NZ Fisher Issue 31

ISSUE 31 December 2013

Kingfish are on fire!

From Fly to Micro-Jigs Honda Marine IceyTek & Torpedo7 Competitions inside Congratulations to our Hooked Up prize winner for Issue #31! www.nzfisher.co.nz 1

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editorial

Pg 6 LANDBASEDFISHING 6 Barrier Kings

CONTENTS

20

HUNTING 10 NZFisher goes Hunting COOLGEAR 16 Torpedo7 SEAFOOD COOKERY 18 Bradley Smoker

Christmas Ham FRESHBOAT 20 The NZFisher Frewza

gets a Makeover NEWPRODUCTS 20 The New Honda 250hp –

Silver Bullet HOLIDAYFISHING 26 Christmas is coming!

16

28 30 31

Reader Pics Competition Video of the month

NEWTACKLE 32 Microjigging

Pg 32

www.nzfisher.co.nz 3

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For news, advice, off ers & a good old laugh , visit us at facebook.c om/borntofishnz

editorial

//From the

EDITOR ABOUT /

Short and sharp, NZ Fisher is a free e-magazine delivering thought provoking and enlightening articles, and industry news and information to forward-thinking fisher people.

MERRY FISHMAS! OK, it’s a tired

have gotten tougher and fish more

line, but despite the history of poor

precious we’ve been educated,

fishing over the Christmas break, I

and learned the best parts of the

hope you all experience some great

fish are the bits we used to throw

fishing moments in your holidays and days off. Neil has come up with a few new species to chase over the break – if you’re not making headway against the normal ‘target species’ his

awayIf you have any questions, check out this video on utilising the entire fish by Matt Watson and the Freefishheads.co.nz team.

EDITOR / Derrick Paull ART DIRECTOR / Jodi Olsson CONTENT ENQUIRIES / Phone Derrick on 021 629 327 or email derrickp@NZ Fisher.co.nz ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES / Phone Richard on 09 522 7257 or email richardl@espiremedia.com ADDRESS / NZ Fisher,

tips are worth considering.

We’re stoked to be introducing two

C/- Espire Media, PO Box 137162,

In my case I’ve loaned the boat to

great competitions in this month’s

Parnell, Auckland 1151, NZ

my mate Brendan who’ll be up at

issue thanks to both Honda Marine

WEBSITE / www.NZFisher.co.nz

Doubtless Bay trying his luck – be

and Torpedo7, you are some very

sure to say ‘Gidday’ should you

lucky readers! You can only be in to

see him out there. I’ll be staying in Auckland this year, spending time and banking brownie points

win if you are a NZFisher subscriber, so we suggest you subscribe now if

for a bumper game season (fingers

you haven’t already. If you’ve got any

crossed!) and enjoying some time on

questions, check out our Facebook

mate’s boats.

page for more info.

If you do manage a feed (and we

Whatever your plans and where

hope you do!) don’t forget about

ever you find yourself, have a great,

utilising the whole fish. As a kid

relaxing and safe Christmas. May the

I grew up thinking the only part

FISH be with you!

of a fish we could eat was the fillet – slipped off the bones with

Tight lines,

the deft flit of the knife. As times

Derrick

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: Tom Lusk’s landbased Fly caught kingfish from north of Auckland

www.nzfisher.co.nz 5

landbasedFISHING

Barrier Kings - from the Rocks The hard part

FINALLY, I GET A chance to write in more detail about our

We left BENIsLAND at 0530 and it was still dark when we

recent land based fishing adventures. Regular visitors to

parked the car and walked on the beach. After a bit of a

www.benisland.co.nz know that I’m into land based fishing,

hike and climb we reached the ledge and started prepping

and as any keen angler, I also enjoy putting the few friends

our gear. We set the kingfish rod, the stray-lining rod and

that come and visit me onto the fish. At times this can prove

the bait rod. Paul also has a rod dedicated for popper

difficult, mostly because fishing is not their highest priority,

fishing only and we finally deployed the berley. I think it

but it certainly is easy with my mate from England. Paul is an

was about seven in the morning, the sun was just coming

expert on catching kingfish from the rocks. He’s dedicated,

up and I had the first bait in the water. My next words

very experienced and most of the time, well prepared. He

to Paul, who was prepping yet another rod (the fly rod)

uses the word ‘kingi’ a lot during a day.

were: “There’s snapper in the berley trail.” Indeed, it was a

As in most things in life, the key characteristics needed to

pleasure to watch legal-sized snapper right by my feet.

be a successful land-based kingfish angler are preparation,

While 30-ish centimetre snapper were cruising up to the

timing, dedication and skill. Luck is of course more than

surface, swallowing bits and pieces coming off the berley,

helpful. After three ‘pleasure fishing sessions’, meaning

before swimming back into the deep, a solid snapper

stray-lining dead baits for a couple of hours without using any

appeared and just cruised right by the ledge. That was

burley to catch a feed of snapper and kahawai, it was time to

certainly exciting and I tried a few tricks to hook it. It wasn’t

take Paul to a spot on the east coast to target kingfish.

actively feeding, wasn’t shy at all and, unfortunately, wasn’t

Our timing was great, the big swell that had pounded

keen on the baits I cast. I tried getting it more excited

the coastline for a hand full of days had receded to half

throwing pieces of pilchards at it, but that was all moot.

a meter, and the low tide was due early in the morning.

