ISSUE 81
July 2018
Winter Fishing www.nzfisher.co.nz
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CONTENTS 10.
6.
FISHING ON TOUR
WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING TO OUR FISHERIES?
ABOUT / Short and sharp, NZ Fisher is a free e-magazine delivering thought provoking and enlightening articles, and industry news and information to forwardthinking fisher people.
EDITOR / Derrick Paull GROUP EDITOR / Colin Kennedy
14.
A GAME CHANGER
ART DIRECTOR / Jodi Olsson CONTENT ENQUIRIES / Phone Derrick on 021 629 327
18.
MY FREWZA, MY FAVOURITE
or email derrickp@NZ Fisher.co.nz ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES / Phone Derrick on 021 629 327 or email derrickp@NZ Fisher.co.nz
24.
28.
32.
A DAY OF FIRSTS
THIS YEAR’S SOUTHERN BLUEFIN TUNA AMBLE
THE NEW CATCH ‘STINGAZ’
LEGASEA UPDATE: TIME OUT FOR TERAKIHI 38.
NAILING A KING AT DANGER ROCK
ADDRESS / NZ Fisher, PO Box 47794, Ponsonby 11144 WEBSITE / www.NZFisher.co.nz This is a GREEN MAG, created and distributed without the use of paper so it's environmentally friendly. Please think before you print. Thank you!
Cover Photo Zac Wildenberg’s experience fishing Lake Tekapo
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READER PICS
www.nzfisher.co.nz 3
EDITORIAL
A
s I sat contemplating this
‘embracers’, and have braved the
editorial, the thought ‘Winter
weather or made the most of the
Blues’ crossed my mind. It’s
weather windows, you will no doubt
the time of year some fishers may
have been rewarded with great winter
start to feel a bit glum due to lack
fishing. We’ve been getting snapper for
of fishing, and in general, lack of
the table and freezer, gurnard galore,
sunshine and warm temperatures.
kingies, hapuku, trophy canal trout,
In my view, there are two ways to
salmon… you know how it goes.
approach winter; try and get through
At the time Derrick asked if I would
it hoping for the quick arrival of
like to write this editorial, neither he
warm summer or embrace all that
nor I knew it would be my last editorial
it has to offer. The beauty of frosty
and possibly the last contribution to
mornings, as the sun glistens off the
NZ Fisher Magazine. After four years
ice on your windscreen and the frozen
of involvement with the magazine,
grass crunches beneath your feet. Or
from first helping to manage their
the crispness of the air against your
social media, to writing articles and
face as you hurtle at speed towards
more recently guest editing, I’ve
spot x in your cabin-less boat, only
thoroughly enjoyed the ride. Meeting
to check when you stop that your
some wonderful people and learning so
nose is still attached to your face
much along the way. It’s a bittersweet
as it is now numb from the cold.
feeling writing this editorial, as I put
It’s an opportunity to adjust your
away my ‘NZ Fisher’ pen to focus on
fishing techniques to account for
other interests. A huge thank you to
the different fish behaviour, target
everyone who has so willingly written
different species, and appreciate ‘the
and sent photos when I’ve asked for
warmer and easier’ days of summer
them, sometimes with very short
fishing. If you’ve been one of the
notice! And thank you to Derrick
4 www.nzfisher.co.nz
for his trust to hand over the reins
Also in this issue, New Zealand show’s
at times. I shall continue to follow
off its stunning winter scenery which
the magazine with great interest!
lures self-proclaimed fishing nut,
But I don’t want this editorial to be as glum as the wintry weather. The only blues should be the southern bluefin tuna! Once again, these magnificent
Zac Wildenberg. Zac embraced New Zealand’s winter fishery and you can read about his experience of fishing Lake Tekapo while on holiday here.
fish were kind enough to come through
Derrick takes us for a spin in his
close enough so those of us with trailer
2018 Frewza F18 HT, and see how
boats can get out and chase them. And
he’s kitted it out to be not only the
chasing rather than catching them
perfect boat for his needs but also
seems to be more of what happened
a whole lot of bang for his buck.
this year than last, you can read more
We get underwater with Anthony
in my article about the quieter run
Hafoka at Danger Rock, check out what
(some might call it an amble) this year.
was hanging around the rock face and
As you may have heard, Fisheries New
swimming in range of his speargun!
Zealand sought feedback on proposed
We also celebrate the last and first
changes to the sustainability measures
marlin of the season. What a surprise
and other management controls for
to hear of a marlin caught out of
selected fish stocks. The southern
Waihau Bay in the middle of winter!
bluefin tuna were among this, and
Very appropriately, the last was landed
their proposals in their survey created
on the last day of the 2017/18 season,
healthy discussion amongst fishers. It’s
only to be followed by the first marlin
something to seriously consider for the
of the 2018/19 season a few days
future, and hopefully, you were able to
later. It feels quite odd to be covering
make a submission or complete their
game fishing in the middle of winter!
online survey. It’s also time, as Legasea
But like I said, if you embrace winter
puts it, to take time out for tarakihi. A
fishing, just look what can happen.
management review is underway, and you are able to have your say now. Read more about this in the Legasea update.
Tight lines!
Naomi www.nzfisher.co.nz 5
// FISHERIES MANAGEMENT - THE DARK SIDE
What the Hell is Happening to Our Fisheries? Do Fisheries NZ really know what they’re managing at all? BY Derrick Paull
D
oes anyone really know what is
scale quota holders then have a much
happening at Fisheries NZ (formerly
greater ability and desire to leverage
a part of MPI)? It’s a pretty simple
their wealth and weight to influence the
question, and there’s a very complicated
decision makers within the managing
answer if you can dig deep enough.
ministry, presently Fisheries NZ.
