NZ Fisher Issue 11

Page 1

f sher ISSUE 11

August 2011

Rawhiti:

Kiwi El Dorado // Martin Salter’s

Lord Howe adventure continues

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 Last Paradise - Part 2 We catch up with Martin Salter for the second part of his trip FISHINGSPOTS 8 Rawhiti: Kiwi El Dorado Derrick Paull starts his countdown of his top five inshore locations. KAYAKFISHING 12 What a Difference a Month Makes A tale of two trips to the Bay of Islands

8

12

15

Fishing Video of the Month

16

Regional Reports

18

Interesting Facts: A not neat knot is a knot not needed!

18

Competition

Pg 18

www.nzfisher.co.nz 3


editorial

//From the

EDITOR time have and make sure the investment

I learned something else completely

is worthwhile. It’s easy to say now, after

unrelated last week; The Hauraki

25 years of practice that I have a pretty

Gulf is becoming a ‘toxic wasteland’.

good idea of the best places, times &

I agree that there are some serious

techniques to narrow down options

flaws in the practices of our agriculture

and improve the odds. In general this

sector that continue to impact on the

confidence leads to a bin full of fish,

Gulf (and the while marine ecosystem

some great photos & the odd story.

around NZ), but there are many

Problem is, Murphy sometimes has his

areas where the gulf ecosystems are

way and the wheels fall off.

improving.

Last week while planning NZ Fishers’

One statistic noted was that fish stocks

Hell hasn’t quite frozen over,

next issue I realised we were a bit light

were at 23% of their virgin state. This

but by gods it’s got to be close! Snow

on stories of the winter fishery. So,

is indeed a very low number, but when

in Auckland. Who would have ever

as we are a professional outfit with

it is considered that in 1985 snapper

thought it would happen? Next thing

plenty of experienced, skilled fishers

numbers were estimated at closer

you know we might win a world cup...

I set up a winter mission to nab some

to 10% and current best estimates

In some areas this cold snap has set

table fish & get some photos. And

put them at around 20%, we see

the fishing on fire, but largely it seems

boy did Murphy put us in our place! If

that there has already been a great

there’s a real slow down – if you can get

I get over the scarring psychological

improvement in the Hauraki Gulf. The

past the wild southerly fronts and spend

damage inflicted by a severe zilching –

QMS and greater education of rec-

some worthwhile time on the water!

I might run a story on the trip. Another

fishers have seen fish stock improve

lesson well learned though – there is

steadily, now we need the terrestrial

I do enjoy winter, but this year fishing

value in prudence when planning a

users to start cleaning up their game

has taken a back seat to some family

trip and definitely don’t say “I’m so

& we might make some real changes.

focus – something I seem to be saying

happy to be on the water I don’t care

more often these days. What it does

if I don’t catch a fish...” as this Murphy

mean is that I’m becoming much more

has his say and makes sure you learn

selective about how I spend the limited

the lessons of your ways!

4 www.nzfisher.co.nz

Happy Fishing!

Derrick


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 ART DIRECTOR / Jodi Olsson GROUP EDITOR / Trudi Caffell CONTENT ENQUIRIES / Phone Derrick on 021 629 327 or email derrickp@NZ Fisher.co.nz ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES / Phone Richard on 09 522 7257 or email richardl@espiremedia.com ADDRESS / NZ Fisher,

®

C/- Espire Media, PO Box 137162, Parnell, Auckland 1151, NZ WEBSITE / www.NZ Fisher.co.nz

aits – the Next Level guarantees

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!

the action guarantees bigger fish. NZ designed Snapper soft baits and oks.

