that would have been very fun!!

If thats 78kg I might have to start reconsidering the weights of our fish released!

78lb looks about right, definately not 78kg.

Also the fish was caught from a Hobie Kayak which BCF dont stock or sell, not from an Ocean Kayak bought from a BCF store. 

Great fish from a yak tho and well done to the angler.

 Cheers, Al.

Just shows what you can do from a good kayak. It is a might effort.

I was there in the mid stages. Fish was caught at South West Rocks N.S.W. One kayaker paddled to our boat to see if we had a long gaff. The fish did a runner when it saw the 12" gaff come out.
It did weigh 78kg I spoke to the tackle shop owner that weighed it.
S.W.R is well known small black nursery and a perfect spot to hook a small to mid sized black in close(1km)in 15-20m of water. I dont know anything about kayaks, but that makes a fella want to go out and buy one!

very small looking fish for 78kg i would have estimated maybe mid 60's max

How many marlin do any of us kill and weigh these days?

no one said anything against him weighing it, these days most fish are released unless they dont survive anyway, not like 15 or 20 years ago

.....releasing a fish like that after an hour's battle from a yak isnt going to be a viable release.

 I've read all the controversy on another forum, I also understand the fish was cleaned and consumed by all who were at the kayak fishing comp that weekend.

 Cant see a problem with it really.

Guy would be too pooped to swim it after, thats fair enough I guess.

till 

hobie bloke, we used to release fish we caught upto around 120kg, most were around the hour mark and all swam off very hard, i had one fish for 3 and half hours on 24kg stand up tackle and that was released and swam off very strong even without getting swum at the boat as he still had so much strength in him, they can vary though, the main thing IMO is if its kept it doesnt go to waste, should be eaten and the body donated to fisheries for research, then atleast its been for some decent outcome

Mako,

I know a lot more about this capture than most, I have friends who were there.

From all reports "this fish" was in no condition for viable release, it was almost dead when boated

It wasnt wasted either, apparently the marlin steaks at the comp bbq were awesome.

Cheers, Al.

yeah marlin on the bbq is awesome to eat, as said i dont have a problem with anoyone keeping them as long as they arent wasted, i know whats its like we have had to keep a few over the years that couldnt be released and its a shame, always more of a buzz tagging them and seeing them swim off anyway

There is no way that they were ever going to release that marlin. Even if he did get boat-side in good condition he was out of luck. I have no problem with that. A rare and prized catch from a yak that could have easily spooled him (300m of 15kg).

agree there diabolical, personally i think they were out there will all intention of catching one, no mention of a tag or tag pole on the yak