We estimated it at about five pounds and since it just hung

6 www.nzfisher.co.nz

landbasedFISHING

The sideline sport

around there, I cast pilchards a bit further away; perhaps

bending (Paul likes to fish a lot of drag) he couldn’t keep

there were even bigger snapper in the deep.

it up. All doubts were gone, a big fish was hooked and it wasn’t happy about that at all.

The rod bent immediately, something was pulling line and was swimming sideways. Hmm, perhaps a kahawai? It turned

The fight was intense, the kingi tried different angles,

out to be an almost 30 cm long trevally. Being a good host

going left, going right, going deep. Paul tried to keep the

and knowing that Paul will gladly send it back into the ocean

rod tip high, but with so much drag, he was essentially

with a solid hook in its back, I offered the trevally to him.

muscling the fish just on the drag. So it only took about 2-3

I kept landing trevally, they were really hungry and took every bait. We had been fishing for an hour and a half, still no sign

minutes until I could see the colour. Shimmering silver with some green and yellow.

of any kahawai. The big snapper had cruised off but watched

I had the gaff, and we mentioned to each other almost

us land a few of his mates. The fishing was so productive

simultaneously that it is longer than a metre (75 cm is the

that we just kept one good trevally in a bucket with water,

size-limit for kingfish), before I gaffed it unprofessionally in the

releasing the rest, knowing that there are good and hungry

belly region. The fish was secure on the gaff and although it

fish at our disposal.

hadn’t gained much line, it seemed to be somewhat powered

While Paul was sharing a story with me, line started peeling

out when we secured him higher on the ledge.

off his reel and making that unmistakable sound. He looked

What a great morning, great snapper and trevally action.

out to the balloon, which had popped by now, then to his

A decent 25 pound plus kingfish landed. Time to pack in

rod. Yes, something is going on mate, go to your rod! A

and enjoy the rest of the day I was thinking to myself. Paul

few seconds later and he had the rod butt in the gimbal, the line tight and striking.

was thinking: “Nice kingfish, I bet there is a bigger one out there.” When I suggested releasing the big trevally we had in the bucket, I heard: “Noooo, we’ll put that out and catch

It appeared as if there was no solid hook-up, he struck

a bigger kingi.” So we kept on fishing, I stray-lined (a bit

again, wound some more line in, but wasn’t sure if there

half-arsed) and Paul had a 35 cm trevally out there.

was a fish at the end of the line. Once the rod started

By 11 o’clock the sun was pretty high and Livebaiting Trevalley

it was getting hot; really time to leave!

We packed in and climbed out, sweating under the sun.

We ended up fishing the same spot on the next day, something Paul really didn’t fancy. “I never fish the same spot two days in a row,” he said. “Hmmm, Beni, I don’t know.” We discussed at length other places we could potentially fish, but there was really only one alternative

www.nzfisher.co.nz 7

landbasedFISHING

which I didn’t fancy because you get caught out there by

to left. Believe in the green-berley. This time he cast close

the tide.

to the rocks, the kingi turned around, followed it frantically

Well, Paul was (kind of) right. The same spot, similar

and got hooked on its first attempt to bite it.

conditions, no snapper in the burley trail, no trevally, no

It looked bigger than 75cm in the water to me, but I

kahawai, no piper, actually there wasn’t much happening at

suggested we try to land it without gaffing it. The fish had

all. We spotted a kingfish cruising by but he didn’t respond

a good go at getting away and was tired, we managed to

to the popper Paul cast and it certainly wasn’t interested in

lift it out of the water by the tail and the leader.

what I was doing.

On the rocks it still looked bigger than 75cm, but we had

I really tried hard to catch a kahawai or other fish I could

plenty of kingfish on ice at home. Giving it away was an

use as live bait to no avail, and didn’t help that Paul was

option but instead of measuring it we just deployed it

constantly repeating that nothing was going to happen

gently back into the water.

today. “Too calm mate, same spot, too.” “Nah, we should

I managed to get some of the action of the second fish on

have stayed at home.” “Shouldn’t be here.” “Nothing’s

video. See Ben’s video here.

going to happen mate…”

So what does a good host do? Yes, I green-berleyed

Text reproduced with the permission of Ben Assado.

while he was eating his chips. Green berleying is a special

Ben Island lives permanently in the hills of Tryphena, in a

technique which involves a bit of praying, a bit of patience

rugged and stunning bush block and pursues his dream

and a homage to the (fishing)-Gods. What do you know,

of living in harmony and sustainably from the land.

the bites got stronger - at least it felt like big fish taking bait, and out of nowhere comes a kingi which cruises past the ledge.

