NZ Fisher Issue 7

ISSUE 7 April 2011

Autumn Work-ups

firing

in the

gulf //

// Bye, bye Summer, hello Moochers

The new History of Stickbaits// www.nzfisher.co.nz 1

THE RUM THAT INVENTED RUM www.mountgayrum.com Enjoy the adventure, drink responsibly 2 www.nzfisher.co.nz

Pg 6

CONTENTS

GAMEFISHING 6

The New History of Stickbaits

10

The Season That Was

BOATFISHING 12

It’s Just That Time of Year End of the fishing season advice

14

Taking on the punters at the Maraetai Furuno Competition

THE CLUBHOUSE 16

The AMF Fishing Club The 2011 AMF Boats Fishing and Diving

18

Regional Reviews

16

HOW TO 21

12

The Fishing Website Newbie’s Corner

NATIONAL BODY REPORT 22

Building a Pathway for Smart Sustainable Fishing

Pg 21

www.nzfisher.co.nz 3

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4 www.nzfisher.co.nz

175

200

225

ABOUT / Short and sharp, NZ Fisher is a free e-magazine delivering thought provoking and enlightening articles, and industry news and information to

//From the

EDITOR

forward-thinking fisher people.

EDITOR / Derrick Paull ART DIRECTOR / Jodi Olsson GROUP EDITOR / Trudi Caffell CONTENT ENQUIRIES /

Last month we chose spear fisher

Website guys have put together. With

James Gordon and his first King for the

their blessing we’ve begun to incorporate

cover shot to accompany his story. I

more of their wealth of information into our

have been overwhelmed by the re-

articles and inserted more links for you to

derrickp@NZ Fisher.co.nz

sponse from readers about the shot and

jump to the Fishing Website and get even

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES /

actually spear fishing.

more fishing fixes!

Phone Alastair on 021 866 036

What’s most surprising is the responses

April is Nationals month for the New

themselves. The spearo community

Zealand Angling and Casting Association

seemed quite surprised and appreciative

and as I write this they are just a few days

that we featured a spearo on the cover

away. All going well, by the time you’re

while one reader asked how we could

reading this I’ve got the Nationals trophy

Parnell,Auckland 1151, NZ

possibly condone what spearo’s do. I’m

back in the cabinet! As a fisherman I’m

WEBSITE / www.NZ Fisher.co.nz

still scratching my head about what that

bound by strict conditions that implore me

meant, but it was interesting and always

to tell tall stories, so even if that’s not the

good to get the feedback. What was

case, be sure to look out in May’s issue for a

most pleasant was the phone call from

full round up of the results.

Phone Derrick on 021 629 327 or email

or email

James’ mum thanking us for putting him on the cover and asking for a hard copy

With everyone gearing up for a big Easter

– sadly the answer was no can do, we’re

we’re looking forward to bringing some

online only folks!

stories of big fish form far away places next

alastairn@espiremedia.com ADDRESS / NZ Fisher, C/- Espire Media, PO Box 137162,

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!

month. Sea Ox & Azza are off to theThree The online fishing community of New

Kings, Forsyth’s hunting monster Kings

Zealand is pretty well established. The

at East Cape and I’ll be hunting monster

Fishing Website has been bringing kiwi

moochers in the outer gulf. So wherever

fisho’s together online since 1997.Thankfully

you get to, keep safe and have a great time

we’re not the competitive types (well,

on the water.

not off the water anyways) and we see the benefit to fishers of what the Fishing

Happy Fishing!

Derrick www.nzfisher.co.nz 5

gameFISHING

The New History of Stickbaits

Mighty fish like these are hard to entice but stickbaits do the damage Credit: 360Tuna.com

By Derrick Paull

When I look back on the last five

forgotten my morning dose – but I did

years and see the most significant chang-

get technique sorted and landed some

es in fishing methodology, techniques

awesome fish jiggling my noodle while

and budget ever experienced in New

the old school boys sat around twiddling

Zealand fishing history. It was in 2007

their thumbs with livebaits down below.

that I really took to soft plastic fishing on an autumn trip to Great Barrier Island.

More recently inchiku’s and pirates have

We were using Baitrunner 6500’s and still

hit the scene and once again offered a

managed some of the best fishing of our

new (actually lower cost this time) craze

life. And things got better form there.

for anglers to invest in, learn master and grow out of. So what could really be next?

