NZ Fisher e-Magazine Issue 18

ISSUE 18

Sept/Oct 2012

Landbased Retreat to the Winterless North

The Tuturoa Trophy Craig Smith explains Gearing up for ROctoberFish

www.nzfisher.co.nz 1

CONTENTS Pg 6

12

SPORTFISHING 4

Tuturoa Cup

GAMEFISHING 6

An Autumn of Swords

LANDBASEDFISHING 8

Doubtless Bay Land based bliss

12

Gearing up for Moocher Season

14

How to Smoke your own fish

8

BOATFISHING

2 www.nzfisher.co.nz

16

A Kingfish Dream Realised

18

Readers Pics

20

Recipe

21

Fishing Video of the Month

22

Regional Reviews

Pg 17

editorial

//From the

EDITOR CLUBS. WHAT IS happening to our clubs? As a child of the 70’s I was

out can now gathered for free just by

ABOUT /

bought up in and bought into, a culture

logging on to a forum and asking the

Short and sharp, NZ Fisher is a

fishing clubs. At the tender age of

right question. There’s no doubt there’s

free e-magazine delivering thought

12 I attended my first club meeting

no substitute for experience but that

provoking and enlightening articles,

of the North Shore Surfcasting Club

hasn’t changed.

and industry news and information

held in the ‘Old Folks’ hall in Milford.

The space that hall occupied is now a foundation of a shopping mall. Fittingly the club now resides at the Milford Cruising Club. The NSSC has a core of committed members who have done what most clubs can’t; they’ve retained and grown membership in the last

I wish I had an answer to the ‘how do we fix the clubs’ question, but NZFisher wants to help fill some gaps.

Head to our all new website and check out what we see as the future for all the online non-club fishers who still want to be connected.

to forward-thinking fisher people.

EDITOR / Derrick Paull ART DIRECTOR / Jodi Olsson GROUP EDITOR / Trudi Caffell CONTENT ENQUIRIES / Phone Derrick on 021 629 327 or email derrickp@NZ Fisher.co.nz

decade. There’s a really good thread

As for the actual fishing – the blasted

on Fishing.net started by Michael

weather. What little opportunity we’ve

(Smudge) Parker of the Counties Sport

had has been thwarted by horizontal rain

Fishing Club that discusses some of the

or XOS swells. The weather got so bad

issues facing clubs.

we swallowed our pride and slunk off to

ADDRESS / NZ Fisher,

Turangi to kill Trout. But that painful story

C/- Espire Media, PO Box 137162,

shall be kept for another issue!

Parnell, Auckland 1151, NZ

(i.e. The internet, forums, email & texts)

Along with Trout fishing we also

WEBSITE / www.NZ Fisher.co.nz

that allow us to share secrets and results

allowed the poor weather to beat us

so quickly; There’s more pressure for

into actually getting our buts into gear

our time. Perhaps this is a generational

and build some new rods. Honestly

perception, but I’m going to believe

I thought we’d learned. Any idea

it; And almost certainly our culture has

that becomes a reality with the line

changed. There are few of us that still

‘Seriously, how hard can it be?’ should

chase records, pins and meritorious

never become a serious pursuit, but

catches like those who taught me back

we are slow learners. I apologise that

in the day. What do I mean? Well, it

once again we’ve had to bump this

seems to me that more people just

article to the next issue, It’ll be late

want to go fishing and get a feed. If

but it will happen.

I’m not sure but personally I think it’s a combination of improved technology

they do get a good fish it can be posted online & the world can appreciate it. My old mates Ted Audain, Peter Reynolds, Brett Scott & Peter Michael taught me an awful lot on the rocks of Tawharanui,

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES / Phone Richard on 09 522 7257 or email richardl@espiremedia.com

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!

Well, spring is in the air & results like these are buoying our spirits. Put winter behind you, get your gear out, serviced & ready for a hot spring bite!

Whangamumu & the Barrier. All their

Tight lines!

knowledge, learned, honed & metered

Derrick

Cover Image: Dave Woodman with 20lb ‘Top of the South’ Snapper

www.nzfisher.co.nz 3

sportFISHING Overall Team Champions, Feilding Surfcasting Club

Tuturoa Cup FOR THE SECOND MONTH in a row

We were just beaten for first with one

NZF: What do you do on day two to

Craig Smith of Whangarei Deep Sea

of 21.2 on 6, caught by Wayne Powrie

get back in the game?

Anglers Club has produced some

on the Lady Luck, and just beaten in the

incredible fishing results in one of

Snapper section with one of 9.08 kgs.

the local tournaments, the TutuRoa Cup. The Tuturoa is fished between Tutukaka & Whangaroa game clubs annually & is line weight focussed.