If you’re reading NZ Fisher, it’s a fair
Now, I hear the alarm bells that you’re
assumption that you like fishing and
reading the words of a conspiracy
will be concerned that once again, our
theorist, but the ongoing releases of
fisheries are under severe threat and
(then) MPI’s reports clearly documenting
quite frankly, no one is doing anything
systematic flaunting of fisheries laws
useful. The Quota Management System
(discarding fish, illegal activities,
(QMS) is often lauded as world-leading
misreporting catch, misreporting of
and the saviour of shared fisheries in
sea-bird and marine mammal deaths and
NZ. Sadly, the system has flaws that
more) cannot be ignored. (See here for
have allowed large tranches of quota to
the details) Why would MPI turn a blind
accumulate in the hands of a few (both
eye to these willful and likely criminal
companies and individuals). These large-
acts? I can’t believe the decision-makers
6 www.nzfisher.co.nz
in NZ Fisheries head office are willing
(Annual Catch Entitlement) it delivers
participants in the sustained depletion
each year. If quota holders really gave a
of our fisheries, but they’re not seen to
damn, we’d have seen CRA2 closed years
be halting it either.
ago, tarakihi and snapper in the Bay
Recent reports, first leaked then released
of Plenty wouldn’t be trawled for, and
by MPI themselves, point to wholesale
bluenose would still be plentiful. But
cover-ups by MPI officials, but again, why
instead, these are three fisheries where
would these officials want to cover up
quota holders and their mighty highly
the very things they spend their careers
paid lobby have pushed the boundaries,
managing? The saying goes that money
manipulated the numbers and thrashed
is the root of all evil. Our fisheries are
SHARED fisheries - the ones where we
built on an enormous pile of money, and
share with the fishery with them.
the evil is starting to stink. Now, I’m not
And who stands between this bulldozer
going to suggest this money ever makes
and the fish? Our Ministry, MPI and the
its way to MPI managers pockets, this
recent godchild, Fisheries NZ. Sadly I’m
money perverts in its own ways - through
yet to see an action from this ministry
the insidious paid lobby and constant
that leads me to believe that there’s any
denial by the industry that there’s ever
intent left to do right by the fisheries.
anything wrong.
The worst part is that there’s some
Many blame the fishers, the ones on
puppet show called the Fisheries NZ
the boats doing the hard yards, but the
Recreational Fishing initiative with
vast majority of reccies know the guys
the purpose of solving the problem
on the boats are there doing their job
of poor communication between the
and loving the ocean. Our problem is the
recreational fishing public and the
bean counting, money-grabbing quota
Ministry. Problem is, they’ve failed to
holders who will push good men to do
grasp the art of communicating. The
bad things in the never-ending race for
general public doesn’t understand
more fish and more money.
Ministry speak and the Ministry team
Holding quota in New Zealand isn’t
seem unable to translate their talk
about the fish, it’s about the tradable
into everyday language that is easily
value of a person’s quota and how many
understood and engaged with by the
dollars can be wrung out of the ACE
general public.
www.nzfisher.co.nz 7
// FISHERIES MANAGEMENT - THE DARK SIDE Case in point would be the recently
recently leaked letter from Andrew
released Tarakihi Sustainability Review
Talley of Talley’s Group to Minister Stuart
Consultation Process (a mouthful
Nash regarding cameras on commercial
in itself!). This is possibly one of the
fishing vessels.
most important and meaningful
In his letter, Talley says the
reviews since the SNA1 review, and the
Government is “jumping to a heavy-
Ministry has barely whispered to the
handed solution without actually
public that there’s a review underway.
understanding the cause”. The letter
If you’re not on their mailing list or
further stated that discarding of fish
Facebook page you’d be none the
would “continue to happen, cameras
wiser that anything was happening -
or no cameras, while the current policy
thank goodness LegaSea are running a
settings remain unchanged.” Talley
public campaign! Couple this with the
acknowledged the letter and stood
commercial industry once again refusing
by his concerns, “[cameras] don’t
to accept the science that shows a
recognise or address in any way why
decimated fishery (87% reduction on
we are catching too many small fish,
virgin biomass is the current estimate)
why the bycatch of a particular species
and we’re once again in the position of
is so unavoidable or for example,
fighting both the commercial sector but
why fishers are discarding species at
also the Ministry.
sea that landed are worth significant
Yes, I’m disappointed that once again
money.” (Credit: Seafood NZ)
we’re in the same position we’ve
For a member of Seafood NZ who’s new
been in before, with another strong
motto is ‘OUR PROMISE IN PRACTICE’;
fishery driven into the ground. All the
Talley’s are brave for confronting
while, we see the Ministry with the
the issue, but by no means are they
responsibility to manage our fisheries
suggesting a solution, just the same old
standing as a spectator on the sidelines
same old ‘please don’t look too closely’.
as moneyed up quota holders push their weight around.
So, what’s really happening in Fisheries NZ? The answer is a lot. Sadly though,
A recent example of the perceived
what’s happening there isn’t what we
arrogance of the quota holders is a
need to write about, it’s what isn’t.
