ISSUE 2 October 20 2010
Monsters from the Deep - Hauling Hapuka// So, where do the Snapper go? //
What makes a good jigging rod? // 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
10
6
Sea Ox’s Sea Monster Trip Report
How to: Boat fishing for Hapuka
10
Reader Pics
24
Competition for fishing pics.
17
12
Staying in the Area - Know
when to Holdem’
Increase your chances
17
The World’s Best
Smoked Fish - Yours
Tips and tricks for Smoking Fish
20
The Scientist & The Fish
Tracking fish
22
Kayak Fishing
24
What makes a Jigging Rod, a Jigging Rod?
26
Regional Reviews
28
The Clubhouse
Tauranga Fishing Club
30
NZRFC Report
Pg 22
Pg 17
www.nzfisher.co.nz 3
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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 forward-thinking fisher people.
EDITOR / Derrick Paull
W
EDITOR
OW! In my wildest dreams
This month we focus on simple Hapuka
ART DIRECTOR / Jodi Olsson GROUP EDITOR / Trudi Caffell CONTENT ENQUIRIES / Phone Derrick on 021 629 327 or email
I could not have imagined
tips & techniques with one of the best at
derrickp@NZ Fisher.co.nz
the positive & encourag-
landing these deep sea beasties, our very
ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES /
ing response to NZFisher from our
own Sea Ox. Hapuka are one of the tastiest
new readers. The geographic breadth
fish in the sea and with the right gear can
& diversity of those who opened issue
provide a very challenging & exciting fight.
one has blown my mind. While we
Dr. Darren Parsons poses the question
Phone Alastair on 021 866 036 or email alastairn@espiremedia.com
had a wee delay on launch day, Issue
& offers a few answers as to where our
ADDRESS / NZ Fisher,
one came out and was opened, read &
snapper go over winter and smoker
C/- Espire Media, PO Box 137162,
forwarded on with gusto. I can tell you
extraordinaire Grant Bittle shares
Parnell,Auckland 1151, NZ
that issue one has, as of the 15th Octo-
his well researched & often practiced
WEBSITE / www.NZ Fisher.co.nz
ber, been opened & read now over 2o00
techniques for smoking fish!
times. WOW! Thanks NZ fishers – you
We have begun a brand new section
have paid us the greatest compliment.
called ‘The Clubhouse’ for issue two going
At this rate we’ll be the most read publi-
forward where we will profile many of
cation in NZ in no time ;)
New Zealand’s fishing clubs including
The launch was a great occasion, lots of
Angling & Casting, Sports fishing,
fishy personalities and names from the
underwater & un affiliated ones – there’s
fishing world. We couldn’t have done it
hundreds and we’re starting in Tauranga.
without the sponsors, so thanks again
We’ll always be asking for your fishing
to Fin nor, Swashbucklers, Mount Gay
photo’s and this month is the very first
Rum, Bait Station & Active Duty.
time we’re giving something back. We
It’s spring and the fishies are hungry – whatever your excuses have been over
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!
have some great prizes every month for the best pics – so email them now!
winter there are none left now – get out there and enjoy the spring bite, it won’t
Enjoy issue two and let us know what
last all year!
you think.
Happy Fishing!
Derrick www.nzfisher.co.nz 5
boatfishingHAPUKA howTO
Sea Ox’s Sea Monster Trip Report 6 www.nzfisher.co.nz
//
Pics and words by Graeme ‘Sea Ox’ Cox, cover photo by Jason Long
, Bass and Hapuka Fishing
the deep, but we’ve learned they are
We have been pretty fortunate to fish
very very wrong!
in some superb locations around New Zealand for Bass and Hapuka. Everyone that I have talked to about
What these guys did suggest, which I am glad we had actually listened to, was that we needed to ensure that we
fishing for Bass and Hapuka had
had plenty of spare terminal tackle. If we
mentioned that from their experience it
were fortunate enough to locate some
was like trying to lift a sack of spuds from
big fish they would more than likely be very uncooperative in leaving their lair which had the effect of decimating our supply of terminal tackle. Before we get too far into how to fight these mighty fish, we need to review the tackle that we had available to allow for a successful result. One memorable trip recently saw us plumbing the depths east of the Princess Group of Islands, on the Middlesex Banks for the delicious table fish, Bass and Hapuka! Our skipper, Rick Pollock, had located some good sign on a group of pinnacles but prior to our drop we would have to complete a dummy drift that gave us indication of how the boat was going to behave with the ferocious currents that boiled up around these amazing fish habitats. We were trying to land our baits on top of a small pinnacle that we had noted was holding some serious sign. The pinnacle that we were trying to land on was approximately 200 meters below the surface less than ¼ the size of
to The Tackle we utseedr Bass land these mons
a football field from a canyon that sunk away to over 700 meters. We had some luck with a couple of small pups and then we started into the gear annihilation size Bass. www.nzfisher.co.nz 7
” See I can bring these Bass in 2 @ a time” Jason Long with double bass
Our deckie then set up my baits with
that with 72oz of lead connected to my
½ my spool gone and we had only been
a full Skippy on one of the 15/0 hooks
rig you could have been forgiven for
fighting this fish for 10 minutes. The call
and 5 Lolligo squid on the other 15/0
thinking you were trying to anchor the
was made for me to put some hurt into
hook, which we had connected onto my
Queen Mary.
this fish before I was spooled so I started
Penn International to hopefully provide
With so much lead connected to
some lift to move these hopefully 40kg
my rig we managed to land bang on
plus Bass back towards the surface.
the target approximately 200 meters
Back to how we set up my rig. I noticed
below the surface, with the expected
battle continued, another 10 minutes
that a couple of the guys had basically
result. At first I thought that I had
passed with a little line being gained
been spooled and all they were doing
been connected to the pinnacle but
and then lost straight away. We
was trying to hit the top of the pinnacle,
all of a sudden the fish took off like it
decided to inch the drag up a notch
but they had totally missed, and were
was a freshly hooked Kingfish and the
or two and this finally had the desired
heading into the depths down the side
fight was on! It was then I recalled the
effect and I managed to gain a little
of the drop off.
comments that my mates had made,
line (at 20+ lbs drag, who could blame
but this was no sack of spuds, this was
him for giving up a little!)