THE ULTIMATE SOFT BAIT Specialized, maximum action guarantees more fish and bigger fish NZ designed soft bait hooks to catch Snapper

at good fishing stores. Check out e range online www.catch.org.nz

lable at good fishing stores

Cover Image: Darren Parsons with 8kg+ Rawhiti Snapper, released shortly after image taken. Credit: Aileen Michael

Check out our entire range online www.catch.org.nz Available at the best fishing stores


sportFISHING

The Last Paradise -Part 2

We catch up with MARTIN SALTER on his mission to land four of the Islands trickier target species... Reproduced courtesy of FishingWorld Australia

We catch part two of Martin’s

A few scoops of mashed bread soaked

from the boat where the fish would

Lord Howe adventure, with thanks

in tuna oil and water as berley soon had

be less nervous. In no time at all my

to Fishing World Australia for

them swirling on the surface like hungry

crust was engulfed and an angry

allowing us to re-print the story.

trout and it was time to put out a bait.

silver drummer was tearing line off

We catch up with Martin on his

The rig was simplicity itself. A No.4

my lightly set drag. The tackle held

mission to land four of the Islands

hook with a piece of crust impaled on it

firm and after a spirited scrap my best

trickier target species...

and a 12lb fluorocarbon leader, greased

drummer of any colour was hoisted

to make it float in the surface film,

aboard, quickly photographed and

beneath 15lb floating braid.

returned. Just as it was all seeming

Skipping across the lagoon in Crom’s wonderfully nippy Bonefish our

too easy, things began to go wrong.

first task was to find a school of silver

On Crom’s instructions I cast to the

drummer. This took all of 10 minutes.

point of the feeding shoal farthest

The school continued to feed


sportFISHING

confidently on the berley and I was

with constant action in crystal clear

of doubleheader completed the Lord

hooking up reasonably well. But the

water and watched every bite from

Howe Lagoon Grand Slam.

next three fish sawed through the line

every fish in stunning surroundings

using their typical head shaking lunges

with Mount Lidgbird as a dramatic

The lagoon fishing continued to

to rub the leader against the teeth in

backdrop. This really was pretty

impress and by getting a bait in the

the top of their jaws.

special and I didn’t want the morning

water at first light and at the top of

to end. Fish number four favoured

the tide I even managed to snare

Eventually I mastered playing them with

crabs rather than bread so we

three of the big “uncatchable” silver

the rod held low and using a little more

paddled ashore at Rabbit Island (real

drummer from the island jetty.

finesse to avoid being bitten off but

name Blackburn) in search of bait.

by now the fish had become wary and

Like everything else in the wonderful

Obviously, it would have been rude

were drifting away. Time for our third

marine environment of Lord Howe the

and impertinent to completely ignore

target, the stunning looking bluefish,

crabs were plentiful and soon we were

the island kings and pretty quickly a

in a different area a little closer to the

scanning the water for coral outcrops

personal best 12kg beauty was added

reef but using the same tactics as these

likely to be hiding places for the big,

to the list on a lure trolled in the

beauties like to swim and feed with the

slate blue double-headers.

shadow of Mount Gower, the tallest of

drummer. With bright turquoise blue

the Lord Howe peaks.

colours and orange spots the bluefish

It was here that I was most surprised

weren’t hard to find.

when Crom produced an outfit more

Natalie loved the beaches, the cliffs,

suitable to my mind for monster kingies

the forests, the spas, the walks, the

Our biggest problem came in the

than anything else. A large Hoodlum

snorkelling…in fact every waking

shape of three reef sharks which were

hook and running ball sinker completed

moment of our trip. She can’t wait to

simply smashing into any hooked fish

the rig and soon a crab was lowered

return and, not surprisingly, neither

within a few seconds. Feeding beautiful

into position on a patch of sand

can I. With some justification they

fish to sharks is not my idea of fun and

adjacent to a promising spot. I was

call Lord Howe “the last paradise”.

I was about to give up when Crom

under orders to let the fish run no more

As none of us can be absolutely sure

handed me a stronger rod and line

than a metre before setting the hook

about either the existence or the

with the instruction to “hook up then

and then to hang on like grim death.

nature of any afterlife, my advice is to

wind like hell”. Some two minutes

experience it while you can.

later an extremely fortunate bluey was

Within seconds the line twitched and

smiling for the cameras having escaped

soon my rod was creaking alarmingly

Martin Salter visited Lord Howe

a munching by about a nano-second.

as the double-header powered back

Island courtesy of Lord Howe Island

to his rocky home. The tackle held

Tourism Association, Arajilla Retreat

firm and after a brutal scrap four kilos

and QantasLink.

