Never caught the 30lber myself although I am sure I lost one at the gaff off Long Beach in Russell one dark night. I have caught a couple of 26lbers though, one on a soft bait! The other was on a pilly. Up to 25lb from shore in Hawkes Bay. Cant complain really. Caught my first 20lb plus at the Beacons in Napier in 1966. It took 20 years to get my second one.