I might add, exactly as I had told Paul, close in, from right

8 www.nzfisher.co.nz

Land based fishing and blogging about the simple, yet utterly fulfilling life on Great Barrier Island are his favourite pastimes. Follow his fishing adventures for big snapper and kingfish off the rocks on www.BENIsLAND.co.nz.

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hunting

NZFisher goes Hunting A fisher out of water

By Darren Parsons

GETTING INTO DEER STALKING has always been

After just fifteen minutes we were there. One thousand

something I have wanted to do. Unlike fishing I have

metres altitude, a mixture of tussock, scrub and mature

found the entry into hunting much more difficult. Having

beech forest and an eternity away from civilisation;

some friends with experience is the best way of getting

but hopefully a whole lot closer to my first deer. Other

over that first hurdle. For me that meant choppering into

than that we had a small, but well equipped hut and a

the Kaimanawas and chasing sika deer with three seasoned

crisscrossed matrix of clear streams that had carved their

hunters. Not a bad entry point for a beginner, so as you can

way into the pumice filled hillside. An amazing vista that

imagine I was brimming with anticipation when we loaded

was all ours for the next five days. Oh, and I neglected to

up the chopper at Helisika.

mention the trout. After all, this is a fishing magazine.

10 www.nzfisher.co.nz

hunting

Looking out of the hut, the open door framed a

line over the top of them. This was at a different level to

picturesque pool with the familiar shadow of a trout finning

anything I had encountered before. This situation was soon

into the current. This was a post card, not a hunting block.

resolved by the next pool upstream, which hosted two

With the trout grinning at us from the river and still plenty

nice trout. Brent cautiously presented his nymphs without

of daylight left before primetime hunting, we set off for a

passing the fly line over the fish and he was soon hooked

casual stroll up the river with rod in hand. The trout in the

up. Not the most energetic of fights ensued (on the fish’s

pool next to the hut was actively feeding, darting back and

part that is), and with a couple of quick photos the trip was

forth across the pool. It didn’t take long for him to take a

off to a successful start.

fly either; but he fell off after a short battle. We headed

As evening ensued we hoped this meant the deer would

upstream and the next pool had four large trout in it. This

come out into the open. Being November, conditions were

place was paradise.

warm, but not yet dry, so there were pockets of green

Standing on a bank directly above the pool I was able to

grass that might entice our four legged friends out. Well

guide the angler’s casts to the four fish as they moved

that was the plan. So that first evening Brent set off with

around the pool. The water being so clear, however, it

me under his wing. I was bubbling with enthusiasm but

was all too easy to spook the trout just by passing the fly

watching my feet to make sure I didn’t make too much

www.nzfisher.co.nz 11

hunting

noise (apparently the deer don’t like that).

As we walked, Brent pointed out the signs; how to tell the difference between old and fresh deer poo and tracks. Clearings amongst the scrub that were likely to hold deer were also highlighted. After walking for an hour and then glassing a likely looking slope for another hour we hadn’t seen any deer and dusk was fast approaching. We pushed along the edge of a scrub line and as we came over a rise we spooked a hind that was only about 30 metres away. It darted off into the bush. My first encounter with a deer and I didn’t see it.

Our first day’s activities soon came to form somewhat of a routine. Upon rising we had the option of a morning hunt. The rest of the day would be filled with eating, reading, and a stroll up the river in search of trout. Every evening we would all take to the hillside with our binoculars in search of deer. On the second evening I even managed to spot one too. Well, it did take about five minutes of Cam pointing it out with the binoculars for me to actually see it. It was an important lesson though, as the image I eventually tuned in on was very different to what I had been expecting to see.

So on the third evening after we had done the hard

12 www.nzfisher.co.nz

Great Kingfish country

hunting

yards and crashed through to the very back of our block, I knew what I was looking for. Scanning what was a very large valley with the binoculars, I soon locked in on two small, grey and stationary shapes. I paused my gaze on the shapes for at least ten seconds and eventually one of them moved, its bright white tail confirming that I wasn’t seeing things. Two more deer came out of the bush and joined them, including a nice six pointer stag that proceeded to clash antlers with a spiker.

This was like watching Discovery Channel, but I was keen to get within firing range. It’s fair to say I may have been a little excited, but we kept low and used cover to move closer to the deer. I had convinced myself that this stag was going to be it.

With only twenty minutes until it was dark, and about 700m of scrubby hillside between us and the deer it just wasn’t going to happen. Brent made the very prudent suggestion to just watch them and come back the next day. After all, deer are creatures of habit.

My senses were so highly tuned I could hear the blood surging through my head. www.nzfisher.co.nz 13

hunting

The next day was one of anticipation. As evening

about 120 metres away. I tried to take a standing shot,

approached I became increasingly anxious that the deer

but a combination of weak arms from holding the rifle

wouldn’t be present due to a change in the weather

and adrenalin meant that I couldn’t keep the rifle steady

conditions or because of hunting disturbance from the

in this position.

adjacent block. We made our approach up a different ridge line to ensure we were pushing into the wind.