Craig: We were reduced to fishing on 3 and 4 kilo line on Sunday to try and

This is the third “TutuRoa” Yellowtail

catch up, lost one on 6, and got baits

challenge, being Tutukaka Vs

or clean hooks back from our strikes

Whangaroa, it is a contest that us mad

on the 3 and 4 kilo stuff.

keen Yellowtail fishers dreamed up 4

I asked Craig a few questions about

years ago, and we decided to hold

the tournament & how they manage

it each year at Whangaroa, as the

NZF: How does this year compare to

such big fish on light line:

fishing up there, particularly around

other year?

the Cavalli Islands is normally pretty

Craig: Last year there were 2 kingis

good, our fish were caught at both

that were just over 30 kgs each both

the Eastern end ( called the T Pot) and

on 6 kilo line, apparently this is the first

the Western end of the Cavallis. Fish

time ever 2 of these sizes have been

didn’t bite well on Sunday, but we had

caught on 6 kilo line in a major contest.

Craig: I have fished for kingis for 40 years on light tackle, so should be getting reasonably good at it after all those years.

a great time.

NZ F: And how big were this

A Runabout called KC whipped out

year’s fish?

arses for the actual TutuRoa Cup, they

Craig: The biggest was just 20.6 kilos

got 7 on 6kg line the first day, but no

on 6 kilo line, and I got another one

biggies, and one on Sunday so they

15.2 on 6 as well. Leo Forbes caught

beat us on points.

NZF: And outsode of the tournaments, how much light line fishing goes on?

Craig: Last week KC got one monster

the other one which was 18.4 on 6. My

on 6 for a non member, and they

snapper was 8.2 on 4 kilo line.

weighed it on board, not realizing

4 www.nzfisher.co.nz

sportFISHING it may have been a world record or certainly close to it, it went about 37-something kilos, and they didn’t take it get it weighed on certified scales.

NZF: So, how’d you get on in the prizes this year?

Craig: We had incredible luck at the prize giving winning both the lucky skipper and angler draws, one being next year’s entry for free ($160.00) the other being a Stainless Steel boat BBQ, then there was two of us with tagged fish, so they drew that out of the hat, and we got that as well!

NZF: What’s the real prize for the winning team?

Craig: It is traditional for the losing team to fill the Tuturoa cup up with something (usually Rum! ) and everyone gets to drink out of it.

Here’s the best results from this year: PRIZE

ANGLER

BOAT

FISH WEIGHT

LINE

1st Heaviest Snapper

Mike Adkins

Hooked Up

9.08

8

2nd Heaviest Snapper

Craig Smith

Lady Jess

8.18

4

1st Heaviest Kingfish

Wayne Powrie

Lady Luck

21.24

6

2nd Heaviest Kingfish

Craig Smith

Lady Jess

20.60

6

Thanks Craig & well done team Whangaroa – better luck next year Craig!

www.nzfisher.co.nz 5

gameFISHING Zac waiting for a bite

An Autumn of Swords

By Kurt Bennetto

MUCH LIKE LAST YEAR there was

Northland could offer. We don’t have

the last few months send them in &

a rush by the hardiest fishos to get

much to go on, but these photos tell a

be in to win one of two pairs of ‘Just

hooked into the finest sport fish of

pretty good story!

another fisherman’ ‘Eeling Socks’.

These were the only photos we

While most of us won’t do much

them all, the Broadbill Swordfish.

Kurt’s been pretty busy setting himself up in the big smoke (Melbourne) but he managed to sneak across the Tasman for a few days with his brother and pit himself against the best

6 www.nzfisher.co.nz

received this month – which is a real shame, but I guess that tells us a bit about fishing in winter!

If you’ve got any fishing images from

eeling, these socks are the very best of natural NZ Materials woven together with love & a little bit of fishing magic just to keep your toes warm and snugly!.

gameFISHING

To enter, send a fishing pic to derrickp@nzfisher.co.nz with your name, address & contact number.

J.A.F “Just Another Fisherman” is an outdoors casual apparel brand, The brand was founded by fisherman and developed to express their love for this wonderful way of life. J.A.F offers a range of products from Tee’s, Caps, Shorts, Shirts, Beanies and has a Summer range dropping into store mid October 2012. justanotherfisherman@gmail.com or http://www.facebook.com/ JustAnotherFisherman www.nzfisher.co.nz 7

landbasedFISHING

The team result

Ted Audain & Niel Brown with their great catch

Doubtless Bay Land based bliss

By Neil Brown, President North Shore Surfcasting Club Images from Ted Audain and the North Shore Surfcasting Club WHEN YOU have good club mates

was definitely not up to the usual

and his family. Brett Scott also had

living in awesome locations like

high standard of participation for

a particular set of bricks in mind for

Doubtless Bay it would be rude not to

this fish that normally attracts 30+

him, Jules’ and Jess’, a couple of bays

accept their generous hospitality; so

form the North Shore at least! At the

south of Doubtless.

we were in five star accommodation

registration we discussed the battle

once again at the Scott family manor

plan for the weekend; Matthew and

and were well set up for a massive

Kevin from north Shore were keen on

fishing weekend.

heading from registration straight to

Brett, Julie and Jessica Scott are great hosts and have sheltered the ‘Brown

90 mile beach to land-base the ‘Bluff’.

