NZ Fisher – Issue 67

ISSUE 67

APRIL 2017

It’s

All

About the

Ladies www.nzfisher.co.nz 1

“Honda provides me with reliability, fantastic fuel savings, quietness on set, low emissions and incredible harmonics which pull the fish. We’re now saving around 40% on fuel from one of my previous boats running like for like horsepower engines” Nicky Sinden ADOS Addicted to Fishing

“The choice of Honda engines was simple. Our experience with Honda reliability and support has been outstanding. The power is incredible, because the engines are hardly working, the economy is amazingly good.”

Captain Phil Barchet Blue Water Adventures

“With a heavier hull on the new boat and a large array of pumps and electronics the big powerful 3.6 litre V6 with a 90amp alternator was the logical choice” Tony Orton Offshore Adventures

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL HONDA DEALER TODAY

www.hondamarine.co.nz/find-a-dealer

CONTENTS

5... Editorial 6... Letter to the Editor 8... Tagged & Released 12.. Pending Women’s 60kg-tackle World Record & Women’s

New Zealand Record

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 ART DIRECTOR / Jodi Olsson CONTENT ENQUIRIES / Phone Derrick on 021 629 327 or email derrickp@NZ Fisher.co.nz ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES / Phone Derrick on 021 629 327

20... Double Delight

or email derrickp@NZ Fisher.co.nz ADDRESS / NZ Fisher, PO Box

24... An Interview with a Fishing Legend

47794, Ponsonby 11144 WEBSITE / www.NZFisher.co.nz

30... Industry Allowed to Monitor Itself 32... Surfacing Star 36... Addicted to Kayak Fishing

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!

40... The Furuno Snapper World Cup 44... MEGA Aussie Snapper 48... Autumn South Island Trout Fishing 52... Reader Pics

Cover Image: Alex Edwards with her PB Kingi; see full story on p. 32

www.nzfisher.co.nz 3

Squidwings™ is a huge leap forward in fishing technology. Working on the premise that almost all fish eat squid, Catch set about designing a lure that could be used by shore based or boat anglers. The secret is in the design of the wings, given the lure stability and an awesome action that fish find irresistible when cast, trolled or slow jigged.

COLOURS: Orange Assassin, Ballistic Blue, Green Reaper & Shady Lady.

Weights: 60g, 80g, 100g.

4 www.nzfisher.co.nz

EDITORIAL HOLD ONTO YOUR tackle boys; the girls are taking over. Well, we’re not really, but this month you’ll notice that we have a female focus in the magazine. Don’t worry, we’re not here to steal your GPS spots or use your favourite rods or lures.

We’re just showing you that we love getting out there and doing what you do.

And some of us can do it pretty well too!

This month we’re brought together a selection of fishing stories, from pending world records, first catches, seasoned anglers, fishing legends, rising stars, and some amazing freshwater photography.

Also this month I am guest editor. A huge honour and something very exciting!

Our Facebook and Instagram feeds still have heaps of photos and stories of anglers catches. It’s pleasing to see fishermen and women getting out and making the most of the weather gaps before some put their rods away for winter. Easter is often the last hurrah for the less serious or hardcore anglers. We were unfortunate with the weather, with cyclone Cook’s unwelcome arrival and hammering of some parts of the country.

But the rain didn’t dampen our spirits (too much), and we still got out and brought home some nice fish.

Swords seem to be a feature this month in the game department, with a few marlin still showing their faces.

The challenge that anglers face to find and land one of these magnificent fish is a big attraction to many. The usual areas (Bay of Islands) are the

most prolific, but excitingly Raglan had their first sword last month, and one from the South Island!

The first of April saw the implementation of changes to the IGFA rules and records. You can find more details of the changes here. While most of us are just out there to catch a feed and enjoy the day or maybe even catch our PB, there are a few more serious anglers who are after something a bit more challenging, and it’s good to be aware of the rules or where to find them.

The commercial fishery has made its appearance in the media again with the revelation that Fishserve (the company which monitors the fishing industry) is owned by its biggest lobby group - Seafood New Zealand. This reeks of ‘the wolf looking after the hen house’, and you can read more about this in the Legasea update.

Next month is the Hultchwilco Boat show. If you’re after a shiny new boat, a beautiful new outboard, or just a bargain in the fishing hall, I’m sure there’s something for everyone – including us keen fisherwomen. Feel free to give me some feedback on the facebook page about what you think of this issue.

Naomi

  www.nzfisher.co.nz 5

LETTER TO THE EDITOR I love the sea and fishing, and because of that, I felt I had to write this in response to the ‘brainwashing’ article by Legasea on Sea Change. I say brainwashing because it is clearly trying to talk us into going along with the objectives of Sea Change. I don’t like disagreeing with Legasea, but their stance on this leaves me no alternative.

First some background: a committee established by environmentalists and Maori produced a Sea Change ‘Spatial Plan for the Hauraki Gulf’.

The article by Legasea starts with the title ‘A Chance to Remove Trawling from the Hauraki Gulf’... ok, sounds good for a start. Later, it seems there are some ‘fish hooks’ for example they expect us to accept new Marine Reserves (in prime fishing places), and ‘local community’ power over the seashore (everywhere!). And the impression is given that the whole thing has to be supported, or nothing. Well, it fails, on several counts.

•

Firstly, the objective of removing commercial fishing from the Hauraki Gulf is good. I support that, for obvious reasons. But that has already been ‘promised’ by the Government, so Sea Change is not achieving anything new there. There is no need to give away other things in exchange for removing commercial fishing.

•

Secondly, the proposals (and that is all they are) to introduce new marine reserves, and to give local communities power to regulate the seashore (and one kilometre offshore) are thoroughly objectionable.

Recreational fishers where I live on Hibiscus Coast, are appalled at the proposal to confiscate a huge area (about 3000ha) around Tiritiri Matangi Island for a marine reserve. This precious fishing area has been enjoyed for generations.

Similarly, enormous new reserves are proposed off Snells Beach, and on the north side of Motutapu and Rangitoto; these will certainly be opposed by recreational fishers who enjoy fishing the area.

The proposal to hand control of seashores (one kilometre off the coast), to local communities; means simply Maori control. It’s a grab for the seashore that was attempted back under the Labour government in a different guise. It would be divisive and discriminatory and has no place in our society.

