NZ Fisher Issue 9

ISSUE 9

June 2011

Monster

Snapper at

NZLBG

Nationals

// Broadbill season fires up

in the chill of winter Kawau by Kayak// // The Prowler 4.3 tested www.nzfisher.co.nz 1

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

CONTENTS Pg 6 SPORTFISHING 6

The NZ Landbased

Game Nationals

GAMEFISHING 12

Broadbill Swordfish:

Gladiators of the Sea

KAYAKFISHING 16

Testing the Ocean Kayak

Prowler 4.3

20

Kawau by Kayak

22

Fishing Video of the Month

20

THE CLUBHOUSE

12

24

Feilding Surfcasting Club

26

Regional Reports

Pg 24

www.nzfisher.co.nz 3

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4 www.nzfisher.co.nz

175

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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 / Phone Derrick on 021 629 327

Its winter, but no one seems to

coast. Broadbill are a species that has

have told Mother Nature. Warm waters

had a bit of a torrid time in the last

at about 17 degrees and Northland is

few years, but since being bought

derrickp@NZ Fisher.co.nz

still producing Striped Marlin, (albeit

into the Quota Management System

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES /

few and far between) very late in

(QMS) in 2009 they appear to be on

Phone Richard on 09 522 7257

the season. We even had skippies at

something of a rebound; that makes it

or email

Rawhiti on the 10th of June – crazy!

a success in my mind.

richardl@espiremedia.com

This unseasonably warm water may

Sadly the QMS isn’t always titled

not be a bad thing for traditional

in our favour and based on what

game fishing but it is nothing short of

the Minister of Fisheries has been

Parnell, Auckland 1151, NZ

sensational for the broadbill swordfish

up to, we should be more than a

WEBSITE / www.NZ Fisher.co.nz

season. Admittedly more boats than

bit concerned about keeping the

ever are out chasing them, but the

successes we’ve had rebuilding our

returns have been nothing short of

stocks to the levels we’re at now.

exceptional. One boat landed two in a night and hooked another five.

I don’t generally agree with taking your limit and certainly can’t recommend

Primetime Skipper John Gregory has

it, but have to wonder about the logic

been like a Broadbill magnet with

of releasing fish just for the Minister

at least 5 under his belt in the first

to give them away to the commercial

two weeks of June. It used to be a

harvesters! We’ve worked hard to

remarkable catch when a game club

educate fishers about looking after

weighed one swordfish a season.

our stocks, not abusing them and how

Now weigh masters across the North

to safely release fish just to hear the

Island sleep with their cell phones

Minister (who honestly isn’t a fisher

on, expecting the call to come weigh

despite his claims to be one) say there’s

another swordfish almost nightly.

money in it, so let’s sell ‘em all!

Check this out for an awesome story of two young chaps in a trailer boat chasing swords off Northlands east

or email

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!

Cover Image: Saul Harman with 11.26kg Northland snapper

Happy Fishing!

Derrick www.nzfisher.co.nz 5

sportFISHING

The NZ Landbased Game Nationals A winners tale Story & Photos by Saul Harman

Ben’s hooked up!

6 www.nzfisher.co.nz

sportFISHING

er side of the bar Planing on the oth

It’s been a goal of mine to land a

A good run saw us pulling up at

for an impossible bar. It had been

25kg plus landbased kingfish for more

Waitiki Landing campground around

white knuckle stuff but all of a sudden

than 5 years now. It’s my bogie fish.

midday. The talk around the kitchen

we were planing on an open smooth

I’ve fished the Coromandel Peninsula

table that night was of the big swell

deep blue sea.

more times than I care to remember,

from the storms earlier that week

I’ve fished Lottin Point, the Cavalli’s

dropping so when we woke at

As we made our way north the

and I’ve had a crack at Great Barrier

6am the next morning to a virtually

realisation of how remote, wild and

Island but I’ve never fished the Far

still morning, there was only one

untouched this coastline really is

North. So when I read that that the

thought on our mind – crossing the

began to creep in. The awestruck

NZLBGC National’s competition in

Parengarenga bar and getting into

feeling created by the image of

May was to be based out of Waitiki

some serious fish!

towering cliffs plummeting down to

Landing in the Far North I thought this

kelp covered ledges awash with white

is my perfect opportunity.

Having only ever embarked on a

water and ripping current lines soon

couple of very smooth bar crossings in

changed to one of excitement and

With a green light on the home front

much larger boats, as we approached

anticipation. The whole coastline

we pulled out of Ben’s driveway in

the bar in the 349 Stabi I suddenly

screamed fish and my pulse was

Onehunga at 5am with 300ltrs of

realised my good fortune – I was

starting to quicken.