We had fished for less than two hours

www.nzfisher.co.nz 7


FISHINGspots

Rawhiti: Gateway to World Class Fisheries

The count-down of my top five inshore locations: Number five Story by Derrick Paull & Images by James Halatoa, NSSC I have fished many, many spots

Bay of Islands and more specifically

patches of deep foul reef, home to

around the northern coasts of New

Rawhiti. Rawhiti is located on the

Terakihi, Golden Snapper & Kingfish

Zealand. I’ve seen thousands of reefs,

south eastern edge of the bay,

– all within comfortable walking or

rocky points & gutters. Amongst all

generally recognised as the area from

paddling distance.

those deeps guts & weedy reefs there

Omakiwi Bay, the south & Eastern

are some that stick in my head more

sides of Urapukapuka Island and the

Rawhiti has always appealed, not only

vividly than others, some because of

area in front of Oke Bay, the base of

due to its almost endless options but

the fish we landed and some for those

Cape Brett.

also for its accessibility to relatively

we didn’t.

novice anglers. In just about any This area covers many different

weather & for anglers of almost any

When the idea of rating our

fishing environments, from the sandy

experience can find spots equal to their

favourites came about I threw

channels & flats of the inner harbour

skills. Urapukapuka was the base for

out the idea to some of the other

out through the high current, coarse

Zane Grey on his New Zealand game

writers – hoping for a few ideas and

sandy & shallow reefs of the Albert

fishing missions, sensibly as just 4 miles

confirmation that the locations I rate

passage to rugged, gnarly rock

from shore you can be tangling with

featured with others too. One of the

formations absorbing the brunt of the

some of the worlds biggest Striped

most consistent suggestions was the

constant easterly swells. There are also

Marlin and Kingfish.

8 www.nzfisher.co.nz


FISHINGspots

I have fished Rawhiti from the boat,

dominant south westerly winds but

shore and kayak. I rate access to very

receives a fair pounding from the

good fishing all three very highly.

easterly swells. This combination

There’s even a little surf-like beach

allows fishers to get in close, burleying

on the Oke Bay side for die hard

or flicking plastics amongst the broken

surfcasters!

reefs where the biggest snapper feed.

Due to the very low commercial

If you’re heading there for the first

fishing pressure in the Bay of Islands

time, try the adage, ‘Fish your feet

fish stocks are high (compared to

first’. There is a temptation to head

the rest of the Northland fishery)

out to the horizon, while the best

and leads to greater numbers of

snapper fishing is no more than

trophy fish. These larger fish like to

a kilometre off shore 90% of the

settle on the reefs & feed up on the

year. Try in amongst the reefs at the

abundant shellfish & passing baitfish.

northern extremity of the Albert

The exposed shoreline of Rawhiti,

channel, most fishers head straight

especially the Urapukupuka Island side

past them, but due to the currents

has a very high abundance of these

bringing a constant food supply

weedy, kina covered reefs.

and plenty of cover for mooching snapper. If you’re organised, drop a

We have had days fishing Rawhiti where

live yellowtail down here too, they’ll

the snapper can be landed in numbers

be wolfed by snapper but also bring a

that defy belief. It’s not the numbers

chance for Kingfish and John Dory.

of fish that attract us though, it’s the promise or rather lure of the big ones.