We had spotted this and added
to dig deep and put some pressure . Well that was the theory anyway! The fish had other ideas and the
another 36oz Puka bomb onto my rig
a street fighter that was determined to
to try and hit the top of this pinnacle
stay in his cave & hard on the bottom.
off the bottom the fight was looking
by getting the gear down faster, where
I had become locked in a tug of war
more positive. With the fish some way
the fish were still showing ready for the
battle with what we were guessing was
from the bottom the swim bladder
next drift. We got the call and my rig
a reasonable Bass or Hapuka.
had started to expand which had the
plummeted to the bottom. I must admit 8 www.nzfisher.co.nz
I was losing line at a fast rate, with nearly
Once we had managed to lift this fish
effect of taking the fight away from this
” My Best Bass to date at 63 kgs”
” My Best Hapuka so far at 45 kgs” locomotive from the deep. With the fishes bladder still expanding all that was left for me to achieve was to wind in my line as my fish made its own way to the surface. When it surfaced we were blown away by it’s incredible size. After some struggles at the transom door we finally managed to get him on board and with a stuggle, onto the scales. My new personal best weighed in at 61 kgs and was identified as a very big Bass. We used the Black Magic Gimbal & Harness system, a Penn International 70VSW 2 speed reel spooled with around 900 meters of high Vis mono, bolted onto a Penn 37kg Formula Rod.
72oz of lead. So if you want to try some Bass and
of these beautiful table fish you might be best to head out on a charter trip or two
The terminal tackle was 300LB tough
Hapuka Fishing get yourself some charts
to learn the techniques, locations and
trace dropper rigs which were tied en-
and look for reef structures in areas
best bits about setting up the rigs. But
route to the fishing spot, with 2 x 15/0
of depths of at least 100 meters. To
either way, you won’t catch them sitting
Circle hooks that were connected to
enhance your chances of landing a few
at home on the couch! www.nzfisher.co.nz 9
competition
Captain Snappy // Reader’s Pics
Send us y
our pics o f your win ter missio from the ns be it shore or th e boat. Big come by fi sh a re hard to in winter, but shots of you ou doing it a t there re ok too. Get on th e water a photo – y nd take a ou’ll be I for the gre at prize b elow!
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Forsyth’s GT wins this month – nice Fish mate – bet that pulled some string!
www.nzfisher.co.nz 11
gameFISHING howTO
Staying in the Area - Know when to Holdem’ // Increasing your chances By Kurt Bennetto
he key to consistently catching marlin and converting an OK season to an outstanding season is to get the bites. To do this you need find the fish and stay in the zone. Now staying in the zone may sound easy, however a lot a fisherman find this extremely hard to do as it can get quite boring. When I say “staying in the zone” I mean staying within a couple of square miles of where you have had or herd there has been some action. It’s amazing how many guys get strikes on the way out in 80 to 90 meters of water, loose the fish, reset the gear and carry on heading out to their set detestation which is normally some sort of GPS mark, only to find that the bite they encountered in the morning would be all the action for the day. This defines driving against fishing. Think about it, why would you leave the area? And the answer is because most people think they are to shallow and believe that you have to go miles off sure to catch marlin. However the key is to determine if that early bite was a random lucky fish or is there more to come? Whatever it may be you need to be able t read the signs. 12 www.nzfisher.co.nz
Find the fish
been active for hours and are more often
circles and if they are on to something
Bait fish, Birds and sighting marlin are
than not dolphins feeding, however in
they will return to the same spot and
the key aspects to determine whether
saying this, it is still worth a look.
then start feeding or putting their head
or not the marlin are there in numbers;
There have been many of times when
in fact I would go so far to say that the
I have seen gannets and Mutton ducks
birds are best indicator. In New Zealand
sitting on the surface in 90 meters of water
there are two types of birds to look for
as we troll past them in the morning.
Some areas where Marlin are present
when game fishing, these are Gannets
This is a classic sign that something has
may not necessarily mean there are birds
and Mutton ducks (Sooty Shearwater).
happened in this area previously and
around. This is where looking at water
more often than not will happen again.
temperature, structure and finding bait
that there is some action happening
These birds are extremely cunning and will
fish on the sounder comes into play.
and the easiest to spot. Because marlin
patiently wait for there next feed which is
generally feed in such short bursts the
in tandem with the marlin.
Diving Gannets are a dead giveaway
in the water for a look. They also stay right in the heart of the action. But don’t just get caught up on birds.
When marlin are feeding on sauri you sometimes don’t see birds as the feeding
best work ups are the smaller ones from
Sometimes Gannets however are not
2 to 15 Gannets and a few mutton ducks
present which makes things somewhat
mark sauri on your sounder. This is where
wheeling around the work up. Small work
tricky but the next sign to look for are
some dedicated eyes and generally a
ups occur because the other birds don’t
the Mutton ducks. These birds are the
good pair of polarized sun glasses come
have time to get in the zone as the result
biggest bludging and scavenging things
in to play. Any sign from a splash to a
of the marlin feeding in such short bursts.
around and are never to far from the
mutton ducks sitting on the water is
Generally the big works ups you see have
action. Mutton ducks generally swoop in
worth a drive by.