In 2009 I took a prototype acid wrap mechanical jigging rod up to the Three

Well, it’s not new, but top water fishing is

Kings on Pursuit. My early attempts elic-

making a real comeback. Only this time,

ited responses from skipper Rick Pollock

it’s not poppers but stickbaits that are

that I looked like a special person who’d

making the, errrrr, splash.

6 www.nzfisher.co.nz

Ian Biddick with a PB king on Stickbait at Mayor Island

gameFISHING

When kingfish are milling like this, stickbaits are the ultimate weapon

I had the opportunity to fish with Mark

history in kingfish fisheries. I started off

We talk about pioneers like they did what

Armistead onboard Extreme at Mayor

assuming that there would be a wealth

they did way back in the day, but the new

Island last October and experienced

of information out here, but strangely

world of top water fishing is a new history.

what was the best kingfish fishing day

there’s not. Kingfish as a target species on

It’s only ten years ago that Kinoshi san

of my still growing career. The fish were

stickbaits is a fairly recent phenomenon

began chasing Kingfish seriously with top

not massive, averaging about 12kg, and

that appears to have been introduced by

water gear but the technology, techniques

they weren’t extremely hungry. We had

Japanese fishers, in particular Mr’s Kenji

and skills have grown sensationally since.

four fisho’s on board, two of whom were

Kinoshi San and Yoichi Mogi San.

ardent jiggers plus myself and Ian keen to

It appears that the Japanese Yellowtail

try this new ‘stick baiting’ thing that Mark

These guys are real pioneers in recreational

Kingfish appear to be a fair bit harder

was on about. It took two casts, but on

fisheries, Mogi San travelling the world to

to catch that our friendly hoodlums

that second go I had a 10kg king beat out

try new techniques on the worlds fisheries

and this led Konishi san and Mogi san

three others to the bait in a furious display

and Kinoshi San developing the Carpenter

to go some lengths to convince kings

of white water and spray. I was hooked.

rod and lure range specific to top water

up there to take their hooks. Like us

The adrenaline hit you get from seeing a

fishing. Mogi san has fished more countries

here in the 90’s the Japanese threw a

king smashing your bait (or nearly missing

that I’ve heard of and landed more trophy

lot of poppers at Kingfish, but unlike us

it time and time again!) has yet to be

fish that any other individual I’ve come

they persevered, modifying the designs

beaten by his fisho.

across. His webpage has had over 1.9

and techniques of poppering to such

million hits and is worth the visit, especially

an extent that we hardly recognise the

Since my trip last year I’ve spent a bit of

if you’re a sucker for huge and unusual fish,

finest Japanese poppers as fishing lures

time researching stickbait fishing and it’s

check it out here.

at all. www.nzfisher.co.nz 7

gameFISHING

This is a sport for showing your skills, and a little bling goes a long way

All this modification also led to some new

the Japanese pioneers started producing

Stickbaits, and the tackle designed to fish

innovations that are the stick baits we use

sturdier, better looking lures that imparted

them are extraordinarily expansive. The

today. Stickbaits like the Carpenters that

an action that kingfish could not resist.

lures themselves range from $40 up to

Konishi san and Mogi san have developed

$250 for the likes of the Carpenters and

are such a deviation for old school

They haven’t stopped researching, which

poppers that they have really created

is definitely not a bad thing if you’re a

their own genus within the scientific

fisho and they certainly haven’t found it

We’re familiar enough with the reels used

descriptions of lures as we know them.

a bore. Kinoshi san visited New Zealand

by top stickbait fishers, ut the rods are

earlier this year with his team of his field

something to behold. Incredibly strong,

Poppers were originally designed for

testers to trial some new rods, poppers

long and whippy for casting but forgiving

targeting GT’s (Giant Trevally) in the tropics.

and stickbaits and the details of their

on anglers during the fight – when you’ve

GT’s are more likely to attack a splashing,

adventure are available here and here.

got a 9ft lever working against you a 10kg

blooping lure than our kingfish which have

Killer series featured in last months video.

fish can give you hell. wOnce again, Japan

a more acute sense for lures and will chase

Stick baiting is still a methodology in the

is a hot-bed of rod design with new, New

poppers a lot, but hit them less. Stickbaits,

making. There are new techniques, tactics,

Zealand (or really kingfish) specific rods

or the better ones at least, can impart a very

products and theories being proposed

now emerging. These rods can set you

similar action to an injured, fleeing baitfish

every week and a lot of the hottest action

back anywhere between $800 and $1800,

that kingfish and other predators cannot

in New Zealand is coming form the

so this flash new sport is not one to be

resist in the heat of the chase.

