14 Years, Two Casts and a 31kg Mulloway
Some fish take a season. This one took 14 years.
Alvey ambassador Andy Colyn landed a 31kg mulloway off a headland in Yamba on the prototype 6.5" Admiral. That was two casts into a session that wasn't meant to happen at all.
No Plan to Fish
Conditions were wrong for mulloway. Flat water and almost no wind. Andy had also dislocated a shoulder a day or two earlier.
"I actually walked down the headland not planning on fishing," Andy says. "But once I was down there, I couldn't help myself and thought I'd have a couple of casts."
There was one rod in the hand and nothing else.
The Setup
- Reel: Alvey Admiral Drag Series 6.5"
- Line: 55lb Schneider
- Lure: 200mm PHD Delta Wing
- Rod: Wilson Mulloway, an old favourite
The Second Cast
The first cast came back empty. On the second, Andy was about to lift the lure out when the water at the rod tip exploded.
"The water right at the tip of my rod absolutely erupted and the lure got engulfed."
The fish took off straight away. "It just screamed off, peeling line off the Alvey like it was nothing. Luckily the reel has the upgraded drag system, which made a massive difference, and my hands definitely appreciated it."
Wrapped Twice, Gone Twice
The fight lasted about five minutes. It didn't feel like five.
The mulloway wrapped Andy around a rock twice. Each time it came free, the line fell completely slack. The second time, Andy was sure it was over.
"I was pretty devastated because I genuinely thought it was gone. Then I saw the fish in a wave, wound up the slack as quickly as I could and realised I was still on."
Over the Mark
Andy washed the fish up onto the rocks and knew straight away it was one for the books. It wasn't the longest mulloway he’d ever seen, but the girth was something else.
The first call went to Mark from PHD Lures, who came down to the headland with a camera and a set of scales. Mark has been part of Andy's mulloway fishing for years, and the lure that fooled this fish was one of his.
"It was honestly an honour to have him there and be able to share such a special moment with him."
After the photos came the weigh-in. 31kg.
"When we saw it go over the 30kg mark, I think we both shed a tear."
Why This One Mattered
A fish like this was one Andy's dad had always wanted to catch. He never got the chance.
"To finally get one over that 30kg mark after chasing it for 14 years meant a hell of a lot more than just ticking off a fishing goal."
Andy's Tip for a Big Mulloway
Put the time in.
"These fish don't always come on your first few trips. You might get lucky and get one straight away, or you might be like me and spend the next 14 years chasing it. Just keep putting in the casts, because when that fish finally comes, it's worth it."
The Reel Behind the Fish
The Admiral is the Metal-Back reel at the top of the Alvey Drag Series. It runs a powerful new carbon fibre drag system, delivering more drag with smoother, more consistent performance from the first run to the rocks. Switch the drag on when a fish runs and adjust the tension as you need it using the drag wheel.
Andy's 31kg mulloway was landed on the larger model, but the Drag Series is also available in 6” options.
Nothing feels like it.