Shooting prone wasn’t an option, so I sat down and used my knees as a rest. At this angle the deer were obscured,

As we stuck our heads up above the ridge, Brent spotted

but eventually one stuck its head up and looked directly

five deer amongst the scrub in front of us. Slightly out

at us. I placed the crosshairs and took a deep breath. With

of range for a good shot at about 300 metres, but a lot

an echoing boom four days of stalking, whispering and

closer than the day before. We didn’t have much option

anticipation came to a sudden and very loud end. “I think

but to descend the hillside, which was directly in their

you got him” Brent said. After about 5 seconds a deer

line of sight. They must have noticed some movement as

stuck its head up.

this made them move across the hill, not fully spooked, but at a canter.

A crescendo of shots rang out as Brent unloaded his magazine and bambi bounced across the hillside jumping on

We were hoping that they were merely returning to the

all fours. “I’m out of ammo, no here’s one”, you take a shot….

good patch of grazing we had seen them on the day

shoot in front of it…”. While disappointed that I had missed

before. So walking into the wind we stalked slowly around

my chance, we were left laughing as the small deer escaped

the scrub, rifle at the ready. With each carefully placed step

unscathed despite bullets smattering the hillside all around it.

I was anticipating seeing a deer. My senses were so highly tuned I could hear the blood surging through my head. But when we eventually came to the grassy slope where we thought the deer may be there was no sign of them.

Nothing like a good turkey shoot. Brent suggested that we have a look to see if we had hit anything, this seemed strange to me as we had clearly seen the deer escape. But, there laying exactly where I had aimed the first shot was a

We sat down and glassed the valley below us hoping our

small hind. A shot through the neck, heart and lungs had

mob of deer would re-emerge. Within five minutes Brent

poleaxed the deer instantaneously.

had spotted two more deer and we made the decision to have a crack at them rather than wait for the original mob to reappear. We stalked up on them using a bush line as cover.

The deer was gutted and strung across my shoulders. While the walk home was long and a bit sore on the shoulders, we were upbeat, and made it back to the hut just on dark.

Brent took time to clean the rain from our scopes and we

Cam had shot a much larger hind earlier that day, so we had

both adjusted our eyes to the view through the scope in

plenty of meat to take home. I couldn’t have hoped for more

the light conditions that we were experiencing. Poking

out of a first hunting trip. Thanks to Brent, Cam, Martin and

our heads into the open I soon spotted one of the deer,

Jackson for showing me what to do.

14 www.nzfisher.co.nz

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Saltura Multifunction Fishing Pliers - $49.99 16 www.nzfisher.co.nz

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Entries close 15 January 2014 and winner named in our January issue!

www.nzfisher.co.nz 17

seafoodCOOKERY

Bradley Smoker Christmas Ham THIS IS AN ESSENTIAL RECIPE for every smoke-loving BBQ and fishing fanatic. The Christmas ham is as much a part of our annual holidays as rain on Christmas day! Here’s a pretty simple and very tasty way to experience your own, homemade, Christmas Ham!

CURE MIX FOR 5 LBS. (2.25 KG) OF PORK 3 Tbsp (45 ml) Bradley Maple Cure (Do not use more than this amount.)

1 tsp. (5 ml) teaspoons onion granules or onion powder 1 tsp. (5 ml) garlic granules or garlic powder 1 tsp. (5 ml) white pepper

will be placed in each container. Refrigerate the meat while

honey (optional) 1 to 3 Tbsp.

the cure mix is being prepared. (Any plastic food container

Note: If the meat weighs either more or less than 5

with a tight-fitting lid — or a strong plastic bag — can be

pounds (2.25 kg), the amount of cure mix applied must be

used as a curing container.)

proportional to that weight. For example, if the weight of the meat is 2 1/2 pounds (1.15 kg), then each ingredient, including the Bradley Cure, needs to be cut in half.

Blending and applying the curing mix:

Prepare, calculate, and measure the required amount of curing mixture for each container. Mix this curing blend until it is uniform.

Place the meat in the curing container(s). Rub the cure mix on all surfaces evenly. Cover, and refrigerate. The

Weigh the pork. If more than one curing container will be

refrigerator temperature should be set between 34°F and

used, calculate separately the total weight of the meat that

40°F (2.2°C to 4.4°C).

18 www.nzfisher.co.nz

seafoodCOOKERY

Overhaul the pieces of meat after about 12 hours of

the meat from the smoke chamber.

curing. (Overhaul means to rub the surfaces of the meat

Cooking the ham

to redistribute the cure.) Be sure to wet the meat with any liquid that may have accumulated in the bottom of the

After removing the ham from the smoker, it may be cooked

curing container.

using one of several methods, or it may be refrigerated

Overhaul the meat every other day until the required curing time has elapsed. (Cure one week per inch: If the thickest piece is 1 inch, cure 1 week; if the thickest piece is two inches, cure the whole batch 2 weeks.)