bursts are so fast. It is also very hard to
The bite time Of course there are some days when the marlin just don’t bite, even if you are in the zone. and if they do it is generally for a vary shot period of time. This is called the Bite time! It is for this reason that finding the fish and staying put will pay off. I have experienced this time and time again. When we have had reports or experienced good fishing the previous day in one particular area and have made a mental note of what time in the day the action hotted up. A good thing to consider when you get a hot bite is the tide. I have found it is generally (not always) high or low tide and the bite the following day is generally half an hour later which is in tandem with the tide. I experienced something extraordinary one day when I was fishing the nine
” A nice stripy taken
after a ferocious bite on a live Mackerel”
pin trench off the Bay Of Islands. The previous day had a great 12.30 high tide bite. As our day wore on we noticed the bait fish appear on the sounder, the funny thing was that we had been in the same spot all day and they had only just www.nzfisher.co.nz 13
There are many different things that come in account
such as gear, equipment and methods that can really increase your catch rate, but the above points are key aspects. After all, you could have the flashest boat and gear in the world but it wouldn’t be much good to you if you were fishing for marlin in Antarctica would it? Being in the right area is paramount. shown up? And in schools?
another boat drive past and hook up in
in the world but it wouldn’t be much good
front of me which is extremely frustrating!
to you if you were fishing for marlin in
tide the bait schools we climbing their
However on the positive side it reassured
Antarctica would it? Being in the right area
way up the water column. As high tide
me that I was in the right spot.
is paramount.
As the clock ticked closer towards high
approached the bait was only 5 to 10
Of course there are many different
meters below the surface and all of a
things that come in account such as
CAPT. SNAPPY’S FISHING VID OF
sudden the rigger went of with a bang
gear, equipment and methods that can
THE MONTH – Watch here as Grant
and we were hooked up!
really increase your catch rate, but the
‘Espresso’ Bittle plans to catch a Marlin
above points are key aspects. After all,
single handed, hooks up and....well,
you could have the flashest boat and gear
watch the video!
A lot of people put this down to coincidence but I have experienced this many of times. It is all about staying active and looking for the signs. At the end of the day three key aspects of increasing your chances are… •
Finding the Marlin / Bait
•
Staying with the Marlin / Bait
•
Being patient and anticipating the bite
This may not work the first time you try it and it doesn’t work every time, but in the long run it will pay dividends. I have even been in the same spot all day to have
” Kurt with the result of following a bait school for hours. Persistance pays off”
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 15
Every issue, all NZ Fisher subscribers* go in the draw to get hooked up with some fantastic prizes courtesy of generous NZ Fisher supporters. To find out if you’ve won simply check this section in each issue to see if your name has been drawn and then get in touch with our Editor before the deadline to claim your prize. Sweet as!!! *Sorry—only NZ residents eligible for prize draw.
Congratulations to our Hooked Up prize winners for Issue #2! If you’re one of the lucky NZ Fisher subscribers listed below, simply fire an email to our editor derrickp@nzfisher.co.nz before 5pm Friday 29 October 2010 to claim your prize!
Aimee Rensford of Auckland You’ve won an Active Duty sun and bug skin defence pack from Skinshield NZ including sunscreen, repellent, lip balm and Permethrin clothing treatment kit! For more on the Active Duty skin defence range see www.skinshield.co.nz
Geoff Marmont of Auckland You’ve won a fantastic goodie bag courtesy of the team at down at The Bait Station and including a selection of jigs, poppers and slow jigs - don’t blame us if the fishing’s no good! Check out some of the merchandise at www.baitstation.co.nz
Matt Mitchell of Whangaparaoa You have won a 700ml bottle of premium Mt Gay Eclipse Rum courtesy of Hancocks Wines & Spirits. Produced on the same plantation in Barbados for over 300 years, it’s a top drop! For a list of fantastic Mt Gay Rum cocktail recipes visit www.hancocks.co.nz
The small print… Yes it seems like they won’t let you do without it, even when you’re giving stuff away. Anyway, please note that to be able to win stuff in the Hooked Up section you need to have been a confirmed email subscriber to NZ Fisher e-Magazine as at a date no less than two working days prior to issue date (‘cos that’s when our prize winners are drawn) and be a resident of New Zealand at the time of the draw. To be eligible to claim any prizes including, but not limited to, alcoholic beverages, travel, motor vehicle/boat usage, tattoos, sharp things or any other prize that might require you to be over than 18 years old, you must have been over 18 years of age at the time of the draw! Cheers. 16 www.nzfisher.co.nz
recipe
Primal Urge
Smoked Kahawai
There’s something basic and naturally fundamental in us all when it comes to hanging out ‘round a campfire with friends and family, experiencing real NZ life, or easily solving the world’s woes over a BBQ and a beer. You know the times when it all just comes together of its own accord and a great night follows, memories are made with plenty of laughter and good times. Great tasting food is often pivotal, an integral part of this time honored ritual and more often than not food prepared with that special outdoorsy, natural smoky taste makes your taste buds soar – yes such prime food like fresh fish can only truly be appreciated when ‘traditionally’ smoked. Sometimes however pot plants get fed smoked fish – with the failures as you surreptitiously hide a dubious tasting piece of fish flesh thrust at you from an enthusiastic neighbor. “Mmmm” you murmur while the sympathetic nervous system does its best to stifle your gagreflex. Usually the fish tastes excessively
Marinated
of meths, is undercooked, or tough
Kahawai
‘n tasteless, dry and overcooked with bones, sawdust, overly fishy, too salty too, too….yuk. So what’s the difference between the good the bad and the ugly of smoked fish? How do you separate disappointment from the delectable delight of tasty smoked fish easily? Well like my old man used to say about most worthwhile things in life, it’s all in the preparation. I’ve now added ‘the simpler the better’. Tortoise and Hare Information and recipes abound on the
internet about smoking fish, a simple
why not hot smoked delicious fish on
search provides more options than you
the spot, outstanding with an ice cold
can poke a mouse at. So here’s a quick
drink, true rewards reflecting upon the
cast on fish smoking.