Dad and myself decided to take Club

We must not have “enjoyed” ourselves too much Friday night as we managed to find ourselves launching our magic carpet (AKA ‘Rock Hoppa’ the 395 Stabi) to the

stalwart Ted to the Karikari Peninsula

rocks, at first light, which was totally

to go ‘a snapper huntin’. Our buddy

out of character for us! We launched

With picture perfect weather forecast

Geoff, being the competitive type,

at ”*****” (Un-disclosed location) with

for the epic North Shore Surfcasting

would sooner poke out his own eye,

good beach launching conditions,

Club Vs Doubtless Bay Competition

than tell you where he was going

hard sand with little wind or swell,

it was very surprising to see a mere 6

fish; but he had that gleam in his eye

and immediately rounded the corner

fisho’s at the Friday night registration,

for a super secret ‘XOS’ granddaddy

to soon be punching through a 1.5

with another 6 pre-registered. This

snapper hunting grounds for him

to 2.5 meter swell. Strangely enough

Boys’ on many an occasion.

8 www.nzfisher.co.nz

landbasedFISHING

was quite exhilarating, as it was more

a couple of 50cm kahawai that day,

fish were caught. Under water, I seen

of ground swell than a wind swell. I

but Ted out-fished us with a very

a massive school of koheru using the

was a bit worried about ‘ol Ted in the

impressive haul of 8 or 9 snapper

boat for cover, I later found out why

back, because I recall him saying that,

including another fish around 3 kg.

the koheru were sheltering under the

before this weekend, he hadn’t been

Why is it that everyone we take out in

stabi because after an unsuccessful

on a boat for 10 or 15 years and he

the stabi out fishes us?!?! Next person

hunt for crayfish and paua, I finned out

tended to get sea sick! Thankfully he

to do this is walking home – from the

opposite the bay to a drop off, where

held up really well and didn’t look too

Cavalli’s!!!!

a school of 50 or so rat kings were

green around the gills, when the roller

Although the fishing was still good

patrolling, with 3 or 4 amongst them

coaster ride ended and we pulled up

after midday, the weather was too

that were easily legal. They would

to a likely looking calm spot. I’m sure

stunning and the water was to clear,

have been maybe 40m away from the

Ted totally forgot about the ride out,

not to jump in for a swim. (With a

koheru school. Our burley would have

as his first cast of the day produced

wetsuit of course) Before I had a

been only 10 or 20m away from the

a solid snapper around the 4.5 kilo

chance to get wet however, ‘me old

koheru too. The kings and kahawai

mark. Dad followed suit, nailing a

man, who caught a 30cm trevally

virtually had these baitfish surrounded

nice one, say 3.5 kilo soon after. The

while targeting a kahawai for a

and trapped. Most of the common

fishing was exceptional that day, with

livie, put it out under a balloon and

non-target reef species were present

a constant stream of kahawai and

hooked a horse of a kingfish. Even

in good numbers and would have

snapper. I was the pelagic specialist

on 24 kg mainline, he was owned by

made good underwater videos but I

in the morning catching 4 ‘points’

the fish. Soon after he was making

managed to leave my camera behind

kahawai in a row, then nailing a 74

good ground got the kingi to within

at Brett and Julie’s. We fished until

cm kingi which took a pillie as it

5 meters of the rocks and tightened

it was dusk and the sea state hadn’t

sank down in quite close. Luckily

up the drag, bad move, the fish was

changed much so it was another thrill

the rat kingfish was lip hooked and

hardly tired, took a run and the line

ride back to ‘”*****” beach.

was measured, photographed and

busted off. It’s a pretty awful feeling to

Sunday dawned with all the signs

released as quickly as possible, so we

lose a fish of a lifetime but it definitely

of another ripper of a day. We

didn’t him at all. I could see Ted was

makes you more determined. You say

a getting a bit worried about me not

to the fish “You and me buddy, next

landing any snapper but the fishing

year, you won’t be so lucky”

was so good that day that the only

So after that exciting interlude I went

up to a likely set of rocks but wait,

small fish I caught was a Kahawai

for a dive so I could scare any fish

what’s that big seal looking thing

which I later used for bait & turned

away from dad and Ted because I had

on it – well, it was a Seal! Next rock

it into a 4.2 and 5.2 kg snapper! Dad

caught the biggest fish so far that day.