Publicity around Sea Change tries to give the impression that it is a ‘done deal’. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is not a government initiative, but it can not happen without government agreement and action.

Recreational fishers should not be bullied or fooled into going along with this. Even if your favourite fishing area isn’t targeted for a marine reserve – the marine reserve lobby won’t be satisfied with that; they will be back for more in future, for sure. Mobilise, make objections known, and stop it.

Rex Beer

6 www.nzfisher.co.nz

In Response, from regular NZFisher editor, Derrick Paull Rex’s letter raises the very interesting concept that recreational fishers should have unfettered access to fisheries without consequence.

The Sea Change programme is not some underhand effort to restrict fishers access; it’s a holistic approach to sustainability and protection of the Gulf.

While I believe some greater transparency around the Sea Change process, especially early on, would have aided the process, it’s current outcomes are useful when planning for Auckland’s inevitable population growth and the effects of terrestrial land use activities like residential land development and intensive dairying. We cannot go

on pretending that our fisheries will survive unaffected by our actions.

It’s extremely unlikely that all the marine reserve proposals will be accepted (if any) by the council, but a small number will likely make it through, and they provide protection for future generations. I particularly disagree with Rex’s view that this is somehow a Maori ‘land grab’ and obviously he doesn’t have a firm understanding of the Seabed & Foreshore legislation, Labours contentious bill which locked the foreshore away, and did not open it up.

Leaving a little now in return for a sustainable future doesn’t feel like a bad trade. If all goes ahead as planned, I’ll lose my favourite spot, one tattooed on my arm in fact, but in the scheme of things, it’s a small price to pay. 

www.nzfisher.co.nz 7

GAMEFISHING

Tagged &

Released The thrill of catching your first marlin

BY Naomi Peterson

8 www.nzfisher.co.nz

“

Jason got another marlin yesterday!!

And lost a monster.

Have to be at his place by 6am

AS I READ THE TEXT, I knew my

before getting to any great depth. It

marlin trip was sorted. Jason from

took over an hour to get to where

Tasman Tackle and my husband

there had been some action over

Quentin had been chatting over the

the previous days. Jason put out the

past couple of weeks and decided

spread of lures, which included the

I needed to catch a marlin. Raglan

Bonze lures Koheru Argonaut on the

was starting to fire, and the weather

short corner. And we began trolling.

looked good for the coming weekend.

We had been trolling for about an

I was pretty confident I was going to get one, after all, Jason had already landed eight this season, all but one of them tag and released.

hour out towards 300m, during which time the VHF was regularly reporting hook-ups of albies and marlin. “Fish!” yelled eagle-eyed Jason and I was

Yes, I know that with fishing nothing

up off my seat and out on the deck

is guaranteed but still I was quietly

faster than you can say ‘today you’re

confident and somewhat excited.

going to catch your first Marlin’.

We arrived at Jason’s at 6am as

It came in from the side then

arranged, and headed to Raglan where

disappeared. It hadn’t gone far because

we launched. After crossing the bar,

the next minute, the rod tip bounced

we headed out to the 150-metre mark.

and the line started peeling out from

If you’re unfamiliar with Raglan, the

the reel. My heart skipped a beat but

sea floor takes a very slow gradient,

returned to normal as the line stopped.

so you have to travel quite a distance

It seems Mr Marlin was taunting us.

www.nzfisher.co.nz 9

GAMEFISHING

10 www.nzfisher.co.nz

We circled, and a few minutes later were on. The fish had eyed up and taken the Koheru Argonaut. This time it was for real. The line screamed out. Jason and Quentin start clearing the gear while my excitement grew. What’s great is that there is no panic, well from them anyway. I, on the other hand, was watching all that line disappear off the spool and thinking I’ve got to wind it all back in! They got all the gear cleared away, and Jason instructs me to lift the rod out of the rod holder and get set up in the chair. I’d already harnessed up from the first little run, so clipped in the reel and got myself set up for the battle.

can get a better line angle and fight the

I watched the line peel out and waited for the fish to jump (that’s what I expected to happen as I’ve seen many photographs of them breaching and jumping), but mine just went on a big run at the beginning, then when it slowed down and finally stopped, I start winding. There is a constant weight on the line, and I’m concentrating on the reel making sure I spread the line and keep the line tight and rod bent.

magnificent fish, first time I’d seen

Quentin and Jason are great coaches; I was making good progress on the line, but knew I’d lose it all again when it went on a run. But it doesn’t, and I keep winding. As the spool got fuller, the fish was difficult to move the last 20 metres. I swapped to stand up so we

fish from beside the boat rather than out the back. I get some line back; then it goes on a couple of little runs before I start cranking and I see the leader.

Quentin was ready with the tag pole, Jason expertly leadered in the fish, and I caught my breath as my fish was tagged. “You’re happy to tag it?” Jason asked. “Yep, I am!” I replied. Jason removed the hook, I put the rod in the holder and came to hold the bill while the boys take a few photos.

Wow, it was at this moment that the reality started to sink in. What a one up close. And I knew I’d made the right decision to release it. After we were happy with the photos, we sent it on its way, and I was all smiles.

I just landed my first marlin!!

We reset the gear and decide to try for another one, but it wasn’t to be. We headed back in and got to the ramp in time to head to the Raglan Sport Fishing Club to hand in my catch card and get the details written on their brand new tag and release board.

A huge thanks to Jason and Quentin, for hatching the plan and making sure it became a reality. What a thrill!

Can’t wait to try for my next one.

www.nzfisher.co.nz 11

GAMEFISHING

Pending Women’s

60kg-tackle World Record &Women’s New Zealand

Record

The fish that was meant to be BY Naomi Peterson

12 www.nzfisher.co.nz

“

He’s a huge sword, that was amazing! He’s not a small fish either.

I SAW THE POST on the ADOS

about his “best day of my life” fishing

Addicted to Fishing Facebook page,

with his heroine Nicky. His parents

and was so excited for Nicky that

were so appreciative they offered

I couldn’t wait to find out details.

their bach to Nicky and her mates

What a monster of a fish! It was

Dave Woodman and Matt Haliday

hard to comprehend the size of the fish until I saw the cameraman sitting next to its massive bill.