hunters prowess. The stories flow and
A nice quickie, the infamous hot smoke
grow along with the enjoyment of freshly
– the cheap ‘n cheerful fast and on the
smoked bounty on the spot is like no
spot small stainless smoker. Great for
other. Yes they can work fine (placed on
when you’ve proclaimed hunting rights
top of a BBQ eliminates the meths), but
on your arrival back at home base, back
when you’re ready for the next level,
from fishing the seas, an impromptu
enter my mate Bradley.
party quickly grows among family and
Einstein’s (that’s Grant Einstein of
friends right on dinner time at home
Whangaparaoa, not Albert with the
at the batch or a campground, hey
electric hair) theories comes into their www.nzfisher.co.nz 17
own i.e. taste is a function of time with truly gourmet smoked fish. The taste rewards rocket skyward geometrically at light speed as soon as you enter this realm. I finally chose a Bradley smoker because it does it all perfectly easily, it can cold smoke or hot smoke (for a quickie), it has innumerable flavours to choose from with woods such as Alder, Cheery, Mesquite and Maple all imparting their own unique and delicious flavours. Bradley has the world’s easiest curing process (just sprinkle some powder on), and best of all I can have food traditionally cold smoking for many many hours to absolute perfection…for example while I’m out fishing or waiting for the big game that night. Slow and steady wins this race. When I’m back the world’s best smoke fish (yours) is ready to be unveiled and devoured, probably again at light speed! The depth of flavor, the intensity of taste and combinations is amazing and like most things, once you’ve had the best - that becomes your standard, you can’t go back. Push a couple of buttons to set how long you want to smoke the fish for, the wood bisquettes are automatically smoldered (no flame at all) at just the right temperature for just the right amount of time…instantly turning you into a world class gourmet chef at literally the push of a button. Another great thing I like is minimal smoke i.e. no need to be spotted by Google Earth with billowing clouds of smoke all day permeating the washing freshly hung on the line to the ire of you know who. Wisps of divine wood smells gently swirl providing mouth watering wafts now and then barely noticeable a few metres away. First KISS Success at smoking fish is so simple but unfortunately often not achieved, here’s how: Kill the fish. From the moment of capture the flavor begins, if the fish (like Kahawai for instance needs bleeding do Snapper Vacpacked
so) but kill (Iki) the fish quickly on capture. Ice the fish immediately, into salt water
18 www.nzfisher.co.nz
Marlin
ice slurry if possible. Right the first two
you add it. Personally I like the Demerara
for 4 hours, raise temp and smoke/cook
steps are done!
or Maple cure, with a rub of dark
for another 2 hours. ENJOY!
Fillet how you wish. I take the two main
Muscavado sugar onto the flesh either
fillets of the side of the fish leaving the skin
while curing or just after the cold smoke
Last Baits
on and removing the central blood line with
stage as you turn up the heat.
It’s all about flavor is right, with minimal
the bones, put the fillet into a zip loc bag and either back on ice or into the fridge. Sprinkle some Bradley cure onto the meat
Smoke the fish. Superb visual and taste
basic preparation, food flavor is
results are close now as you extend
enhanced 10 fold along with the ensuing
the index finger and push the button,
enjoyment. I love giving premium
adding any other personal concoctions
automatically the smoker starts at 4
smoked fish to friends and keeping some
you feel like or have in the pantry at the
hours…perfect. Once this period of cold
vac-packed in the fridge for weeks, or
time and leave to marinade in zip locs
smoking and slight surface drying of
freezer (for months happily). From the
for a couple ‘o days, while you bask in
the fish occurs, smoke for another hour
freezer with some potatoes and leftovers
the pending glory of divine food! Very
or three with a very gradual increase in
makes outstanding Smoked fish patties/
importantly let the fish flesh drain, all I do is
temp (a button to push). Then here’s an
pie, Smoked fish pate’ (capers and
angle the zip locs a little on the fridge shelf,
inside secret - right at the end of the
coriander goes extremely well), and if
and every now and then let the juice out.
smoke, turn the temp up over a 100c
you serve crispy bacon on smoked fish,
for just a bit – the resulting glaze on the
over a salad, all drizzled in Balsamic,
fish as these are the ones to smoke…what
fish is both supremely tasty and visually
well what can I say?! Try some you’ll be
a load of burley, Mackerel are delightful
tempting. Set this up - then head out
amazed at your flavor expertise.
smoked, and pannie sized Snapper are
fishing for the day.
Most people wait until they catch big
just the best. All fish can be smoked and enjoyed, it’s not just big boy’s toys.
Vacuum packing once smoked
WARNING
enhances presentation and storage
Smoking fish is just the beginning, there
life, but zip locs can work well enough.
will be others, like chicken, duck, ham,
so you don’t have to use the Bradley
Caught heaps of fish at one time? Either
smoked garlic mussels & scallops in the
cure, but I find the simplicity, the flavor,
smoke and freeze or freeze fresh (skin on
shell, smoky pork spareribs, lamb, beef
lack of mess and keeping ability of the
etc) then defrost, marinade and smoke
jerky…the food world will become your
fish greatly enhanced, and you can still
as desired within next couple of months.
oyster and you’ll be volunteering to
A standard marinade is salt and sugar
add other flavours…fish rubs, various
In summary it’s as easy as - catch some
honeys, coriander (best freshly cut on
fish (the hardest part), sprinkle Bradley
top as you serve), hot ‘n spicy chillis or
cure on, marinade for a couple ‘o days,
sauces, cracked peppers, you name it,
then hand over to Bradley to cold smoke
make the main. Right, I’m off to make Marlin Salami!
www.nzfisher.co.nz 19
scienceFEATURE
The Scientist & the Fish //
Kelpys or Schoolies: How far did that Snapper go
By Darren Parsons, Fisheries Scientist, NIWA ishermen have known for many
at different locations.
years that snapper are capable of undertaking long- distance
infer movements. Tagging in these studies was predominantly conducted
Tagging Snapper –Two Types of Study
in deeper water. More recently,
movements or being resident to small
The best way of monitoring a
technology such as acoustic tags has
areas. This is not surprising as know-
fish’s movements, however, is by
allowed more detailed information
ing when ‘the schooling snapper are
directly monitoring the movements
to be obtained from tagging.
in’ or whether there are any ‘kelpys’
of individual fish through tagging.
