NZ Fisher - Issue 75 by Espire Media

ISSUE 75

January 2018

West is Best

www.nzfisher.co.nz

“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 6.

ON THE HUNT FOR A BILL

12. PADDLING FOR THE SUNSET

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

18.

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

YELLOWFIN WESTERN

Phone Derrick on 021 629 327 or email derrickp@NZ Fisher.co.nz ADDRESS / NZ Fisher, PO Box 47794, Ponsonby 11144

24.

WEST COAST SNAPPER READER PICS

WEBSITE / www.NZFisher.co.nz This is a GREEN MAG, created and distributed without the use of paper so it's environmentally friendly. Please think before you print. Thank you!

36. Cover Image: JT with a 12kg tub of a King Inset: Walkley Marlin

30.

LEGASEA UPDATE

32.

THE LONG GAME www.nzfisher.co.nz 3

EDITORIAL

elcome back, it’s 2018,

for catching a marlin just days before

and the excellent La Nina

deadline and rushing the story to us plus

weather patterns have

the real star of this magazine, Naomi

bought us one hell of a summer (and

who pushed very hard to get two of our

it’s only the end of January!). For the

articles together in time this month – not

last month we’ve heard how warm

an easy task with everyone on holiday.

the waters around New Zealand are, especially the Tasman sea which is two to six degrees warmer than normal, so we thought there’d be no better time to explore the magnificent, wild West Coast (of the North island anyway!).

I’m a bit of a Facebook addict; I’ll often tell people I’m working, which in a way I am, educating or just being disagreeable over trivial points on fisheries management or the scourge of the QMS on our modern fisheries. But

So please feast your eyes on the exploits

recently I’ve found myself being more

of our tremendous NZFisher contribution

put off and not having the energy to

team with stories of Yellowfin Tuna to

engage with the ‘it’s our right to share

thumping snapper, deep diving kings,

death-piles’ crew.

dancing marlin and of course harbour

I get that as fishers we want to show

scallops – all across the West coast of the

off our good days – I know personally

North Island.

they’re not that common – but piling

Thanks to all our contributors but

the boatload of fish and snapping a pic as

special shout-outs to Michael Walkley

they warm up on hot concrete isn’t that

4 www.nzfisher.co.nz

appealing or a good ‘look’ for our sector.

The second issue that’s getting more and

Last year we included a photo of a nice

more airtime is posting a fish (usually

haul of fish from three lads off Taranaki in

very dead) and asking either “What

our reader pics section.

species is this” or “Is this edible”. Now,

They’re allowed ten snapper each down

I understand there’s a huge number of

there, and the pic had 30 nicely laid

people out there who, fair enough, do not

out snaps plus a smattering of gurnard.

know what each species is.

At the time I pondered quietly not

I was one of them when I was younger

publishing it, but the fact was these

and learning too, but killing a fish then

guys had been stoked to get out (it was June) and better still, got a full bag - it’s just not that easy to get a haul like this in the Naki mid-winter.

asking if it’s OK to keep is just plain dumb. Again, to me, this is a respect thing. If you have the desire to go fishing, please take the time to either learn

Difference was, they’d respected their

the local species or at least download

catch, lined them up nicely and, I’d say in

a decent fish guide before you hit the

their minds, respected the catch – laid it

water. There’s only a handful of protected

out with care and pride, not just tipping

marine species in New Zealand, and we

the cooler and snapping a gross pile of death. No one is suggesting keeping your bag limit is not OK, but if you’re going to share the pride make it a pic worth sharing and respect your fish. I

should know them all. There are species which are not protected but are rare, and we should also try and avoid them. Hopefully, you’re getting a chance to hit

have never had so many complaints from

the water yourself and do check out the

readers as I got from that one image but

west coast. When these La Nina easterlies

it shows how passionate our sector is

are chopping the East Coast, consider

about cleaning up our image. I applaud

the harbours and beaches of the west –

the NZ Fishing Community Facebook

there’s fun and food to be found so easily

page for their ‘No Death-piles’ policy, and

if you’re willing to have a go! Tight lines!

I will adopt the same for NZFisher simply because it’s the right thing to do.