“When filming for the TV show, we tend to move with the weather, generally having plan A, B and C. We

to stay in for the rest of the week.

The weather was looking promising for the next couple of days, so ‘why not’ thought Nicky. It was here she caught up with good friend Phil

were in Whangaroa last month filming

Barchett who told Nicky of his plans

an episode for the upcoming show.

to take fishing legend ‘Boulder’ out

The day had gone exactly to plan A

swordfishing the next day, but he

and there were good vibes all round”

didn’t have any big arrow squid. “You

One of her guest anglers was beaming

can have some of ours” Nicky offered.

www.nzfisher.co.nz 13

GAMEFISHING

14 www.nzfisher.co.nz

Armed with the squid, Phil and

the fish, but after an hour on the

Boulder headed out from Whangaroa

line, the fish died during the fight.

and returned that afternoon with a sword in the boot. Nicky contacted Phil to congratulate him, and he was so appreciative and on cloud nine that he gave Nicky the mark where the fish were. That is what good mates do.

Nicky wound it in, and they attempted to get it onboard. Nicky’s Honda BF250 powered, 750 Game King isn’t a small boat, but there was no way that fish was going to fit through the transom door. They

They hadn’t planned to fish for swords

tried for an hour but ended up

out from Whangaroa, but because

tying its head, and bill and Nicky

they were here and had the mark,

jumped in the water to secure its

Nicky and her crew headed out the next day to an area of 600m-plus deep water off Whangaroa Harbour, 70km north of the Bay of Islands.

“This feels like magic” Nicky told her crew on the way out. Who could have predicted the epic adventure ahead as everything fell into place? “All we

tail with a rope. They got it’s head through the door, while two-thirds of the fish hung out the back.

“We still didn’t see the enormity or length of the fish because it was mostly still in the water”. Nicky told her crew: “Nobody mention

need is one” replied Matt. And a very

the ‘s’ word” The last thing they

special one indeed they did get.

wanted right now was a fish starting

Nicky’s no stranger to swordfishing.

It was within 10 minutes on the

with ‘S’ to come along and take half of their hard earned prize.

second drop that she nailed the fish.

There was some serious weight at the

The first indication of the size of the

back of the boat, which was evident

fish was when it porpoised out of the

when they started the trip back in.

water, and they saw the size of it’s

The Honda Marine BF250 normally

head, shoulders and bill. “Holy, it’s

effortlessly power’s ‘Game On’ along,

massive!” exclaimed Dave. The plan

but this time they had to travel back

had always been to tag and release

at eight knots to keep things safe.

GAMEFISHING

Making the most of the eight-knot speed limit, Nicky decided to throw some lures out, and they trolled these along on their way back in. “Imagine if we caught a marlin as well!”

“

This was the pinnacle of the fishing I’ve done to date and was one of the happiest days of my life.

Upon returning to the Whangaroa wharf, Nicky went to the local pub to see if the weighmaster could do a courtesy weigh. He took one look at the fish. “Are you a member of a club?”, “Yes”, “Good!” and Nicky read between the lines to know that he thought this was a good fish.

They slipped the noose around its tail and it was lifted up. “Before it’s head and bill were even off the boat

16 www.nzfisher.co.nz

the scales read 300kg. Everyone was shocked, and as the fish hung freely, the scales bounced between 375kg and 350kg, before finally resting on 361.0kg. WTF!” everyone was stunned. “Swords can be deceiving in size. I knew it was big but had no idea it was over 300kg. I was gobsmacked”.

Nicky suddenly thought, “What’s the women’s broadbill record?” and quickly rang her mates at Shimano to ask. In the meantime she rung her Dad to share her exciting news.

Paul was standing in the queue at the bank at the time of the call, and was super excited and proud of his daughter. All the customers in the bank knew of Nicky’s catch before he left the bank that afternoon! Al from Shimano rang Nicky back, “Are you sitting down?” and informed her that her fish would not only be a New Zealand, but a world record.

“This was the pinnacle of the fishing I’ve done to date and was one of the happiest days of my life” Nicky explains. “I was blessed with such an incredible fish, it’s surreal”. Nicky is incredibly grateful of the experience. “That fish could have chosen anyone’s line. It’s very humbling, it blows your mind”.

Nicky also acknowledges that fish like this “don’t just happen, they require a lot of hard work, good energy and teamwork”. Nicky is so appreciative of the input of everyone involved – from her friend Hayley offering them the bach to stay in, Captain Phil who shared the mark, her skipper Dave and Deckie Matt, and the cameraman who was there and recorded it all. She’s already framed a photo of the crew with the fish and has given a copy to each of them.

“I believe it comes back to good energy, there was a series of positive energy situations that culminated in this very special event”.

It turns out that Nicky’s fish is 17kg heavier than the previous record held in the 60kg line class. It is a New Zealand record, and is a pending Women’s 60kg broadbill IGFA record, and is the heaviest broadbill caught by a female under the IGFA. Nicky is getting a full body mount of the fish. Actually she’s getting two. When she caught her first broadbill weighing 199kg, she shared her achievement with her Dad, she said. “I’d lost about 20 before I finally got one, it was a long time of trial and error.

www.nzfisher.co.nz 17

GAMEFISHING

Dad was so proud of me ‘lets get it mounted’ he said”. There was lots of celebrating Nicky’s first broadbill and some slabs were cut off and shared around before Nicky got a half mount done. “It’s going to look so cool coming out of the wall” she told her Dad. “What do you mean coming out of the wall? I wanted a full body mount” said Paul. Nicky quickly reassured her Dad, “Don’t worry. I’ll catch another one one day”.

Hence the two mounts, one for Nicky’s wall and one for Paul’s wall. She’s already measured the walls and worked out where it will go – which means a few minor renovations will have to happen to ensure the fish fits!

Congratulations Nicky and everyone involved who was a part of making

18 www.nzfisher.co.nz

this happen. What an epic fish that really was ‘meant to be’. The new series of ADOS addicted to fishing is coming very soon, Saturday’s at 5pm on Prime TV. You’ll be able to see the full story of Nicky’s catch on the show, but for now you can see a preview here. 