Acoustic tags do not rely on fish
mooching about during winter is
Previous tagging studies conducted
being recaptured and can provide
important information for any fisher-
on New Zealand snapper (dating
thousands of accurate positions for
men. Much of a fisher’s knowledge
back to the 1960s) fell into two main
individual fish. They are expensive,
of snapper movements likely comes
categories. Early snapper tagging
however, so fewer fish can be tagged
through observing changes in catch
studies marked thousands of snapper
and the receivers used only allow fish
rates at different times of the year and
and awaited their recapture to
to be tracked over a few kilometres
20 www.nzfisher.co.nz
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Fishermen have known for many years that snapper are capable of undertaking long- distance movements or being resident to small areas. at the most. The application of these
individuals spending the vast majority
vessels. Snapper were released
high-resolution tagging studies on
of time within only a few hundred
throughout the inner Hauraki Gulf, and
snapper has been largely restricted
metres of where they were tagged.
along areas of rocky reef off Kawau
to areas of shallow rocky reef.
Island and near the town of Leigh.
The two different types of studies
NIWA Tagging Study Bridges Gap
have, not surprisingly, produced
To serve as a bridge between these
fishers provided information to NIWA
different results. The snapper tagged
two types of tagging study, NIWA
on recaptured snapper. In return
in deeper water were generally
conducted a study that used external
these fishers were put into a prize
recaptured within 20 km of their
dart tags, but released snapper in
draw for the rods and reels that we
release point, although some snapper
both shallow reefy areas and deeper
gave away each month. We have
moved up to 400 km. Conversely,
water. Over the summer of 2006–07
received information on more than
snapper tagged in shallow reefy areas
just under 10 000 snapper were tagged
900 tagged snapper to date, which is
were far more residential, with most
and released from chartered longline
a fantastic response.
Both recreational and commercial
www.nzfisher.co.nz 21
kayakFISHING
// Hooking ‘em’s easy – then what?
ne of the most common ques-
started! With Tas getting towed faster
supply – not recommended if you’re
tions that I get asked by custom-
than I could paddle to keep up with
releasing them though!)
ers in my kayak store is `how do
him we were already on the wrong foot.
you handle a large fish with a kayak`?
So now he had his fish, what to do
He landed that fish after a rather long
with it? In a small 2.7mt sit in kayak the
careful fight on 6kg line with the jig that
only choice was to stuff it between his
playing around in McLeod’s Bay catching
the kahawai had eaten in the corner of
legs and start a long paddle back to
kahawai and small snappers we didn’t
the kingfish’s mouth holding by a tiny
McLeod’s from the Snake Bank where
think about what would happen if we
piece of skin. That very reasonable
we had ended up – against the current –
hooked up to something large.
Kingfish had towed him approx 4 km
surprise surprise.
About 14 yrs ago when we first started
That was until the day that Tasman (Tas) O`Dey and I were working the
from where we started!
We were both hooked on the potential
With no gaff, the only way to secure
possibilities of targeting larger fish from
kahawai schools fishing in two small sit
his fish was to grab the fish in the gills
kayaks.After that day we knew that a sit
in perception minnows and Tas hooked
and hang on tight! (this is still our
in kayak would not do at all, so time to
a kahawai only to have it eaten by a
method for kingfish as there is no blood
look at other options.
15kg kingfish!!
and by getting a good hold on their
That was when the learning really 22 www.nzfisher.co.nz
gills you cut off their oxygen and blood
At the time about the only suitable kayaks for fishing were the Perception
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
For more information and to find your local dealer visit:
Prowler Elite 4.5
Prowler Ultra 4.7
www.oceankayak.co.nz
Torque
Designed in NZ, made in NZ & exported around the world
Swing and the Tempo by Viking. I decided
water and I was hooked up to the first of
soaking me in the process. When he had
on the Swing for my first fishing kayak.
hundreds of kingfish from a kayak.
calmed down I was able to slide him behind
Setting up rod holders and a sounder
When I fished this area from the tinny
me into the pod area and secure him.
were the first things to do then it was time
the motor was started as soon as possible
to try and get a kingfish for myself. Back
upon hook up and to work the fish out on
another go and once again dropped the
then we didn’t worry about wearing our
to the sand away from the many rocks.
jig over the side. This time it made it to the
PFDs but always had them handy, much
With no motor on the yak I decided that
bottom and I started to wind it to the surface
the same as in the boat (so if the kayak
the go-hard approach as opposed to
as fast as the Abu would go. BANG! Hook
police complain about photos this was
softly to clear of reef was the way to go.
up and away I go onto another good fish.
before any standards had been set ).
The joyride that followed taught me
He was a little smaller than the last but he
how to turn a kayak by using the rod as
put up just as good as fight for 15 minutes.
new kayak I drove over the hill to a bay
a towing point, keeping the line close
Utterly stuffed, I headed back for the beach
close to where I had caught kingfish from
to the bow to maintain a good centre of
and a cold beer. The fish weighed 13kg and
the boat before. My Trusty Abu 7000 was
gravity and balance. When the kayak was
15kg not bad for a maiden fishing trip in my
loaded with a 10kg line and paired with
on top of the fish the rest was fairly easy.
kayak and all in an hour.
my favourite CD Albagraph 6 and a 120g
If the Kingfish went right I moved the rod
Spaniard Raider jig. Simple and effective
tip of the left. The bow comes around
majority now released to fight another
from the boat; why not from the yak?
and follows the fish.
day) on the kayaks we have found many
This was my maiden fishing trip with the
I had a short paddle to the rip which
The kingfish first went with the tide then
On down – how many more to go? I had
Now after hundreds of kingfish (the
tricks to help in a successful capture not
marked my target. The sounder showed
made a 180turn and swam against a 4-6
only with jigs but live baiting methods
a school of something mid water. I
knot current still towing me. The look on
as well. The next article I will write about
stopped paddling and got my rod ready.
some boaty’s faces when I flew past them
these and how by keeping things simple
I still remember my hands shaking as I
with my rod bent over still makes me laugh!
you can catch large fish, safely.
dropped that first jig over the side and
The fish slowly came to the surface right
let it sink the 15 meters to the bottom.
beside me. I managed to grab him by
It never made it. The jig was hit mid
the gills and hang on as he went ballistic
Paul Head is the Kayak & Watersports consultant at Payless Plastics, Whangarei – Ed. www.nzfisher.co.nz 23
tackleTALK
” Scotty Gordon putting
a Smiths rod through it’s paces (Kids, don’t do this at home!)”
