f sher ISSUE 12 September 2011
NZFisher
– One year old!
Magnificent Squid – International secrets shared Landbased from the boat – Its becoming a habit! Great Barrier Is – Better late than never The Waitemata – Auckland’s overlooked Jewel www.nzfisher.co.nz 1
CONTENTS Pg 6 SPORTFISHING 4
Landbased from a boat
SQIDFISHING 6
Egi and Ika: an introduction
to modern squid fishing
FISHINGSPOTS
12
12
The Waitemata Harbour
and Hauraki Gulf
The count-down of my top five inshore
locations: Number four
KAYAKFISHING
4
2 www.nzfisher.co.nz
18
Last Minute Decision
Great Barrier on a whim
19
Fishing Video of the Month
2o
Regional Reports
Pg 20
editorial
//From the
EDITOR I have a love hate relationship
Aqua-culture that will exclude
boring read – thanks guys and girls!
with fisheries politics. I love the fact
amateurs and further pollute our
I’m always stoked by the positive,
that we live in a country that allows
harbours, and as of 24th September
encouraging feedback we get every
us to voice our opinions as loudly
dropped the amateur bag limit for
month. I’m glad you enjoy what we
as we want, but I hate the fact that
Bluenose by 75% but commercial –
put out there for you and look forward
our voices are still largely ignored.
who catch the lions share of them, by
to bringing you more of what you love!
The fact is, we have a pretty robust
about 20%. This is another example
It’s exciting times!
fisheries management system in
of the Minister making decisions
NZ. The QMS is lauded as a world
to appease, not actually manage a
Happy Fishing!
leading fisheries management tool,
fishery. I guess the next question is
Derrick
probably rightly. It just doesn’t
though; Who would do any better? I
work for recreational fishers and the
welcome any comment from readers
Government knows that.
as we begin to contact politicians & get their read Fisheries Policies for
There are great things happening
the political term.
on different fronts in rec fishing
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.
circles, no guessing which way we’ll
Thankfully we do have some fish in
see things fall. We need a voice
the sea and we’re not far away from
and need some unity to deliver the
the bonanza that is spring fishing
important messages. Regardless
in most of our inshore fisheries.
of the back of house politics there
Up here in Auckland the Snapper
are issues and policies that most
are on the cusp of their spring
all recreational fishing groups can
migration from their winter holds
agree on. It would be better for the
to the warmer, shallows for a good
future of our fisheries if less fish were
feed & making babies. I know Mark
ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES / Phone Richard on 09 522 7257 or email richardl@espiremedia.com
killed – simple really. Coming into an
& Carl are already seeing the effect
ADDRESS / NZ Fisher,
election it would be normal practice
of some warm weather as the Kings
for the minister of Fisheries to throw
start moving up the water column
some tid-bits to recreational fishers
& chasing squid. Grant form catch
in an effort to woo the swaying voter
Softbaits has reported some stunning
and this year we expect no less.
days on the Hauraki this month – check his reports on Fishing.net. He
My biggest gripe is that the Minister
writes a fine tale!
has failed to deliver last elections promises. Can we please have some
And finally, a big thank you to you
substance to the words Mr. Heatley?
all. NZFisher is one year old this
Where are the Amateur Only Area’s
September. We can only succeed
you dangled at the last election?