8 www.nzfisher.co.nz
www.nzfisher.co.nz 9
// FISHING HOLIDAY
Fishing on Tour
Zac Wildenberg’s experience fishing Lake Tekapo BY Clancy Harrip
10 www.nzfisher.co.nz
L
ake Tekapo, set in the inland South
farm-bred salmon, making the entire
Island of New Zealand is known for
region a prime fishing spot. And for a
many things; it’s stunning scenery,
self-proclaimed fishing nut on a two-
snow tipped mountains, the eye catching
week New Zealand holiday, it was an
blue of the lake itself, and of course,
opportunity that couldn’t be passed up.
it’s salmon. Connected to Lake Tekapo
Having originally had no plans to fish
through man-made canals is Mount Cook
and not knowing if I could bring gear
Alpine Salmon, a salmon fish farm.
home to Australia, I stayed minimalistic
Home of the High Country Salmon farm,
in my approach and got the bare basic
Lake Tekapo and its surrounding canals
amount of gear whilst attempting to
contain rumours and reports of escaped
cater to all types of freshwater fish.
www.nzfisher.co.nz 11
// FISHING HOLIDAY
My success rates rested on one rod,
fog that refused to lift, it soon became
one reel and one packet of lures. I was
clear that hooking a salmon wouldn’t be
the perfect combination of hopelessly
a problem, keeping one hooked would
delusional and hopeful dreamer.
prove to be the real challenge.
And so I began.
The salmon were there all right and as
Armed with a Abu Garcia Veritas 2 to
the sun dipped lower in the horizon,
4kg rod matched with a 2000 Promax,
the fish jumped higher, and with
6lbs line, a 24-hour New Zealand fishing
them, my determination. After half-
permit, and a tight travelling schedule;
an-hour of casting hard and fast, I
time was ticking. Guided by the helpful
flicked her upstream, and that was
advice of a Lake Tekapo local and with
it… I was on, and there is nothing
an hour of daylight left I headed to
in my history of fishing in Australia
the channel for the fish of a lifetime.
that quite compares to the instant
Despite the harsh winter chill and eerie
and furious fight that I’d begun.
12 www.nzfisher.co.nz
As I bent down he finally bit through the line and made a last-second Adrenaline was skyrocketing and my heart was beating a mile a minute as
attempt to best me. He leapt away to the cold water of freedom.
I began the longest and toughest fish
But I’d come too far and gotten
fight of my career. Minutes passed
too close to let him win. The frigid
and my fear grew.
temperature of the water was the last
This salmon wasn’t interested in fulfilling a lifelong dream of mine, and as I caught glimpses of his enormous
thing on my mind as I plunged my foot into the water barring him from escape, and finally, he was mine.
size and watched the rod bend
Measuring right on 100cm and
unnaturally I was terrified that he
weighing an estimated 10kg, I had the
would work through my line before I
catch of a lifetime and with it, a New
had a chance to claim him.
Zealand experience and memory that I
Time elapsed as I fought and a pattern
would treasure forever.
grew. The salmon would work its way
And that was it. After a well-fought
to the shore and then charge out to
catch and release, I left Lake Tekapo
the centre of the channel again. Each
with a soaking wet shoe, one less
time he would come tantalisingly
lure and big plans for the rest of my
closer and I began to work with him,
New Zealand trip which involved (you
rather than against him. Finally, after
guessed it) a great deal of fishing. 
ten minutes of fighting, I had him on
Instagram: @Zac_Wilderberg_Fishing
the bank and not a second too soon.
Email: zacwildenbergfishing@outlook.com
www.nzfisher.co.nz 13
// GAME FISHING
A Game Changer
A surprise catch to celebrate the end of the season BY Graham Beaufill
14 www.nzfisher.co.nz
L
ast year during our trip to
and anchored up in the Bay, eager to get
Waihau Bay at the end of the
to sleep so we could get up as early as
2016/2017 season, I made a great
possible the next morning. We got up at
catch of a 100kg southern bluefin
5.30am and wasted no time powering
tuna. This year we headed back to
out to 1000 metres, intending on getting
Waihau Bay, simply intending to
in a full day’s fishing. However, it was a
repeat that. However, we had no idea
slow day, only around three tuna were
when setting out that this trip would
caught between the more than 200
be far greater than the last one.
boats trolling. We returned to the bay
Arriving in Waihau on Thursday night,
somewhat disheartened but knew we still
we launched the boat at about 10pm
had another shot at a fish tomorrow.
www.nzfisher.co.nz 15
// GAME FISHING
Saturday started well with John Lowry, my fishing mate, landing an albacore around 20kgs. This lifted our spirits and gave us a muchneeded confidence boost after the previous day’s lack of excitement.
16 www.nzfisher.co.nz
We wanted to head back to where our success happened last year, hoping it would provide a repeat, so we trolled back in from the 2000 metre mark to last year’s mark at 1350 metres. Just before low tide, we passed over last year’s mark and continued heading for the 1000 metre line. After one mile, the short corner lure had a hit. In came a dorsal fin, and my brain
“
...at only 15.8 degrees, it was very unusually cold to be seeing a fish like this I couldn’t believe my luck.
couldn’t comprehend it as a striped
We brought it to the boat for John to
marlin. In fact, because of it’s broken
grab the leader. It was John’s first time
bill, I mistook it for a shark and pulled
leadering a marlin, and he did a great
the lure in hopes that it would leave.
job. Typically, I’d tag a fish like this.
Luckily for us, the marlin was persistent
However, I knew no one would believe
and immediately jumped on to the
this story at this time of year, so we
rigger lure, nailing the RG2 in Evil,
brought it aboard. After a courtesy
and we were on again. The stripey
weigh by Waihau Bay Sport Fishing
greyhounded away from us at great
Club, we took it home, processed it and
speed, and it took us a moment to
smoked it for a feed to share between
shake off the disbelief of what had just
friends and family. It weighed in at
happened and to get geared up.