IceyTek chilli-bins filled to the brim

soaking wet in togs with no undies!

with bait, burley, food, beer and ice

To cut a long story short, full faith was

After a fair old hike we finally found

and heading the back of my mind, a

placed in our skipper as Ben expertly

ourselves on a stretch of coastline that

voice was saying that this was it – in a

navigated the 2m breakers crashing

looked to have a one or two ledges

few days from now the fish I had been

all around us and put us safely on the

that may be fishable. Unfortunately

chasing for 5 years would be mine.

other side of what I would have called

with 150 ponies on the back, team

www.nzfisher.co.nz 7

sportFISHING Demolition had put the hammer down after we appeared out the other side of the bar and beaten us to it. They were already unloaded and tying off their bungee when we arrived.

Thankfully though she was a big bit of coast and we were able to find a nice fishable ledge far enough away to be called our own but not too far to be hammered by the swell.

After a fairly intense 20 minutes of setting the pulley ropes and unloading the gear we were on our ledge and the first burley was in the water. By the time we had set up our livie rigs

Demolition tying off Mark 6.5 kg

and baited the first hook on lighter gear there were stacks of kahawai in the burley. With two livies swimming under balloons within half an hour of arriving we settled in to soaking some snapper baits.

The first few hours on the rocks were pretty slow. There was plenty of action in the burley with kahawai, maomao, and rat kings being present pretty much all the time. A few moray and even the occasional snapper would come up to have a nibble out of the burley bag but it wasn’t until just before midday that the first decent kings turned up and started harassing Mark’s livebait. His livie was set a fair distance out but even from where we were standing you could tell they were big fish, possibly the fish I had come here for! There were maybe two or three fish all rolling and mauling Mark’s kahawai, any one of them easily big enough to swallow it, but it seemed these fish were just bullies out for kicks with no particular interest in eating.

Ben cast out a popper and had one of these fish give good chase, giving off a nice bow wave and almost nosing

8 www.nzfisher.co.nz

sportFISHING

7.5ish kg & 11.26 kg

the popper but we just couldn’t

now, we had a steady stream of 2-3kg

up off the bottom in an attempt to

seem to get a strike out of them.

fish joining us on the rocks. Whole

hook into a slightly larger king of

The frustration continued for a good

pillies were a waste of time and even

about 12kg’s that had been enjoying

5 minutes until the kings got bored

the bigger slabs of kahawai and baby

a free lunch in our burley trail. I waited

and decided to move on. The only

blues were getting nailed by these

until he disappeared in the general

attention any of our livies got for the

pannie sized fish. I could feel a good

direction of my bait and gave a couple

rest of the day was a big ocean sea

bite starting to form.

of quick cranks of the handle, dropped

turtle! Swimming with its head out

it into free spool and BANG he picked

of the water it seemed to be trying

It was at this point that I noticed Ben

it up and took off. I locked up pretty

to eat my balloon. I never knew they

rigging up a nice big chunky section of

quickly and enjoyed a nice long run

even existed in our waters, let alone

kahawai – good idea I thought, these

before dropping the fish. Damn, well

hung around the rocks and enjoyed

“small” 3kg fish would have a hard

that will be him gone I thought.

playing games with balloons! Just

time swallowing one of these baits.

a testament to how warm our

So I followed suit and lobbed out a

This time I removed the Walleye from

waters really are becoming – even

similar bait over the sandy bottom

the back of the bait and hooked it

at the end of May. I’m certain it

between a couple of patches of kelpie

through the gut cavity of the big

won’t be long before somebody is

foul and sat back to wait for Mr Big.

section and cast out again – same

going to appear on the front of the

bat time, same bat channel. Again, I

Herald next to New Zealand’s first

After waiting a little longer than

didn’t have to wait long before the

landbased caught marlin.