though continued readership and we
Why is a crayfish concession review
are regularly getting 5000+ reads
only on the table now – will we have
now. Our contributors go largely un-
a resolution this term? What do we
rewarded – one of the downsides of
judge the Minister on? So far he’s
writing for a new mag sorry guys! But
given away more crayfish, promoted
without them, this would be a pretty
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
C/- Espire Media, PO Box 137162, Parnell, Auckland 1151, NZ
WEBSITE / www.NZ Fisher.co.nz
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: Brenton Cumberpatch with his personal Best Boat Snapper – 7.74 KG; Image: Forsyth Thompson
www.nzfisher.co.nz 3
sportFISHING A tricky weigh from a small boat - they conservative figure accepted here
Landbased from the boat – The addictions growing By Forsyth Thompson
sportFISHING
It took us a while to get another
Excitement levels were just getting
Then the VHF went off and we could
trip sorted out for the Coromandel,
higher and higher…So Brenton and I
hear that they had a king in the berley
what with weddings, me disappearing
dropped Andrew and Saul off at their
trail…about 14kg they reckoned but
to South America for a month, and
spot and headed to ours. As we got
it turned and went on its way without
general family duties, but finally we
there we could see that there wasn’t
bothering the lives or the offered cube
got a clear weekend and for once
any swell at all, not even a hint of
baits at all.
the weather gods were on our side,
white water, and the water was clear
the forecast just getting better and
as. Viz must have been 15m+ at least.
better during the week before we were scheduled to leave.
Our lives just continued swimming completely unmolested, the first time
Getting to our spot, we were about
in ages we’d seen them go so long
to unload but seeing kahawai on the
like that. Then the VHF went off
Our previous trip saw so much swell
surface we got the soft bait gear out
again, the boys obviously having
that we couldn’t even land on the rocks,
and got ourselves some livies, so we
more excitement than we were…
this time proved to be a whole different
were unpacked and swimming 2 good
this time it was an estimated 5kg
story. So with a wagon full of gear,
live baits within about 15 mins of
trev right up in the berley trail taking
a boat on the back, and enthusiasm
dropping off the other boys.
cubes in the clear water! Andrew
to spare, we set off at 4 a.m. for our
had first go at it, but as it sped off, it
weekend trip to the very top of the
The berley trail was going a bit slowly
went so hard that the bait runner on
Coromandel, staying up at Stony Bay.
though, given the lack of swell, but
his 6500 overran and he lost it in a
I’d managed to put someone onto a PB
it didn’t take long until there were
bit of an amateur moment! Saul then
every trip we’d done in the baby Stabi
kahawai just everywhere and surely
had a shot at it, very optimistically
for a long time, and we were really keen
the kings weren’t going to be far
on 6kg. Which lasted about as long
to do it again, especially with 2 of the
behind! We got out some popper
as you’d expect with a big angry trev
crew having never got a land-based
gear, started throwing some lures
on the rocks…
king before.
around and kept on catching kahawai
Launching early morning from Sandy
for both fun and to create as much
The kahawai continued to plague us,
commotion as possible.
the water was too clear and still for
Bay, we could see there was just no
the snapper to be feeding and the
swell at all, the skies were cloudless
We stayed in touch with the other
kings still didn’t show up. I started
and there were obvious signs of bird
team via VHF and they were having
throwing a popper around and all of
and fish activity with kahawai feeding
much the same as us – schools of
a sudden 2 kings appeared on the
in the bay as we left. Last time we
kahawai everywhere, sometimes
surface and started chasing it. There
saw it like this, we saw packs of kings
seeing 3 or more boil ups around the
really is nothing like it to get the
in the clear water under the kahawai!
ledge, but still no kings showed up.
blood flowing, but they very quickly
www.nzfisher.co.nz 5
sportFISHING
turned out to be smaller fish, around
the bin for dinner. Nothing big, but
runs he told me he was only on 6kg
the 12-14kg mark and quickly stopped
nice eating fish around the 40-50cm
which made me nervous, but not as
chasing the poppers as we watched
mark and a massive relief after a day
nervous as when he started to thumb
them pick a kahawai each and chase
of kahawai only. The bite was very
the SL30 to try to stop it: cue lots of
them down for lunch! And then there
shy, but definitely we had a bite on
advice from his skipper! Somehow the
was absolutely nothing apart from
and some fish coming aboard – cue
fish stayed out of the fold and slowly
kahawai, the tide picked up and it went
lots of smiling, relief, and a couple
Brenton started to beat it, gaining
all quiet on the other end of the VHF
of cold beers. Meanwhile the boys
more than it took on each run, until I
too, so we made a call to move off for
on the ledge were struggling apart
could see colour. Holy shit, there was
a snapper fish to try to rescue the day.