4-STROKE HONDA MARINE ENGINES LEAD THE WORLD IN Reliability Performance Fuel Efficiency Environmental Responsibility

From the super lightweight BF2.3 right up to the class leading and powerful BF250. Backed with an industry leading 7 Year Warranty, ensuring peace of mind for all Honda outboard owners.

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL HONDA DEALER TODAY www.nzfisher.co.nz www.hondamarine.co.nz/find-a-dealer

19

GAMEFISHING

Double

Delight

No other woman had ever caught a fish over 900lb in New Zealand and now Donna Pascoe has caught two! BY Donna Pascoe

20 www.nzfisher.co.nz

WE WERE FISHING the NZSFC Simrad Nationals with skipper Ken Pascoe, deckies Brad Bennetto and Phil Evans and myself as the solo anger.

On Monday 20 February we headed out early to the hook off the top of the North Island. Ken, the skipper, had gone to have a shower when at 7am the line started to peel. The same thing had happened the previous morning when Ken was in the shower, and once again he came running out in just a towel and cried ‘not again’.

I grabbed the rod out of the holder and made my way to the chair. Strapping in and putting the drag up I was ready for fighting and tagging another marlin.

We were keen on tagging all marlin as we had our sights set on the most tagged and released marlin for the tournament. Seeing it was a blue marlin we needed to make sure it didn’t die on us so the skipper, Ken Pascoe decided to back down hard on the fish. Yeah right!! He said it was so the fish didn’t die on us, but secretly I think it was more to get me completely soaked in the chair. He seemed to get great pleasure in doing that multiple times during the tournament.

Brad kept telling us it was a pretty big fish but we still planned on just tagging at this stage. After just 23 minutes I had the fish to the boat, and Brad put the tag in.

When the tag went in the fish went crazy, so Brad let go of the leader, and the fish went down again. Once again Brad said it was a really big fish, so it was decided to bring it in to weigh.

The old game of winding some and the fish taking it back, winding some and the fish taking it had started but now knowing it was a big fish I didn’t want it to get away on me. Also, I was sitting in soaking wet underwear (and clothes) and certainly didn’t want to spend hours in them.

I got the fish back up the top, and it was all go with Brad once again grabbing the leader and Phil grabbing the gaff. Brad was trying to grab the bill, but the fish kept his head just out of reach, and each time he got the bill the fish would pull away.

Grabbing it again Phil landed the gaff shot.

Not surprisingly this didn’t make the fish very happy, and it put up quite a struggle.

Finally, Brad using his ‘big boy’ gloves got a firm hold on the bill, and it was time to bring it onboard. Ken and Phil helped, but the fish being of some size wasn’t coming in easily. I had jumped out of the chair and grabbed a fin and assisted in trying to pull the fish in. At one stage Ken fell over backwards onto his butt, keep in mind he still just had a towel on and nothing else.

www.nzfisher.co.nz 21

GAMEFISHING

After much huffing and puffing and x-rated flashing by Ken bending over, the fish slid onboard. I do have to say that at no stage during the fight or bringing the fish onboard did Ken’s towel come off.

Great advert for the towel manufacturer.

The marlin sure seemed big. We have a very long cockpit, and the Marlin had his tail curled up a bit at the back of the boat, and its head was up on the step leading into the saloon.

After cleaning up the boat, changing out of wet clothes and Ken getting dressed we headed into Houhora to weigh the fish. We fuelled up while waiting for Debbie Bunn, the weighmaster of Houhora Big Game & Sports Fishing Club and were greeted by a lot of locals keen to see the fish.

The marlin was lifted, but the gantry was not tall enough for the marlin, so we had to get a trolley from the club and roll it

22 www.nzfisher.co.nz

over to the other gantry further up the wharf. Up it went and watching the scales I was hoping it would go over 350kg (771lb). Once it got to 350kg the fish still had it’s head on the ground so I knew it would go over. I did not expect it to go over 400kg (881lb) and was stunned when the scales settled on 420.4kg (927lb).

No way could I ever imagine catching a fish heavier than my 411kg (907lb) Pacific bluefin tuna which was an All Tackle World Record as well as the Women’s 130lb lineweight world record.

I was also awarded the People’s Choice award by the IGFA for the Best World Record of 2014 for my tuna.

(You can read about this fish here) The blue marlin is a pending New Zealand record. The freaky thing is when I looked at both photos of the fish the catch board had the same date - 20 February. One in 2014 and one in 2017. 

Squidwings™ is a huge leap forward in fishing technology!

The secret is in the design of the wings, given the lure stability and an awesome action that fish find irresistible when cast, trolled or slow jigged.

200 gram Squidwings has a Teflon tube running through the centre of the lure, comes rigged with 100lb high abrasion mono and stainless steel 4/0 double hooks. It has been proven to be a highly effective lure when trolling for kingfish, mahimahi and TUNA.

Colours: Orange Assassin, Shady Lady, Green Reaper, Purple Predator Weight 200 gram

www.nzfisher.co.nz 23

HISTORICALFISHING

An Interview

with a Fishing Legend

BY Naomi Peterson

24 www.nzfisher.co.nz

One of Jills many fish

The family boat 'Rarangi'

M.G. Sportsfisher

WHEN A FISHERMAN you hold in high regard, speaks so passionately and highly of one of New Zealand’s pioneering female charter boat skippers, one cannot help but want to learn more about this extraordinary fisherwoman.

This fisherwoman is Jill Gray, one of the first three women in New Zealand to gain their charter boat skippers licence in the early seventies. But what drove Jill to want to become a female skipper in a male dominated industry?

You could say it’s the female gene in Jill’s family that carries the passion for fishing.

Her mother Ann and husband Bob built the family homestead at Mangatapu, where Jill lives today. “Mum would often

go down to the jetty (by their house) with a handline and come home with fresh snapper or kahawai. She loved fishing, I took her out for a days fishing at the penguin shoals, and she pulled in kingfish – she was 80 years old!”

Bob had fished from an early age.

Their love of recreational fishing led to purchasing a boat together, which they soon found too small and had to buy a bigger boat. Bob Gray was one of the founders of game fishing in Tauranga.