I had hoped I decided on a bit of

bait was picked up half way down the

Concentrating on snapper fishing

excitement and so brought my bait

water column and the fish steamed

www.nzfisher.co.nz 9

sportFISHING off with it. This time when I struck, I

mark and I landed another that that

struck hard and held it there. The rod

went around 7.5kg.

doubled over and line peeled from

Ledge 2

the spool. I gave it another hard

As the snapper bite started to

strike to be sure this time and settled

slow we began focusing on the

into a nice scrap on the 15kg gear.

trevs that had become more and

The fish made a couple of heavy runs

more prolific in the burley. We all

toward the foul and thinking it to be

managed to sight fish a trevally

a king of around the 10-12kg mark I

each around the 3kg mark but the

was fairly flippant with how I treated

bigger ones seemed to elude us,

it, thumbing the drag and giving it

with kahawai and snapper often

death. It wasn’t until Ben calls out

shooting up out of the depths and

“nice snapper bro” that I suddenly

scarfing our pillie heads before we

started to take things seriously. I

had a chance to react!

looked down and sure enough there was the big red side of possibly the

The confidence of having a leading

largest snapper I had hooked up to

fish was quickly zapped out of me

and I had been treating it like “a bit

when we got back to Waitiki Landing

of fun” – well I guess at the end of

and the guys in the cabin next to

the day a bit of fun is what’s all about

us had a fish in excess of 10kg in

right?.... WRONG!!

their bin along with a number of other impressive lumpheads. From

Livies Day 2

“Grab the f*****g net bro – hurry up,

memory at least one other fish was

hurry up – get under it bro – s**t –

weighed in that night over the 20lb

f***** get it in the net man – net it,

mark and a heap of others around

net it - YEEEEAAAAAHHHHH!!!! “

the 7 and 8kg mark. All these massive fish and from only 28 anglers fishing

As Mark climbed back up the ledge

the comp!

the size of this fish became apparent and we knew we had a goody. After

Strangely, only one king was

some high fiving, man grunts and

weighed in (somewhere just over

apologies for my colourful directions

18 kilo’s). Most of the other guys

to Mark while netting, the fish was

had only seen rats all day. The nasty

iki’ed and weighed.

weather earlier in the week had obviously made for great snapper

By Ben’s Berkley digital scales, this

fishing but the kings didn’t seem to

fish went somewhere between 11.0

appreciate the dirty water.

and 12.0kg on the rocks – it later pulled 11.26kg at the weigh-in on

That night the drinks were flowing

calibrated scales. This was by far my

and so were the yarns. This was only

biggest snapper, blitzing my previous

my second fishing comp and my first

PB by more than 2kg!

multi-day comp so it was great to be able to sit up all night talking about

The next few hours were some

fishing and not once feel like having

of the best snapper fishing I have

to change the subject!

ever experienced. We all landed a Mark - 8.04 kg

succession of fish in the 3-5kg range, most of which went back. Mark landed a model around the 6.5kg

10 www.nzfisher.co.nz

Saul Harman ...Part two next month.

  

Ask for the Active Duty sun and bug skin defence range at selected pharmacies and retailers throughout New Zealand or order online at www.skinshield.co.nz

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

As used by the NZ Defence Force! www.nzfisher.co.nz 11

gameFISHING

Broadbill Swordfish: Gladiators of the Sea Story by Kurt Bennetto Photos by Tom Gray

12 www.nzfisher.co.nz

gameFISHING

...for once in a blue moon the weather was right so we headed out in pursuit for the gladiator of the sea.

In April I wrote about the marlin

fish are labeled the ‘gladiator of

drag at strike and we threw the big

season coming to a close but also

the sea’ for one reason only, they

squids in the fish bin.

mentioned there was still a chance

fight like no other. Anglers have

to get out and drift for a Broadbill

played these fish for in excesses

We headed north to fish a seamount

Sword Fish. Well, for once in a blue

of 10 hours and have lost them

of Northland’s East Coast, where the

moon the weather was right so we

due to their amazing strength.

action had previously been. As we

headed out in pursuit for the gladiator of the sea.

headed out we got in contact with a The anticipation was huge and the

friend of mine who was fishing on his

crew was buzzing as we geared

boat in the same area. It was good to

Any game fisherman will tell you

the boat up for what we were

know there was another boat out there

that catching a Broadbill sword fish

anticipating was to be an epic night.

as it can be a very long night miles out

is a once in a life time fish. These

We set the 80 wide reels to 20 kg of

to sea by yourself in a trailer boat!

www.nzfisher.co.nz 13

gameFISHING

As the sun set the night was soon

of 45 minutes. Looking back most

sitting on the duck board glowing

upon us, we attached the light

Broadbill are caught on dead baits.

a fluorescent color. This discovery

sticks to the leaders as we deployed

intrigued me as the Broadbill is a fish

one bait to 60 metres deep on a

As the long night progressed we got

that is relatively unknown, even to

downrigger and we set the second

bit at 4am, the adrenalin was pumping

scientists. I immediately though this

bait on the surface. The wait began…

but was short-lived as we soon had

could be something that assists the

the fish to the boat. It turned out

fish when it is hunting its prey, much

We didn’t have to wait long before

to be a dirty Mako shark with some

like a striped marlin lighting up?