from Andrew getting a legal blue
some serious colour, we didn’t have
Andrew and Saul got the ledge we’d
cod – not the PB he was after, but one
a huge net and I was worried about
wanted to fish last time but couldn’t,
nonetheless!
how I was going to get it. Brenton’s a
and Brenton and I went for Land Based
big catch and release fan so there was
in a Boat Part 2, putting the pick and
As the light started to fade, Brenton
no question of gaffing it, and then we
berley down really near where Andrew
struck into a fish with some serious
had him in the net. This was a fantastic
got his PB (see June). Being in slightly
weight to it and the Rocky just kept on
fish and clearly well over B’s previous
deeper water now it wasn’t long before
bending down as what was obviously
PB (again on the Stabi!) of 5.55kg.
we started getting bites, and finally
a very good snapper headed for
we had a snapper, then 2 and 3 in
home. As it took line in big long
6 www.nzfisher.co.nz
Once on board the celebrating
sportFISHING
started, this was a fantastic fish, and we had to get as many pictures as we could before he was going back. With the fight on video [youtube link please] we got to the serious business of weighing it…as the boat moved and the fish moved the scales pulled round to just under 9kg and for a magic minute we thought we might even get to the magic number 20, but then as it settled, they counted One rod per fish!
down. But not very far, stopping at 7.74kg of absolutely prime spring (almost landbased!) snapper. It’s amazing how much difference just one fish makes to the day – it had gone from being pretty ordinary, to being one to remember! Then we got down to releasing the fish which was looking pretty unhappy but was never destined for the smoker, this one was a big breeding fish and was going home. See here for the video of this magnificent capture. Watching it swim slowly away in the crystal clear water at the end of the day was just a fantastic finish to what had been a really tough day’s fishing otherwise. Land based out of the boat? We never
Land based out of the boat? We never plan it, but as a plan B it has produced 2 fabulous PBs for us in 2 trips: that’s a hell of a backup plan!
plan it, but as a plan B it has produced 2 fabulous PBs for us in 2 trips: that’s a hell of a backup plan! Next time, maybe Plan A will work out, you just never know…For sure it won’t be long till we’re back for another crack at it in the Coromandel. As the bar gets higher, its getting harder and harder to get a PB each time, but we’ll see what we can do! Tight lines out there guys, enjoy the spring fishing.
www.nzfisher.co.nz 7
squidFISHING
Egi & Ika: An Introduction to Modern Squid Fishing Story by Len Olyott
Images by Len Olyott and Kaspar Lenigas
Dodging and ducking are
are molluscs; biologically speaking
evolutionary processes, the shell of
essential survival tools when it comes
they are much the same as snails.
the nautilus has been replaced by the
to squid fishing. Nevertheless, sooner
So where is their shell you may ask?
cuttlebone of the cuttlefish (the white
or later you are going to taste that
Good question and the answer lies
calcareous structure you sometimes
sweet salty taste of squid ink that is as
with the close relative of squid – the
find on the beach and feed to your
much a part of the prize as delicious
paper nautilus. Nautilus look like big
pet budgerigar) and the pen/quill of
calamari and sweet chilli sauce. The
swimming snails, however they have
the squid. In octopus, it is still there
only advice I can offer is to carry a
large eyes and tentacles sticking
but as a vestigial remnant.
wet cloth and wear old clothes, and
out of the shell where you would
if you can manage it, try pointing the
expect to find a slippery foot. Squid,
New Zealand is blessed with over 119
squid away from you and don’t stand
nautilus, octopus and cuttlefish are all
reported species of cephalopods and
downwind of a loaded squid.
members of the same class of animals
most of them are poorly described.
