November 15th 2024.
On an annual boys' trip in Western Australia, a group of friends were out on a boat enjoying the beautiful scenery near Exmouth. Little did they know, one of them was about to make a once-in-a-lifetime catch. Adrian Merendino, an experienced fisherman, had his sights set on reeling in a big one. And boy, did he succeed.
As the group passed by the Mesa and Tulki campgrounds in the Cape Range National Park, Merendino felt a tug on his line. He knew right away that this was no ordinary catch. The 11kg, 95cm Chinaman cod put up quite a fight, taking Merendino around the boat multiple times. But he was determined to not let this one get away.
"It was hard work," Merendino recalled, "but I was up for the challenge." He spent a good 20 minutes battling with the fish before finally getting it on board. And the group couldn't contain their excitement. High fives were exchanged and Merendino had to take a moment to catch his breath. "My arms were pumping," he laughed.
It's not every day that someone catches such a massive fish, so naturally, there was cause for celebration. Merendino, who has been visiting the national park for 20 years, admitted that the Chinaman cod is a rare find in the area. "We usually get a lot of spangled emperor," he explained.
For those looking to make a monster catch like Merendino, he advises having "lots of patience." And he speaks from experience. But for him, it's all worth it. "There's just something about being out on the water, feeling the thrill of the chase," he said.
As for the lucky fisherman, he's now enjoying his well-deserved bragging rights and reliving the moment with his friends. And who knows, maybe next year's trip will bring another amazing catch. But for now, Merendino is content with his incredible 11kg Chinaman cod.
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