// Strength in science By Derrick Paull
here has been a massive increase
brands still largely dominate the market.
the handle taken on each lift. It flutters
in the number of people jigging
Jigging Master, a Japanese sourced brand
the jig up and slightly down on each
for Kingfish & snapper in recent
was promoted & developed well by Chris
lift, enticing a bite. Mechanical jigging
years, mostly thanks to the great tech-
Wong, the new father of New Zealand
requires a rod with a flexible tip section
nology bought down from Japan.
Jigging. Chris’ passion & drive introduced
to fold away and ‘flick’ the jig on the up
what is now a major fishing industry within
stroke but maintain enough grunt down
have been known of for over 100 years
tackle sales. You couldn’t help but notice
low to stop the fish once hooked. These
but the modern techniques of speed
the number of new & different brands at
rods are generally 4’6 to 6 foot in length
and mechanical jigging have allowed
this years Auckland Boatshow.
with the majority at the shorter end.
Jigging is not new, forms of jigging
for a greater range of game species to
So now there’s such a full market how
Jigging rods are rated in a different way
be targeted. New Zealand is relatively
does one decide what they need and
to conventional blanks; they’re usually
late in adopting these techniques, but
decipher all the new jigging lingo that
given a PE or ‘Gram’ rating. The PE rating
our abundant Kingfish & snapper stocks
goes with this new technology?
roughly equates to ten times the number
means we have adapted very quickly. For the first few years only a couple of ‘jigging’ brands were available and these 24 www.nzfisher.co.nz
The technique most suited to NZ
– in pounds. i.e. a PE5 is effectively a 50lb
conditions is ‘mechanical’ jigging. This
rod – and is a guide of the line weight to
is where the rod is lifted and one turn of
fish over it. The ‘Gram’ weighting roughly
relates to optimum jig weights to get the best results from the blank. This helps the angler choose the blank with the right flex for the jig weight they’ll be using. Gram ratings are a standard gram weight, usually 150, 250, 350, 500, 600gm etc. Choosing the rod can be a bit
”Hayley Bonicci being railed by a monster King on the JM 350”
problematic. For example if most of your fishing is Hauraki Gulf based you’ll be fishing in less than 80m of water and fighting fish up to 20kg (generally the max). For this a PE 3-5 150 or 250 gram rod will do the trick. However if you’re off to the Three Kings of Ranfurly Banks any time soon you’ll be looking for a PE 5 – 8 capable of dropping 500gram jigs all day. This means most of us will have at least two rods in our arsenal. Weight of the rod & corresponding reels are very important. The heavier
unique composition of braided lines the
The experts, of whom there is an
the gear the sooner you’ll be too tired
type of guide required is quite specific.
ever increasing number, recommend
to jig it and some days the weight of
Traditional ceramic guides run the risk of
their favourites and these are generally
anglers gear finishes more anglers than
cracking or forming ruts as braid is pulled
Jigging Master, Xzoga, Smiths & Jig Star,
the fish they’re fighting.
over them at speed. The best guides are
but there are plenty more out there.
Some of the best rods for the job are
either Silicone Carbide or Alconyte. Both
Okuma, Shimano, Daiwa, Pflueger, Tica,
a little heavier due to the increased
are incredible strong, smooth and hard
Kilwell, Van Stal, Fin Nor and others are
number of carbon fibre wraps used
– therefore they’re less likely to crack or
also making names for themselves as the
in their production. But the biggest
chip under pressure & cutting your braid.
technology and designs filter through
burden on jigging rods is the ‘bling’
Most dedicated jigging rod
the brands, so don’t be afraid to try
that’s added by rod builders and
manufacturers now specify silicon
these well established brands too, they
preferred by some fishers for purely
carbide & alconyte as standard, but it’s
are often very cost effective.
cosmetic reasons. The average rod
best to check. The best way to decide
Whatever the outcome, the rod can
weights are between 300 & 350grams.
on the right rod for you is to have a go
only do so much. You must find the fish,
Any more and you’ll be getting tired
with a few different models – borrowed
drop your jig & get some action going
arms without even hooking up.
from friends, on charter trips or possibly
that will entice the bite. We’ll look into
on loan from retailers (depending on
these aspects in future issues.
Because of the very high pressure applied in this form of fishing and the
how good the terms you’re on!)