– the Cephalopoda or head and feet
71 species of squid occur within New
Before we tackle the detail of modern
animals; so called because their feet/
Zealand waters including the giant
squid fishing, there is the need for
tentacles appear to be attached
squid. Most squid adopt a live fast/die
a brief natural history lesson. Squid
directly to their heads. Through
young approach to life and complete
8 www.nzfisher.co.nz
squidFISHING
their lifecycle within 12 to 18 months,
have found their way to Antipodean
ending it with a bang so to speak as
shores and are gathering a large
they spawn and then die.
following of converts.
Of the species of squid of interest
First, let’s get some of the jargon out of
to anglers, there are two major
the way: Egi refers to a specific design
groups: the oceanic Arrow Squid and
of squid jig which broadly resembles a
the inshore demersal squid (family
prawn shape. Egi are intended to be
Loliginidae and close relatives) –
cast and retrieved and are best suited
typically calamari or broad squid. The
to relatively shallow water.
easiest way to tell the difference is by the size of the fins – arrow squid
Egi come in a bewildering array of
have small fins and elongated mantles
colours, sizes, weights and textures –
(bodies) and the broad squid and
each with a particular action or colour
calamari have much larger fins that run
suited to particular environmental
the length of the mantle. The arrow
conditions and as can be expected
squid are also more common further
from Japanese origins, each with
south but squid appear in some really
exquisite attention to detail right
strange locations so there is no hard
down to the pupils of the eyes on the
and fast rule. Arrow squid are also
jig and the intricate finishes which
more aggressive and can and do inflict
are designed to match the hatch of a
nasty bites on careless fishers.
particular prey type.
Regardless of the species, modern
There are several manufacturers of
squid fishing in Australia and New
egi jigs including Yo-Zuri, Yamashita,
Zealand has come a long way and
Harimitsu and Jingo and it pays to
is no longer restricted to dangling
hop on the Internet to see the variety
a light stick and a jig off the end of
that are available. Recently, Aussie
a pier on a dark and windy night
softbait experts Squidgy ventured into
and hoping for the best. Using the
the world of Egi with their Squidgy
same, cloth covered, prawn shaped
G Jig which offers a soft touch to
jigs that Aussie and Kiwi fishos refer
the traditional egi hard-body. Tackle
to as yozuris but with more refined
giant Daiwa have also got into the
tackle and a dedicated approach
Egi culture and also offer an extensive
– Egi fishing or Egiing is set to
range of Egi rods and reels.
become the next big thing on both sides of the Tasman.
Your local fishing tackle store should have some egi jigs available but
Of course, this is nothing new to
it pays to seek out the shops with
Japanese and Korean fishos who have
salespeople that actually use egi
a several hundred year head start
themselves and can advise on what to
on the rest of the world but with the
buy. Modern egi range in price from
advent of the Internet and sharing
a few dollars up to $30 or more with
of fishing knowledge as well as the
old adage of you get what you pay
migration of people between different
for being never truer. You also tend
continents, new techniques and gear
to get them back easier than other
www.nzfisher.co.nz 9
squidFISHING lures when they snag as the pins on
next kahawai or kingfish that takes a
the crown of the jig will often bend
liking to a squid jig or even a hooked
allowing the jig to free itself. Make
squid won’t be the last and it pays to
sure you check your jig after you have
keep a bit of grunt in your gear to at
been snagged as the pins will need
least ensure you get your $30 jig back.
straightening and occasionally may be lost, especially if it’s an older jig
Ika is the Japanese word for squid
that has seen a lot of action. One of
with Aori-Ika the bigfin reef squid or
the differences between the cheaper
calamari (Southern Calamari in New
jigs and the more expensive is the
Zealand) most commonly encountered
obvious difference in build quality
by recreational fishers. Kensaki-Ika
with cheaper jigs simply not lasting
the pencil squid are also commonly
a season or more. If you are new to
caught, especially on the East Coast
egi, I would suggest looking for some
of Australia. Surume-Ika is a Japanese
of the middle of the range patterns
species very similar to Arrow Squid.
available and giving them a go.