120kg, a nice catch especially for this
John spun the boat and cleared the
time of year. Possibly the last marlin
deck while I put the gear on, and
caught for the season too.
we started the fight. It was a tense
We went out with the hopes of
30-minute battle, my mind whirring
repeating last year’s story, trying to
with questions. At this time of the
catch a nice southern bluefin tuna
year, marlin are typically gone from our
on the edge of the season, however, I
waters, and with the ocean temperature
think we surpassed that. Perhaps next
at only 15.8 degrees, it was very
year will be just as good, a repeat of
unusually cold to be seeing a fish like
“unexpected game-changing, out there
this - I couldn’t believe my luck.
doing it fishing”.
www.nzfisher.co.nz 17
// FISHING BOATS
My Frewza, My Favourite The best little beast this side of the Chatham Islands
18 www.nzfisher.co.nz
I
love my boat. It’s not that it’s the
able sea boat and we nailed some bloody
greatest boat on the sea, but it’s
impressive fish, but it was the first of
close! I know I’m not alone in
the F18’s off the line and the refinement
loving my rig, it’s human nature to
was yet to be seen. On the water, we
love your boat. But my love for my
pushed this boat hard and there were
boat has got me thinking more about
areas to improve, but it was, at the time,
why we love our boats.
a revelation - a fast, seaworthy hardtop.
It’s hard to find a bloke or gal who
No more frozen, spray crusted faces,
owns a boat and when asked, won’t
trips took half the time and we had
give you a glowing review. We’re
space - so much space.
hard-wired to defend our purchasing
This time around, however, we knew
decisions and sometimes we’ll go
exactly what we wanted and there was no
beyond the truth to make sure we
need to take a punt. Brendan and Kirsten
convince others of the same.
at Frewza headquarters have been making
I think in some ways that sums up
F18’s for over three years now and
the first F18 Hardtop Frewza I bought.
they’ve listened hard to their customers,
After the buzz of the F16 - possibly the
made the changes to bring the F18HT out
greatest 16-foot boat of all time, the
from the ‘for the price’ shadow and to the
F18 was all hype for us. Yes, it was a very
forefront of trailerable hard-tops.
www.nzfisher.co.nz 19
// FISHING BOATS
The 2018 Frewza F18 HT is a well refined,
by their removal is a no-brainer. We’ve
smartly balanced and extremely capable
now got the cockpit space of a boat one
six-metre trailer boat. Off the shelf,
metre longer and we’ve always got bins
they’re most fisher’s dreams, but with
on board if you really need a sit-down.
the mod’s we made, we genuinely think Smoke n Lures is close to the perfect boat for our needs. We’re in a unique position to have had an F18, and being able to upgrade so soon allowed us to both inherit the advancements and upgrades suggested by others before us, but also to nail the things we loved or could tweak.
The new F18’s have a larger, more ergonomically designed dash, allowing us to build in two sets of electronics. We made a big switch this year to two new brands, Garmin (GPS and shallow/ downscan) and Furuno (for everything else). This combo is a little unorthodox, mixing tried and true with cutting edge,
As standard, the F18 comes fitted out
but the mix has proved excellent with
with two front seats which were the very
both units surprising us with their ability,
first thing to go - the additional space
not only where we expected it, but
and, believe it or not, comfort, afforded
encroaching on each other’s territory.
20 www.nzfisher.co.nz
We’ve picked up a good sign in 450m
and the lowest fuel consumption for
with the Garmin (600w GT52) and the
its size. While we were happy with
Furuno’s been impressive picking up
the BF100 on the last rig, the extra
individual gurnard hugging the bottom
35hp is immediately noticeable, and
on the Kaipara in just a few feet of water.
it is not just when you’d expect as
Above our head, the hardtop has proved
the hammers go down. For normal
the greatest asset of this rig - not
cruising, the extra horsepower means
surprisingly, but the Frewza team have
the boat doesn’t slow down each
both raised and lengthened the roof
time you hit a small chop or wave, it
without it impairing the fishing space. It’s
smooths the ride and both travel time
not only drier, but there’s a nicer balance
and comfort are improved. Best of
to the boat’s lines giving the impression
all, it uses the same or less full as we
of a true 6.0-metre vessel, not a hardtop
were experiencing with the BF100, at
whacked on a 5.5.
around 18-litres an hour cruising in
At the business end we’ve paired up
the Hauraki Gulf chop at 22 knots.
with Honda again and that was never
With this additional weight in the back,
in question, but with a slightly heavier
we were intent on keeping the balance
build (we’ve got a 5mm hull vs 4mm
right so the decision was made to house
and added some hefty hardware, see
our dual batteries in the forward ‘V’
below), we thought it prudent to add
where the anchor well would normally
a few more horses to the stable. The
be. This helps keep the nose down, gives
Honda BF135 is essentially a de-tuned
much better balance in the chop and
150HP with a big block, massive torque
free’s up a world of space in the transom.
www.nzfisher.co.nz 21
// FISHING BOATS One thing I’ve seen people spend a small
have an “oh s**t” moment and end up
fortune on and still not be satisfied is
in real danger, the boat will stay above
bait-stations on trailer boats. There’s
the water. I’m prone to putting myself
still a need for one in these days of lure
in these positions more often than I’d
focussed fishing even if there’s less bait
publicly admit and that’s why I continue
being cut. We lacked a sturdy unit last
to stick with pontoon boats. The common
time and investigated a more substantial
misconception is that you need to
set-up with a drawer. I left the design in
sacrifice ride for that safety and I swear
Brendan’s hands and the outcome was
those who maintain that line have never
a military grade bench with articulated
been in a Frewza.
