Since spearing my first 12kg Kingfish a number of years ago, I’d been hooked on the mix of adrenaline and fear that comes with targeting these powerful fish. While they’re not the hardest species to hunt, landing a good-sized one requires patience, skill, and solid shot placement.
One fine Friday at the Mokohinau Islands, I had the chance to put my skills to the test. With perfect weather and plenty of bird action, I felt optimistic about the day ahead. My main goal was to secure a large kingfish to smoke for Christmas to share with family and friends.
After spotting a school of kingfish beneath a mass of trevally and kahawai (at our first spot of the day), I picked a target around the 15kg mark but noticed a bigger fish nearby. Without much time to think, I shifted my focus and took a shot that connected just above its lateral line. The battle that followed was intense—30 minutes of pulling, diving, and constant repositioning. Fatigue set in fast, and my breathing was uncontrollable. Thankfully, my buddy William Pike was there to assist and support me.
When the fish finally surfaced, I was relieved but physically spent. Weighed down by the effort and my gear, I barely made it back to the boat, where excitement quickly turned into anxiety and panic. The kingfish tipped the scales at 35kg (gutted and gilled) —my biggest yet.
While I’m proud of the catch, the experience taught me some important lessons:
Line Management: Always know where your line is and avoid tangles, especially in strong currents.
Patience: Let the fish tire itself out before trying to reel it in.
Breathing: Stay calm and regulate your breathing to avoid fatigue and dizziness.
Weight Check: Proper weighting makes a huge difference in stamina during the fight.
Ask for Help: Don’t hesitate to rely on a buddy for assistance in the water.
This experience reminded me to stay humble, both physically and mentally. Spearfishing continues to teach me new lessons with every dive, pushing my comfort zone and strengthening my resilience—both in and out of the water.
Hi, I’m Tim Kavermann, the founder of Eat What You Kill (EWYK) and The Brave and The Wild (TBATW). I’m a brand strategist, designer, and photographer from Auckland, New Zealand. Throughout my journey, I’ve navigated the highs and lows of mental health and, in my 30s, discovered a passion for sourcing wild food, particularly through spearfishing—an ongoing challenge that continually pushes me outside my comfort zone. After years of building brands for others, I’m now channeling my experience and passion into EWYK and TBATW. By sharing my experiences and learnings, I hope to inspire and offer a space for others to openly embrace and share their own journeys.