I had a call from my mate who was

serious dental work. That was the end

absolutely ecstatic to say the least!

of our night. We didn’t get the result

All and all it was an outstanding night

It was only 8pm and he already had

we were after but that’s just fishing.

out on the water, with the weather in

a sword on the deck! As you could

We were soon informed of five Sword

our favour. Give me that in tandem

imagine I was over the moon for the

Fish being caught that night from 9

with the chance of catching a prime

crew but I would be lying if I said I

boats fishing so the odds were not

game fish and there is simply nowhere

didn’t fell the frustration setting in.

bad at all.

else I would rather be. We didn’t get

But what was very interesting about

the result we were after but as they

this catch was that the fish was caught

I spoke to the crew the following night

say that’s fishing and I am sure there

on a live Kahawai surface bait at 7pm,

and they informed me that when the

will be another chance before the

it had only been dark the best part

carcass of the fish was cut up it was

season is over.

14 www.nzfisher.co.nz

gameFISHING

FOSTERING CHANGE

Marine recreational fishing in New Zealand All welcome

Members and non-memb

ers

Get involved...

to design a future that has guaran

fisheries for all the fishing public

teed access to abundant

in NZ. Hear ideas about reform of the recreational fishing sector, lessons from recreational models in operation and from the fishing media about public opinion for cha nge.

NZ Recreational Fishing Council Conference 1st-2nd July 2011

New Plymouth Sportfishing & Underwater Club, New Plymouth Register online at www.recfish.co.nz or contact Secretary, Sheryl Hart 07 8258867 www.nzfisher.co.nz 15

kayakFISHING

Testing the Ocean Kayak Prowler 4.3 Is less really more for a kayak?

By Derrick Paull

Trialling new kayaks is not

months I fished out of it a fair bit,

inshore paddling while maintaining its

actually an easy task. You know what

including a few offshore missions and

handling in the rough stuff.

you like and often, what you don’t.

in some very inhospitable conditions.

I am sure that all yakker’s have pet

It is a wonderful kayak with a lot of

The 4.3 gains a lot and gives away a

hates about even their favourite kayak.

great features, but the faults bugged

little, notably 400mm in length which

me and in some cases pained me by

is mostly gained by removing the

the end of the day.

livebait well immediately behind the

In late 2009 I tested the new Ocean Kayak Prowler Ultra 4.7 at Rawhiti

angler. By not reducing width, stability

over a two day weekend. I absolutely

The Prowler 4.3 was designed to

has not been reduced over what

loved it and consequently purchased

fill a gap, to improve on the Ultra

the Ultra offered; if anything this is,

one for myself. Over the next few

and provide a hull more suitable for

incredibly, a more stable platform. The

16 www.nzfisher.co.nz

kayakFISHING

hard chine’s have been rounded off in

following sea, tracking well and not

mounted and do not catch as they

an effort to reduce drag.

uncomfortable as waves get speed up.

used to. The peddle design has been

A reduction in speed is not obvious

Once on to the important stuff and

between the 4.3 and Ultra on flat

lines are in the water some of the

water, but there was a noticeable drop

smaller changes become apparent.

I had issues with the reversible lid

once the waves got above 300mm.

The cockpit has been redesigned to

pouring any deck water straight into

They have increased the waterline

raise the anglers seat position and

the centre well. With some clever

length in the tail to provide better

provide a faster draining deck. I could

engineering this has been overcome &

speed and improve tracking. The

not figure exactly how they’d modified

water now simply flows off the end of

like the Ultra, the 4.3 feels great in a

it but the peddle tracks are now flush

the lid and out the foot-well scuppers.

improved so the system doesn’t bind like previous models.

www.nzfisher.co.nz 17

kayakFISHING

The rear well now has an additional

sounder inside during surf entries and

Rock fishing generally requires you

scupper to aid draining and lessening

while transporting. The centre hatch is

to stow your gear and with the Ultra

the water load faster. This works very

now about 20% bigger and this makes

accessing the hatch was a complete

well (too well for those who like water

a surprising difference when it comes

nightmare. Yes, the neoprene hatch

in there keeping fish fresh!) and will

to stuffing all your toys in!

seal kept water out but sadly it’s

most likely aid in rougher conditions.