over then; nice gut to park the Rock

caught another 5lb plus snapper and

And it worked quite well, no more big

Hoppa and perfect rock for 3 blokes

fished locally, at another stunning but unmentionable spot, motoring out over near glass sea. We pulled

www.nzfisher.co.nz 9

landbasedFISHING

The team result

to fish, not too big and not too small,

I got some good underwater video

side Geoff and Deborah Marmont

with smooth rocks to stand on for a

footage, plenty of legal sized snapper,

weighed our best fish, 6.4 and

change. The water on front of our

big red moki’s, butterfish, tons of

6.6kg respectively. Young Ben also

rock was a saltwater aquarium with

koheru and nice sized school of

got a good 3.5kg+ snapper. Unlike

kahwai, snapper, a couple that were

demoiselle. Crayfish or paua were not

Doubtless’ our 2 heaviest fish were

5 or 6 kilo, maomao, trevally, koheru,

on the menu though, unfortunately.

boat fish, with Geoff and family in

and the odd kingfish in front of our

We called of fishing early, as we all

their recently purchased 5.5m boat.

salmon burly trail. Ted was into a nice

had heavy sacks of snapper and

Our crew on the Rock Hoppa were

snap, that looked about 5 kilo and

kahawai, and allowed ourselves plenty

next in line with our lot. While Kevin

was pulling in snapper constantly

of time to get back, get cleaned up

and Matthew had to pull the plug on

all morning. Dad & I were catching

and organize our fish for the weigh in.

the Bluff because of swell and tide

good fish too and a perfect livie sized

Back at the weigh in, most of the

and decided to go exploring the far,

kahawai was caught and put out and

Doubtless Bay boat fisho’s reported

far, Far North and managed some

under a balloon. A snapper of 52cm

fairly slow fishing conditions but

nice kahawai from the top of NZ,

was released and a good fish of 6 kgs,

some good snapper up to 5 and

Cape Reinga.

eventually, found my fat pilchard bait,

6 kg were weighed. Once again

after sitting untouched for 25 min or

though, Doubtless Bay’s land-based

so. It could even have been the same

fisho’s tip the competition scales in

fish I had seen in the burly, but I had

their favor for the third year in row.

spooked it when sank in a pillie on

They are mostly ex-North shore club

front of it. The fish put on really good

members too! ‘Mr. Consistency’

fight, as a fish of that size tends to do!

Brett Scott and Bill ‘The Sicilian’

Not long after catching, I went for a

Demento, landing 7 and an 8 kilo

dive in the 12 – 15m visibility water.

moochers. On the North Shore

10 www.nzfisher.co.nz

This is always a great event with a long, well supported tradition of great hospitality, but most importantly great fishing! A big thank you to those Doubtless Bay members who put in their time and effort to make it all happen.

sportFISHING

www.nzfisher.co.nz 11

landbasedFISHING

Bonito head

Kahawai for bait

Gearing up for Moocher Season ROctober here we come!

Butterflied Mack

Rigged blue Mack tail

by Derrick Paull

WAY BACK IN issue One of

big fish spots close by but there’s

how can you improve your chances

NZFisher, I opened with a story on

scope to head up to North Cape,

of ROctober success?

my favourite type of fishing – Big

Parengarenga or even across to

If you’re on the rocks – Big is Best.

Snapper from the rocks. Two years

Ninety Mile beach.

The old adage of ‘big bait, big fish’

on and we’re getting very close to

Cape Karikari offers anglers three

is never truer than in the Spring

the second NZFisher RoctoberFish

beaches, hundreds of rocky outcrops

migration of hungry snapper. Snapper

land-based competition on the

and even a pristine harbour on it’s

are hungry this time of year and the

26/27th October.

northern boundary. While we’ve

best way to separate the big-guns

Rock fishing is one of the toughest

named the competition ‘ROctober’

from the chaff is big, tough juicy baits.

but most rewarding types of fishing

there’s many white sandy beaches in

Perennial favourites are half mullet,

for me. The rocks are a lot less

the area that produce huge snapper

fresh kahawai fillets and old faithful,

forgiving than the boat so you need

at this time of year. Just before going

the split Skippy (bonito) head.

to have gear in top condition, be

to print I bumped into local tackle

To get these fish into feeding mode

ready for long, hard days and often

store owner, Kieron Olsen of Reel

and close to your spot you definitely

get beaten up by the rocks, swells

Rods who had gone out with a mate

need burley and lots of it. Snapper

and big angry fish.

for an afternoon fish off Karikari

are scavengers and opportunist

RoctoberFish is being hosted out of

beach and landed 14 fish between 3

feeders. If you give them a free feed,

Whatuwhiwhi Top10 Holiday Park

and 10kgs. That’s mighty fine fishing

they’ll usually turn up. In the north

on the stunning Karikari Peninsula.

for a quick flick off the beach!

it’s not only snapper but Trevally,

The area is full of fish and there are

So what works in the north? And

Kahawai & Kingfish that follow the

12 www.nzfisher.co.nz

landbasedFISHING

Tuatua presemtation

burley trail. Kahawai are usually first to arrive & you should target them immediately for both live & cut baits. A small live kahawai will get nailed by kings an big snapper while my favourite big snapper bait is a scaled fillet of fresh, bloody kahawai.