These terms can come in handy when searching the Internet or even when
The actual art of working an egi
conversing with other fishos.
properly is called Syakuri and it is
Credit: Kaspar Lenigas
indeed an art-form with a wide variety
Squid have large, extremely well
of intricate retrieve types ranges from
developed eyes and are expert hunters
a gentle drop and flick to a more
both day and night. Traditionally, most
aggressive jigging motion familiar to
recreational anglers have fished for
those that chase kingfish with knife
squid after dark underneath light on
jigs. Some egi experts insert some
jetties and piers or by supplying their
fancy flicks and wiggles into their
own light source. You will still catch
retrieve. Some of these have made
squid under these conditions with
it to YouTube and a quick search on
the lights functioning to attract prey
Egi will provide you with hours of
such as prawns and small fish but it is
entertainment. The YoZuri website
sometimes challenging to get your jig
also has a fairly simple introduction
to where the squid are.
to squid fishing which should give you the basic idea.
Under these conditions, use of a paternoster rig with a sinker to match
Dedicated egi rods will set you back
the speed of the current and one
anything from a $100 to near $1,000.
or more egi jigs on branch lines can
Egi rods are typically fairly long (seven
be an effective technique. This style
feet or more) with enough action
of fishing does not however, allow
to cast light jigs and impart lifelike
the egi jigs to perform to their best
action through the retrieve. There
potential and it’s only when one really
are also dedicated egi reels and even
starts actively targeting squid that the
egi braid and leader to match. For
appeal of egi becomes apparent.
the newcomer to the world of squid s Credit: Kaspar Leniga
fishing, your existing softbait setup
Squid typically seek out rocky
will suit most conditions. Spooled
structures and well weeded areas
with 8 – 12lb braid and a size 1000 to
where they can ambush prey, hide
2000 reel, a leader of similar breaking
from predators and find safe spawning
strain will complete your setup. Squid
sites. Under the right conditions of
generally don’t run very far but the
10 www.nzfisher.co.nz
light wind and clear skies, it is possible
squidFISHING
Credit: Brent Hodges’, C/- Team Honda Marine
to polaroid squid and sight cast to
ever or alternatively, the freshest
each side and then eat. The skin,
them in the same way that you may
bait ever. The most humane way to
which we usually discard, will go
approach trout. It pays to keep moving
kill your squid is to place them in a
crispy adding a wonderful texture to
rather than flogging the same spot – if
bucket of ice and saltwater (an ice
the dish. Serve with a squeeze of lime
the squid are there, they will see your
slurry). This will quickly kill the squid
juice and maybe a cold beer and you
jig and most likely attack or sometimes
preventing the buildup up of amino
will feel like Neptune himself.
annoyingly follow the jig right back
acids which contribute to the tough
to your feet without actually taking
texture common to trawl caught squid
Modern egi fishing is an exciting
it. Squid jigs don’t have barbs so you
typically served in most restaurants.
and addictive sport. In Australia, Egi
need to strike when you feel resistance
tournaments and clubs are springing
and need to keep tension on the line.
Some fanatical Vietnamese fishermen
up as quickly as field mushrooms after
Having said that, squid are sometimes
carry charcoal braziers on their boats
a lightning storm. In New Zealand,
very lightly hooked and it pays to take
to cook their catch as soon as it
The Fishing Website has a squid
a softly, softly approach to landing
leaves the water. There are as many
jigging forum with lots of useful
your prize. A landing net is a must and
different ways of preparing squid as
advice and friendly contributors. A
very useful to avoid the dreaded ink
there are cultures and the simplest
semi-regular report is provided for
by allowing the squid to expel most
dusting of slices of squid in seasoned
Auckland by YeeHaa Fishing and most
of its ink safely in the water within the
flour and fried for no more than a
other regions are also covered. Squid
confines of the net. Another trick to
couple of minutes is hard to beat.
