Kenichi Miyamoto
Local Guide • 1152 reviews • 11063 photos

In 1997, since I caught Kingfish with lure on Great Barrier Island for the first time at the age of 23, I have been chasing it with the dream that one day I will meet Kingfish weighing more than 40kg. With the Enchanter’s team for more than 10 years, we have been able to meet many Kingfish so far, including 6 expeditions to the Three Kings Islands and 3 expeditions to Ranfrey Banks. Over 30kg has been caught 20 in the past, and most of them are from the Enchanter. And on January 2, 2026, the time has finally come. 48kg fork length 153cm total length 164cm. The beast was very tall and round and fat, and it was the largest of all the Kingfish that I had ever seen. I was really happy at the moment I’ve been waiting for decades. I couldn’t stop crying because all the thoughts that had been over the years had overflowed. The only time I cried while fishing was when I caught more than 30kg for the first time in 2014 and this time twice, both of which were fishing with Enchanter.

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to Captain Todd of this fishing trip, TC and JB of the crew, and Captain Lance and Captain Rhys who have been close to me for many years.