Assuming the maximum thickness of the pork is 2 inches (5

or frozen and cooked later. If it is to be refrigerated or frozen, cool it at room temperature for an hour or so and refrigerate it – uncovered – overnight; the next morning it may be wrapped and, if you desire, frozen.

cm), the pork will be fully cured at the end of two weeks. When

Suggestions for cooking the ham.

the curing is finished, rinse each piece of pork well in lukewarm

(Ham is fully cooked when the internal temperature is at

water. Drain in a colander, and blot with a paper towel.

least 160°F (71.1°C).

Wrap each piece of pork in a paper towel, and then wrap

Leave the meat in the smoker and hot smoke it until it is done.

again with newspaper. Refrigerate overnight.

Wrap each piece of ham in plastic food wrap and cook in a steamer. This is an excellent method to cook the

Smoking the ham The next morning, remove the paper and dry the surface of the meat in front of an electric fan or inside of a smoker

ham; the juices are retained by the plastic wrap. (A steamer may be improvised by using a large pan with an elevated rack inside; cover with a lid.)

heated to about 140°F (60°C). If a smoker is used, make

Bake it in an oven.

sure that the damper is fully open. Do not use smoke.

Slice it and fry it.

Drying the surface will require one or two hours.

Note: If the salt taste is too mild, add about 1 teaspoon

When the surface is dry, cold smoke the pork for 3 hours.

of salt to the ingredients list the next time you make

If your smoke chamber temperature is higher than 85°F

this product. If the salt taste is too strong, reduce the

(about 30°C), the smoking time might have to shortened to

amount of Bradley Cure by about 1 teaspoon.

prevent excessive drying.

Raise the smoke chamber temperature to about 150°F (65°C).

For more information on Bradley Smokers and a heaps more recipes then visit: www.bradleysmoker.co.nz

Smoke about 2 or 3 hours more until the surface of the ham takes on an attractive reddish-brown colour. Remove

www.nzfisher.co.nz 19

FreshBOAT

The NZFisher Frewza gets a Makeover TRUE, MAKEOVER’S ARE usually the domain of women’s mags and trashy fashion shows on late night TV – but we thought we’d spruce her up and make sure you can see us out there doing it!

know who we are!

The boat graphics were designed by Strip Strike Fly Fishing club founder Brent Condon, Brent‘s been a Conceptual Graphic Designer and Digital Illustrator for almost 20

If you do see us on the water or at the ramp, come and say

years under the name of ARTTANK illustration and has

Gidday. We’re always keen to get to know the readers and

a passion for customised one-off fly fishing illustrations

to know what you think of what we do. If the fishing’s hot

for boats/boat signage/decals. If you’d like a similar look

– show us your catch – if it’s tough, we’d love to see if we

for your boat, drop Brent a line on 0210713214 or at

can help. Wherever we are, make sure you let us know, you

blankbc_creative@hotmail.com

20 www.nzfisher.co.nz

www.adventuresmart.org.nz

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO The Boating Safety

CODE Before you go boating on our seas, lakes and rivers, get familiar with New Zealand’s Boating Safety Code, no matter what kind of boat you use.

1

Life jackets

5 4

Take them – Wear them.

Skipper responsibility The skipper is responsible for the safety of everyone on board and for the safe operation of the boat. Stay within the limits of your vessel and your experience.

3

Communications Take two separate waterproof ways of communicating so we can help you if you get into difficulties.

to help you stay safe:

Marine weather New Zealand’s weather can be highly unpredictable. Check the local marine weather forecast before you go and expect both weather and sea state changes.

Boats, especially ones under 6m in length, can sink very quickly. Wearing a life jacket increases your survival time in the water.

2

simple rules

5

Avoid alcohol Safe boating and alcohol do not mix.

Things can change quickly on the water. You need to stay alert and aware.

Also available: The Water Safety

CODE

The Outdoor Safety

CODE

For more information about safe boating education and how to prepare for your boating activity, visit www.adventuresmart.org.nz www.nzfisher.co.nz 21

NEWProducts

The New Honda 250hp – Silver Bullet Reel Life Adventures’ get repowered

22 www.nzfisher.co.nz

NEWProducts

AS WE TOUCHED ON in last month’s issue, Capt. Phil of

I’ve fished a fair bit of the southern side of Bay of Islands;

Reel Life Experiences has refitted his White Pointer with

mostly from the kayak but a few long days have been spent

the new Honda BF250. In an effort to show it off, we were

traipsing around the hills of Cape Brett in search of rocky

invited to experience Phil’s hospitality and check out how

ledges too. I’d paddled as far as the Twins, but not out

the Honda performs in everyday use.

to the Hole in the Rock, so when Captain Phil advised the

As many readers will know, I’m traditionally a rock fisher

weather was against us and we were to be fishing the Bay

who has migrated to kayaks and more recently a five

of Islands instead of Whangaroa, I was keen to see some

metre boat, so the pattern of always wanting something

new water.

bigger has been set. There’s no doubting a launch will be fun, but at present I’m eyeing up a 6m – 8m boat as the next NZFisher boat, should NZFisher ever grow up we’ll need a bigger boat right? Getting a chance to ride on different rigs like Reel Life is a real pleasure – it’s not

On the boat for this trip was Ian Biddick, of Honda NZ and Brett Patterson of Fishing News. The goal? To get Captain Phil to give up some secrets – be it fishing or the low down on the Honda.

only the fishing, but experiencing the ride and the new

The weather preceding our trip had been outrageous – 50

territory that matters.