Fish is also a useful link for information
avoid excessive inking is to try keep the
about fishing and gear and a quick
squid on the surface of the water when
Squid on the barbeque are also
Google search will provide you with
reeling it in with its legs and funnel out
a fantastic treat and traditional
enough links about the how, when
of the water – no water means no jet
Vietnamese barbequed squid calls
and where of squid fishing. Of course,
propulsion and no ink squirting. If all
for the squid tube to be opened and
nothing beats time on the water and
of this sounds challenging, it is and the
the tentacles, head and innards to be
the more time you spend searching
only safe squid is the one in the bucket
removed. Without skinning the now
out Ika with your Egis, the more you
on the bank or boat.
flattened mantle, spread both sides
will become enraptured with this facet
with a simple paste of crushed red
of our sport. Good luck and don’t
Once you have your squid, it pays
chillies and sea-salt and then clamp
forget to duck.
to take some time looking after it
the squid in a steel fish grill. Cook
to ensure the best tasting calamari
over a high heat for a few minutes
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FISHINGspots
The Waitemata Harbour & Hauraki Gulf The count-down of my top five inshore locations: Number four Story by Derrick Paull Watchman Island Waitemata
I am an Aucklander. Apparently
Where else can you launch your boat,
its monsters, North Head sits on a the
there’s some stigma about this now
catch a feed of snapper, dive for crays
edge of a great channel that provides
days, but growing up on the North
and scallops all only 20minutes from
a pathway for masses of post spawning
Shore and spent most summer
Party Central? Auckland city folks – its
snapper to the food rich shallows
weekends in or on the waters of the
all here.
of the upper harbour and anglers a
Waitemata Harbour and the East
chance to get a hook in their mouths.
Coast Bays, I learned that Auckland
Barely a week passes between the
is the best fishing city in the country.
updates by fishers of the great fishing
Just inside the harbour on the
OK, that may be a matter of opinion
they’re experiencing at inshore
northern coast sits Devonport Wharf,
and perhaps I’m biased by the fact
locations such as the ‘Taka Cliffs’ the
the perfect platform for kids and their
that I live here, but fact is, there are
inshore reefs between Narrowneck
families to spend a lazy summers
almost unlimited opportunities to land
Beach in the south and Takapuna
afternoon catching piper, sprats,
a trophy fish or fill the bin.
Beach to the north – just a stone’s
yellowtail and even snapper. There are
throw from some of the country’s
six or seven wharves dotted around
They call Auckland the City of Sails,
most desirable real estate. Just to the
the harbour that offer access to great
but it’s really the city of boats. Kayaks
south sits North head. On summer
fisheries, especially for the kids and
now dominate the inshore waters
afternoons the cities most recognisable
some that even offer access to real
and tinnies are like a plague during
headland resembles a balding
fish like Murrays Bay wharf in the East
summer as the harbour continues to
porcupine as fishers vie for space
Coast bays where many a fisher gets
provide most with a feed.
along the foreshore. Not known for
a surprise visit from hoodlum kingfish
12 www.nzfisher.co.nz
5Year old Angus with his first ever fish, a 54cm Rangi Channel Snapper
FISHINGspots
You don’t need a big boat on the Waitemata!