drawer runners filled with marine grade
I have had the pleasure of spending
ball-bearings. It’s like the Accurate of the
time on many different boats across the
bait board world and will probably outlast
years and there’s certainly better riding
humankind it’s so impressively built.
hulls - generally a lot heavier, more
Another very impressive piece of kit we
expensive ones, but in the sub-six metre
have this time around is the Lonestar
range and especially pontoon boats,
GX-2 winch that we sourced through
the new F18HT nails the important bits
Fusion Marine & Leisure in NZ. The
and ignores the unnecessary. You don’t
LoneStar winches are a like a piece of
grow up with Foveaux Strait as your
engineered art - beautiful and grunty in
playground and build a boat with poor
equal measure and a welcome addition
sea-handling. I assessed our previous
to the new build, not only for their
F18 in this video back in 2015 and it
rugged anchor pulling ability but also
covers off the key ‘every Frewza HT’
as a source of weight up-front, again
points you’ll enjoy with any F18HT.
driving the right balance to get the very
At rest, the wide, aggressive pontoon
best ride and comfort.
chines hold the boat steady in most slop
All the trimmings aside, the Frewza F18
and provide a stable platform to fish from.
HT is designed to go places that might
When underway, the hull pops up out of
prove to be rough, rugged, wet and wild
the water and the fine entry coupled with
and still bring you home safely. The
the planing strakes keep the hull stable
pontoon design means even if you do
and true, even in cross and following seas.
22 www.nzfisher.co.nz
We’ve pushed the boat very hard
category is getting crowded but there’s
through big seas including some sizable
not a boat out there with the following
bar crossings and the hard top and
of the F18HT; despite a month or
Honda combo (plus a 1200g/hr bilge
more lead time and a delivery bill
pump!) has seen us stay dry and safe.
(Unless you’re in Southland), Frewza’s
Many manufacturers sell their hulls on
are in hot demand. Producing over
the ride, comfort and style - but they’re
150 boats a year, the business is in
fair-weather friends. When the going
growth mode and I’m sure you’ll be
gets tough, that’s when I want a Frewza
seeing more and more Frewza’s on
under my feet.
the water in the next few years.
The comment I hear all the time is
While I keep banging on about the price
-”Frewza’s are such a great boat for the
being irrelevant, there’s no getting away
price” and that’s most certainly true,
from the fact that the basic F18 HT and
but I have to stop people, it’s not about
Honda combo is still under $47,000
the price - these boats outperform
drive away - that’s a whole lotta boat for
regardless of the price. The 6m hardtop
the money. Get on it people.
// GAME FISHING
A Day of Firsts
‘First marlin of the season’ title stays in the North BY Felix Scheibmair
L
eaving Kerikeri before dawn on July 6, the mist was low, but the anticipation was high as we headed
The weather couldn’t have been any more perfect for the day
towards Whangaroa. The forecast was good, and we knew we were in for a great day on the water. Today’s plan was
At around the 500m mark, Vinnie
to target broadbill swordfish. Leaving
spotted some surface bait and, shortly
Whangaroa Harbour, we also left the
after, a fin. We spun around, and Mark
mist behind and were greeted by a
managed to get some lures on in
stunning morning; the weather was
record time. We dropped two out, the
perfect with only a little surface chop.
first was hit almost instantly and began
We ran out to our swordfish spots,
peeling off the line. The other lure was
which took about an hour. The day
hit as well but the fish wasn’t hooked.
was spent dropping for a sword.
In the hope that the second fish would
Unsuccessfully as it turns out; as
also hook up, we kept that lure out.
evening drew near and we accepted that
We had the second fish on and off
today wasn’t our day for a swordfish, we
around three times over the space of
decided to head back to the ramp. It was
maybe 15 minutes, all the while line
glass calm, and we ran in quickly.
was still peeling out from the first fish.
24 www.nzfisher.co.nz
Absolutely stoked. First marlin for Felix, for the boat, and for the season! www.nzfisher.co.nz 25
// GAME FISHING
The crew of Felix Scheibmair, Vinnie Pivac and Mark Sorensen
26 www.nzfisher.co.nz
Felix had to wait until the following day to weigh the marlin
it was the first marlin of the season and by looking at it we knew it was big enough to be weighed in, we decided to keep it. We knew lots of people would enjoy some smoked marlin! With the marlin on board and after a bit of celebration, we headed back to Whangaroa. The weigh station at Whangaroa Sport Fishing Club By now we had a lot of line out on
was not active. We rang the Bay of
the fish on the first lure so decided to
Islands Swordfish Club where I am a
pull the second lure in and focus on
member, but no weighmaster could be
the first fish. I played it for another
found. We ended up leaving the fish
40 minutes or so. With a lazy jump
in a commercial chiller for the night
towards the end of the fight, the
and weighing it the next morning.
fish was soon brought to the boat.
