuff Ryan.
You inspire me and many others, to get out and give it ago in the deep.
Cheers
Frank
honsu chin
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Frank you need to get over
Frank you need to get over FFB first.....
Baby steps.....lol
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tangles
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nice fish ryan
nice fish for all the effort put in ryan, the reward is worth it for those who are keen to look outside the box! makes you feel free being that far out just like being out the bank!