Because there’s so much foul and so much food in close for the moochers Stuffed squid

there is little need to cast far when rock fishing. Try lobbing baits in and around the wash and on the edge of your burley trail. Both of last years best fish were hooked within sight of the rocks.

For the beach fisho’s burley is probably a little less necessary, but I believe bait presentation & choice

Rigged squid

does change. There’s many nice gutters & streams along Karikari & Tokerau Beaches worth a hunt,

Filleted Pillie for trevs

especially fo you’re blessed with tuatua for bait. See this link for a great demonstration of how to present a tuatua (The site is South African, so just substitute White Mussel for tuatua).

www.nzfisher.co.nz 13

FISHYfoods

How to Smoke your own fish – without a smoker

By Derrick Paull I DON’T KNOW many people and even fewer fisho’s who do not enjoy smoked fish. Smoking fish adds something new and makes it more useful in more dishes, rather than just fried, grilled or steamed.

14 www.nzfisher.co.nz

Smoker basket

The right temp

FISHYfoods

I’ve tried many types of smoked

the sawdust. I dried it first, but then

fish over the years and barring a

soaked it prior to using it on the BBQ.

small number, they’re delicious. I will admit that the new machines like the Bradleys, Kiwi Sizzler and Universal Food Cooker do produce

wood chips and shavings, like our friend above, I simply folded a Tinfoil

outstanding smoked food. I am a

basket and placed my soaked wood

typical Scottish descended cheap-

chips & sawdust in there. Through

ass with a taste for good food so I

a bit of trial and error we learned

set out to find a way to create the smokey goodness I love without the price tag.

The end result

Instead of a cast iron box for the

the BBQ had to be at about 200deg to get the wood chips smoking

The internet was pretty helpful in

thoroughly but at that temperature

providing some excellent insight

the fish would overcook before the

to the simple tricks of infusing the

centre was cooked through.

smokey goodness into those fillets

The easiest fix was to place the chips

and steaks we love. There was also some pretty scary technology on offer from the likes of this guy or

on the heat deflector below the grill instead of on the grill. We could

this guy with his simple, but still

reduce the temp to about 150 and

OTT smoker box.

this gave the best, juiciest fillets with

I figured that since the key ingredients

a deep, rich smokiness without over

for tasty smokey fish are Fish, smoke and of course a little heat to cook it & bring it all together, I could put this all in motion on the BBQ. I had recently

cooking it.

The end result, while a bit more varied day to day over our more

chopped some Manuka & Kanuka

expensive friends – stunning when

from our place up north and kept

fresh and delicious once chilled.

www.nzfisher.co.nz 15

boatFISHING catching what I would consider to be less snapper then what I catch off the rocks and I always regretted this after needing 2 days of recovery from the constant motion of the boat. After a long drive to Northland, we settled in for the night and the following morning set off to chase big Kingis. Once we got to the spot, it felt like a scene out of a fishing show. The birds were feasting on whitebait or krill and there were fish schools all over in feeding frenzies.

The first thing I needed to learn was how to jig – and it is not as easy as it looks! It took me about half an hour to get the technique right with good tutoring from my fishing partners and I finally got the hit. The rod just bent

A Kingfish Dream Realised

and the line went; from what I was used to it felt like I had three 20lbs snappers on the line at the same time. It was intense and what felt like forever was a solid 10 to 15 minute fight to get this Kingi to the boat. When I finally saw the size I thought to myself “don’t lose this guy!” but thankfully my fishing buddy got him safely onboard and I could start

By Marc Touchette

enjoying what actually happened. After ED: I’ve known Marc for about

a kingfish off the rocks. (The 20 lbs

much yelling of joy, we weighed him in

ten years and he’s always been on

snapper was my bucket list action #1).

at 10.83 Kgs, took some pictures and

about nailing a 20lb snapper and

For the longest time I’ve

Kingfish. He managed the Snapper

contemplated going on a charter to

a few years ago after a decade of

target kingfish but I’ve always been

trying, but the kingfish has eluded

put off at the thought of seasickness

him. When we saw an opportunity

which is something that unfortunately

Now that I’m back in the big smoke

open to fish the Shallow Patch off

afflicts me hence the rock fishing.

and reflect back on this weekend,

Cape Karikari in the Far North, Marc was on the invite list and the rest is history. Here’s Marc’s story.

When I got the email from Dazza offering the chance to head to the winterless far North in search of

got right back at it for the rest of the weekend. When all was said and done, we kept another 15kg kingi and caught numerous snapper up to 14lbs.