Fishing Website ‘Popping Forum’ where

taken too lightly.

keen kiwi and international fisho’s are It’s not just the action of stickbaits that

sharing their experiences to help refine

So, while you sit there and do you sums

sets one apart from the other. Colour,

the sport and increase both fish sizes and

and figure out how to convince the better

paint quality, ease of use, action and

catch rates. There is even a forum there

half that the Christmas vacation isn’t as

tensile strength are all factors behind

for the keenest of all who are designing

important as the fishing you need to do

what is a great stickbait.

and making their own stickbaits.

this weekend, here’s a couple of video’s of the Carpenter boys in action.

To some anglers its the action above all

It’s a great place to go and understand

else – if it cannot hook fish, why bother?

some of the intricate steps required in

Click here to see Tony from YeeHa on

To others it’s longevity and strength – you

making resilient and effect stickbaits that

board Extreme landing a 22kg kingfish

don’t want to spent you dollars and see it

will attract Kingfish. It also adds a lot of

and here for some mind blowing Bluefin

get destroyed after one fish. In about 2003

value to the ones you see in the shops.

action off Cape Cod, USA!

8 www.nzfisher.co.nz

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“If it works for the NZ Army, it’ll work for you!”

As used by the NZ Defence Force! www.nzfisher.co.nz 9

gameFISHING

The Season That Was

By Kurt Bennetto

A late season Stripy going aerial Nothing can get the adrenaline going like a big stripy going ape at the boat

10 www.nzfisher.co.nz

gameFISHING

Well, well, well. It is fair to say

Don’t get me wrong, it still produced

that most of the coast’s game fishing

some cracking days – but not up

is coming to an end for another year. If

to expectation. It started fairly well

you’re anything like me it is at this time

but I feel it never really got going.

when a sense of disappointment sets in,

And to go one step further I don’t

but looking back it’s been an enjoyable

believe it has been all that great for

season and I have personally noticed

the past three to four seasons.

a few different aspects throughout.

There are many debates as to why New Zealand’s east coast of northland

it has under performed but one

has produced some outstanding

thing I am certain about is the over

days with plenty of big blue marlin

all lack of bait fish on the coast.

It is fair to say that most of the coast’s game fishing is coming to an end for another year

been caught early on, through to big numbers of striped marlin.

One thing I am not certain about is why this is? Is it the natural change

An interesting slightly old skol technique

in warmer ocean currents or is it the

of live baiting in general has made a

commercial pressure being put on

in the tropical islands? The question

huge come back this season with many

the bait fish fishery? Are the Marlin

has to be asked [And is on a number

boats opting to run with live baits and

still coming down the east or west

of levels by The RFC, Option 4 and

I believe it has been a huge success in

coast in the numbers they once were

the Sport Fishing Council – Ed].

fact this is the first season where I have

or is the commercial long lining of

caught more marlin on baits than lures.

striped Marlin on the Wanganella

As all seasons, there are positives and

banks starting to takes its toll?

negatives along with lessons learnt and

The key to catching fish on live baits

techniques improved. And you never

is to know when it’s the right time to

The Yellowfin tuna this season have

know, they could pop their heads up

drop them in. I have always said, live

been as rare as hens teeth and not just

in numbers again. Last year there was

baiting is a great way to catch fish

in the north but even down as far as

still the odd fish being caught in May!

but a bad way to find them. Where as

east cape. It was only three seasons

lure fishing is a great way to find them

ago when I remember Yellowfin off

But as the season closes I will be

however a frustrating way to catch

northlands east coast in huge numbers.

prepping the Maimai for duck shooting

them. There in lies the success to live

and looking forward to the snapper

baiting. If you know the fish are there

The Mahi-mahi this season have been

and Hapuka missions throughout the

put the baits in, your hook up rate will

extremely low in numbers compared to

winter. And you never know, if the light

generally out fish lures in a big way.

the past five or so years. Is the fishery of

winds remain present there may even be

Looking back at the season on west

the Yellowfin tuna and Mahi-mahi under

time for a few Broadbill drifts. Wouldn’t

coast it has been relatively poor.

pressure from the commercial fishing

that be way to top the season off?

www.nzfisher.co.nz 11

boatFISHING

It’s Just That Time Of Year

By Grant ‘ Espresso’ Bittle

That time of year…spring sprung early

The Stripeys have been patchy so the

fect for fishing whether at your favourite

which was all good, the weather forecasts,

big game anglers seem to be a little

outcrop, paddling a shoreline or motor-

the fishing, the razor gang’s promise to

more on edge (than usual), perhaps a

ing out wider – wherever wide is for

leave and the warmth of the sun did its

crescendo like last year to make it all

you and your boat. The autumn promise

trick luring the snapper ever closer to our

worthwhile is due again this year? And

of great fishing has been kept a few of

recreational fishing boundaries.