Derrick www.nzfisher.co.nz 5

// GAME FISHING

On the Hunt for a Bill BY Michael Walkley

6 www.nzfisher.co.nz

he lure of game fishing has been something that over the last few years we’ve always amped

ourselves up about, the warm water licking down our coastlines bringing with it the nutrient-rich waters that our elusive quarry inhabits following the currents from its long trip from more tropical waters. Year by year we’ve honed our skills, researched our target and genuinely tried our best to have a shot at one of these beautiful fish. However, the stars aligned on this day and little did we know what was about to happen.

The gear. Set..

Saturday morning we rigged up Joker, and you could feel the excitement in the air as not only was it our first

This morning I had a good feeling.

troll of the season but Alana’s first

The thought of something was going

trip game fishing. On the drive out

to happen as I walked back down the

we weren’t expecting much, the

beach to the boat.

comments of its hours of boredom for seconds of madness echoed in the truck as we wound our way through the hills to Little Huia.

I jumped in, and we were away, life jackets on and called out to coastguard as we traversed the bar, it was sloppy but tolerable, and pretty

It was two hours before the high as day

soon we were out on the other side

brake broke and we dipped her in the

pointing the nose westbound as we

drink and went to park up the truck.

searched for some bait.

www.nzfisher.co.nz 7

// GAME FISHING Once we hit the 100m mark north of the bar we decided to follow the swell in a southerly direction to get a better run with the gear; the spread looked Stopping at 40m, the sounder was alive,

good, popping as expected and the

so we dropped down some Sabikis in

dredge sat perfectly in the window

hopes of a few livies for that just in case

on the face of the wave; things were

moment. We managed to quickly put a

looking good.

few in the tank then proceeded north-

In the distance, towards a pair of

west to around 80m. The harbour

tuna boats, dad calls a free jumper,

green spectacularly gave way to deep

so we angle out our towards that

opal blue water and that was enough

area maybe one to two miles

incentive to get the gear ready, riggers

away. Suddenly, upon hitting the

up and dredge out.

21.4-degree temp break which rose

We ran a mixed spread and in no way

from low 20 degrees at the 120m

were we expecting what was going to

mark, it happened.

happen but we thought just in case

The second by second playback of these

weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll run a bonze light gauge marlin

next moments are still imprinted in

spread on two talica 25s and two

my mind; an ominous click rung off on

Trynos 50w combos with a few small

my left side as I turned my head to see

tuna lures on bungees.

the short rigger had popped and was

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

tightening up to the Talica combo Alana got me for Christmas, as it buckled over and started to scream. FISH ON!

I turned my head to see the short rigger had popped and was tightening up... as it buckled over and started to scream. FISH ON!

8 www.nzfisher.co.nz

Joker on the Board!

www.nzfisher.co.nz 9

// GAME FISHING

â&#x20AC;&#x153; In seconds we were at our posts clearing gear as more and more line dumped off the little 25w. Once the gear was in we spun joker around and chased it down regaining back 400m of line and catching up to my 24kg top shot. Now running light gauge we had the drag up to about 6kg and with such a small, manoeuvrable boat we were pretty quickly able to get it up to the wind on leader.

10 www.nzfisher.co.nz

The next hour was gruelling, an almost vertical battle not being able to put much pressure on the fish, however, doing wide circles around it slowly planing it up to within striking range.

However, that wasn’t going to be the first

I shot the gaff and grabbed the bill, and

time we saw that leader during that fight,

with a swift welcoming ceremony it was

every time we got it close to the boat the

all over, and we dragged the roughly

fish would roll and the current would

80-90kg stripey over the side. Joker is

push us over the top of the fish meaning

on the board!

we had to back off and do another rotation and get it back up again.

The fish took a lure I’ve always run in our spread, looking very skippy like.

At the one hour mark, I was failing, heat

It’s a bonze ‘the heat’ in sky fall pattern

exhaustion and frustration had kicked

rigged with a bonze light gauge single

in, and I tagged in the old boy to take

hook rig 200lb leader with the 100m

over so I could get some hydration and

“

some time on the wheel. Thinking back now it’s quite fitting that we both got to have a turn on our first fish for the boat.

24kg top shot, 600m 80lb Hollow-ace, the combo was a talica 25 2 speed on an abyss 24kg stand up game rod.