If the wind is up and you need stay close to shore in the bay try flicking

As Rawhiti is predominantly north

plastics around channel edges

facing it is not as affected by our

between Urapukapuka and Rawhiti

www.nzfisher.co.nz 9


FISHINGspots

bay. These channels are teeming with pannie snapper for most of the year. We have caught snapper here in commercial quantities (almost all of which are returned) and have been pleasantly surprised by the odd bigger fish over 5kg. Best of all there are some freight train trevally to be had here that will give you sensational fights on light plastics gear. Rawhiti is a long way from civilisation as we know it, so be sure to pack all you’ll need as it’s at least 45 minutes to the shops and longer if you need something afterhours. The bays at Rawhiti provide endless fun for kids and the area is extremely family friendly with a lot of not fishing activities to be had including some sensational walks ranging from a 10 minutes gut buster to Oke Bay through to an 8 hour return trip out to the end of Cape Brett. Only 45 minutes from historic Russell you can mix in some culture when planning a longer stay. There are shellfish to be collected in the sand at low tide, scallops (in season) shallow enough to snorkel for, crayfish on the outer reefs for divers & potting and of course plenty of fishing. Rawhiti is approximately 4 hours form Auckland over sealed roads for all but the last 10km. Accommodation can be found throughout the bay, ranging from camping at the Rawhiti Marae in summer, a bunk bed cabin at ‘Della’s’ at the end of Rawhiti road to a number of well appointed holiday homes that can be easily found on holidayhomes.co.nz

10 www.nzfisher.co.nz

Peter Michael with 9.18kg Snapper


BIG FISH

SMALL REELS

The new Accurate BX/BX2 Range

The Boss Extreme BX & BX2 range of Accurate reels are now in stock at all serious tackle stores nationwide. Made from 6061T6 aircraft aluminium these reels are in a league of there own, a must for all serious fisherman. Availiable in wide or narrow spool. • Patented Twin Drag System pushing out 15kg of drag. • Seven Class 5 ABEC stainless steel bearings. • Greased AccuDrag system • Titanium friction washers. • Stainless steel gears • Boss reel bag • One year free service • Life time manufactures warranty.

For more info check out the Accurate website www.accuratefishing.com Freephone: 0508 545 545 Email: kane@decoro.co.nz Tel: 07 575 5130 149 Totara St Fax: 07 575 5914 PO Box 4138, Mt Maunganui Check out our new website www.decoro.co.nz Become a member now!

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

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


kayakFISHING

What a Difference a Month Makes A tale of two trips to the Bay of Islands Story by Darren Parsons

I wouldn’t usually settle on such a cheesy title, but it is entirely appropriate. The first of these two trips was in mid June; a Hibiscus Kayak Fishing Club expedition to Rawhiti. Derrick and myself left Auckland with the kayaks strapped to the roof at 730 pm and woke the rest of the club up when we arrived at midnight. After a pleasant 4 hours sleep, rainy and blustery conditions with a 3 m swell greeted us. But perhaps in our advantage was the unseasonal 17.5°C water temperature! Our previous experiences at Rawhiti had also been during winter and had been exceptional. So it was with high hopes that we paddled off the beach in search of the shallow reefs and island channels that had been so productive for us in the past. To be honest though, the fishing was rather underwhelming for large periods. I

12 www.nzfisher.co.nz


kayakFISHING

“After a period of blistering runs, sore forearms and poor balance a fat 6 kg specimen came to the side of the boat. I had never been so relieved to see a snapper.” guess it’s all relative, as we were still

feeling such leverage from a snapper

When I got close to the coast I was

able to extract fat pan sized snapper

before. Maybe it was just the awkward

out of the swell and the sun had come

from water as shallow as a metre. As

swell, which became a serious threat of

out so I had a cast and lay back. On

always though, we were wanting the

removing me from my kayak as I drifted

about my third cast I noticed the line

impossible (a 20 lber on every cast).

over the fish and the kayak began to

change direction and stay slack as it

Various reports were coming across

turn around. After a period of blistering

was sinking.

the radio from the rest of the club that

runs, sore forearms and poor balance a

ranged from not much, to patches

fat 6 kg specimen came to the side of

For me this has often been a signal

of hot fishing. So it was in search of

the boat. I had never been so relieved

of a larger fish, so I raised my rod and

greener pastures we paddled through

to see a snapper.

quickly wound in the slack line. By this

to the exposed coast and set up a drift

time the fish had swum off to the side

over a series of deeper reefs. After 20

The next drop was a virtual action

of where I had cast, another good

minutes of watching Derrick catch a

replay. The same blistering runs and

sign that the fish was sizable, but as

handful of pannies I was fairly tired of

leverage again turned my kayak around

I continued to wind very little weight

maintaining my balance in a large swell

into the swell. After a couple of minutes

came on. Eventually I caught up with

at an awkward angle to the wind.