Knot easterlies off shore had developed huge swells the week

www.nzfisher.co.nz 23

NEWProducts

before and cancelled my previous weekend’s fishing in the Reel Rods comp out of Whatuwhiwhi. We were desperate for a fish and the pressure was on our skipper.

First stop were live-baits where Brett proved a fine foil for the crafty yellowtails – little did they know their fate was to be far worse than the drop from the Sabiki to the floor, before finally slipping into the bait tank.

With 25 baits in the tank we headed out of Te Puna inlet and were met with scattered flocks of Gannets, lazily dropping from the sky on patchy schools of bait.

Showing potential but no rewards, these pockets of bait kept us interested but fish-less for an hour before we made the call to head out to Bird Rock for some kingfish action.

During this quick burst across the Bay it became really apparent how quiet the Honda really was. I run the Honda 60hp on the NZFisher Frewza and know how quiet the Hondas run, but you expect the 250 horses of the BF250 to be so much louder. It was Brett who bought it up, but in the open cabin of Reel Life we were just talking like we were in the pub – no need to shout as the outboard just doesn’t get that loud.

At Bird Rock we were met by schools of trevally and kahawai busting up and chasing whitebait in the currents.

The kingfish signs were good and we soon latched onto

24 www.nzfisher.co.nz

NEWProducts

a couple of legal, but rat kings. Once we determined the size

Capt. Phil he’s a bit of a hard nut. A fishing nut and hard

of fish on hand was small, we reverted to plastics and micro-

to get to share secrets. When discussing the Honda

jigging gear to at least make a fight of it!

though, he was an open book. He’s got a Garmin GMi10

We landed a number of small kings and after a while I started flicking a new Hitter Aurora on a heavier stick-bait set. I didn’t

set up to help monitor the engine, and it was set to fuel consumption specifically.

get any follows, but Capt. Phil was pretty keen for a go – the

Phil reckons he’s burning about two thirds of the gas

new Hitter lures are making quite an impression!

he was previously and the benefits have been more

Phil didn’t get any action for the first few casts but on

than just financial. Instead of filling the tank every trip,

cast three, while luckily the camera was rolling; there was

Phil’s only filling every second day – it just doesn’t burn

a very visual – brutal strike! Sadly however within a few

enough fuel to justify it!

seconds it was all over – broken at a wind knot (not the

An average day out of Whangaroa is only using 50 litres or

knot I blamed Capt. Phil for in the video!) This was not to

about 5 litres an hour on average. The motor runs once a

be our day! Check the video here – its work a look for a

day, usually from 7am through till 5pm. Keeping punters on

chuckle anyways.

the fish all the way in all sorts of weather takes 50 odd gear

We had a few more casts and headed back to some in-

shifts a day – 3000 already and it’ll be a whole lot more the

shore reefs for a bit of a bait fish. The weather was building

way the fishing is up there right now (it’s definitely come on

and despite some bust-offs, it wasn’t until we revisited the

since we visited!)

mid-water work-ups of the morning that we landed any memorable fish. I ended the day with a 12lb snapper to my name – definitely the best of a very hard day!

Our day ended up in the Italians, a very Italian restaurant in Kerikeri. It was definitely my day when César the Chef’s served me the special Russian Roulette pizza with the

On the way in we had a chance to really quiz Phil on the

hottest chillis in the north – small price to pay for landing

boat setup and the new Honda. For those that know

the fish of the day!

www.nzfisher.co.nz 25

holidayFISHING

Christmas is coming!

Mussels

So where do the fish party?

By Neil Wagener HOT SUN AND STILL AIR – perfect for a beachside

Unlike sand dwelling shellfish, mussels do not require time

bonfire but not great in the middle of the day while

to spit out sand and grit after capture so they can be eaten

you’re trying to catch a Christmas holiday feed.

almost immediately - some people do have them raw!

Last month we looked at where and when to find Christmas snapper & kings, but what else can you chase over the holidays to fill the fish bin?

The easiest and often considered the best way, to cook them is gently steaming them in their shells over a smoky flame. Mussels don’t require much cooking and are

If you’re the diving or snorkelling type, the ocean is

definitely better on the side of undercooked than over,

overwhelmingly bountiful. Think beyond just scallops

when they become tough & a bit chewy. The daily limit

and crayfish – there’s so much more! In 2011 the rules on

in most of our waters is 50 per person per day, but check

mussels were relaxed and now you can collect mussels on

local limits to be sure! (10 per person is plenty and they

snorkel and scuba. Mussels are a juicy, delicious and they

don’t run away, so be smart and leave a few for next week!)

don’t fight back!

For those more suited to simpler things, traditional ‘pipi

Most rocky bays around the coast have mussels somewhere

hunting’ is still alive and well in New Zealand. While a

– and they’re often able to be found just walking around

lot of our beaches are not loaded with pipis specifically,

reefs at low tide or in tidal rock pools near headlands in good current.

there’s almost always cockles and tuatua’s to fill the creel.