application required a doctorate We made plans to spend some time

and it became a focal point of hate

One of the biggest and best received

on the rocks which is beneficial two-

amongst many Ultra owners. Ocean

changes was the addition of a

foldFirstly so we could stretch a leg

Kayak came across a genius hatch

universal transducer mount that even

and get off the yaks for lunch and

system to save our sanity and now

accepts both Humminbird & Lowrance

secondly because land based fishing

opening and closing the hatch is a

side/down scan transducers. It’s

is bloody good value! Sadly this

simple as flicking a lever.

not an attractive scupper, but once

weekend the rocks were not where

the transducers in there, the design

it was at. Off the water I had a good

There are other improvements that

changes are welcomed. Gone are the

look at the seat. I’ve been told that

will appeal to many, but really it’s

days of chopping, welding & crying

the 4.3 seat was perfect for a big

the ride, speed and fishability that

when you’ve made your boat leak!

guy like me, but after about 5 hours

we’re really interested in. A few other

my backside was about as numb as

yakker’s out with us asked me how

To accommodate large screen

normal so I can’t say it’s too much of

the 4.3 fared and the answer is, it was

sounders the centre well has also been

an improvement. Or maybe I just have

great. But the Ultra’s great too. So

widened so you can conceal your

a soft ass.

what’s the real difference?

18 www.nzfisher.co.nz

kayakFISHING

What really appeals to me is the weight. At just 27kgs dry it is much lighter and more easily handled that the Ultra. The reduced weight makes it slightly easier to handle on and off the roof single-handed – something the Ultra wasn’t great for.

The deck layout & foot well are better proportioned to accommodate longer or wider legs making paddling easier & more comfortable for long periods. While the seat is possibly an improvement, the extra leg-well space is a definite plus.

Having four rod holders immediately behind the seat is fantastic. I think I’d add a grommet in the two moulded ones to stop rods rattling, but the concept is so simple it’s brilliant. I cannot think of an occasion where I’ll need more than four rods and having them tucked up in behind out of the way works well.

So all in all this is an improvement over the Ultra, but it’s not really trying to replace it. The 4.3 is a new kayak, not just an upgrade. If anything, the 4.3 is a replacement for the 4.5meter Elite, the predecessor to the Ultra and the last Ocean Kayak fishing yak released without the now ubiquitous rotating centre hatch.

Putting it simply, if you’re looking to s very versatile, stable and spacious kayak, there are few options as good as the new 4.3. However, if you’re a serious kayak fisher with aspirations to chase and fight very big fish, paddle long distances or in rough conditions keep an eye on the Ultra.

www.nzfisher.co.nz 19

kayakFISHING

Kawau

by Kayak Our first circumnavigation

By Aileen and Peter Michael

20 www.nzfisher.co.nz

kayakFISHING

We had been contemplating a

Pete landed on a couple of beaches/

paddle around Kawau for a while and

rocks to pick up some ‘floatation

looking at the forecast on the Friday,

devices’ (sounds better than ‘to pick

it seemed like the next day would

up buoys’) that had been washed

be the perfect time to do it. SW

up. The day started off calm and got

10 knots in the morning and NE 10

even calmer, the water was like glass

knots in the afternoon. Sweet as!

most of the time and the scenery was stunning. Little blue penguins were

We sent a quick email inviting friends

popping up all over the place.

to join us the next morning for a 6.30am start from Martin’s Bay; we

The only thing missing was big fish

loaded the kayaks on to the trailer

action! We did however find a huge

and lots of food and water packed

school of large kahawai once we

for the trip.

were almost back to base – just off Bon Accord Harbour. At least we

Saturday morning, Dave and Jai

could get some nice fresh kahawai

joined us (Jai taking the long way

for the smoker.

round – he called wondering where we were and it transpired he had

We kept about half a dozen good fat

driven to Jones’ Bay instead of Mar-

kahawai and paddled back in to Martin’s

tin’s) and we launched our kayaks just

Bay as the sun was setting. Another

on sunrise.

fantastic day on the water. Jai’s GPS said we had done just over 33km.

We paddled over to Kawau, trolling lures all the way, and stopped

We probably spent about half the

for a few casts when we got there.

time fishing and half paddling, at a

We caught and released a few small

rough guess. Needless to say, we are

snapper, kahawai and a rat kingfish

looking forward to our next mission,

before we carried on our merry way

and a GPS is at the top of our wish

around the island, fishing here and

list – the map Ails traced from the

there, catching a few more snapper

Spot X book was handy, but just not

and kahawai and releasing them all.

the same!

www.nzfisher.co.nz 21

FISHINGvideo

Fishing Video of the Month Check out Brady Rowe and Kyle Thomas’ dual swordfish action aboard their trailer boat, Bluefix.