Weighing in at 108kg, it was a
It was my first marlin, which I was
beautiful fish and it was appreciated
stoked with. It was also the first
on so many levels. It was my, the
marlin for the boat Chikwama - a
boats and the season’s first marlin
Southern Sports 745. As it turns out,
and it was a much-welcomed catch
is also the first marlin for the new
after an initially unsuccessful
2018/2019 season in New Zealand,
day. A day I’ll remember for a
which had only started on July 1. As
long time that’s for sure!
www.nzfisher.co.nz 27
// NEW PRODUCT
The New Catch ‘Stingaz’
What’s the catch? BY Neil Wagener
28 www.nzfisher.co.nz
C
atch Fishing have bought us
swipers, but it’ll also help pick up
another great little product
the fish that are lazily mouthing your
with the ability to take an
bait rather than committing like a
average day and make it great. That’s
good hook up should be. Secondly,
not some throwaway comment, either
and probably more relevant, is the
- Stingaz can actually change your
shape and angle of the jighead. It’s
day, especially when the fishing’s
a new design that presents the head
tough and the bites are tentative.
and the soft bait in a way that looks
The obvious thing here is the stinger
more natural than we’ve ever seen -
hook in the soft bait tail - it’s
especially when the soft baits being
designed to pick up those pesky tail
worked across the bottom.
www.nzfisher.co.nz 29
// NEW PRODUCT
The look of the bait is like a small
years ago there hasn’t been much to
baitfish foraging on the bottom - it
write about, so we’re pleased to have
even sends up little puff of sediment
Stingaz to use and write about. We’re
each time it reconnects with the bottom. On the drop, Stingaz induce a natural rocking action that looks great and induces a bite without even needing you to twitch the bait.
looking forward to the new line of soft baits designed to run with Stingaz too - if the rumours are true, they’ll be outstanding!
Jig head development appeared to
Check out the Catch product
have stagnated after a burst of new
video here for a few more
models on the shelves five to eight
tips on using Stingaz.
30 www.nzfisher.co.nz
tenya jig head The Ultimate Jig Head • Rocking action on the drop • Second attachment point for additional assist hook or skirt • Angled hook keeps your bait working in the current when jig head is resting on the bottom • Angled hook also helps prevent snags on bottom structure • 3D acrylic eye with silver dot. • Super strong short shank 3/0 stainless steel hook • Coated with UV • Ideal for using with soft bait or cut bait Available in size 1/4 oz (7g), 3/8 oz (10.5g), 1/2 oz (14g), 5/8 oz (17.7g), 3/4 oz (21g), 1 oz (28g)
7g
10.5g
Also available in White Warrior and Orange Assassin 14g
17.7g
21g
www.catchfishing.pro
28g www.nzfisher.co.nz 31
// GAME FISHING
This Year’s Southern Bluefin Tuna Amble BY Naomi Peterson
Just a few of the boats lining up in the bay. Credit: Waihau Bay Sports Fishing Club
A
fter the phenomenal success by
only the locals who were upset.
recreational anglers last year in
This year however, the Waihau Bay
catching the prized southern
Sports Fishing Club was prepared,
bluefin tuna during their run in June/
and in the lead up to the southern
July, it was only a matter of time
bluefin season, gave clear indication
until the fish came through on their
of the expectations from the club’s
migration north this year, and anglers
perspective around these fish. It was
once again descended on Waihau Bay.
about this time last year I also wrote
Amongst last year’s success, the
of my experience in catching one of
actions of a few marred the experience
these magnificent fish, and while I’m
for the majority, and in doing so
not planning on heading down again
upset many of the local community.
this year, my experience was one to
And understandably so, and it wasn’t
last a lifetime.
32 www.nzfisher.co.nz
An early bluefin tuna caught by Aaron at the end of April Credit: Aaron Smith
Roger Halliwell’s southern bluefin tuna caught off the Gisborne coast Credit: Mahia Boating & Fishing Club
Helen Horrick and her pending record southern bluefin tuna Credit: Nicky Wilson A very stoked Boyd Ingle with his 15kg albacore tuna Credit: Louise Ingle
A whopping 28kg albacore tuna for Boulder Credit: Carl Muir One of three released southern bluefin tuna for the boat Credit: Warren Knudsen
www.nzfisher.co.nz 33
// GAME FISHING
A massive 155kg southern bluefin tuna caught on 6th July Credit: Phillip Roycroft
I heard of the first recreationally caught
109kg southern bluefin tuna caught
bluefin for this year on April 27, which
out of Mahia, 35nm off Gisborne. As
seemed so early compared to the big
the cold water came up from Gisborne
run in June/July last year. Dave and
way, so did the fish. The full moon at
Aaron Smith had just returned from
the end of May would have had the
a few days targeting southern bluefin
fish more concentrated and feeding
tuna at ‘The Tims’, 70nm off the Napier
together, and running with the
coast at the 1500-2000 metre line.
southern bluefin there would have
While also catching 10-13kg albies, they
also been bigger Pacific bluefin.
had three southern bluefin tuna take the
The southern bluefin tuna are more
lures, and landed a 49.6kg fish. At that
active around the full moon, actively
time, the water temperature was around
feeding on the few days either side of
19.5 degrees. This would have been
the full moon. Although on the day of,
the first early run of fish, where the
the fish tend to go deeper and are more
smaller fish tend to come through first.
cautious. This was evident at the end of
News feeds went quiet for a while
June when around 200 boats inundated
until on the last day of May, Waihau
Waihau Bay and trolled the area, only to
Bay Sports Fishing Club member,
land three (I believe) fish between the
Roger Halliwell’s catch of a very nice
200 of them - not very good odds.