chasing piper & taking a swipe at dead bait snacks just for fun. Sadly, most of these fishers are not prepared for the big one – but the results are generally hilarious! The inner harbour provides a playground for many more species than most will believe. The shallow flats of Little Shoal Bay, Te Atatu Peninsular, Ngataringa Bay, Meola Reef and the Whitford Flats to the south are home to some very tasty flatfish or flounder as we call them – but don’t tell anyone! These fish are very fun to chase and generally easy to catch once you know where and when to hunt them. Meola Reef is much more of a secret – despite being on display to
www.nzfisher.co.nz 13
FISHINGspots
That Waitemata is a greatly underestimated harbour that delivers far more than just a great view for those lucky enough to see it out the window every day. thousands of commuters over the Auckland Harbour Bridge every day. The shallows are not easy to fish, but the rewards are there for quiet, sporting fishers. Many fish are pulled out of here in less than two meters of water on very light lines. Snapper fight extraordinarily well in such shallow water and provide a whole new challenge on the right tackle. Some very keen fishers even chase flounder here on fly tackle – but that just seems too much hard work for this fisher! A little further off shore the fishing can be breathtaking. The ‘Rangi Channel’ the water between Rangitoto Island & the North shore is known as one of the most productive strips of water in the country. At the right time its near on impossible to miss here with many a fisher heading out for a quick fish and having all the fish they need within the hour. At only 3 kilometres form You never know what you’ll catch! 14 www.nzfisher.co.nz
Forsyth’s 5kg Rangi Snapper
FISHINGspots
the Takapuna ramp, the channel is
secret spot on the rocks on Rangitoto
limit – but there are enough legal ones
accessible to over a million Auckland’s
Island itself. Snapper over 5kgs are
to attract and excite fishers through
and is very well known. The fish in the
not unheard of, but it’s the kingfish
the summer months.
channel are generally what we call
that really get anglers excited here.
‘Pannies’ but there are a few very big
The channel is lined by markers that
That Waitemata is a greatly
fish caught every year to keep fishers
act as aggregating devices for baitfish
underestimated harbour that delivers
honest. The most notable I am aware
that in turn attract good numbers of
far more than just a great view for
of is a 25lber caught by North Shore
kingfish. Most of these hoodlums are
those lucky enough to see it out the
legend, Peter Reynolds from a very
rats – that is under the 75cm legal size
window every day.
Waitemata Harbour Sunset www.nzfisher.co.nz 15
kayakFISHING Barrier at Dawn - The anticipation was tangible
Last Minute Decision… Story and images by Jason Walker
Sitting in the office tapping away at the keyboard on a Friday morning, my mind slowly wandering off the job onto plans for Saturday morning fishing. The weather all week has slowly been getting better and better and the forecast looks good so hmm do I fish locally, head north, or join some of my mates who are fishing down at Orere Point this weekend, decisions, decisions oh what to do..? Then snap back to reality as my phone rings, quick glance to see who it is, all that’s on the screen is “Red”. That’s Red the skipper from ‘Red Quarters’ or the Lara Star – wonder what Red wants? “Wanna jump on the boat and head to the Barrier for the weekend Jase? I’ve
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got space for one more” says Red – a
buying weekend supplies and an
SharkSkin pyjamas, very warm and
bit of a last minute decision but hey
early finish from work at 4:00pm
highly recommended to all!
what the hell. So a tentative yes to Red
sees me heading over the bridge
then a quick call home to see what
throwing stuff in bags, boxes and
6:00am the alarm goes off, time
the brownie point bank credit looks
chilly bins, in the car with the yak on
to rise and find me some winter
like and turn that tentative yes into a
the roof heading back into the city
Great Barrier Snapper, oh yeah and
confirmation (thanks Jane).
and on the wharf for 5:30 on the dot!