As a kid I remember walking what seemed like miles across

Mussels are easy to collect, you just need to wrench them

sun-drenched mud flats at Whangateau to the edge of the

from the rocks and keep them cool and dry before cooking.

deepest channels that wind across the flats. Where the

26 www.nzfisher.co.nz

holidayFISHING

Mussels galore !

Paua & Crays

lowest tides rest between flows the pipis and cockles are the largest and most prevalent. That means twice a day you can wander out with bucket in hand & dig a few inches below the sand/mud surface and find plump, salty tuatua and cockles.

(alla Rick Stein) or something more interesting – like this!

Once again, if you can get yourself below the surface, paua are a real delicacy worth searching for. In the North (North of Auckland anyway), legal paua are a rare and prized find but anywhere rocky south of Opotiki on the East Coast will

Sadly, many of our best ‘beds’ have been decimated

often offer up legal paua in good numbers. There’s a few

through poor management and greed. While the daily limit

things to bear in mind when hunting them out, but there’s

in many areas is 150 shellfish per person per day, 20 or 30

no real ‘rules’.

per person is plenty - I cannot think how terrible it would

Paua generally like to be on the sheltered side of rocks that

be for us to lose these amazing coastal resources – please

are themselves amongst larger rocks and boulders that

be respectful.

break up the surf and waves. Paua eat algae that grow on

Pipi, cockle & tuatua are very similar in flavour and their

rocks. They often end up covered in algae themselves & are

preparation can be treated as if they are the same. All

hard to see, but once you’ve found one, you’ll find a bunch!

three filter sand loaded water and remove the nutrients.

The minimum legal size is 125mm across the longest part

This means there’s often a lot of sand inside them when

of the shell in all of NZ, except the Taranaki area – but

you dig them up. I’ve heard lots of opinions on how to

check local rules. You’re only allowed 10 each, but in all

get the sand out, but my preference is simply to leave

honesty you’ll only need one each at most.

them over night in a cool place in a bucket with salt water (from the sea) and a teaspoon of flour or corn-flour – which annoys them and makes them spit out their sand loads.

Correctly cooking paua is a question for the ages. I like them as fresh as possible, shelled and knocked hard once with something very heavy. We then slice them and very

Whether you give them time to spit their sand or not,

quickly fry them with a bit of butter & garlic – Mmmm – I’m

cooking is very simple and can be varied depending on

salivating just thinking of them! However you cook them,

how you want to serve them. All these shellfish need is

enjoy the flavour. Paua are subtle but tasty, don’t go too

heat, whether its from steam, boiling or on the grill, they

heavy on other flavours.

steam in their own juices – salty, sweet and a flavour

Hopefully you’ll find some tasty treats on your summer

reminiscent of the sea itself! Try mixing them into pasta

breaks – good luck & Merry Christmas!

www.nzfisher.co.nz 27

READERpics

Denis Railey & his new PB, a stonking 26lb, 93cm Snapper FROM THE KAYAK!!!!.

Barry Williams showing off a well conditioned spring snap from a rough Coromandel Day.

Dominic Ryan with his new PB, a 5kg snapper caught ont he first drop with his new Powerflex rod.

Reader Pics Peter Whig & a very tasty looking JD caught in Whangaroa Harbour

28 www.nzfisher.co.nz

READERpics

Dave Brown with a fatty snapper landed mid winter on a Trigger-X softbait

Michelle MacKinven with a 68cm spring schoolie caught about Alan ‘Alanimal’ McKinven’s new Rayglass 850 Legend.

W

N IN

ER

Stephanie Ryan with a 12lb Kawau Trevally caught on her Dad, Chris’ boat.

Tom Lusks Landbased King on fly - stunning!

Hibiscus Kayak Fishing Club member Steve with a nice Rawhiti Snapper (Thanks Dave Brown)

www.nzfisher.co.nz 29

COMPETITION

Win a Trip on Board Diversity with Tackle-It & NZFisher!

JUST POST A PIC of you with a fish to our Facebook page and you’re in the draw to win day trip aboard Diversity care of Damo and the team at Tackle-It. Every image you enter has a chance to win the big prize. The more and sooner you enter, the better your chances so get fishing and posting those images to Facebook!

WINNER: Stephanie Ryan with a 12lb Kawau Trevally caught on her Dad, Chris’ boat.

30 www.nzfisher.co.nz

VIDEO

Fishing Video of the Month We often hear anglers refer to their trips as ‘Epic’ but that phrase can only really be attributed to one trip – the one you take on Epic Adventures. There’s three boats and a landbased charter in the ‘fleet’ now so who’d be surprised to find so many great videos from the Epic stable online.

There’s no doubting the Epic team based from Tairua and Whitianga are at the top of the kingfish charter business here in New Zealand, but in these two videos you get to see it all from the anglers perspective. It’s not just kingfish featuring here either!

First off there’s a day aboard Sanity with Tobes where there are over 20 kings landed with the best three going over 20kgs!