“Dad was pulled into the skippering game in 1948 when another boat ran aground on the Tuhua Reef. At the time he had an ex-game boat, the ‘Rarangi’, which made the transition to chartering fairly easy, and he actually really enjoyed it!”

www.nzfisher.co.nz 25

Yellowfin tuna caught on one of Jill's lures

HISTORICALFISHING Fishing had been a part of Jill’s life from an early age. Growing up as a skippers daughter she soon became an accomplished fisherwoman. She took her first trip to Mayor Island at the age of eight and continues to fish there today recently hauling in a New Zealand Record 71.7kg Bass. Jill became a part of the family businesses, “I would help Dad after he had his stroke”, eventually taking over as skipper of the Rarangi after his death.

In the seventies, Jill skippered the Rarangi until 1978, then several other boats until most recently the ‘M.G.Sportfisher’ from

has one group of women (now good

1992 until 2011.

friends) from Whakatane who regularly

One of Jills female teams

fished with her for many years, and even now still get together many years later.

For 20 years, Jill was skipper for many angler records. I asked what her most memorable times were. “The record Bass in 2011, and winning the AIR NZ Trophy in the 1985 National Billfish Contest. We were fishing 20 minutes out of the bay, rigged up and dropped a live mackerel into the school, and had the marlin” From the short time I spent talking with Jill, so

Being a female charter boat skipper during the seventies wasn’t easy. It was then, (and still is now), a male dominated industry. But Jill soon earned a reputation as an accomplished skipper

many of her accomplishments stand out for me that this article can’t possibly do them all justice. One that did impress me was the time Jill and her friend caught a marlin off the back of a yacht!

and gained the respect of fellow charter

Her skippering has taken her down the

boat skippers. She had many fishermen

coast to Omaio, out to White Island, and

(and women) that would return each

up to the North Cape, although North

year, bringing their children, and even

was mostly on family holidays for the

grandchildren back to fish with her. Jill

owner of M.G. Sportfisher.

26 www.nzfisher.co.nz

glers akatane an ith her Wh w ) ft le t n Jill (fro

Skipper for a World record

Jill was a member of the Tauranga Sports Fishing Club from 1975 to 1991, including president for three years from 1983 to 1986; life member, honorary life member, and she now proudly holds the role of club patron. During her years as club president, Jill led the way by catching a marlin each year. Her first in 1984 was the largest at 154kg and remains unbeaten on the club’s record board.

The walls of the club tell her family’s story through photos, certificates, a mounted thresher shark from her Father’s

unheard of in the seventies! Jill herself was involved in taking kids out fishing on ‘take a kid’ fishing competitions, and her expertise as a skipper ensured the kids

time as a skipper, and her Mother’s

brought in prize winning fish.

magnificent shell collection, including

“You can’t beat getting your own fresh

the paper nautilus shells, which at

fish,” says Jill, and I couldn’t agree more.

a particular time of the year can be

“People enjoy getting out there and

found on the currents around Mayor

catching a feed, which has probably been

Island. The photographs may be faded,

part of the rise in the number of boats.

but the memories certainly haven’t!

Marinas are now full of boats, and the dry

Jill’s involvement within the fishing

stacks for storage. These days, every Joe

industry has allowed her to see numerous

Bloggs has a boat in their backyard. The

changes over time. “Today there’s more

number of small recreational boats has

women and families involved in fishing”.

increased, slowly squeezing out charter

Family fishing comps, ‘take a kid fishing’

operators. These days it’s harder for

days and Ladies fishing comps were all

charter boat operators to put their boats

www.nzfisher.co.nz 27

HISTORICALFISHING

are the days of slicing up stinky skipjack tuna for bait and shoving its frame down a tube for burley. Jill tells me that back in the day they also used to use the marlin carcases for burley. through survey, Many have left the game because it’s all become too much.”

Boats and gear have changed as well. The boats have become more modern, bigger, and comfortable – “some of them are a home away from home”. They go faster and further. The development of carbon fibre fishing rods has been a game changer. Fishing tackle is lighter and stronger. And lures – Jill used to make her own marlin lures, and now there are metal and soft plastic lures in all shapes and sizes that fish find irresistible. Gone

28 www.nzfisher.co.nz

How we care for our catch has also changed significantly. In Jill’s father’s and her own early skippering days, “the fish were put in an old sugar sack on the side of the boat, and that’s where they stayed until you arrived back at the wharf”.

There was no such thing as salt ice.

“Today we treasure and take better care of our catch, so it is more presentable for eating, and tastes better. You also have to keep your fish in pristine condition for the weigh station” A fish that has been cared for and immediately put on ice stays in much better condition come filleting or weigh in time.

ht her marlin. ich Jill’s friend caug The yacht from wh

Jill's club reco rd

154kg marlin

Some of Jill's Mother's Shell Collection

What about the fish stocks? “The fish

The words of a Maori chief were often

still come into their usual places,

related by Jill’s Father: “We must not

their feeding grounds. Fish will still

fail to conserve our Matapuna (fish)”,

congregate here, although when

and this saying has guided Jill’s fishing

this happens is impacted on by the

philosophy. ‘Limit your catch, don’t

seasons”. As was evident in this year’s

catch your limit’ is another phrase

late marlin season. This time of the

that describes it well.

year sees the terakihi moving in closer to shore and the snapper moving

I often think of how much I love

out deeper in the Bay of Plenty

fishing, but after talking with Jill, I

area. There may not be the size and

realise that this extraordinary lady

numbers of the days when she was

has ‘lived’ fishing, and I was privileged

skippering, but there are still fish

to spend a short time with her as she

around if you know where to look.

shared some of her story. 

www.nzfisher.co.nz 29

FISHERIESMANAGEMENT

Industry Allowed to Monitor

Itself

Legasea Update

A GREENPEACE REPORT revealed FishServe, the company appointed to monitor many of the processes around the commercial fishing industry, is in fact owned by the industry itself.

On April 2 Greenpeace released their report into the public to voice their concerns and alert the public to this bizarre situation that the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has allowed. MPI swiftly struck back at Greenpeace saying that FishServe has a limited role and Greenpeace are “just boxing at shadows�.