Tight lines!
www.nzfisher.co.nz 25
regionalREVIEWS
Inner Hauraki Gulf Source: Grant ‘Espresso’ Bittle
he Hauraki Gulf’s many more
Rangitoto and south eastern Waiheke
enjoyable personalities are
they are a-swimmin’ in.
coming to the fore right now,
At the moment the males are producing
yes, today and every day no more
their milt and could spawn at any time,
waiting or promises. The lethargic
which also means their appetite has
and wintry Snapper bite has changed
been turned on. Large bait schools litter
and changed for the good. Spring has
the Gulf and the Snapper and Kingfish
sprung and is in full effect out there
are never far away, either lurking and
now. Within the past few weeks the
foraging along, lying in wait to join in a
water temperature has risen and the
mass assault with Dolphins, Gannets and
Snapper have developed a taste for
Whales or taking pot shots at any bait
true spring activities.
looking anything other than 100% fit. The
Male Snapper – note the 5 o’clock shadow on the lower jaw caught on the Catch Glowing Gecko are already ready
females are taking their sweet time, and are simply not ready, yet. The workups are hard, fast, and
‘n waiting for the females to present
mind blowing experiences - it’s been
themselves all primed up. From out
paying dividends to stay with the more
wide in the gates (Colville, Jellicoe and
intense action, even if this means one
Craddock channels) right through the
or two fish per small workup before
Tiri channel, in the northern areas of
moving off to the next melee. When the
Coromandel / BOP Source: Epic Adventures
The fishing over the last month has
workups aren’t a happening thing, and nature takes a smoko break, it’s also a wonderful time to drop down something you’re confident fishing with and enticing the bigger fish into a predatory strike i.e. not much to do with actual feeding mode. In this situation I prefer to use the slow retrieval approach as this often results in the bigger fish hooking up after hounding the SP many metres up the water column, when the more jerking motion simply doesn’t result in enough attention. The time has come, the time is now. Happy productive fishing!
Raglan Source: Sheryl Hart
and Aldermen Pins and it was some of
been off the chart, with some of the
the best fishing we’ve experienced.
eaps of good Snapper at
best kingfish action we’ve ever seen.
Check out the full report here
the 60 + m mark. Best rig
Surface bust ups and kings holding
www.epicadventures.co.nz/
the old favourite ledger.
very high in the water column have
milf_epic_new_zealand_kingfish_
As for Bait, anything that can stay
made for some exciting fishing with
trip_2010.html
on! They’re very hungry! Anchor up
kings smashing jigs metres from the
The outlook for the next month,
and just wait – they will come.
boat, and the chance to sight cast to
well the kings will only get higher
Watch the conditions, heaps of
surface feeding fish with poppers and
up with more kingfish tagging
boats being towed home to get the
stickbaits. The spring snapper have
along behind hooked fish making
maintenance that should have been
also been on the chew, often feeding
popper and stickbait fishing in the
done before not after. Lots of sand
on the same bait schools as the
deep even more of an option, not
gone off the beaches and the Raglan
kings, making for a touch dilemma of
to mention the chance to cast a fly
Bar has shallowed up quite significantly
what to target at times.
back to them. We’ve had sunfish
must be avoided at least 2 hours either
finished a trip where 12 anglers spent
amongst the kingi schools to so
side of low.
the week rotating between our boats
all the signs are there for an early
fishing the Mercury Bay, Merc Pins
game season!
26 www.nzfisher.co.nz
We’ve just
Outer Gulf he warmth of spring
Taranaki
has bought massive
s the weather has improved (in patches)
schools of bait fish
and the water temp warmed we have seen a vast improvement in quality and
like pilchards, anchovies and squid into the gulf. These
quantity of snapper being caught. Bait is still
tasty morsels are hunted by
outfishing soft plastics and jigs down here, but
Kahawai, mackerel, kingfish and snapper as these
live baits have been particularly successful on big
species wake up from the slow cold of winter. What this has
fish. That said, a birdie told me of a local kayaker
meant for us is work-ups as far as the eye can see out to and
who’s warehouse special dropper rig tied to a
beyond the 45meter mark. Gannets have almost been a haz-
bait rod managed to haul in a more than respect-
ard, diving so constantly and so tightly packed chasing pods of
able 23lb snapper in about 23m of water not far
Dolphins – a sight to beholden. Snapper have been in very good
from town. Catches like this are not uncommon,
condition, hitting baits, softies and jigs like there’s no tomorrow
but it’s nice to hear that it’s not just million dollar
While most of them are in the 35-50cm bracket there is the odd
boats and fancy gear that hooks the big-uns! Time to service your gear folks, the snapper are
75+ cm fish coming through too. The best returns have been about 10miles north of Thumb Point (Waiheke) and the hot areas stretch
turning up and that means the game fish are just
north to Horn Rock, off Little Barrier. Our most successful rights
around the corner. Another month or two and we’ll
have been the Cyclops style 3 - 4oz heads and rubbery paddle tails
be talking about Albies and beakies too!
and geckos. Get out here folks – the snapper are going mad!
Nelson Marlborough / Underwater
Source: Mark Roden, Nelson Underwater Club he weather has been the
Fishing has been OK though, snapper
the last few years, most people would be
big factor all winter. Most
and kingfish around Stephens Island,
happy to see a one fish limit per person
weekend trips have been
reports that some guys have been going
per day for kingfish and grouper - no
cancelled, the only guys getting out
nuts and jigging 20 plus kingies in one
doubt this will happen about 5 years
have been the lucky ones who have
day, be interesting to see if there are
too late or we will end up with the
been able to drop everything at a
any left for the summer. Reports that the
same situation we have with the blue
moments notice regardless of what
gouper are getting harder to find as the
cod - total closures, be great to see the
day of the week it is.
known spots have been hammered over
authorities plan ahead for a change.
