NICK Currey continues to leave his mark in the fishing world.
The 65-year-old from Alexandra Hills holds the Australian National Sport Fishing Association record for landing a 51kg yellowfin tuna on a 10kg line, a remarkable achievement off the rocks in Greencape, NSW, in March 1981.
However, whether his catch is a world record or simply a fish for the freezer, Currey continues to find joy in the thrill of landing a fish.
His fishing journey began at a young age in Ringwood Lake, Victoria, where he often caught carp and threw them back.
As a 16-year-old, he found a part-time job at a sporting and marine fishing tackle shop, where he learned from seasoned fishermen, expanding his skills.
His passion deepened as a member of the Victoria Sport and Game Fishing club, where he met fishing legends Rex Hunt and Bill Classon.
Through his involvement in the sport, Currey became President of the Moreton Bay Game Fishing club, often heading out on game fishing expeditions aboard his 28-foot Luhrs boat which is moored at Raby Bay.
It was there that he regularly pursued marlin and tuna, participating in numerous tournaments.
According to Currey, the waters off Moreton Bay are home to a world-class offshore fishery.
About nine years ago, he sold his boat and downsized to a 16-foot skiff, primarily because he no longer had a regular crew to join him.
He decided that a smaller boat suited his desire to fish in Moreton Bay, where he frequently targets snapper during the winter months.
Currey’s local fishing spots are particularly close to his heart.
He enjoys the shallow reefs around Peel and Green islands and the ledges along the west side of North Stradbroke Island. It is here that he finds some of his favourite fishing.
“There are plenty of these off Peel and Green islands. And then there are the ledges along the west side of North Stradbroke Island,” he said.
Among the many techniques he has honed over the years, Currey particularly enjoys fly fishing.
In fact, he was the first secretary of the Northern Territory Saltwater Fly Rodders from 1982 to 1986.
His passion for the sport led him to spend a week at Cocos Island off Western Australia, which he describes as a fishing paradise.
When traveling to foreign locations, Currey believes in the value of paying a guide for their local knowledge.
While he brings his own gear, he often takes advantage of local expertise to ensure a successful outing.
“I take my own equipment but will sometimes jump on a boat or trawler,” he said.
“The locals will always know where to go.”
For Currey, the connection to nature is an important part of the fishing experience.
He often ties his own flies, creating designs that resemble bait fish, which he uses for sight fishing in shallow waters.
Most of the time, he practises catch and release, ensuring the fish live on in their natural habitat.
“Most often I catch it and release it,” he said.
“This style of fishing makes you closer to nature and you become more aware of the fish’s environment and their underwater habits.”
When it comes to his favourite eating fish, Currey has a soft spot for coral trout, which he notes are gradually migrating south.
Catching one is always a cause for celebration in his world.
“If I catch a coral trout, it’s happy days,” he said.