30 www.nzfisher.co.nz

However, FishServe states that its services include issuing fishing permits and processing fishing returns, among many others. Russel Norman, executive director of Greenpeace, believes this role would mean that “in order to prosecute companies for legal breaches, the government regulator, MPI, has to rely on data collected by a company owned by the fishing companies themselves”.

Glenn Simmons, co-author of the recent Catch Reconstruction report, spoke up in support of Greenpeace.

He revealed that there are currently reports similar to Operation Overdue, Achilles and Hippocamp, being hidden from the public. These reports, released in early 2016, revealed MPI knowledge

public to speculate the worst. If MPI are indeed working to protect the public interest and maintain our fisheries, what could there possibly be to hide?

A full inquiry into why this process has taken the better part of two years, what is being hidden from the public and how MPI has become so captured by industry cannot wait any longer. If we are to once again have faith that our precious marine environment is in safe hands and that this resource will be available for future generations to enjoy, we need to review MPI and the Quota Management System.

Simply stating we are world-leading is no longer acceptable, we want them to prove it. 

of widespread illegal dumping of commercial fish and their refusal to prosecute. In 2015, over 100 of these reports were requested by Simmons

Call 0800 LEGASEA (534 273) Email us info@legasea.co.nz

and his team for research purposes

Subscribe at www.legasea.co.nz

through the Official Information Act.

Read more at www.facebook.com/legasea

This request was denied, so Simmons tried again for a list of only 14 of these reports. Almost two years later and MPI have still failed to comply.

An organisation that we are supposed to trust with one of our most valued resources needs transparency. Why should the public be left in the dark to wonder what is happening behind closed doors? The refusal to share these documents paints a bleak picture of what they may contain and leaves the

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.

7.51kg from the three kings pending NZ junior record

SPEARFISHING

Surfacing

Star

NZ Junior Spearfishing Champ BY Alex Edwards

32 www.nzfisher.co.nz

MY NAME IS Alex Edwards, I am 16 years

metres visibility. While I was lying on the

old and I have been spearfishing for just

edge, I was swarmed with small trevally,

over three years. I was 12 when I speared

and I was also accompanied by Napoleon

my first fish: a blue maomao. I was

wrasse, unicorn fish, barracuda and

very excited! Since then my passion for

a small dog tooth tuna, which made

spearfishing has just kept growing. I got

for very nice sashimi on a later dive.

into it because my Dad was a previous

My biggest achievement was making the

New Zealand champion and my Mother was the previous Australian and New Zealand women’s champion. Both of my parents have represented New Zealand.

New Zealand Inter-Pacific spearfishing team for two years running, competing in New Zealand in 2016 and Guam in 2017. I also have had other wins in

I enjoy the challenge, both mentally and

the various junior categories. I hold a

physically, and the sense of freedom

Women’s world record for longnose

when I go spearfishing. My most

garfish taken in Beaver Lake USA

memorable dive was when I was in

during one of the scouting days for

Guam on one of the scouting days. I was

the USA National and International

diving a drop off at 30 metres in 30 to 40

Freshwater Spearfishing Competition.

www.nzfisher.co.nz 33

First dog tooth tuna

SPEARFISHING

Kingfish

Interpacifics 2017

I travelled to Beaver Lake with the Kiwi Spearo team for the US Nationals.

On one of the scouting days, I was swimming around a patch of broken trees and logs, looking for catfish under logs and carp. I dove down a branch that was sitting one metre below the surface, and it led me about three metres to a log and a few boulders. I was looking under the logs, and when I turned my head up, I saw a strange looking branch sticking out of a log, and swam to the surface. I thought about

34 www.nzfisher.co.nz

what it was and realised it could be a garfish so followed the branch down again and was surprised to find out it was a garfish. I put a spear through its head with my Wettie predator spear gun, and it gave no fight.

My goal for the future in spearfishing is to continue to represent New Zealand in the Inter-Pacific Spearfishing Championships and also to land a marlin. In a sport dominated by men, it is great to see more and more women like myself getting into the sport.

Pest Control 100 catfish

Women's world record longnose garfish

PB Kingi Taxed!

When I go diving, I find that it is

on my ankles but are strong enough to

important for me to have good gear so

withstand getting kicked into rocks.

that I can stay warm and comfortable when I’m diving so I can stay in the water for longer. I wear a Wettie 5mm hooded top and 3mm long john combination almost year round moving to a 3mm top in the summer months. For New Zealand waters, I find a Wettie Sniper 115 with double

Spearfishing is a great sport because, not only do you have fun staying fit, you can take something home for dinner. My advice for beginners is to know your limits and don’t push yourself. Due to the risk of shallow water blackouts, remember

14mm rubbers an ideal gun because

to dive one up one down and always

it isn’t too big to manoeuvre when

watch your buddy. Remember to

targeting species like snapper yet I still

keep your gun pointing in a safe

have the range for targeting kingfish.

direction and not pointing at your

I wear Wettie fibreglass fins which

buddy and always dive with a bright

have the power and speed, are light

coloured float with a divers flag.

www.nzfisher.co.nz 35

KAYAKFISHING

Addicted to Kayak Fishing

There are so many things to love about kayak fishing WORDS & PICS BY Aileen Michael

36 www.nzfisher.co.nz

KAYAK FISHING WAS A natural

of fishing, and the opportunity to go

progression really – my husband

further than in our kayaks. But kayak

Pete and I used to fish off the rocks,

fishing is my passion, and I’m not

regularly climbing mountain goat

ready to hang up my paddles yet!

tracks and swimming across guts to

There are so many things to love

get to our chosen possies.

about kayak fishing. Of course, the

Back in 2000, we decided to get

fishing itself is great fun, and it is

kayaks to use as transport to the rocks

such a buzz being towed around by a

to make life a bit easier. This worked

big fish.

well although it brought its own set

Then there is the fact that you get to

of challenges, such as launching and

travel to many different parts of the

landing on rocks in large swells, etc.

country – we mostly stick to the East

After a few years of kayaking to the

Coast, anywhere from Coromandel to

rocks, we tried fishing directly off the

the Far North, although we also make

kayaks and quickly became addicted

the trip to New Plymouth each year

to this new sport.

for the Taranaki Kayak Fishing Classic,

We recently won one of the two boats

which is an excellent event.