topping it off Broadbill to a lucky few

times already and long may the predic-

hardcore recently.

tion come true so we can get out and

Kingfish came in force much to the sur-

do our thing, from fresh water to salt.

prise and delight of many with extraor-

Roundup – no not the aerial Broadifo-

dinary fights caught on everything from

cum rat poison drop around the gulf,

I don’t know about you but I thoroughly

jigs to flasher rigs, mostly not targeted

I mean the sky-high bombardment so

enjoy autumn fishing – there’s so much

but still producing lots of happy kids

feared by baitfish like anchovies, pil-

on offer really. Marlin are here, ‘Puka

and wide eyed parents with the sheer

chards, mackerel and the like hounded

and monster bass are being caught O.K.

strength of these fish. The snapper came

by oxygen gasping dolphins, kamikaze

so some may be at the Three kings, but

in thick and fast ready to breed and

gannets, speedster kingfish, sharks…

it’s being done weekly. In closer the

feed, and that they did.

you name it, you, me..99% of everyone’s

kingfish and snapper have provided an

happy – hey even the baitfish that get

excellent level of thrills, reward, success

Summer is and summer was, long days of

away are pleased about that. Anyway

and failure.

potential fishing interrupted by periodic

the workups have flickered on after con-

appearances at work and now it’s already

siderable absence.

time to close the chapter, it was just too

The fish condition is excellent as they’re putting on the beef and pigging out

short again this summer. Lots of feeding

The autumn change has brought its own

which means a couple of things. Firstly

by all manner of fish, a great kick-start to

pluses to us fisher folk. Big ‘H’s hover-

they feed voraciously at times which so

the top of the table – the marlin season

ing over the weather maps for a day or

we can catch ‘em relatively easily and

with blues being the early order of the

three, cooler at night for sure but with

they fight like they mean it, secondly

day, excellent.

calm crisp and clear days that are per-

they’re ‘bulking up’ and so the condition

12 www.nzfisher.co.nz

boatFISHING

of the fillets is premium, unlike the mid-

great condition – and with reasonably

ing fish while the days still have plenty

spawn scrawn. Put these two ingredi-

long bite times unlike some of the lim-

of hours in them and before the winter

ents together (with a bit of lemon juice

ited mid-winter bites. A few whales are

woollies are dragged out of the bottom

later on) and you’ve got some epic days

now back around the gulf, as are increas-

drawer and beanies replace caps.

of fishing to be had right now.

ing number of dolphins and an Orca or three, which all helps the food chain

As for when and where the rich pickings

The smaller snapper seem to be happy

remain in working order – so we can go

of fish are, here’s the Spot X info:

to pick and peel your offerings with

and join in at the top of the table.

•

the day, but when the spark of feeding

Skipjack tuna can still be seen blipping

•

time is lit, it’s all on, no holds barred

all about the surface on these fine and

provide a good hint as to when and

kind of stuff from the bigger fish. The

calm days in the gulf, just about every-

how long the bite may be i.e. be

bigger snapper will simply barge aside

where really, although they are being

the smaller specimens and aggressively

tempted away now. Like other fish they

feed – making for fantastic sessions

can be very elusive on the bite at times

of bent rods, peeling line and smiles

and seeing them jump as far as the eye

all-round. And of course the absolutely

can see, yet fail to take a trolled lure

good to check out new and ‘essen-

delicious fillets forthcoming as a result

can require counselling. Stupid fish.

tial’ purchases!

of such success.

Happy Days

extreme ‘dexterity’ at most times of

Go fishing whenever you can – that’s the best time Take note of bite times as they can

prepared accordingly •

Keep using salt ice slurry and your fillets will remain exceptional

•

•

The boat show looms – always

Find the fish the rest is just what we talk about…

Autumn is time to enjoy some real fish-

With cooler climes on the horizon best

Heyyyyyyyy.

ing i.e. catching healthy strong fish in

we spend a bit of time out there catch-

Espresso.

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boatFISHING

The Mighty Fin Nor

Taking on the Punters at the

Maraetai Furuno Competition I’ve never done a lot of competi-

the northern end of Coromandel to seek

cranked up the burley trail through the

tion fishing outside of my own club or

our fortunes. There’s a little spot upt

height of the tide – but alas no monsters

the NZACA nationals, so when Kerry

here that’s produced prize winning fish

took on Fin nor that morning.