Free casio watch
Biscayne
with every Fin-Nor rod & reel combo AHAB
valued at
15000
$
Marquesa
™
www.nzfisher.co.nz 27 Ask instore for details.
www.fin-norfishing.com
theCLUBHOUSE
Tauranga Game Fishing Club (Inc)
28 www.nzfisher.co.nz
// The first in a series of profiles on NZ Fishing Clubs he Tauranga Game Fishing Club was established in 1922
there are in the vicinity of 3000 members.
made an Honorary Life Member. In 1979
The TGFC was one of the original five
Johnny set a world record time of three
clubs that formed the New Zealand Big
and three quarter hours for capturing a
records you consult. Either way, this
Game Fishing Council (Now NZ Spoert
marlin, a trout and shooting a deer. This
makes the TGFC one of the oldest
Fishing Council) in 1957. Club records
record still stands today. Prior to that in
Fishing Clubs in New Zealand. Their
note that the best fishing seasons were
1975 he landed a world record 180.9kg
rich history includes captures of World
from 1946 – 1950 during which time
striped marlin.
record marlin, Junior records & some
there were an average of nearly 600
more unusual, but equally as impres-
marlin per season.
or 1923, depending on the
sive, multi-discipline captures. It appears from early records that the
The current TGFC clubrooms located
In March 2003, TGFC Junior Zane Roderick landed a Junior World Record striped marlin that weighed in at a very
at Sulphur Point, were officially opened
respectable 184.7kg. There are a number
Club started in 1922 or 1923 with a
in 1991 and since opening have been
of other New Zealand and World records
base being set up at South East Bay on
extended twice to accommodate the
that have been claimed by Club members
Mayor Island. In those early days the
increase in membership.
over the years and many of these fish
Club existed as an informal society of
The Annual TGFC One Base tournament
mounts are on display in the clubrooms.
members with various names such as
is held over four days during the first
Deep Sea Fishing Club and Deep Sea
week in March and attracts between
a family friendly Club located at the
Anglers Association. In 1937 the Club
600 – 1,000 anglers from all over New
Sulphur Point Marina which is open
became incorporated and was officially
Zealand and also some from offshore.
to Members, Guests and Members of
named the Tauranga Big Game Fishing
The Club conducts or hosts 18 fishing
other NZSFC member clubs. Facilities
Club and in 1984 the word ‘Big’ was
tournaments each year including our
include Bar, Lounge, Restaurant,
deleted from the name.
annual Trout Tournament.
Gaming Room. Conference Room and
When the Club relinquished its lease on
One of the clubs best known members
The Tauranga Game Fishing Club is
Outdoor Viewing Decks. It is open
Mayor Island and moved ashore in the 80s
is the late Johnny (JK) Boyle who was
seven days a week all year round for
there were about 240 members. Today
President from 1975 – 1978. JK was later
dining and socializing.
www.nzfisher.co.nz 29
nzfishingbodyREPORT
Introducing the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council ew Zealand Sport Fishing
time secretary and a Liaison Manager
(NZSF) was established and
for the Hiwi the Kiwi programme
to participate in the sport, the positives of
incorporated in 1957 and origi-
are employed along with specialised
membership are many and we encourage
nally named the New Zealand Big Game
contractors to assist with fisheries
all anglers whether young or old, male
Fishing Council. We are a not for profit
management matters.
or female to contact their local club and
organisation. Our purpose and reason
The early ‘80’s saw a rapid drop off in
Whilst club membership is not required
investigate the many activities and benefits
for being has altered and expanded
marlin catches as the fishery was impacted
that membership can deliver. Many
significantly since, with member clubs
by a substantial increase in commercial
members fish from shore and the beach.
now promoting all aspects of fishing, not
fishing. This saw the Council became
solely game fishing. Clubs hold hundreds
active in management and conservation
(aka “The Minstrel”), operates the Hiwi
of tournaments nationwide, many of
of their main game fish, which resulted in
the Kiwi Goes Fishing primary school
which benefit local and national charities
a government moratorium on commercial
fishing education programme. This
and support club initiatives.
fishers taking Billfish that still stands as a
has now been presented to over one
permanent regulation.
hundred thousand school children in 268
Our name was changed in 2009 to better
NZSF, in conjunction with Mark de Lacy
reflect our role, membership and the sport
The introduction of the commercial
itself. New Zealand Sport Fishing (NZSF) is
ban on the taking of marlin led Council
recognised by SPARC (Sport & Recreation
to introduce and promote the tagging
projects, runs “The Nationals” fishing
New Zealand) as a National Sports
and releasing of marlin and sharks for
competition and maintains New
Organisation (NSO) representing the sport
research purposes. This supported
Zealand’s Fishing Records along with
/ recreation of marine fishing.
conservation and also provides valuable
the New Zealand Angling and Casting
NZSF represents 56 Member Clubs
schools over the past 18 months. NZSF also develops activities, research
research data with in excess of 60%
Association, whom we value as a partner
and their 32,000 affiliate members
of marlin captured continuing to be
organisation in promoting fishing. We
nationwide. The structure of the NZSF
tagged each year. The tagging program
are also a member of the IGFA and have
is grass roots up model. Geographic
has been increased and now includes
developed close working relationships
regions have member clubs who elect
Kingfish and more recently Tunas.
with the world body.
delegates as zone representatives
NZSF representatives participate in
NZSF’s goal is to become a leading
who meet regularly to discuss local
MFish’s Recreational Fishing Forums
National Sports Organisation delivering
concerns, policy, programmes, fisheries
and various working groups on fisheries
enjoyable quality programmes, activities
management issues and strategy. A
management, and make numerous
and events, to provide pathways into
Management Committee is elected
submissions / provide advice to the
the sport / recreation of fishing for
annually by the members, with each
Government each year. NZSF also
everyone. To this end the organisation
region having representation. A
participates in the Hokianga Accord
is currently transitioning from a council
President and two Vice Presidents
(MFish’s mid North Iwi Forum) and has
of clubs to an operative National Sports
are also elected. The Management
developed close working relationships
Organisation promoting the sport of
Committee, who are all volunteers,
with Ngapuhi and Ngati Whatua and is
fishing nationwide.
are charged with the day to day
looking to further develop relationships
management of the organisation. A full
with Tangata Whenua.
Richard Baker, President New Zealand Sport Fishing
If you wish to know more please visit www.nzsportfishing.co.nz. 30 www.nzfisher.co.nz
// In the next issue of NZ Fisher… -
Big Snapper ‘old skool styles’
-
We test the Power Jig Rock G Inchiku 15 gram
-
The conclusion to “where do the Snapper go?”
Next edition out 17/11/2010
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www.nzfisher.co.nz 31