34 www.nzfisher.co.nz
First southern bluefin tuna weighed in by a club member at Whitianga, caught at the Mercury Knoll Credit: Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club
www.nzfisher.co.nz 35
// GAME FISHING
Credit: Ben Carey
run to date as it did last year. We certainly haven’t seen the number of fish we did last year. Whether there’s just not as many fish as last year, or whether they’re further out and out of reach of many of us recreational fishers, we don’t quite know. It seems Leading up to the full moon though, there had been some great catches, including a pending women’s record for Helen Horrocks, caught on board the ADOS Addicted To Fishing boat, Lynda Randrup’s nice catch fishing on B Caus, and a triple hook-up on board Nathan Adams boat which saw one fish boated and two tagged and released.
to me that both scenarios are at play this year, with noticeably less fish caught, and a report from early July of them being out wide past the 2000 metre line and behind White Island. While that may be disappointing news, especially for those full of anticipation of repeating their catch from last year, or those hoping to catch their first bluefin, we have to understand that’s the nature of
From what I’ve observed though, the
fishing. We can’t control the fish and have
season hasn’t had the same plentiful
to take the good with the not so good.
36 www.nzfisher.co.nz
At it’s busiest there were up to 185 boat trailers parked alongside the road and ramp on June 29th Credit: Lucas McIver
We now know what is possible, and if it’s
writing this, there’s still a chance that
not our time this year - maybe it will be
the next wave of bluefin could come
next year. After all, how many attempts do
through closer. They’ll be tracking up the
some of us put in to catch a marlin?
coast, hanging out in the cooler water
Early July following the full moon saw a good weather window and a few anglers again headed out, and while no bluefin were landed, some fairly hefty albacore tuna were caught. Including a massive 28kg for Graham McKenzie and a pending junior record 15kg model for Boyd Ingle. It’s not uncommon for the big albacore to be running with the southern bluefin.
around food sources. That’s where your ability to check, read and interpret SST (Sea Surface Temperature), current and chlorophyll charts comes into play. Look for areas of temperature breaks and current convergence, where the cooler and warmer currents meet. Use the chlorophyll charts to find plankton which every little baitfish eats, which in turn are eaten by the bigger fish. The plankton will be in areas of warmer water, and the
It seems the fish were moving north and
fish will often be in these areas of where
into the Western Bay of Plenty, as it was
the waters meet. It just depends if they’ll
only the next day a southern bluefin
come in close or head up further out.
tuna was weighed in at Whitianga by Adam Shelley. Caught at the Mercury Knolls on July 6, weighing 80kg, this was the first southern bluefin tuna weighed in at Whitianga by a club member. On
And if you are thinking of chasing southern bluefin tuna, this year or next, the Waihau Sports Fishing Club have some excellent information on the southern bluefin tuna fish
the same day a massive record pending
care - best school of practice. While
155kg fish was also caught out from
most of us are pretty sensible
Waihau by Phillip Roycroft.
anglers, it’s still worth the time
But not all hope is lost. At the time of
to read it and be prepared.
www.nzfisher.co.nz 37
// FISHERIES MANAGEMENT
Time Out for Tarakihi Legacy Update
www.legasea.co.nz
T
arakihi is a mealtime favourite
What’s the issue?
for people who fish and those
1. 50 years of trawling, wastage and
who buy it retail because it is
dumping has taken its toll on our
notoriously good for cooking when
fisheries and environment. Over
fresh. Things are about to change
time our tarakihi population on the
between Otago and Northland.
east coast has dropped by 83%.
The main stocks on New Zealand’s east coast are severely depleted so substantial cuts to commercial catches are required to rebuild the fishery within a reasonable time frame. The
2. 95% of the tarakihi catch is either taken or dies as a result of industrial fishing methods. 3. There are concerns about the
Minister of Fisheries, Stuart Nash needs
bycatch of protected species and the
to know we care, and that we support
environmental impacts in this fishery.
him in making a bold decision to restore
4. LegaSea knows it will be hard for the
abundance. LegaSea is giving you some
Minister to make a bold decision
easy tools to show you care. Take Time
to restore abundance without solid
Out for Tarakihi here.
public support.
38 www.nzfisher.co.nz
What’s the solution?
are proposed from October 2018 because
1. The Minister must put the fish first and recreational catch has declined in most areas as the stocks have been fished down. ensure the stocks are rebuilt within 10 years. This requires a substantial
The allowance for mortality caused by
reduction in commercial catch levels to
commercial bulk harvesting methods but
restore tarakihi abundance.
not included in landed catch adds up to more than the total recreational allowance
2. Ban trawling from inshore nursery areas to protect small
proposed, so reducing the wastage
fish and the environment.
attributable to commercial fishing will do
3. Better manage all fisheries to provide
more to grow the fishery for everyone.
for the social, economic and cultural
LegaSea is concerned that all Kiwis are
wellbeing of all New Zealanders.
paying the price for this ongoing wastage
4. People power. Together we can stand up for abundance and show we care. LegaSea has made it easy to take Time Out for
both on the water and at the shop when excessive commercial fishing (responsible for more than 90% of fish harvested) and years of knowingly wasteful fishing
Tarakihi here legasea.co.nz/tarakihi.
practices are responsible for the decline. Minister of Fisheries Stuart Nash is now
What about recreational fishing?
considering new catch limits for tarakihi.
The recreational catch of tarakihi
LegaSea want him to make a decision that
represents less than 5% of current harvest
has the best outcome for the fish, but he
so even if we stopped fishing tomorrow
will only make a precautionary decision if
there would be no measurable change in
he has public support.
abundance of the tarakihi stocks.