Day two was landbased with Owen ‘Bush Billy’ up the Coromandel coast – check out the fish landed & try to guess the weight of the one lost!

www.nzfisher.co.nz 31

NEWtackle

Sayoris got bit

Perfect imitators

Sayoris

Micro-jigging; the next big thing AFTER SEEING GREG’S intro to micro-jigging last month

Don’t be fooled by their size – these jigs get hit and hit

we thought we’d give it a go and also try a few of the

hard by most species. I’m very keen to get them in front of

micro stickbaits we’re seeing appear in a few tackle shops.

some tuna this summer – they’ll be deadly!

In both cases we were pretty impressed with the results as

To date we’ve only lost one micro-jig, and that’s very good

both stickbaits & the little jigs out-fished not only soft-

as the lowest cost one we could find was $13.50 – not

baits, but also bait.

cheap, but very effective!

What we found was using such small jigs we started using

My new favourite lure is the Little Jack Sayoris – it’s best

even lighter tackle – you need to stay in touch with the jig.

described as the closest thing I’ve ever found to a real

I was lucky enough to have a 4kg Hearty Rise / Ducro 10

piper in the water.

set up with 10lb line – perfect for twitching jigs and flicking

They’re weighted almost perfectly to just sink a tiny bit,

the stickbaits. We didn’t encounter any big fish, but the

allowing them to be fished in reefy areas where you want

micro jigs in particular elicited bites when nothing else was

the bait below the surface, but not sinking into the weed

working. We were fishing 10-28gram Zetz Boggie, Asari

and getting tangled. I’ve now had snapper, kahawai,

Mah & Maria mico-jigs; all fitted with factory assist or

trevally, goatfish (I know!?!?!) and kings on these little baits.

treble hooks.

I definitely recommend changing out the trebles for single

What was really interesting was the species that hit the

hooks and even reducing them to two instead of three –

these new jigs. Typically flicking around the inner gulf we

fish hit them hard as it is, so there’s not much need for the

hook snapper and the odd kahawai, but with the micro-jigs

trebles and you’ll be much safer without them!

we landed gurnard, yellowtail (Mackerel), snapper, kahawai

We’re planning a few Far North missions in the next little

and kingfish – all the while we only hooked a couple of

while, so all going well we’ll have some more feedback on

snapper n soft baits. OK, so its early days and we don’t

both the micro-jigs (what works best, where, and when)

want to get carried away, but the early results have been

and some more of the ever increasing list of small stickbaits

really encouraging.

on the market.

32 www.nzfisher.co.nz

GIVEAWAY

HUGE NZFisher Subscriber Giveaway!

f sher

Be in to win these awesome prizes from Honda Marine just for subscribing to NZ Fisher!

BOY, ARE WE excited about this one! Thanks

How to enter:

to the good people at Honda Marine we’ve

If you’re not already an NZ Fisher subscriber, simply head

got this awesome 70L Icey-Tek chilly bin and

to www.nzfisher.co.nz and subscribe - it’s free! If you

two Hutchwilco inflatable lifejackets to give

already an NZ Fisher subscriber, you’re already in the draw!

away to one lucky NZ Fisher subscriber.

Entries close 19 Feb 2014. To be eligible you must be

We’ll be drawing the winner of this huge value prize in our

an NZ Fisher subscriber and a New Zealand resident as

February issue and entering couldn’t be easier - simply

at 19th February 2014. Winner will be announced in the

subscribe to NZ Fisher and you’re in the draw!

February issue of NZ Fisher on 26th February 2014.

www.nzfisher.co.nz 33

HOOKED UP!

CO

HOOKEDUP!

U

Every issue, all NZ Fisher subscribers* go in the draw to get hooked up with some fantastic prizes courtesy of generous NZ Fisher supporters.

To find out if you’ve won simply check this section in each issue to see if your name has been drawn and then email us before the deadline to claim your prize. Sweet as!!!

LD

IT

B

E

YO

U

?

Congratulations to our Hooked Up prize winner for Issue #31!

Braiden Keen is the winner You’ve won this month’s awesome Hooked Up prize pack including: •

Your choice of mens or womens ReelWear T courtesy of Reel Adventures

•

A $50 voucher to spend online or instore from GoFish.co.nz

•

A super tough 3-tray tackle box from Flambeau (contents not included)

•

Plus two 500ml bottles of Tackle-It Odour Eliminator from PureAir to keep those fishy smells at bay!

To claim your prize you simply need to email jenniferl@espiremedia.com before 5pm Wednesday 20th December, 2013. Easy!

*To be eligible to win stuff in the Hooked Up section you need to be a confirmed email subscriber to NZ Fisher e-Magazine and be a resident of New Zealand at the time of the draw. A big thanks to our Hooked Up sponsors! Please support them!

34 www.nzfisher.co.nz

NEXTmonth regionalREVIEWS

Coming up in our January issue: - Land based kingfish on fly - West Coast snapper fishery hammered - We test out some traditional Maori fish hooks And heaps more!

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 35