given away at the beach and boat

We have met so many wonderful

competition. This offers us a new style

people through this sport and have

www.nzfisher.co.nz 37

KAYAKFISHING

38 www.nzfisher.co.nz

Always a good sign

Kingi at the three kings

Kingfish

seen many amazing sights – numerous

Anyone thinking about kayak fishing

encounters with dolphins, orcas and

should give it a go, just make sure

even a Southern Right Whale and

you have a correctly fitting PFD and

her calf to name a few. You can be

at least two forms of communication

limited when and where you fish with a kayak; the sea conditions play a bigger role than when fishing from a boat or the rocks. This can also be an

on you before you head out. There are various forums and Facebook pages dedicated to kayak fishing in New Zealand which provide all sorts of helpful information. There are a few

advantage, being able to tuck in really

kayak clubs too, some of which may

close to islands and the shoreline, and

be willing to lend you a kayak to try

the stealth of the kayak is great.

out on one of their club days. ď Ź

www.nzfisher.co.nz 39

TROPHYFISHING

The Furuno

Snapper World Cup

First female to win two prestigious fishing competitions

BY Zara Clifton

The Furuno Snapper World Cup 40 www.nzfisher.co.nz

EACH YEAR, the Furuno Snapper

slow, with a few undersized snapper and

World Cup is awarded to the biggest

kingfish. I made the decision to switch

snapper caught among three top NZ

bait to a fresh slab of kahawai to try and

Fishing Tournaments. If you’re entered

entice the bigger fish. I cast out the bait;

into any of these tournaments, you’re

it hadn’t even made it to the bottom

automatically entered into the World

when I was hooked up.

Cup. The competitions this round

I called it as a kingfish, and it wasn’t until

were The DeCoro Snapper Kingfish Tournament, The Beach and Boat Fishing Competition and The Stabicraft Trailer Boat Tournament. The angler who catches the heaviest snapper at either of these competitions wins the prestigious title, the Furuno Snapper World Cup Trophy, and prize pack from the competition from which the fish was caught.

it surfaced the first time that Logan saw the colour and called snapper. I didn’t see the fish the first time it surfaced.

However, I knew that it must have been a decent snapper to fight the way it did.

At the time Scotty was missing all the action as he was asleep up the front of the boat as he had overindulged the night before and wasn’t coping too well

This year, I was entered in The Beach and

with the conditions.

Boat fishing competition. My partner

The second time I got it to the surface

Logan Craw, friend Scott Kelly, and I went up to Whangarei for the weekend. Most of our fishing is done in the Coromandel, to this was a new fishing area for us.

Logan netted it, and we brought it on board, bending the net handle in the process. Everything from this moment on is a bit of a blur. By this stage Scotty was

The first day didn’t start to plan, we got

awake, and there were a few cheers on

lost trying to find the boat ramp on

board. I couldn’t believe the fish I had just

Friday morning as Logan had entered the

caught, and we underestimated the size

wrong address into the GPS, so our plan

of it at the time. When we got back to the

to be on the water for change of light

boat ramp, we met up with our friends

didn’t happen. When we finally got on

who had been fishing nearby in another

the water, we stopped off to fill the live

boat. They were shocked at the size of

bait tank before heading out a bit deeper

the snapper we had on board and were

and finding a work up, where we stocked

adamant it could be a place getting fish.

up on fresh kahawai.

We got back to the campground with

We continued out until found our spot

only the one fish between the two boats.

X. We lowered the anchor and began

We headed over to weigh in where I was

pumping the burly. The fishing was

informed that I had the heaviest snapper

www.nzfisher.co.nz 41

TROPHYFISHING so far, overtaking the 10kg snapper had

the the overall snapper prize, I was still

been leading. We left the weigh station

in disbelief that I could win it especially

with half an hour to go, not knowing

considering how many other contestants

what was going to come in.

were in the competition.

That night at prize giving when we saw

I was completely overwhelmed when

the snapper on display, we knew it

Nicky called my name as the winner!

remained the heaviest of the day.

I was also informed that I was now

Saturday morning saw us head out to a different spot to try our luck again; we didn’t have much success only catching a few pannies. We missed the weigh in on Saturday afternoon as the Ute broke down on our way back to camp.

leading the Furuno Snapper World Cup. I had caught my PB snapper and made history by being the first female to win the competition. A massive thanks to Nicky, Candice and all the team that put together the Beach and Boat competition.

Sitting around at camp until it was prize

I had won this competition but had to wait

giving proved to be a very nervous and

for the Stabicraft trailer boat competition

anxious wait not knowing what others

to find out if anyone could take me out of

had caught during the day.

the lead of the Furuno world cup. When

When we arrived at the prizegiving there were no fish on display, so we had no idea if anything bigger had been weighed in. As prizegiving started, I listened intently to the categories. When it got

42 www.nzfisher.co.nz

I got the message the comp had been postponed I couldn’t believe it, the wait had been torturous enough, and then I

Zara's 12.26kg snapper

had to wait even longer!

happier when I got the phone call. I can’t

The weekend of the Stabicraft comp I

wait to be presented with the trophy and

was away fishing in another area with no

see my name permanently marked in the

cell phone coverage, so we had no idea

hall of fame.

what was going on. When I got back to

To catch a fish like this is most

coverage on on Sunday afternoon, I had two messages on my phone saying that nothing heavier had been weighed in, but I kept looking for official results to confirm this.

It wasn’t until Tuesday midday that Nicky

fisherwomen’s dream but there are no words to explain the feeling of doing it on a weekend when it has such massive rewards.

To be the first female to take out both the

rang me and informed me that I had

Beach & Boat 2017 Fishing Competition

taken out the Furuno Snapper World Cup

and the 2017 Furuno Snapper World Cup

for 2017. To take out such a prestigious

is quite an honour and I hope that it can

competition without the intention to do

encourage many more females to get out

so is unbelievable. I couldn’t have been

there and give it a go. 

www.nzfisher.co.nz 43

TROPHYFISHING

MEGA Aussie

Snapper

Did I just catch that?