a similar sized fish surfaced, but this

the fish and it did take off, slowly at

time dropped the hook. Drop three

first, but the runs grew in frequency

The last thing I wanted was a scrappy

resulted in another scrappy fish around

and speed as the fight went on. I

fish that might pull me out of the

3 kg, and this pattern continued for

applied more tension to keep the fish

kayak. Well at least I caught a panny

another 20 minutes until the sun forced

off the reef, which eventually worked

as a warm up before that happened.

us to leave what was a sizzling but short

and it floated up beside me just as

The ensuing hook up still took me by

fishing session. Back at the beach it was

Aileen Michael conveniently paddled

surprise as I had the reel in free-spool

evident that others had also done well,

up with her camera. After a couple of

when it took off. It was with such pace

with fish to 8 kg being landed.

quick pictures I released a snapper of

that the fish was departing that when

about 8 kg.

I flicked the bail arm over it bounced

The next morning we paddled strait

off the braid a couple of times before

to the same deep water reefs, but

I had been more than fortunate to

setting in place and applying tension

the fish didn’t seem to be hungry.

turn my only bite of a very average

to the fish as well as myself. I guess

After a couple of unsuccessful drifts

day into a very nice fish. Some of the

it had been a while since I’d had a

the swell was making me queasy, so

others that had stayed in the swell on

decent fish on, but I can’t remember

I packed it in and paddled for home.

the deeper reefs had also got onto

www.nzfisher.co.nz 13


kayakFISHING

fish after my departure. Aside from a

increased too much to keep our baits on

range of respectable fish a rather large

the bottom. We were not too bothered,

snapper had been netted and boated only

as after all we had our money in the bank

to de-hook itself and flip back over the

to return to on the coast. Wrong. To cut

side in one motion.

a long story short we spent the next day and half drifting around the inshore reefs

On my return to Auckland I was talking

and channels donating our soft baits to

up the reliability of winter fishing in Bay

leatherjacket and wrasses. Stray lining and

of Islands. After all, on what was a patchy

live baiting was as equally unproductive.

weekends fishing I had managed to luck

Our total weekends take amounted to a

an 8 kg snapper. A plan was developed

john dory and a blue cod.

to return with a boat and an arsenal of tackle and try and catch some hapuku in

How could the fishing change so much

100 m off the end of Cape Brett. Inshore

in the space of a month? I guess the 3°C

snapper fishing was to be our guaranteed

fall in water temperature has to have an

back up option. In mid July a large high

impact on how much a snapper needs to

planted itself on the North Island, so my

eat, but we had done well there in the

buddy Oliver and I drove north and even

depths of winter previously. The different

managed to arrive in time for a decent

sea conditions may have also had an

night’s sleep.

impact, but again, you shouldn’t need a large swell to catch fish. I guess it’s just

The next morning we filled the tank

one of the frustrations of fishing that keeps

with livies and took off to the end of

you coming back. I’ll be sure not to put a

the peninsula. We were able to fish

guarantee on anything that involves a fish

for an hour and a half before the wind

in the future.

Open 7 Days! 23 Westhaven Drive Westhaven Marina Auckland NZ

Bar and Restaurant

Serving New Zealand’s Best Seafood For Over 13 years! If you love seafood you’ll love Swashbucklers Bar and Restaurant! Located at Westhaven Marina on the edge of the shores of the magnificent ‘City of Sails’, pop in for lunch or dinner seven days a week or enjoy a cold ale in our Boatshed Bar. Phone 09 307 5979 for bookings or just come on down. Open ‘til late! Proud to support the launch of NZ Fisher e-Magazine!

Check out our fantastic menu at www.swashbucklers.co.nz 14 www.nzfisher.co.nz


VIDEO

Fishing Video of the Month Filleting – The Experts Share Their Secrets

Grant ‘Espresso’ Bittle of Catch Softbaits shows us how it’s done with a fresh Snapper while our friends at Fishing World Magazine in Aus prepare a Kingfish here (I wonder if they ever have to fillet NZ legal size ones?). In this video Crimpy of The Fishing Paper [Link; www.thefishignpaper.co.nz] catches a few South Island Kings before showing us how to fillet some bigger models towards the end – it’s definitely worth the wait! And if you’re ever in need of info on how to fillet a great white Shark – check this out! Not for the sqeemish! Here’s a huge snapper. www.nzfisher.co.nz 15


regionalREVIEWS

Bay of Plenty Source: Rick Pollock

www.Pursuit.co.nz

Finally, something to write

The usual depths that most anglers

about. The vast majority were rat to

about!! After nearly a full fortnight of

turned to for snapper, 15-35 metres,

10 kilo size although a couple anglers

very inclement weather, anglers were

turned out to be the least productive

were taught lessons by larger, wily fish.