This story ain’t just what you see it’s a chapter in what is to come, as one page closes another begins, and the allure continues as we gaze forward to see what happens next. The next hour was gruelling, an almost

Well, this fish was a long time coming, four years ago we started our gamefish

vertical battle not being able to put much

journey encountering our share of

pressure on the fish, however, doing

billfish. However, none ever managed to

wide circles around it slowly planing it

cross the line. This story ain’t just what

up to within striking range. Finally, the

you see it’s a chapter in what is to come,

fish made the wrong move and rolled the

as one page closes another begins, and

wrong was giving me a chance to grab the

the allure continues as we gaze forward

leader and slowly direct him to a position

to see what happens next.

where the gaff could be sunk home,

Here’s to the rest of the 2018 season! 

www.nzfisher.co.nz 11

// KAYAK FISHING

Paddling for the Sunset BY Justin Tunnage

12 www.nzfisher.co.nz

y gear had only just

mechanical jigging, and first time

dried from four days

on his brand-new Stealth Fisha 460

away at the Northland

kayak. We had a chat on the beach

Kayak Fishing Classic when the

at 4:30 before launching, covering

Wellington weather gods decided

off some key safety points when

to grant us a wind free day.

targeting Kingies from the kayak.

I have come to learn over the last

The main points are: keep the rod

nine months living in Wellington,

tip towards the bow when fighting

forecasts such as these are few and

the fish; ease off on the drag as the

far between, and when you hear

kingie comes within sight as it will

about one you need to be prepared

likely do one last aggressive run;

to drop everything and get out

take your time and be mindful of

there on the water â&#x20AC;&#x201C; especially

the hook as you bring the kingie

when the Kingies are on the bite!

across your lap; and lastly, have

Phanat (â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Pâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;) and I had bold plans. This

fun and enjoy the adrenaline rush

was going to be his first time first

of being towed around the ocean

time targeting kingfish, first time

by an angry greenback monster!

www.nzfisher.co.nz 13

// KAYAK FISHING

In a short space of time, Phanat had caught and released two sub Paddling over to Spot X

75cm, and I had kept a 95cm model that had inhaled the jig and had been hooked in the gills.

We took our time paddling the eight kilometres over to the commonly known Spot X. I say, ‘commonly known’ because I counted 20+ boats there during a recent weekend trip. With only 30 minutes of twilight left before the sun would crest the Tararua’s, we dropped on some good sign in 35m of water,

Then with the Kingies off the bite and the tide not expected to switch for a couple of hours, we decided to go exploring. Using our fish finders, we identified key drop-offs and structure that was likely to hold and converge bait fish depending on which way the tide was running. This would prove to pay dividends a couple of hours later.

and it wasn’t long before our jigs

Once the tide had turned the bird

were getting hit, and the tell-tale

activity started to pick back up

sign of the Kingfish pulse could

and so to the presence of long

be felt through the rod tip.

curving arches on the sounder.

14 www.nzfisher.co.nz

JT with a 12kg tub of a King

We back-tracked over the areas we had marked during our recce, and I was rewarded with line peeling off my Catch reel at a rate never experienced before. With fear, apprehension and excitement spilling over, I pulled my feet inside the kayak as the Kingie was pulling me into the current towards the Naki at a disturbing speed.

But first, we needed to get P his first legal Kingfish. After a brief chat, I had P follow me back to the start of the drift line and copy exactly what I did. First drop, both Stealth kayaks side by side, our rods bent

I slowly increased the drag up to

over simultaneously as we got pack

about 10kg, but each time I started

attacked. It soon became apparent

to gain, it would peel more line off

that P was on a much better fish,

with ease. Then just as I was getting

so I quickly retrieved and released

on top of it, the hook pulled. With

my rat and proceeded to paddle

heartbreak sinking in, I quickly

beside P and capture on camera

dropped the jig back to the bottom,

his first legal Kingie. He did bloody

and after a couple of quick pumps, I

well, remembering all the key

was loaded up once again, but alas,

points discussed on the beach and

on a much smaller fish. After a hearty

after a tense 10-minute battle, P

but brief battle, a 12kg Kingie was

had 12.1 kg of Wellington Kingie

sitting across my lap and destined

sitting across his lap. That grin on

for the smoker once back on land.

his face was worth the trip alone!