And for the skinny-stick jiggers out there watch Reece Claxton get railed by a 30kg King of the ever productive Kapiti Coast last month. Reece is a star on you-tube with nearly 20 jigging vids but this one is probably the best of the lot.

Here’s a brief from Reece on this video:

This fish was caught mechanical jigging at Kapiti Island using a Synit deepshot100 and a 200 grm (Blue runner) Bite jig. Reel is a Accurate500xn and braid is 24kg Suffix performance. This has been a goal of mine to catch a 30kg king on this little red rod and I am very pleased. Now it’s time for a 40kg beast from local waters.

Please note these videos contain offensive language and viewer discretion is advised.

22 www.nzfisher.co.nz

Kayak Fishing Range Because one kayak won’t suit everyone

PROWLER ULTRA 4.7 Image courtesy of Rob Fort – Coromandel Kayak Adventures

Some fishing kayaks may excel in one or two areas, the Prowler Ultra 4.7 excels across the board, with an inpressive range of features making it the benchmark when it comes to design and performance.

“This boat is the benchmark in kayak fishing design” Rob Fort - Coromandel Kayaks

K AYA K F I S H I N G R A N G E

Scrambler 11

Prowler Elite 4.1

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THEclubhouse

Feilding Surfcasting Club

By Brent Rolston, NZACA President & 2012 Nationals Chair

This is what’s available at Waitarere on the good days

24 www.nzfisher.co.nz www.nzfisher.co.nz

The Feilding surfcasting club are

south including all the Wellington

boundaries, but in greater numbers

hosting the New Zealand Angling

south coast and harbour and up

on the west coast, in the period from

and Casting Association (NZACA)

to Parangahau on the East coast.

February to May.

nationals in March 2012. Feilding

These large boundaries enable us

might be considered by some

to remove the weather factor from

As well as fishing monthly the Feilding

a strange place for a successful

preventing us fishing within our

surfcasting club have monthly

surfcasting club, but it has, over the

boundaries for field weekends. They

meetings at the St. Johns ambulance

past 13 years, been very successful -

will also be the boundaries used

rooms in Feilding, these meetings

winning many of the major trophies

when we host the NZACA nationals.

typically having a guest speaker

on offer at the NZACA nationals.

or using more experienced club Apart from the advantages of avoiding

members to give guidance to others.

The original idea for the Feilding

the weather, large boundaries and

surfcasting club came from a mix

diverse coastlines enable us to target

Anyone who would like to join the

of Pania surfcasting club members

many species. While red cod, many

Feilding surfcasting club or is planning

and motivated locals and since

shark species and a few kahawai and

on attending the NZACA nationals

its inception it has maintained a

gurnard dominate the winter fishing,

in 2012 and who would like more

membership of approximately 40

the summer fishing can be spectacular.

information should contact any of the

individuals and family groups.

Summer species include snapper up

following people.

to 14kgs, gurnard up to 1.5kgs, blue The early movers and shakers within

moki up to 7kgs, with the odd kingfish

President: Brian Snaith 06 3225567

the Feilding surfcasting committee

up to 18kgs as well as 4kg kahawai.

bryan@inspire.net.nz

realised that the club would require

Secretary: Dick Lash 027 242 2549

large boundaries because of being

As a club we, like so many north

lashpop@gmail.com

located in the Manawatu: Patea

islanders, rate snapper highly. They

Treasurer: Maria Moxham

river mouth on the west coast,

can be caught anywhere within our

027 557 9903 cmoxham@inspire.net.nz

www.nzfisher.co.nz 25

regionalREVIEWS

The Far North Source: Rick Pollock

www.Pursuit.co.nz

As you read this “PURSUIT” and her

spool job after nearly seven hours of

rigged skippies to entice these fine fish

crew are leaving the Far North having

hopeful toil. All this took a backseat to

– all in excellent condition between 120-

completed this year’s charter regime

what well known skipper John Gregory

160 kilos. However, and just to prove

slightly earlier than normal. We depart

did, single handed, onboard his equally

the opening statement, he followed

somewhat reluctantly since things are

famous “Primetime”. After landing a

that brilliant day up with a fishless one

quite buoyant currently on all fronts –

solo sword a couple weeks previous,

at exactly the same locale! Also some

arguably better than they have been

he followed that up with an incredible

great bottom fishing (three bass over

for many weeks – or make that months!

four in one night! He tagged three and

60kgs!) with kingis vastly improved as

was forced to keep the fourth –DOA

well. Many of the latter are over 20k’s

and just to sweeten the deal he also

with the odd one approaching 30.

caught several bluenose between 25-43

In the case of this bank, it just seems

kilos plus tagged a 100 kilo stripey in

to be getting better with time. More

his travels! What a trip! Just to finish

opportunity on more species (albeit on

off, many boats did exceptionally well

an intermittent basis) now at this late

Great Exhibition Bay

on the bluenose, averaging 10-20 kilos

stage – what a screwy season it’s been.