Earl, owner of the mighty Fin Nor, White

2 out of two trips, and I’d been skunked

Pointer’s New Sports Cruiser 7.5me-

by a freight train there a year earlier – so

We spent the afternoon chasing kings

ter, suggested we enter a team for the

it’s no understatement that expectations

and by three o’clock we had managed

Maraetai Beach Boating Club Snapper

were sky high.

one legal fish and a couple of promising

world cup, I wasn’t sure it would be my cup of tea.

follows – the lads were feeling a bit deAt 0500 sharp burley and baits were

jected. With a 4.30 cut off we weighed

dispatched and four edge fishos waited for

anchor and skulked back to Maraetai for

The last few years have seen my com-

the world cup to come swimming up to our

the weigh in and prize giving.

petitive edge get blunted a little and it

lines. Sadly there was a southeaster blow-

all felt like a little too much hard work.

ing to make us all feel better about the

Much to our surprise and amusement

Thankfully I had hard-nuts Scotsman,

fact that we were still on zero after soaking

my stunning 10kg king scraped in third

Big Azza on side to whip me into shape,

tasty little yellowtails fpr two hours – all for

place on day one while Azza, Sea Ox

pop a few harden-up pills in my coffee

one foul hooked leatherjacket and an anti-

and Kerry all managed some spot prized

and get me signed up!

climax bust off for yours truly.

to keep the ego’s somewhat intact.

We started planning and decided on

Thankfully Azza managed to coax a

Day two was designated (by us) as a lazy

the hero or zero tack – it was to be all

healthy 5kg model to swallow his livie

day and we whiled away the hours catch-

or nothing. We packed the boat to the

and we were at least on the board. Be-

ing, releasing, re-catching and rereleas-

gunwales (and ye gods she’s got some

ing this was the Snapper World Cup,

ing midget snapper while chasing the

room), filled the bait bins and set off to

we figured we’d need a tad better and

rather reclusive Sergeants Passage iGT

14 www.nzfisher.co.nz

boatFISHING

The best of a bad bunch

Derrick getting dealt to by a midget

(imaginary Giant Trevally) before returning to the weigh in with a number of fish designed to bring the average weight down.

The prize giving was awesome and we had the added pleasure (and pressure?) of seeing Azza up on stage for the big draw to win a Stabi-craft package worth $50k or more.

There’s 20 names drawn randomly for entrants tickets and they all gather on stage. One by one 19 of the 20 names are drawn from a hat until there’s one man standing. It’s a great way to finish the event and highly recommended more so if your team mate actually wins – but we’re not too bitter about it!

I’d like to thank Kerry for volunteering Fin Nor, Azza for getting the ball rolling and the Maraetai Beach Boating Club for an event that will now be a regular on my calendar. Cheers!

ess Early succ www.nzfisher.co.nz 15

THEclubhouse

The AMF Fishing Club // The 2011 AMF Boats Fishing and Diving Comp

By Derrick Paull

Marlin strike!!!

I met Duncan McIver a few years

Estate agent Steve Beavin aboard his

We did manage a great strike on the

ago on a calm Taranaki day when the

7.2 meter diesel powered AMF, Reel

morning of day one, but after two minutes

sea swells were a mere three meters and

Escape. She’s a lovely boat that handled

and 200meters of line off the reel the fish

the wind barely touched 30 knots. This

the inclement weather with ease,

dropped the hook.

they say, is about as bad as it gets in the

keeping us warm, safe and dry.

Naki. Problem was, this was the first of

To keep moral up and with an eye on

three trips I’ve taken on Duncans AMF,

So, you might be wondering why I’m

some of the very attractive prizes we

Narcosis, and that was the calmest.

not talking about fishing by now. Sadly

stopped for a bottom fish and I managed

the answer is simple – there just weren’t

to tag and release my first Blue Sharp – a

If you ever wonder why we need tough,

many to talk about. While Duncan, Kevin

40kg specimen that fought like a towed

stable, quick ali boats – it’s because the

and the organising crew did a superb job

bucket – bit it was one off the list.

conditions on the west coast can vary

or hosting and running this event, the

between a mill pond and 4 meter rolling

gamefish shut their mouths for the full

While the boys were bottom bouncing I

swells in just a few hours. While I will

moon that coincided with the comp and

put a live Kahawai in hope of a marlin but

probably get shot for being so hard on the

kept them that way.