I’m glad I took the plunge, faced my seasick fears and went out with reputable fishermen who helped make this dream come true. The best advice

IN THE LAST weekend of August I

Kingfish, I seriously thought this

fulfilled my bucket list Item #2 which

was the chance I should take. After

was to catch a legal or rather 10kg-

numerous assurances that we would

plus kingfish. I’ve been an avid rock

fish close to shore if the weather was

fisherman in NZ for the last 15 years

rough and extensive research into

and have been very successful at

seasick pills, I decided to take the

catching snapper off the rocks with my

plunge and go on this trip.

some seasoned fishermen who know

biggest being a 20lbs caught 4 years

In the past I’ve fished off boats but

how to catch kingis. It’s a weekend I

ago but I’ve never managed to catch

this has mainly been in harbours

will never forget!

16 www.nzfisher.co.nz

I could give to someone who aspires to catch a good kingfish and gets seasick is “Trust the pill!” (they knock you out and make you drowsy for a good 24 hours) but more importantly go on a reputable charter or find

boatFISHING

www.nzfisher.co.nz 17

READERpics

Forsyth Thompson

Forsyth Thompson with the reward of a long, largely fruitless weekend. Taken on softbaits in the Far North

Brendan Jury

Brendan Jury’s holding a 15kg King, but was it his the million dollar question a few are asking

Not a stunning pic, but a stunned fisher. Kevin landed this 15lb snapper while jigging for Kings in Northland

18 www.nzfisher.co.nz

READERpics

Dave Woodman

Coverboy Dave (Daveo) Woodman’s best King from his recent ‘Top of the South’ Mission

Lee Kirsz

Lee Kirsz with a 1.6kg Kaipara Winter Gurnard back in May

Marc Touchette

Marc Touchette of Epsom with a fat (6.4kg) Northland snap he released straight after this pic was taken

Click here to email your photos and go in the draw for an NZFisher goodies Prize Pack

www.nzfisher.co.nz 19

TASTYtreats

Seafood & Mussel Chowder

by ‘Derek the Chef’

This is a great way to start a meal in winter, I use all the fish frames I have saved up and frozen from my fishing especially for this purpose. I also like to use the heads and meat from around the Pectoral fin and gill plate. Fish stock may also be reduced right down to a jelly like substance then reconstituted as required by adding either white wine or water to it and bringing it to the boil. The Oyster sauce adds a deepness to the chowder as well as a different flavor. Don’t forget to check the seasoning and adjust accordingly, remembering you can add in but not take away.

Ingredients:

slowly until the chowder thickens and

100 grm Mixed shellfish 100 Grm

White Fish fillets.

12 x Mussels 3x to stay in shell for garnish 50 Grm Onion diced.

50 Grm Celery diced.

100 Grm

Potato diced.

100 Grm Corn Kernel.

2x

Bay Leaf.

5 Grm

Dried Thyme

5 Grm

Dried Oregano

100 Grm Standard Flour 100 Grm Butter

most is used up. Allow to simmer for 30 minutes. Stir continuously. Meanwhile dice the onion, celery and potato into even size cubes. Bring the oil up to temperature in a thick-based pot, add the onion and celery and cook until tender. Add the potato, corn kernels, thyme, oregano and cook until fragrant.

Deglaze the pan with a little of the stock or white wine. Add the stock mixture to the above and bring to simmer. Add shellfish and fish and cook until fish is just cooked then add the oyster sauce.

Recheck seasoning and serve.

1x ltr

Fish Stock (Chicken)

1x Tbsp

Oyster sauce.

Chefs Tip: I like to serve this with

2x Tbsp

Olive Oil.

thick chunky fresh Ciabata or French

Method.

bread, also if I have been using salmon or smoked fish then I also

In a thick-based pot melt the butter, add

use the trimmings as this also adds

the flour and cook until crumbly. Bring

to my chowder.

the fish stock up to boil then turn down and allow to simmer. Add the fish stock

20 www.nzfisher.co.nz

VIDEO

Fishing Video of the Month Here’s Daveo “There’s no kingfish in the South Island” getting dealt to by a biiiig South Island King at French Pass. Check out more of FishinNelson’s great videos here.

For the yakkers, here’s a bit of a laugh but also a bit of a ‘How not too!’ when you’re into a good fish.

I’m a bit concerned about this one, it’s how to catch mantis Shrimp, a tropical shrimp (that look weird and apparently taste great).

They are an introduced – read nasty – species in NZ, so if you ever see one and get a chance to catch them, you should!

Check out how crazy they can be...

There’s a bit of info on fishing.net.nz if you’re interested in these critter.

www.nzfisher.co.nz 21

regionalREVIEWS

Coromandel

Source: Carl Muir – www.EpicAdventures.co.nz EPIC WINTER PUKA, Kings and .....

Marlin! With the days starting to get a little bit longer, its time to reflect on what a crazy old winter we’ve had so far! While the weather gods have thrown everything at us over the last few weeks by and large it has been one of the better runs of winter weather we’ve had over the years with water temps still holding just above 15 degrees and a lot more fishable days over winter than in previous years.