again able to get out and chase their

with the stretch between Thornton

Water remains relatively warm at 15.5

chosen sport in comfort. One good

and the radio mast best.

degrees C and ever so clear. Bound to

thing about this past fortnight was the

be albacore, if not something better

complete certainty in the forecasts and,

Anglers revelled with their good

about, if trolling lures were deployed.

accordingly, the decision to not go to

fortune here with near limits of

Blue water extends well inshore, a

sea was easily made!

snapper, plenty of gurnard and

pleasant surprise after all the strong

waves of fat kahawai coming through

cold south and west winds we’ve had

Nothing worse than the 20-25

sporadically to spice up proceedings.

to endure.

knot forecasts as we’re constantly

Some of the snapper were very

second guessing ourselves. When it’s

pleasing fish over four kilos with

Ranfurly Bank

consistently 35-50 knots there’s only

few undersized. Again, out deeper,

No recent visits and for all the right

one place to be! Great to see so many

snapper in stronger currents and

reasons. Undoubtedly during the

getting out over the weekend and

terakihi as the tidal runs lessened.

last fortnight it would have been a

early in the week in what can only be

Merely trying off to the buoys mean

dangerous place to visit.

described as pristine weather. Aside

you don’t even have to anchor up to

from being high in the enjoyment stakes

achieve the action. Expect snapper

Summary

the fishing was quite productive as well.

to move out even deeper as winter

As mentioned, great to see anglers

grips us further with terakihi becoming

able to get out on the water after such

important in overall catches.

extended periods of forced dormancy.

Inshore A huge exodus of trailer boats of all

Hopefully we’ll have many more of

descriptions could be seen on the

Offshore

these windows over the remainder

water recently – great stuff. Launching

Despite some pristine weather, few

of winter. We long for frosty starts

ramps, and even beaches in a total

bothered venturing further afield.

followed by beautiful fine days – the

lack of swell, were busy with boaties

Those that did struggled on most

kind we’ve had just lately but been

getting out in droves – literally starved

accounts for their troubles and

short of this month thus far.

for time on the water. Most were not

increased fuel usage. Deepwater

We’ve hauled “PURSUIT” out for

disappointed with the efforts with

fishing was generally a waste of time

her annual survey and maintenance

catches ranging from excellent to “just

for the little effort it received with only

period. Will be out of action until

a feed”. As fishing was quite buoyant

a handful of small gemfish the reward.

September when visiting World

prior to the stretch of poor weather,

Shallower water around White Island

Cup viewers want to also sample

no one was quite sure what to expect

proved far more productive with terakihi

our pictorial wares! After some

after the break.

biting well supported by pink mao mao

improvements and sometime in the

Snapper were still available in good

and porae. Some of the pinkies are

tropics we’ll be back on the water and

numbers in many locales while others

absolute monsters of over 50cm!

relishing the prospects of the new

struggled. Interesting to note that

season ahead. Will start up reports

depth was hugely important, for more

While the shallows kicked out the

again in late September. Until then all

than bottom terrain. As it turned

reef fish the kingis were far less

the best for what’s left of winter

out the best places to be were the

cooperative. Jigs are again out of

From Pursuit

extremes – both shallow and deeper.

favour with bait enticing the few fish

16 www.nzfisher.co.nz


regionalREVIEWS

Hauraki For the Hauraki Gulf this month, check out Paul Senior of Wavedancers’ report on fishing.net

Taranaki – West Coast The AMF Team Weather is the biggest factor

recorded good catches of both

in the Taranaki & this month has

gurnard & ‘couta in equal numbers –

shown us the worst of what she can

so it’s been hit & miss at best.

offer. Huge seas & strong winds coupled with polar blasts – the fire

September is normally the

at home has been very appealing!

swing month in the Naki. Wind will still probably be a

For those who have made it out in

problem, but the fishing should

the short weather windows have

be on the improve soon!