LegaSea is calling on all Kiwis to stand up for
New recreational harvest surveys are
the environment and health of our fisheries
underway now with results due out early
by asking the Minister to take Time Out for
next year. Significant cuts in the annual
Tarakihi. Take a moment to show you care.
tonnage allowed for recreational harvest
Visit www.legasea.co.nz/tarakihi. 
LegaSea is a public outreach initiative of the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council. The Council has an experienced fisheries management, science, policy and legal team. On behalf of the Council LegaSea raises funds and provides public-friendly information about a variety of processes that are important to restoring abundance in our fisheries for future generations.
Call 0800 LEGASEA (534 273)
Subscribe at www.legasea.co.nz
Email us info@legasea.co.nz
Read more at www.facebook.com/legasea www.nzfisher.co.nz 39
// SPEARFISHING
Nailing a King at Danger Rock
BY Anthony Hafoka
40 www.nzfisher.co.nz
E
arlier this year, I took the family
didn’t see anything below them so swam
to Whangaruru for a holiday and
over to the rocks.
a bit of a hunt around the reefs
and offshore spots.
The fish were holding where the current was running onto the rocks -
After a morning of wakeboarding,
this was also where the vis was worst
kneeboarding and skiing, we shot out to
as the green bloom was being pushed
Danger Rock for a spear and line fish. My
up there. Spotted a few trevallies in
son and I went out to meet friends who
the baitfish schools but they were
had gone ahead. First up we jumped in
cagey and hard to line up in the gloom
the water, but my son was feeling a bit
below ten metres.
queasy. The water around the rocks was very green - particularly on the current facing side (but it was fishy). My son moved from being queasy to throwing up while in the water, so we jumped back in the boat, chatted briefly to the others, and then I dropped him back at the bach before flying back out to the rock (doesn’t take long at 45 knots...). Once I got back out there my friends who were line fishing pointed out the schools of fish moving through so I quickly tied a line to the back of
“
I was about to pull the pin and swim back to the boat but decided to give myself three more dives.
their boat and jumped in (saved me
I was about to pull the pin and swim
anchoring in 45m of water). It turns
back to the boat but decided to give
out the schools were mostly kahawai.
myself three more dives. On the first
The top ten metres of water wasn’t too
of these I dropped down the face of
bad on the vis front, but it was pretty
the rock to what felt like about 15
bad below, and you couldn’t see much
metres (but checking my watch later
past the end of the gun at 20 metres. I
it was only 12 metres - the bad vis was
dived the kahawai schools for a bit but
playing havoc with my estimations).
www.nzfisher.co.nz 41
// SPEARFISHING
As I dropped, one of the trevallies
much pressure on it and lose the fish,
started to come in, and I watched it -
so I got over the top of it with the float
waiting for it to drift in for a clear shot.
line tight and looked back at my float to
Close to the end of my breath hold six
estimate the depth the fish was reefed.
or eight good size kingfish swam in. I
I figured it was at 20 metres or so.
figured they wouldn’t hang, so I took a
Next was the ‘swim down the line free
shot at the closest and headed for the
immersion style’, that is to pull on the
surface running my hand up the float
line a little and swim down. I got to the
line as I did so. I put a bit of pressure on
gun at 19 metres and put one hand on
the fish at the same time as I wanted to
the shooting line when the fish saw
get it away from the rocks. I had been
me and took off away from the rocks
diving down the face with less than a
and its crack. That was what I wanted
metre between me and the rocks when
so I headed back up while also putting
I took the shot.
pressure on the fish to swim it away
The bruiser of a fish had other ideas and
from the rocks.
headed deeper and towards the rocks.
The kingie didn’t want to leave the
My 30m float line has a bit of stretch
safety of the rocks, but I managed to
in it (plastic tube with dyneema in the
get it to deeper water (40m+) where I
middle to max out the stretch at around
knew I could let it tow me around for
20%), and I hoped my shot placement
a bit and wear itself out. As it did this
wasn’t too bad.
I gradually eased it to the surface, and
As I tried to play the fish, it didn’t do
the last part of the fight was pretty
the usual ‘swim in circles’ thing and
straightforward - a quick bear hug and
stayed in one place. I took up the slack
iki then swim back to my mate’s boat
and started to put more pressure on
for a chat before heading in.
it, but it still wasn’t moving - and it
The fish turned out to be around
had been a while - so I figured the fish
1.2m in length but was very
had reefed me. I didn’t want to put too
fat, juicy and delicious!
42 www.nzfisher.co.nz
// READER PICS
Quentin with a lure caught Bay of Plenty Tarakihi
Travis Godden with his first Marlin a couple of months ago. Tagged and released
Lisa’s Tarakihi, caught on board Pursuit Fishing Charters at White Island
One of many blue marlin all caught on Nambas fishing charters, Vanuatu where Lisa Noble was recently a deckhand
www.nzfisher.co.nz 43
// READER PICS
Ben Cullen landed this and other terra’s in only 6m off Waihau Bay
A really good Tarakihi session off Makara one weekend for Lisa Noble, her Mum Gerry & step dad Mark
A nice Tarakihi on the spear for Rowan Virbickas
Ben with his first Tarakihi, caught near Karewa Island
44 www.nzfisher.co.nz
Brett Rigby with a rare jig caught Tarakihi
Jon Christensen with 1 of 5 Marlin caught in the Tutukaka small boat tournament 2018 Lars Christensen with 1of 5 Marlin caught on Gametime in the Tutukaka small boat tournament 2018
Lisa Noble and her PB marlin, caught on board Nambas fishing charters, Vanuatu www.nzfisher.co.nz 45
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www.nzfisher.co.nz 46