www.nzfisher.co.nz 15

// KAYAK FISHING

P and his grin

Compared to other parts of the While the bite was insanely hot,

country, the currents around the

the Kingies were inhaling our jigs

Wellington region really pump,

and getting hooked in the gills. Not

and you can be drifting at three to

wanting to take any more fish, we

five knots on a perfectly still day.

decided to leave early and make the

Add in the frequency in which the

paddle back to the beach – much to

forecasters get the weather wrong;

the delight of our wives! The extra

you have a potential recipe for

20kg+ of weight in the kayak was

disaster. Ensure that your kayak

quite noticeable, and it seemed to

is up to the task; always paddle

track even better in the water.

within your means; and, always

I want to finish off this trip report with

ensure that you have a safety plan

a word of caution about venturing

in place. Lastly, have fun and enjoy

offshore in a kayak – in particular,

the journey, it feels like it is going

around the Wellington region.

to be a cracker of a summer! 

16 www.nzfisher.co.nz

baby boss SMASH THE SNAPS

Slow pitch jigging has taken Japan by storm, we have tested and enhanced these Japanese lures, making them irresistible to most fish species.

Irresistible to snapper and most fish species • Made from Zinc for increased hangtime and toughness. • This state of the art jig can be used as a slow pitch lure as well as several other techniques. • The edges of the lure create its unique swimming and vibrating action that triggers an attack response in most fish species. • Bright holographic colours on one side with natural fish design on the other draws attention to the lure from a distance. • Pre-rigged with 1/0 stainless steel jigging hook and heavy duty PE assist cord. • Available in 20 gram.

ITH

1/0 JIGGING H OO K

RI G

COLOURS: Ballistic Blue, White Warrior, Orange Assassin & Shady Lady.

www.catchfishing.co.nz

www.nzfisher.co.nz 17

// BOAT FISHING

West Coast Snapper

When its hot, its blistering BY Tim Fairhurst

18 www.nzfisher.co.nz

his past spring - early summer snapper run off the North Islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s west coast has been one

of the best on record. Results wise, it has been hard to beat. Full bins and personal best fish a regular occurrence. The snapper are in pristine condition, fat and healthy, and have been showing off their wicked fluorescent blue dots and golden red colours as they move into spawning mode.

The depth we are fishing this time of year out from Kawhia is usually from 40m out to 65m. Recently we were fishing in 52m slightly south of Gannet Rock. There was no sign on the sounder, which can quite often be the case, but we thought we would

The snapper fishing seems to go

give it a go anyway, and within about

off every year from mid-October to

five minutes it was all on! The fish

early December with the average size

seemed to be coming in waves; it

snapper being in the three to five kg

would be everyone all hooked up at

bracket, with many bigger fish in the

once then there would be a bit of a

mix and a few cracking the magical

lull for a short time before it was all

9.1kg (20lb) mark.

action packed once again.

www.nzfisher.co.nz 19

// BOAT FISHING

they were only taking the bait if it was fished hard on the bottom. If there is quite a strong current, we would all have different weight sinkers to keep them apart to reduce tangles thus maximising fishing time. Also having our lines apart meant we were covering more ground. Rigs, Rods, Reels and Techniques

The kaburas were working a treat out here - slowly winding them up with light

The simple stuff works best out west.

drag, and when the fish takes it, you

We and many others use home-made

can then slowly increase the drag. The

ledger rigs with 5/0 - 7/0 circle hooks

rod holder technique works well as the

(when putting the hooks onto the ledger

natural lifting effect the swell has on the

rigs make sure you go through the front

boat works the lure nicely to entice the

of the hook which allows it to sit more

bite, just remember to back off the drag.

natural). We usually make the ledger rigs

The kaburas were fished on lighter

out of 80lb monofilament. However, the

tackle such as a soft-bait or slow-jig

bigger fish were caught on flasher rigs.

rod- typically rated 3-6kg or 4-8kg

The bait to use is squid, fresh kahawai, line class - which allows the lure to mackerel and salted bonito. We found

20 www.nzfisher.co.nz

work as it should and is also good fun.

