Champion tuna fisher now heads to Malaysia targeting sail fish

Auckland, September 4 2013 – Leanne Dixon, who caught what is expected to be a world record Blue Fin Tuna off the West Coast of the South Island, now has her sights set on catching a big fish off the coast of Malaysia.

Leanne caught a 294.5kg Blue Fin using a 60kg line, miles out to sea in the Hokitika Trench, in the early hours of September 1. She will have to wait a few weeks to have the women’s line class record to be confirmed by the International Game Fishing Association in the United States. Ironically Leanne, who weighs only 57kg herself, will take the record of another New Zealand woman, Sue Tindale.

Leanne is heading to the Royal Pahang Billfish International Challenge in Malaysia on September 13 – 15. The challenge is the flagship event for Pahang Tourism and the Tioman Development Authority. It is the largest fishing competition in Malaysia and attracts fishers from all round the world to try their luck in the South China Sea.

Leanne, who operates the fishing based business Reel Adventures and has successfully fished many places in the Pacific, wants to catch as many large sail fish there as she can.

“We tag and release the fish in these tournaments. I haven’t been to Malaysia before, but it is the sail fish capital of the world,” she says. “We have been invited to fish with Team Xzoga, a rod and line specialist. The team won the challenge last year.”

The tropical seas around Malaysia are home to game fish including Black Marlin and the Blue Marlin. Striped Marlin, Pacific Sailfish, Tuna - Yellowfin, Bigeye and Dogtooth - are all found in the deep water areas around atolls and drop offs. Wahoo, Giant Trevally (GT), Cobia, Narrowbarred Mackerel, Dorado, Barracuda, Escolar, Rainbow Runner, Great Amberjack and big sharks are also to be found. The best months for fishing are March – October.

Keen fishers should keep an eye out for fishing packages currently being assembled for New Zealanders in association with Visit Malaysia 2014.

ENDS

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