A video from the last wee while on the water sums up pretty well sum of the action we’ve had of late.

coast has provided some excellent snapper fishing. Those getting out just after a blow have been rewarded with some horse snappers, both on baits and livebaits. Hot Water Beach and the Mercs regularly producing some nice 20 pd + snapper. Craig from Rippin and Reelin has been getting some very nice trophy snapper after each stir up at the Mercs.

This snapper here was one of our highlights, caught in 8m at Hotties on a Nuclear Chicken

KINGS!

PUKA!

One of the highlights on the fishing front has been a run of very nice hapuka. We’ve been catching these primarily on livebaits fished around the same deep bait balls we’re catching kingfish from. Very nice sized fish too with several in the 30-35kg range. Cuiver, Mercs and Aldies all holding good puka from time to time anywhere from 80m out to 200m.

SNAPPER!

This winter has been characterized by plenty of fronts coming down from the north rather than a westerly pattern, and a continued stir up of the

22 www.nzfisher.co.nz

On the kingfish front, once again, a great winter season, and the highlight fish for us being a 32 kg model caught on a jig and 50lb by a completed newbie fishing with us in early July.

Cuvier and Crackerjack have been a bit of the quiet front kingi wise but ‘S Block’ off Red Merc and the Aldy Pins have both produced some outstanding winter fishing. Whale has held some very big kingfish with a 40+ being taken by a junior spearo earlier during winter.

A fair few female kingfish have well developed roes and we’ve had the first ‘money ‘shot from a male kingfish a lot earlier than in previous years. Very good conditioned fish for this time of year. The mild temps and good currents have meant very few coutta, though these are bound to turn up once the kingfish rise up in the water column a bit in early spring, especially with the arrival of the squid run.

and....WTF? MARLIN! To illustrate how mild things have been over winter, Toby hooked into a striped marlin off Red Mercury a few weeks ago – middle of July and 15 degrees of water! It was one of those still Coromandel days were a frost threatened but never eventuated and the first drift of the day we had a cranking current coming in from the north. Tony and I were fishing right alongside and watched as what appeared to be a shark was molesting one of Tobys baits and raced to the surface with it collecting a few lines in the process.

Both our brains would not let us yell the words “Marlin” for a good few seconds when a bill popped up and started thrashing on the surface – it was like being in a weird dream – a marlin in the middle of winter?

But sure enough a stripey launched itself out of the water and decided to take off. A bit of bad luck saw the fish popped off after a minute of chasing it down. It would have been one hell of a capture in July!

After a couple of weeks of rather yuk weather it looks like the weather gods are about to get a lot kinder, so if you are keen to get into the tail end of some of this awesome winter action get in touch and we’ll get you out over the next few weeks when we have quite a few openings still.

Check here for some dates: www.epicadventures.co.nz/ availability.html

regionalREVIEWS

Bay of Plenty Source: Tim, Lead Guide, NZ Kayaker

w

BOP Offshore Ed: As usual Rick’s got Pursuit out of the water for her annual check-

Extreme Sport Fishing, Nomad, or

If you are softbaiting, keep

Epic Charters, will show you that

with natural colours and if you

this is no exaggeration.

a struggling to get a bite, drop

up and a clean bum. We look

I was lucky enough to experience

forward to more of Rick’s tales of

this Mayor Island action from my

piscatorial wonder next month.

kayak just last week. While jigging and stick-baiting may not be the

time of year, I always carry my Williamson white feather lure.

Rigged on a simple bungee line or directly to a softbait rod, this $10 lure has saved the day on

BOP Inshore

you that the results are well worth

Fishing opportunities in the Bay

it and no-one remembers the pain

over the last month have been

after they spend a day tussling

With temperatures warming up

sporadic at best. With typical

with fish between 10 – 20kg. Big

and daylight savings just around

spring weather doing its best to

congratulations must go to the

the corner, now is the time to

upset all of the best made plans, I

captain of my support vessel,

organise your kayak and to start

don’t think I am the only one who

Adam El-Agez, who caught a PB

getting in shape for those fishing

has been screaming “I just want

kingfish of 27kg on a livey, putting

missions you have been dreaming

to go fishing!” For those lucky

him at the top of the table for the

about all winter. Drop me a line

w

easiest from a yak, I can assure

down in size to 4” or less. At this

enough to have a flexible work

F-Net Fishing Competition. Over

to talk about all of your kayaking

schedule, there have been mid-

the coming months I hope to run

needs and together we can have

week opportunities that given

regular mother-ship missions to

some safe and enjoyable summer.

us a glimpse of the action that

this location so talk to me if you

summer is sure to bring.

are keen to get out amongst it

Kingfish are the stand out species

with your kayak.

over spring months in the Bay.