A Typical Day

Bird Action does not Always Mean

For long periods this snapper season

Snapper Action

there has been little or no swell on

There was a lot of bird activity out

the west coast, allowing many people

in Albatross Bay. However we only

to get out amongst the action.

managed to catch a few kahawai

The west coast snapper fishery is

which were just a metre or so under

‘different’ from that enjoyed on the

the boat when hooked up, and

east coast, and in particular the

a couple of school sharks. There

Hauraki Gulf.

appeared to be plenty of sign on the sounder, but nothing seemed to be biting so most often we headed for the reliable 50m mark. Typically, the first ten minutes or so will be quiet; then suddenly it is all on - five-way, quadruple and triple hookups – the action is thick and fast.

// BOAT FISHING

Add to this the occasional kingfish which are attracted to slow-pitch lures fished from the bottom up to Kahawai are bled then put on ice in

mid-water, and you have the recipe

the chilly bin destined for the smoker.

for a fantastic day, especially when

Mackerel, often XOS in size, are a

using PE2 rated tackle!

welcome addition to the bait supply,

For those more serious about their

and big snapper love them. These will be

kingie fishing, the kingfish also show

followed by snapper to 7-8kg, mum doing up at this time of year on the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Twentyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, her usual act and catching the better

a small patch of rock out from Raglan,

fish. Gurnard are a regular catch as they

and around Gannet Island, where jigs

hoovered up the sabikis and kaburas.

and live-baits are the go.

22 www.nzfisher.co.nz

Kaburas a Fun Option While soft-baits are not as effective on the west coast as they are on the east, the snapper have no problems striking kabura lures. The technique I use is to drop the lure to the bottom and slowly wind it up for five metres, before repeating the process. There are rods specifically

HERE ARE SOME TIPS… TT Always wear a lifejacket when crossing a bar – no exceptions TT Report your intentions and safe passage to Coastguard before and after the bar crossing. Their contact details are posted at most boat ramps TT If you are unfamiliar with bar

designed for this purpose, and

crossings, find a buddy boat with an

they have a fast action tip.

experienced skipper; or talk to the

Use a lighter drag and don’t strike the fish, just wind up quickly on it to set the finer hooks. The fish will often initially bite the skirt,

locals first if unsure – channels can change month by month and might not always be on the lead marks TT Don’t be greedy – if the swell

and it is not until they come

starts to rise, head home, don’t

back again that they will find the

wait to catch your limit

hooks – strike and you pull the lures away from them. You can increase drag pressure once you are sure the fish is well-hooked.

A Word of Caution Fishing the west coast most

TT The best time to cross a bar is on a rising or full tide. Outgoing current and incoming swells can make for a dangerous combination TT Coastguards in various locations offer bar cross instruction days – join one.

often involves crossing a river or harbour bar. When the bite is on, it is easy to throw

To see what Tim and his mates

caution to the wind and ignore

are up to, go to their facebook

safe bar crossing practices.

page 2keenfishos. 

www.nzfisher.co.nz 23

// GAME FISHING

Yellowfin Western

There ainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t no riding into town on a horse in this western. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s boats, rods and the new gold rush is yellowfin.

BY Cody Mcmillan, Brandon Harry and Naomi Peterson

24 www.nzfisher.co.nz

Cody and Brandon tell their story of catching a yellowfin tuna out from

We couldn’t hear the line peeling out,

Raglan recently:

but Cody realised the rod was still bent

(weather permitting). On this day we

rods out, a dredge and a bungy.

were targeting striped marlin. We’d heard

On the boat, we run a time system of

there were some marlin caught out from

15 minutes each on the gear (with four

Manakau so thought we would head

people on board), and it was Brandon’s

north as we had previous luck there last

time on the rod. He grabbed the rod

year landing a 107kg striped marlin. We

with its screaming reel. By now the

started trolling at 90 metres out to the

spool was three quarters gone, so it was

124, running a full spread of Bonze lures

time to chase the fish down. As Brandon

using their platinum light gauge hooks.

started to fight the fish, he realised they

The day started with high hopes as three

had forgotten the harness.

of the crew had never caught a marlin,

Time past, we still hadn’t seen the fish

and it was our first troll for the season.

and thoughts were going around that

As we got further out conditions weren’t

we might have a large shark. Then the

as good as forecasted and the crew

fish went deep, and signs started to

were settling in for a long bumpy day.

point towards a blue marlin (as they

However, being the skipper, Cody had

are prone to having heart attacks then

looked at the forecast the night before

sinking). Cody started working the boat

and knew it was going to flatten out.

