Episode Sixteen : Graeme “Bonze” Fleet - Bonze Lures

Reel Tails with Sweens - Podcast By Dwayne Sweeney

Episode Sixteen :

This episode I sat down with Graeme "Bonze" Fleet of Bonze lures in his factory which is based in the home of marlin fishing in New Zealand, The Bay of Islands. Bonze is not only a great lure maker but also an outstanding game fishing skipper. He was the first New Zealander to receive the Billfish Foundation award for both Top Tagging captain and Top Release captain for Blue Marlin in the Atlantic. Bonze has been fortunate enough to fish in places that many of us only see on YouTube, read about or dream about and has some great Tails to tell about his adventures. Bonze opens up about what it was like for him to have a mentor like Mike Rand the skipper of Spellbound, the crazy adventure that was Cape Verde and the Happy Hooker not looking like she did in her photos. We also discuss how a school project turned into the business that is Bonze Lures, pressures of social media, catching Blue Marlin at 18 knots, his ideal lure spread and so much more.

@bonzelures

Bonzelures.co.nz

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Show Notes:

2:32 - Introduction, how we first met, how Bonze got hooked on marlin fishing and meeting his mentor Mike Rand

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19:10 - How the Lure making started, the difference between striped marlin and blue marlin bites on lures, how getting his skippers ticket opened up endless opportunities

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32:48 - The adventure that is Cape Verde, The Happy Hooker not looking like she did in her photos, the importance of boat set up and simplicity, empowering the people around to succeed, the calibre of boats and people that he got to fish along side

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1:17:40 - The Billfish Foundation awards and how awesome it was for Bonze and his crew to achieve, the support from his mates to help pay for his ticket to Miami for the awards

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1:20:54 - The relationships he formed in Cape Verde and how that gave him the opportunity to fish in Azores, the big blue marlin of Azores, trusting your process, importance of drag management

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1:29:52 - How our fishery in New Zealand compares to the marlin hotspots around the world, our sunfish tails, how often something happens when you talk about it

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1:33:50 - The luckiest person and great character that is Ben Rose, the power of positivity

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1:40:42 - The danger of the local brew in Cape Verde, importance of keeping a balanced lifestyle

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1:44:15 - The pressures of social media and the important role it plays with Bonze Lures

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1:47:48 - Eddy Lawler and the respect Bonze has for him and how he fishes

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1:54:59 - The importance Bonze places on process to be successful

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2:03:35 - How much enjoyment Bonze takes from producing lures and his champion worker Dave

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2:06:58 - Heavy gauge vs Light gauge hooks and how to use them properly

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2:13:56 - Thomas Maxwell of Mad Max Sport fishing and how good marlin fisherman are generally open to sharing knowledge

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2:15:52 - Bonze’s first trip to Kawhia and his with experience the locals

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2:20:18 - The balance of fishing and drinking to keep the odds in your favour, the difficult skill that is Bait and switch, the difference in how the numbers look

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2:34:39 - The legend that is Chris Ash and how he is the master at catching blue marlin in New Zealand, catching blue marlin at 18 knots

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2:45:24 - How we have set up my boat Mini Chiefie and why it is so important that it is done correctly, lure placement

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3:07:28 - The toll Happy Hooker took on his body, then the sad day she sunk

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3:10:28 - Craziest catches that he has experienced

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3:21:38 - Bonze’s ultimate lure spread

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3:24:07 - The journey of make the newest lure The Weapon

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3:28:32 - How long our season is becoming here in New Zealand

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3:31:30 - Doing things on a budget

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3:35:17 - Instagram questions, What is the biggest mistake you see newbies make when it comes to marlin fishing, how have you gone from fishing every day to fishing very little

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3:48:58 - Big key to being successful is time on the water

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3:51:40 - Final thoughts and the early season fishing plans