BY Jennifer Loper PHOTOS BY Mark Loper

MY FAMILY AND I were over in Perth

the bottom, but they weren’t biting. We

visiting my brother for the Christmas

decided to not waste any more time and

holidays when we decided to head

try out another spot recommended to us

out fishing. Little did we know the

by a friend.

spectacular morning ahead of us. We

The tackle we were using for the day was

took off in his boat at 7am from Mindarie

Pflueger 6ft Salt Combos, spooled with

Marina and travelled roughly 30km off

50lb Braid, 100lb Black Magic Tough Trace

the Western Australian coast. It was quite

Leader, Paternoster Rigs with 8/0 Black

a distance to travel and took about an

Magic Circle Hooks and 16oz lead to get

hour. Unfortunately, you can’t necessarily

to the bottom. It’s usually pretty rugged

move in a straight line, there are many

territory where the fish are holding, and

reefs and wave breaks to weave around.

you need to be able to stop them from

But on this coastline, you do have to

taking you into the reef when they are

travel the distance to fish in more than

pulling hard.

17 metres of water.

Once we arrived at our second spot

We tried drifting in our first spot, there’s a

approximately ten minutes away, there

nice big lump at 40 metres, and it usually

weren’t many bites hitting our lines, to

produces when we drift over it. The

begin with, until dad caught a Sergeant

Lowrance HDS10 was showing fish on

Baker, which we were told is perfect

44 www.nzfisher.co.nz

Did I just catch that?

Dhufish bait. We immediately switched up the bait, lined up another drift and moments later my brother caught an impressive 52cm Dhufish. Shortly after dad caught an even bigger 75cm Dhufish so things were looking up, and fresh bait was the key!

After I had got over a short moment of feeling a bit ‘green’ due to the rather large swell and my inability to see the mainland, I picked up a rod and got stuck in. Just minutes later, in 41/42 metres of water, something hit, putting up a bit of a fight, pulling line off my reel and putting a decent bend in the rod. My brother set me up with a gimbal belt and began to record the moment while Dad got the net ready.

Honestly, at that moment I wasn’t expecting very much; the fight this fish put up was intermittent and not too much of a struggle, so all three of us were thinking this had to be another Dhufish for sure.

After a small battle, my brother saw colour and knew then it was, in fact, a Snapper. From then it felt like it took forever for this fish to come up to the surface. Shortly before it did surface, it went under the boat, keeping us in even more suspense. Eventually it almost just lazily floated up from under the boat for a big reveal, and to our surprise, it was massive! One metre in length and 12kgs/26lbs massive to be exact!

www.nzfisher.co.nz 45

TROPHYFISHING

Jennifer and her 26.5lb snapper

Once the fish was in the boat, I sat down for a rest, almost in disbelief.

I even took a moment to scratch my head, as if to say ‘how did that just happen? Did I just catch that?’ while my brother and dad proceeded to use some rather colourful language, also in complete shock.

A fish they’d never seen before in all their years fishing, a once in a lifetime fish, which is a term I have heard a few times now since sharing photographs with others. I would never have thought!

We called it a day after just two

46 www.nzfisher.co.nz

and a half hours fishing and were back home before lunch. What an experience, what a day! I’m stoked to have shared this with my dad and brother. We’ve enjoyed many years fishing together and everything I know about fish, boating and fishing, I have learnt from them.

Being Wellington born and raised, I have mostly fished in Wellington, Nelson and the Marlborough Sounds.

But also spent a few years living and fishing in Airlie Beach QLD. I love to get out fishing as much as possible when work and the windy Wellington weather allows.

Jennifer, Mark and Barry Loper with their catches.

Too big for the net.

Scales 12kg

What makes this particularly memorable is that it’s only the second Snapper I’ve ever caught! I mainly target Blue Cod, Tarakihi and Snapper, but have also been out deep sea fishing for Hapuka, Bluenose and Ling out in the Trench off the South Coast. While this rates as a pretty big fish, I have

also caught some beautiful Coral Trout, Spanish Mackerel and Bluenose.

Having the moment captured on video with some amazing photographs to share with others is pretty amazing.

And the fish was delicious by the way, my brother’s BBQ skills meant it was cooked to perfection. 

www.nzfisher.co.nz 47

TROUTFISHING

Autumn South IslandA photographic Troutessay Fishing

BY Kristina Royter

48 www.nzfisher.co.nz

Kristina Royter loves to fish - it is a passion. Ever-evolving, she is driven to learn more and share as much as she can with any aspiring angler.

Having made the big move from Melbourne, Australia to live in New Zealand's South Island with her partner in crime and husband Adam, they're chasing the dream that only fishing seems to fulfil.

She’s also a keen photographer, and her stunning shots of the landscape where she fishes, and of her catches are showcased in this photographic essay.

It’s Autumn, and we’re slowly the coming of the end of the season…which does not mean put your trout rods away! There are still fish to be caught and the beautiful landscape to admire (if you don’t mind braving the incessant bouts of rain we’ve been having over the past few weeks). 

www.nzfisher.co.nz 49

50 www.nzfisher.co.nz

www.nzfisher.co.nz 51

READERPICS

> 14lb 70cm Canal salmon for Mel Fletcher

Reader

Pics

52 www.nzfisher.co.nz

>

>

A nice John dory for Katie!

Coromandel Mussel Farms snapper for Krystal Edwards

>

> Ellie Cooper with a solid 20lb snapper from the Nelson region

Fiordland crayfish and kina for Jordy Bardin

Emma with a couple of Fiordland crays

>

>

READERPICS

>

First marlin for Debbie Care

Jordy Bardin releasing a nice Mayor Island kingfish

54 www.nzfisher.co.nz

>

>

John Dory for Leah at Great Barrier

Lilly with a superb Nelson Yellowtail kingfish

> >

Megan Edwards with a few pinkies to match her pink wettie!

Madam Low happy with a nice pannie

>

Nirvana Porter with her PB snapper

www.nzfisher.co.nz 55

>

Solid blunose for Michelle Honore

>

Poppy Macintyre with a stunning Great Mercury Island kingfish

>

Snapper on a softbait for Stephanie

56 www.nzfisher.co.nz

Have you subscribed to NZ Fisher? It’s free!

Simply visit www.nzfisher.co.nz to get a copy of NZ Fisher delivered straight to your inbox every month!

www.nzfisher.co.nz 57