in circles around the line to try to get

We trolled on seeing signs of bait and

the fish up, however, what line we got

bird life around the 120m mark picking

back soon disappeared.

up a small albacore and skippy by

Half an hour into the fight as the

9.00am. Brandon was feeling a bit sick so

adrenaline settled a bit Brandon realised

was lying down on the deck. At 9.55am

he was still sick and let out a power

the shot gun rod went off. The reel went

chuck all over himself and the reel. But

off, but then everything was quiet as

he wasn’t giving up, continuing to reel in

the clicker had turned off on the reel.

the fish at the same time!

e do most of our fishing out

and losing line. Now we were all up and

of Raglan. Cody grew up here,

looking for a jumping marlin! Everyone

going fishing most weekends

started clearing the gear as we had five

www.nzfisher.co.nz 25

// GAME FISHING

Brandon and his first yellowfin tuna caught in NZ

The fight was crazy, the fish kept coming towards the boat and then peeling large amounts of line. 40 minutes into the fight we decided to put more pressure on it by increasing the drag

However when Cody grabbed the leader,

a little bit. This resulted in gaining

and Luke took over the helm, the grey

a lot of line back and almost seeing

sparkled and before Cody could process

what the fish was before it dumped

that it was a shark, up popped this big

a whole lot more line. After that last

yellow fin. “It’s a yellowfin!” Cody yelled,

run, we powered it up to the surface.

and within seconds the flying gaff was

After 1.2 hours we saw colour for the

in, and the fish was in the boat. The

first time, and it was GREY! Hearts

cheers were yelled out louder than when

sunk as we all realised we had a shark.

he had caught a marlin!

26 www.nzfisher.co.nz

“

We sat in the boat for 20 minutes almost in shock as we had realised what we had caught. The fish was hooked at 9:55am on a Bonze Lures ‘the heat’ in a boss skirt Brandon’s fish took the Bonze ‘The Heat’ lure in a boss skirt

(on it’s first run in the water after Cody had only brought only two weeks prior) and landed at 11:15am, on a Penn International 50 wide. It weighed in

It was almost too hard to believe.

at 44kgs, line class was 24kg and was

A yellowfin out from raglan isn’t a

hooked in 270 metres around the 124.

common catch. We sat in the boat for 20 minutes almost in shock as we had realised what we had caught. To do it on our home turf, that is an experience that we all will never forget!

Raglan Sport Fishing Club was formed in 2000, and prior to that, any yellowfin weighed in for Raglan were done so under Waikato Sports Fishing Club. Richard Hart has been a weighmaster

Big thanks to Cody’s Dad because

for both clubs, and remembers the

without him we wouldn’t have had a

biggest yellowfin to come over the scales

boat to use, and the knowledge that

at Raglan was 52kg. He also knows an

Cody gained from him. Also thanks to

elderly man in Raglan who showed him a

Sheryl and Richard Hart and the rest of

photo from 1967 with two so-called ‘big

the Raglan Sport Fishing Club for the

albacore’. He had to correct him and tell

weigh and keeping a great fishing club.

him they were yellowfins!

www.nzfisher.co.nz 27

// GAME FISHING

Talking to Richard, it appears that yellowfin tuna being weighed in at Raglan isn’t as common as east coast based clubs. Back in the 90’s, there were more catches, 23 in 1996 and in 1997 Richard even caught one in 25 metres – only a couple of miles out from the bar! There were only two weighed in summer of 2000. Then there is a massive gap, an absence of weighed yellowfin until he caught one in 2016. He notes that Raglan’s best yellowfin seasons have been typically poor marlin seasons, and when the yellowfin are feeding amongst the dolphins.

The fish about to be put on the scales

I also spoke to Ben Carey who agrees that we seem to get years of high and low abundance on both the East and West Coast of New Zealand. “You’ll get them here on the west coast but definitely more so in years of La Nina weather. I think when they arrive here

“When the yellowfin come down here they’ve been feeding on squid the majority of the time throughout the Pacific on their migration with the current. They certainly change their diet

the sea surface temperature on the west

to a fin fish diet once they get here and

coast is a lot hotter than normal so they

when I’ve been fishing out wide between

thrive in it and stick around for longer”.

the Kaipara Canyon and Mokau trench

The trade winds certainly help bring that

I’ve seen all sorts of goodies in them, like

warm tropical water down, and warmer

small sauri, lantern fish, all sorts of stuff

water and those mean more food!