managed only to lose the back third to a

Naki weather, I will find a saving grace in

40kg+ Mako that soon succumbed to a

the compliments I must lay on both their

I am sure there’s great game fishing of

pillie lobbed in front of him. Not a ground

choice of boat and welcoming hospitality.

the Naki as Kevin and Duncan were one

breaking capture, but I was on the board

of ten boats to land marlin the weekend

(Not surprisingly Blue sharks are not a

I was invited to fish with the AMF guys

before. In fishing, you’re only as good as

tournament species).

in their annual owners tournament and

your last fish though and we struggled to

without too much convincing, I was on

open their mouths.

board. Duncan set me up with local real 16 www.nzfisher.co.nz www.nzfisher.co.nz

The two days were hard work as the seas never dropped below two meters and a

THEclubhouse

Heading offshore from the Naki

Reel Escape

south-wester blew the tops off the swells

when you’re in town.

for both days. It seems however I was the

AMF boats are tough, the ride well and

only one who noticed as both days the full

The prize giving was a hilarious affair,

are set out with a practical purpose in

compliment of bots headed out to seek

between MC Kevin Moratti’s one liners

mind – if it ain’t necessary you wont find

their fortunes.

from “The All Time Best MC Jokes Ever”

it on an AMF, but if it’s needed, they

Volume 37 and The Minstrel, Mark De

make it the best in the business.

The event was hosted by the New

lacy –the crowd were in stitches.

Plymouth Sports Fishing Club that

Thanks to AMF Boats, NPSFC, Kevin

overlooks New Plymouths port and boat

AMF Boss Brian Collings spoke and it is

Moratti and Duncan McIvor for hosting

ramp. For anyone interested, it’s a great

clear that when the MF team build boat

the team in NP – I look forward to some

place to stop for a beer and nice meal

it’s with these types of anglers in mind.

nice calm weather next year!

www.nzfisher.co.nz 17

regionalREVIEWS

The Far North Source: Rick Pollock www.Pursuit.co.nz

Arriving up here, full

Garden Patch – The Pins

Three kings – King and

of expectation, has been a

Some very nice water here with

Middlesex Bank

disappointment thus far. Sure

a few more billfish seemingly

Consistency is certainly lacking

it’s still early with presumably

favouring the area. Mostly

here in the way of both gamefish

plenty of this season to go in a

stripeys but the occasional blue

and water quality. When the

game context. Good news is

still lurks about. Bottom fishing

currents are favourable and good

plenty of pretty, warm water.

is getting a lot of attention as are

water swathes over the banks

Bad news is little bait about and,

broadbill during settled periods

then its game on. Some great

worse yet, no concentration

of weather – both day and

stripey fishing has been had by

of fish anywhere! Still plenty

night. Bluenose is leading the

a couple of boats, otherwise it’s

to rejoice about up this way in

charge on the bottom brigade

all bad news with cold, green

many other arenas.

but some decent puka and bas

water dominating the situation.

to compliment them. Swords,

It’s a case of one good day (or

Doubtless Bay – North Cape

always a long shot, are rewarding

afternoon), four or five bad ones –

Some excellent snapper

only those fortunate few.

an unacceptable ratio. Hopefully

catches on the inshore scene

this situation will improve.

if you want or need to limit

The Shelf

Certainly if (when) the water

out then you should do just

From the Surville Cliffs all the

is favourable, they will come.

that. Some nice fish among the

way through to the “Compass

Otherwise some brilliant fishing

more numerous pannies with

Rose” is nice warm water and

for both kingfish (to 44 kilos)

Doubtless Bay shining. The odd

well worth a look. At this point

and bottom species with one

fish eclipses 20 lbs but many

only the centre mark, the “Hook”

spectacular bass at 82kgs taken

over 10 with even beach anglers

is providing any action. A few

on a jig! Bait fishing is patchy to

doing the business. Massive

stripees have been landed and

difficult with koheru playing coy

kahawai, many over 2 ½ kilos,

mainly tagged here with “Reel

despite actively feeding on the

punctuate this consistent

Passion” releasing a real beaut

surface on krill.

fishery along with a few XOS

over 150 kilos after a scrappy

trevally on the sand. Further a

fight. A couple blues also hooked

Summary

field there are good numbers

in this area but unfortunately both

Pretty well stated this in the

of skippies, mako sharks and

pulled the hook after an hour of

opener. If the gamefishing will

the odd striped marlin. A few

battle. Also some decent bottom

improve and everything else will

boats trolling in the 130-150

bashing, doesn’t take long to get

remain constant we’ll have a more

metre region are scoring those

a good feed with both bass and

than satisfactory autumn fishery on

stripeys although most are

hapuka to 30kgs providing the

our hands up here.

seeing and catching nothing.

bill’o’faire.