Coromandel Source: Carl Muir www.EpicAdventures.co.nz Hi Everyone! Winter is in full effect!

goes to show that releasing the line

As you will see in this newsletter

We’ve got horse hoodlums hammering

share of fish we catch is the best way

those benefits not only flow on to

livies and jigs, solid snapper scoffing

to make sure the trips next year and

others businesses in our community

softbaits and the odd pudgy puka

in ten years time will be just as good.

like retail, petrol, accommodation,

to boot. The weather has stuffed us

Unlike the fisheries ministers recent

trades etc but we have also just

around a bit lately but on those still

talk of increasing snapper quota for

donated $2,750 to local coastguard.

winter days we’ve seen some carnage

the commercial sector, we feel when a

So a big CHEERS to everyone who

unfold........there’s been no shortage

fishery bounces back it is not time to

has been out!

of railings, dunkings(!), broken rods,

take more.....it’s a time to look after it

reefings and plenty of big fat kings

and carry on good sustainable fishing

We’ve got a whole lot to look forward

popping up for a photo!

practices. So well done to all of you

to with big spring kings and surface

over the last five years who have been

stickbait action just round the corner,

This season the kingfish really have

happy getting a photo of your prize

then game season and some more

been in great numbers with May and

catch, and then putting it back.

marlin madness. Bring it on!

ever. It does make you sit back and

By coming out fishing you are

Cheers from the Epic team

think about what a great fishery we

supporting our local community

Carl, Belinda, Toby, Lee and Tony

have on our back doorstep. It just

and economy in a sustainable way.

June seeing some of the best bites

www.nzfisher.co.nz 17


interestingFACTS

A Not Neat Knot is a Knot Not Needed! The truth about winter is that we

So, here’s a beginners guide to some

tend to spend more time thinking about

very useful knots with excellent visuals

fishing than actually getting out there &

on how to tie them. There are a lot of

doing it, so there’s good reason to use

knot tying sites out there but Net Knots

the windy months to brush up on skills

is the one I’ve come to use the most.

& add a few tricks to the repertoire in

Knots like the Slim Beauty have already

preparation for the catching season!

made it into my knowledge bank and is proving very useful for joining braid to

One of the areas I always chide myself

mono leader when tying long leaders

on not up-skilling in is knot tying. I rely

due to its low profile and the fact the

too heavily on the Uni knot for attach-

tails all face the right way.

ing and the Albright for joining lines. They’re both great knots, but don’t cut

Have a look & try some of these knots

it in the high pressure fields of stick bait-

for yourself.

ing & game fishing.

Competition

Triple hook-up on Aussie 30lbers Where the hell is Arno bay?

Check out Brendan Wing and the

worth watching just to see the size of

YouFishTV team landing three ‘once in

these monsters!

a life-time’ 30lb snapper at Arno Bay,

18 www.nzfisher.co.nz

South Australia.

Post your answer here to go in the draw.

To win this month’s awesome prize of

The winner of last month’s draw is Shane

goodies from Go Fish & Marine Deals,

Cameron of Off Road NZ – well done

watch the video & tell us what size reel

Shane! The actual weight was 10lbs on

the 14.5kg Snapper was caught on. It’s

the dot. We’ll get your price out shortly.


NEXTmonth

In the next issue of NZ Fisher… Our One Year Anniversary issue – Expect big things! • Coromandel – Landbased Fishers heaven • Bringing home the carrots – Getting technical • Squid: Glorious Squid

Have you subscribed to NZ Fisher? It’s free!

Simply visit www.nzfisher.co.nz to get a copy of NZ Fisher delivered straight to your inbox every month!

Free casio watch

Biscayne

with every Fin-Nor rod & reel combo AHAB

valued at

15000

$

Marquesa

www.nzfisher.co.nz 19 Ask instore for details.

www.fin-norfishing.com


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.