On the inshore front, results

Their annual spawning run sees

have been varied and some

them occupying the outer reefs,

work has to be put in to locate

with Mayor Island spots being

the fish. By now we should be

their favourites. Local kingfish

into the snapper spawning run

specialists are reporting that the

but with the water temperature

jigging and top-water action

hovering around 15°C, it appears

at Mayor is simply superb, with

as though we may have to wait

regular big fish and even bigger

awhile for this action. Luckily the

bust-offs. One look at Facebook

whitebait have arrived in force

photos from operators like

and with them the big kahawai.

w

many occasions.

Paddle hard everyone, Tim.

www.nzfisher.co.nz 23

regionalREVIEWS

The Hauraki Report Source: Espresso – www.catch.org.nz

Lost and Found Spring into action Yes the birds, bees, butterflies and snapper have had their spring urges awakened. The topsy turvy weekly routine of ice-cold wintry blasts followed by sunscreen to ward off the early burn of spring sunshine is now all on. Just a few short weeks and the season’s changes are evident for all to see, with beautiful evening BBQ weather, at least between storms.

with the small dorsal fin and they

of potential danger. Impressive sights

Snapper are now dutifully swimming

don’t flick their tail in the air as they

and sounds, just as well because when

back to try their luck in life inshore.

dive. The Southern Right is a rare thrill

feeding like this they’re actually quite

to witness, let’s hope she continues to

tricky to catch.

From out in the depths the renowned underwater migration of red fish is on

come back every year or two again.

Perhaps there’s a big kingie or two

the march (swim) uphill to shallower

Bait based fishing has still been the

making them nervous – not so many

depths within reach of the recreational

most consistent on a day to day

big kings being caught lately, probably

angler, you and me.

basis for most people it seems, albeit

more due to lack of good weather days

attracting many tiddlers, but when the

to hunt them down out there.

As always the males tend to make their presence felt on your fishing line more in these early times. There are lots of young male schoolies around, small but eager especially around Waiheke.

hibernation mode is on the snapper really cannot be bothered moving their belly out of the mud to chase a darting baitfish – so a small and easy hunk of meat dangled in front of their

The various whales have been putting

nose gets a snap at, chasing a darting

on spectacular displays as they turn up

imitation baitfish like a jig or soft bait

the volume, a Southern Right Whale

takes a lot more effort and thus why

gave birth to her calf right here in

our efforts when using them needs

Auckland and has been showing her

to be spot on – although when

new born around the city edges, along

they’re working the success can

the shallows of North Shore, in among

be amazing.

mussel farms over at Coromandel and

There are a number of surface

along the Whangaparaoa peninsula.

feeding Kahawai schools, more

The impressive size, yet utter grace

in the middle gulf and westside

of this gentle giant is something you

towards Ka

never forget, and don’t forget the

wau, these ones pictured are in

smaller but more common Brydes

full flight mode with any twitch

whales out there – they’re the ones

24 www.nzfisher.co.nz

So whatever style you prefer to catch your favourite fish, there are a lot of smaller specimens like these 30-40cm snapper that are keener to feed than the rest, while not bragging rights in terms of size (hold them closer to the camera) they are ideal for the pan, perfectly sized and superb eating in any way you wis

regionalREVIEWS

National Body Report

Wild Turkey

The big boys aren’t far away, it is only

Yes it’s true, O.K. so just inside the

a matter of time, be ready...

gulf i.e. Colville and Little Barrier,

Cheers!

terekihi (a.k.a. turkeys) and, wait for

Espresso

it...hapuka are being caught, and in very tasty sizes. What a wonderfully welcome addition to the seafood smorgasbord.

Hapuka while normally more of a deep

LEGASEA HAVE BEEN busy

water fish have ventured into the gulf

making waves – but the good

a little, not many but more than one has been caught while out leaning on one of the gates (Craddock, Jellicoe and Colville channels).

Wavedancer’s (www.wavedancer.co.nz) crew pulled in this nice Hapuka and a 30lb snapper the other day, while Diversity (www.charterconnection.co.nz

TIME TO MAKE A STAND – LESS WORDS, MORE ACTION type! Click here to get behind

CATCH SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR YOURSELF

) put their crew onto a whole heap of

Catch Something Special For Yourself

terrific tasting terekihi. Terekihi are

Two packets of 8 Harpoon Hooks

going for the tried and true smaller

(perfect for 7” Gulp and Catch soft

hooked flasher rigs with tasty little

baits) plus the Catch Snapper DVD

squid morsels. Drifting along seems to

plus FREE delivery at a VERY SPECIAL

be doing the trick. Simple.

Fishing Website price,click here.

Take note of the bite times as the

Damo from the Charter Connection

water temperature is still cold so bite

(Diversity) has these words of advice

times will be short.

on the Hauraki at present too – Cheers

the most important issue facing our fisheries today and send our politicians a message.

Damo!

www.nzfisher.co.nz 25

NEXTmonth

IN NEXT MONTH’S NZ FISHER • ROctober Fish results • Building your own Jig Rod • The All New NZFisher Boat unveiled

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