Till next month…Rick

18 www.nzfisher.co.nz

regionalREVIEWS

The Hauraki Source: Espresso www.catch.org.nz Stop Start Button

though they are masters at their craft

this also means lots and lots of tiddlers

The workups in the gulf have just

of bust-offs, no doubt they delight in

will be caught (even with plastics

bumped the start button, almost by

hearing and laughing at the anglers

too) as there seems to be an over

accident. The cooler southerlies we’re

expletive filled responses I’m sure.

abundance of small snapper darting

experiencing at night have flicked the

in before the big boys have a chance.

switch on our home electricity supply

A large number of snapper have flicked

Although when the bite is on no matter

use and so to the snapper are heeding

their coat tails and are gently finning

what method you use the bigger fish

natures inevitable, change of season

towards more open ground, the gulf is

will be keen on feeding first – they just

call. The water temperature’s dropping

chocka with them. A caveat however…

seem to rest more, a lot like humans as

slowly and correspondingly the inner

they can be mountainous on your

they age ay…

channels where it’s been all hot to

sounder with surface activity looking the

trot fishing wise for the last couple

business, you know – birds, dolphins,

Natural presentation, light line and

of months, well the action is starting

whales, skippies, kahawai, baitschools…

smaller offerings are having the most

to cool down a bit. The good news

but still the snapper can Just Say No.

success for the soft plastic and bait

however is the Hauraki Gulf is being

anglers when the going’s slow – until of

flooded not with Tsunami but surges of

When the bite is slow to nil use small

course the silent dinner gong sounds,

hungry snapper. Hungry to fatten up

Gulp grubtails or Catch anchovies

and then it’s mad…madder than Mad

on the massive supply of baitfish out

dragged along the mud well out back

Jack McMad, the winner of this year’s Mr.

there to condition themselves and wrap

of a drifting boat, when the bite switch

Madman competition (Blackadder) . The

up warm for the winter. No longer is

has been flicked on, go vertical and

feasting is ferocious and your offerings

the vast majority of watery playground

big! Big flappy Catch Glowing Geckos

won’t even get within 5metres of the

devoid of snapper schools, the red

or Zman paddletails, 2 or 3oz weights

seafloor in the magic 40 to 45m zone at

coats are back in force.

and plummet the lure to the bottom

the mo’ (nudge nudge - the place to be

with nice and hefty 6lb braid and hold

drift fishing the gulf). Be 100% ready on

Huge Kahawai and small Kingfish are

on tight, the hits are like Ma’a Nonu

the drop and strike immediately!

still literally everywhere, all in excellent

thundering at you in full flight!

condition with some huge ones of both

Long crisp clear motionless days of

species in the inner waterways…like

For the traditional bait users - flasher

hooking up hard fighting snapper and

around the down town wharves you can

rigs with squid are prolific fish catchers

proudly bringing home the goods –

see them! Good luck on taming them

on the drift or at anchor, unfortunately

autumn, love it!

Free casio watch

Biscayne

with every Fin-Nor rod & reel combo AHAB

valued at

15000

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Marquesa

™

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HOWto

The Fishing Website – Newbie’s Corner One of the original intentions we

fisho’s who’ve tried it, done it or are keen

for your own good - there’s more great

had when we launched NZFisher was to

to join me. Recently the website designers

info there thank NZFisher could publish

provide great information that would help all

added a ‘Newbie’ forum for those who are

in a year. Mostly though I’d like to ask

fisho’s improve their skills and lead to them

new to the world of fishing.

the experienced fishos out there to

catching more fish. As a newbie in some

spend a couple of minutes helping out

areas (Game fishing, Jigging, Top water,

NZFisher is keen to support the Fishing

the newbie’s with their questions. It’s

Kayaking and others) I’ve often deferred to

website and asks our readers to visit

a great way to raise the bar and help

the fishing website for advice for others and

the newbie forum and get involved. If

others gain the same enjoyment we get

the collected knowledge of over 35000 other

you’re a newbie your self, check it out

form our fisheries. www.nzfisher.co.nz 21

nationalbody REPORT

Building a Pathway for Smart Sustainable Fishing

By Miranda O’Connell, Fisheries Consultant Folkus Ltd

Recreational fishing involves a high

well supported with entire industries

Fishing is an individual pursuit that has

degree of decision making behavior, with

devoted to assisting recreational fishers

collective impact on the fisheries resource.

most fishers having their own checklists

with their fisheries decisions. Tide

Managing this impact is a collective

or systems for their fishing outings. From

charts, weather reports, tackle and bait

responsibility that begins with individual

deciding to go fishing on a particular

businesses, electronic navigation systems

decisions to fish smart and sustainably. A

day, to checking weather and tides,

and many other tools are all designed to

national body would provide a pathway

ensuring the right tackle and bait is on

make the fishers tasks and decisions easier.

for individual fishers to fish smart and

hand, organising mates to go fishing

sustainably into the future.

with you, to choosing the fishing spots.