Also very good snapper with better

in size if you can get them through the

quality overall. A few nice fish in

killer whales.

Doubtless Bay Still brilliant snapper and kahawai fishing, even if the quality isn’t so good.

Again limit fishing for pannies coming in just hours, sometimes less.

double digits grace most catches

Middlesex Bank Same old, same old here. Water plenty

North Cape – “The Shelf”

good enough for stripies but none seen

Beautiful water with plenty of

by the very little traffic just lately. Plenty

temperature, especially on the bottom

of skippies and a few decent (to 20kgs)

end of the region. Also, not surprisingly,

albacore showing for trollers. Bottom

there’s still good numbers of skippies

fishing is pretty ho hum by this bank’s

(some over 5 kilos) and the odd stripey

standards. Still pretty decent on a

lurking about. Snapper have obliged

mixture of bass and puka (as many king

well inshore with many in double digits

terakihi as you would like) but few fish

Garden Patch

and a few over the bite with some

over 30k’s. Kingis, quality kingis, are

Here is the premier spot in the country

excellent sessions on both bait and jigs

abundant here – easily affording ones

for two premier species. Most boats

– definitely better and more consistent

best chance at a 30 kilo and even 40

here are seeing and coming into contact

than anything we’ve seen there over

kilo fish. Bronzies, and a few XOS mako,

with at least one striped marlin each

the past two months. Not only numbers

still are in abundance meaning you can’t

day, some many more. Seeing fish

(most 13-18kgs) but a few trophy fish

stay too long anywhere regardless of

feeding on saury and forming meatballs

over 30 are available now. Deepwater

how good (or bad) the fishing is!

has been quite common just lately. With

(140-200+ metres) has also been

the settled weather lately there’s been

productive – not amazing with few big

a pleasing upsurge in effort with some

fish but good steady fishing. A nice mix

reasonable success. While this has been

of bass and hapuka grace anglers hooks

a great bonus, it pales in comparison

here, often two at a time.

right throughout this expansive bay.

A few more kingfish also apparent after a fairly lean time of late. A few stripies have also been plucked from between Mount Camel to North Cape in 120-140 metres in rather cool (but obviously acceptable) water.

with what’s happening on the broadbill front. While there’s been a lot of effort (17 boats one night!?!?) there’s also been a good amount of success.

Highlighted was a 168k sword taken on 15k by Carl angers off the national and world records. This was followed up the next day with a spanking on 10 kilo tackle – same angler, same boat – a

26 www.nzfisher.co.nz

Summary Still great fishing opportunities as you’ve just read and, in many instances, better than anything over the past couple months. Yes, wish (weather

King Bank

permitting) the “PURSUIT” team had

Some nice fishing here with a real mix.

another few weeks to explore those

On the right day (not every day) there

opportunities. But alas duty calls and

is still some class striped marlin to be

we’ll be alternating our efforts between

had. “Reel Passion” enjoyed a great day

White Island and Ranfurly Bank over

with three stripies to his credit. These

the next six weeks. Expect another

late season fish have taken a real liking

Eastern Bay of Plenty report soon.

to bait with few rising to trolled lures.

Skipper Mark Hoare utilized live bridled

Rick

regionalREVIEWS

Coromandel Source: Carl Muir www.EpicAdventures.co.nz Epic Coromandel Kingfish Action!!

Hi All!

HAPUKA

We’re officially in to winter but with

More a by-catch for us,

the water temps we have, the bait

but with these tasty

that is around and the spell of weather

beasts turning up round

we’ve had lately who would know it!!!

the Aldies, Mercs and

SST charts are showing patches of

Cuvier for spawning it’s

water still pushing 19 degrees in

hard not to fish your

places, the bait reads on the sounder

livebaits a bit deeper

have been chocka, there have been

than usual.

dolphins and birds galore and the fishing - well it has been red hot!