I can’t even identify”.

28 www.nzfisher.co.nz

The crew of Larkin with Brandon and his catch

Ben’s found that they generally get more consistent catches of yellowfin on the west coast fishing the deep blue water from about 200 metres at the

During these events, you get really

shelf edge to about 1200. “They would

strong trade winds from the northerly

definitely come in closer though, but

quarter up in the Coral Sea and South

they love those deepwater trenches and canyons out west”.

Pacific. This brings with it a strong, consistent flow of very warm sea surface

“At the moment we are in a La

temperatures compared to normal down

Niña weather pattern in the south

both the East and west coast of New

pacific. Generally, this means great weather, blue skies, and little wind for most of New Zealand, but also calms down conditions on the west coast. Traditionally we get quite good numbers of yellowfin when we

Zealand via the South Fiji Basin and the Norfolk Ridge and onto our coastal waters. It also means that the yellowfin generally stay in New Zealand waters a lot longer than usual”.

transition to a La Niña weather pattern

This could just be the start of a bumper

here in New Zealand.

west coast season! 

www.nzfisher.co.nz 29

// FISHERIES MANAGEMENT

Legasea Update L

Making a difference for crayfish www.legasea.co.nz

egaSea is pleased that the Minister

is poor and a rebuild is required. Even

Stuart Nash has agreed to review

if you don’t fish or dive in this region,

the crayfish fishery on the

these latest developments clearly

northeast coast after years of lobbying

demonstrate that we can make a

by thousands of individuals, the New

difference to management if we stand

Zealand Underwater Association, and

together on an issue.

the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council.

Last March we issued an online survey

Having the CRA 2 fish stock, between

that elicited a strong response, receiving

Waipu and East Cape, deplete to the

insightful comments from people who

point where experienced divers don’t

had been fishing and diving for 20 years

bother getting in the water anymore is

or more. In July 2017 LegaSea launched

a sad reflection on the mismanagement

the ‘Crayfish Crisis’ campaign and video,

of this precious fishery. The good news

and held meetings with dive and fishing

is that our voices are finally being heard. clubs. Over 780 emailed their concerns Thanks to your efforts there is now some

to the then Minister Nathan Guy, and

recognition that crayfish abundance

their local MP.

30 www.nzfisher.co.nz

During September and October, the

once-abundant fishery.

New Zealand Sport Fishing Council sent

Please, have a think about what you

representatives to the five Rock Lobster

would like the CRA 2 fishery to look

Working Group meetings in Wellington.

like in the future and what you enjoy

This is where the data used in the

about diving or potting for crayfish.

stock assessment model is discussed

LegaSea will soon conduct a survey

and results reviewed. An important

to learn about your summer crayfish

change was made to the model, which

experiences. When you see the survey

now takes into account the increased

get stuck in and have your say.

efficiency of commercial harvesting due to progressive improvements in

FISHERIES MANAGEMENT ANNUAL REPORT

electronics and vessels. Finally, the science is getting closer to

The LegaSea Annual Report has been

reflecting what is really happening out

issued and is included in the New

on the water.

Zealand Sport Fishing Council’s Fisheries

In November we sent representatives

Management Annual Report 2017.

to two multi-stakeholder meetings,

The report can be downloaded here.

one in Whakatane the other in Thames. Commercial, customary and

SUBSCRIBE A MATE

recreational fishers agreed that the

To be successful we need people engaged

stock needs to be rebuilt. It’s how we

and learning about the state of our

get there that counts.

inshore fisheries. Ask your friends, family,

Some short-term management targets

any fishing folk, “May I please have your

have been discussed that will ensure the

permission to subscribe to the LegaSea

rebuild starts in 2018.

database?”. Then click here to enter

The upcoming CRA 2 review is expected

their details. If you want us to do the

in February. LegaSea wants you to have

data entry send us an email with the

a say on the future management of this

details. Easy as. 

Call 0800 LEGASEA (534 273)

Subscribe at www.legasea.co.nz

Email us info@legasea.co.nz