In a similar way, a system to support smart

Add the endless decisions over the kind

sustainable fishing behaviour needs to be

A common argument is held that it is the

of boat and gear that form each fisher’s

in place. That is, a system that is funded

Government who is taking care of the

recreational fishing ‘infrastructure’ and

by fishers and fully focused on advocating

fisheries sustainability issue. Fishers need

you have a lot of time and energy being

for the rights of recreational fishers.

simply to stick to the bag limits and she

devoted by fishers to ensuring their

It would work to enhance fisheries for

will be right.

fishing experience is as good as it can be.

recreational access, to provides fisheries education and manage fishers data, to

Let’s lift the lid on this belief.

That good fishing experience is

listens to fishers and have the capacity

The Government certainly has a

fundamentally reliant on there being an

and political clout to take a powerful

responsibility to provide for every

abundant fisheries resource to which

voice to the decision making table of NZ

fishers’ well-being by ensuring

fishers have access. Yet how much decision

fisheries management.

sustainability. However, decisions of the

making behaviour do fishers devote

past two decades have shown that the

to this topic? Very little. Rather than

Each fisher doesn’t need to be a fisheries

Minister and officials must be held to

concluding that fishers don’t care about

manager as equally each fisher using a

account for this responsibility.

the sustainability of the resource, because

fish finder doesn’t need to be an electrical

I truly believe most fishers do care. I would

engineer. But each fisher deserves to

Decisions are at the discretion of the

argue that this is partly to do with a lack of

have the best tools available to ensure

Minister. The lack of teeth by way of

pathway for individual fishers to engage in

a quality fishing experience. I believe a

resources, mandate or specific legislative

fisheries management.

non-government national body set up

tools has severely hampered recreational

by legislation specifically for recreational

fishing organisations’ efforts to influence

fishers would provide the best tools.

the Minister’s decisions. Instead, the

The other decisions made by fishers are 22 www.nzfisher.co.nz

fishing public is virtually forced to accept

limitations on their fishing gear and you will

This was the reality before the kahawai legal

the outcomes of fisheries decisions.

realise that these are not isolated incidents.

challenge and remains the reality today.

They are symptoms of a poorly organised The Ministry of Fisheries take into account

and weak fishing sector that can not stand

The kahawai legal challenge did inspire an

all manner of information when they

up for itself when it needs to.

impressive number of fishers to step up

compile their final advice to the Minister.

and be counted in voicing the importance

An assessment of risks is part of this

So how to change this situation to one of

of their recreational fishing. This was a

process and to date the recreational

a strong sector that can stand up and be

fight well fought by recreational fishers.

fishing sector has posed an insufficient risk

counted on its own terms?

Yet the existing reality of an often passive

to effectively sway final decisions. Despite

and comparatively weak recreational

the sterling efforts of recreational fishing

Richard Buckminster Fuller, a renowned

advocates who participate in endless

futurist, said “you never change things

submission processes, there are numerous

by fighting the existing reality. To change

Building a new model for the

examples of localised depletion and

something, build a new model that

organisation of recreational fishing is

inequity of access to fisheries resources

makes the existing model obsolete.” The

more likely to deliver the strong voice

for recreational fishers.

experience of the kahawai legal challenge

at the bargaining table and enhance

fishing sector continues.

confirmed this quote. The eventual

the fishing experience of all the fishing

Ask a Gisborne local about the size of the

outcome of that challenge clarified that

public now and for future generations.

crayfish they can catch, ask a Marlborough

the Minister of Fisheries has absolute

The decision to be made by the fishing

local about the access to blue cod, ask a

discretion over his/her decisions and the

public of today is whether they wish to

South Island east coast fisher about the

fisheries allowances must be reasonable.

be involved in designing a new model.

// In the next issue of NZ Fisher…

• Kawau by Kayak • The all new Ocean Kayak Prowler 4.3 • The NZACA Nationals results

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