This nice 21kg puka opposite was a nice

KINGFISH

reward for an Aussie

The last two weeks we’ve continued

angler who did just

to see some awesome action on the

that.

kingfish front, some nice kingfish have turned up in close round the bait

SNAPPER

schools on the coast and out wide

Plenty of eating size

they have been feasting up large. On

fish along with the

several occasions out wide we’ve had

kingis, and some

bait being pushed right to the surface

horse sized fish

presenting opportunities for stick baited

turning up in the

kings and kingfish slow trolled on the

shallows, now is

surface (pretty sure we missed a marlin

a great time for

bite this week doing just this as well...).

getting in close and casting some

All day bites on kings in the teens to

softbaits.

early 20kgs have been the norm. Livies are more consistent producers of the

SWORDS

kingfish but jigs still producing some

There have been a lot more boats

good fish for the guys and gals that

out there this year trying and

have gone hard on the jigging front.

Tairua clubs first ever broadbill was weighed a few weekends back for

There are some freight trains out there

club member and Pure Fishing rep

too, best to hold on tight and keep some

Jason Harris from the vicinity of the

steady footing, as one of our anglers

Aldermen Knoll on Innova.

found out getting pulled over the rail by a beast and losing $2500 worth of kit......

Some awesome captures have been

more on that in our full report here

taken out the back of Mayor as well.

SPOTS We’ve got plenty of openings over the next few weeks, if you are keen to get amongst the kingi action check our calendar here www. epicadventures.co.nz/availability.html All the best Epic Adventures Cheers Carl and Tobes

www.nzfisher.co.nz 27

regionalREVIEWS

Bay of Plenty New Caledonia Source: Mark Armishaw www.extremesportfishing.co.nz

Sadly (or luckily for Mark) he has been off in New Caledonia for the last couple of weeks. He hasn’t got any local reports, but check out his facebook page for plenty of pictures and here for a brief report.

Taranaki – West Coast Source: The Taranaki AMF Team www.amfboats.co.nz Weather in the Naki isn’t

along the coast in reasonably

For those who get the chance

flash to say the least. Wind,

shallow so when the wind does

to head out wide a few Puka

wind and more wind keeping

allow, those who venture out are

caught but fisho’s I have talked

the boats at home. I’ve had

generally doing well. The Gur-

to are a bit disappointed by

Narcosis is in Tauranga get-

nard are still there too, but it’s

the lack of them. This is an area

ting an electrical fault sorted

no good if you’re land locked!

of the fishery that needs some

(engine management) and that’s meant more time off the water.

close attention.

Spiky dog’s are here in numbers now, along with Couta and they

Good snapper are about right

28 www.nzfisher.co.nz

can really ruin your day sadly.

Duncan MacIver

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

They’ve arrived alright :(

snapper, often when not much else

land masses, let the tide run and

seems to be working.

bounce your dancing jig or softie

“The gulf is a wonderful fishing

along the bottom and a some

bonanza at this time of year.

The soft baits and soft plastics have

excellent snapper (many pannies

Over the past few weeks there

been coming on strong a bit later

are around double digit pounds)

has been exciting workup action

in the bite. The wider in the gulf

should be yours, with the odd

with whales, dolphins, gannets,

you go, the bigger the snapper

trevally thrown in for good and

kahawai, snapper, kingfish,

seem to be at the moment, many

tasty measure. The smaller and

‘couta…basically just tick ‘(d) all

excellent snapper in the 10 to 16lb

darker soft plastics seem to be

of the above’ and much more in

range are grazing over the open

working better than the larger

attendance too. When the Mother

areas – worth a random drift fish

varieties right now.

Nature’s dinner gong goes off the

as I call it, just stop, drop and roll

feeding frenzy is epic and worth

so to speak. Keep an eye on fishing

There are miles and miles of

the time and effort to find the pot

calendars for bite times.

Kahawai feeding just north and

o’ gold action.

east of Tiri Tiri, the further you The inner city channels have

go the less you get, but the more

However fishing success can readily

slowed, but can still produce

‘couta! For the rest of the late

be had without the tumult, simply

the goods, just not as easily as 2

afternoon and right on dark there

drifting along using the dancing

months ago.

should be some good fishing to be

jigs (as I call them) – the Prowler/

had, shorter bite times but hungry

Inchiku style jigs have and are

Also in closer drifting over reefs

fish needing to feed during the

working an absolute treat on the

and lumps in 10m out from most

winter chill.”

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Biscayne

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NEXTmonth

In the next issue of NZ Fisher…

• Part two of the Land Based Game Nationals report • Gurnard – The down low from the Carrot King • More Broadbill madness

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30 www.nzfisher.co.nz