I’m already wearing my nice warm SharkSkins. Big thanks to Red who
It’s about 10:00am Friday morning
Boat underway, time for a feed,
has as usual unloaded the boat and
and logistical reality strikes, I’m
unpack and get some gear ready
there’s my kayak sitting off the stern
sitting at work in Mt Eden, my
for the morning. All sorted it’s
of the boat. I grab my bits and pieces,
kayak and gear are sitting in my
time to call it a night, sleeping bag
don my paddle wear and I’m on the
garage about 30km north. Red is
unpacked it turns out that I grabbed
water ready to see the sun rise over
sat at the end of his usual launch
the spring/summer sleeping bag and
the island. The conditions are perfect;
spot on the end of Princes Wharf,
not the winter one damn it’s gonna
the sea is more like a mill pond, now
downtown Auckland, ready to launch
be a cold night. After 30 minutes of
to find some fish.
at 5:30pm… Several virtual packing
trying to shiver to sleep I come up
sessions run through my head, a
with a left field idea… I dig out my
I paddle less than 200m from the boat
lunchtime spent at the supermarket
SharkSkin gear and turn them into
and there is some good sign showing
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kayakFISHING
on the sounder, drop a Gulp to the
managed a feed of some description
bottom and hook up, yes as easy as
in the end. Turning in it was time to
that! A very short fight and up pops a
don the SharkSkin pyjamas again, and
nice pannie, quick photo and back it
set the alarm for a quick morning fish
goes for another day.
before heading back to Auckland.
As I said conditions were great and I
The morning came around a bit too
spent most of the morning paddling
quickly for my liking and showed that
around the broken islands flicking
the weather had started to turn for
baits along the shorelines where
the worse, still not bad conditions by
the resident Leatherjackets were
any stretch of the imagination but that
making short work of my Gulps so
wind had picked up a touch and was
I switched to the Z-Mans. I haven’t
now touching 15 knots at times but in
spent too much time using these but
the lee of the islands fishing was still
I have used them enough to ascertain
very comfortable.
that they are not favoured by the
A stunning Spring pan nie (that went back qui ckly!)
Leatherjackets so the Snappers get a
The fish of the morning for me was
look in at least. Shortly after switching
a nice healthy looking 8lb Snapper,
baits I picked up a nice 10lb specimen
again released as I had enough fish
which would provide a good feed
on the boat for family and friends.
for a few, this fish was followed by
I then ventured around the islands
many of his friends in the 4-6lb range
to the ocean side, that’s where the
which were luckier and released. I
conditions were the worst, a good
also picked up a nice fish in the 8lb
1.5m breaking swell having the tops
bracket which too was destined to
knocked off by a wind gusting up to
grace a plate back in Auckland.
20 knots, fishing in these conditions weren’t much fun (yes I did try landing
A paddle back to the boat to drop my
one small pannier) but I didn’t hang
fish into the big chiller on the boat,
around too long.
grab a feed and some fluids, then head
The perfect table fish
out again for a bit more fishing and
Back at the boat, time to load all the
again many more good sized Barrier
gear on board and head for home,
pannies, I’ve fished at the Barrier on
the ride home gives plenty of time to
trips with Red about half a dozen times
clean up my gear, have a feed, fillet
now so have fished this area over
my catch, and I even managed to have
all the seasons and I have to say the
a sleep on the way! That was one of
winter Snapper fishing at the Barrier
the best last minute decisions I’ve ever
is by far the best - I always catch more
made that’s for sure! If you want to
fish in the winter than the summer.
head out to the Barrier with Red check out RedQuarters.co.nz a very cost
Saturday night was spent relaxing
effective way to get out there!
on deck with a few beers swapping
This is what we’re here for
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stories with the others on the boat, a
Jason is the webmaster and founder
mixture of spearos, bottle divers, rock
of www.kayakfishingnz.com -
fishos and boaties. It seems most were
without a doubt our best kayak
struggling more than I was but all
fishing website resource.
VIDEO
Fishing Video of the Month
Halibut are not a typical kiwi sport fish (But I’m advised they are here in very small numbers in deeeep water), so this ones a bit out of the ordinary. Check out the great footage – pity it’s just an ad for a DVD rather than free online like NZFisher! And, for the kayak fishers out there, here.s a new, very interesting new yak built specifically with fishers in mind. And it looks damned good in the rough stuff too!
www.nzfisher.co.nz 19
regionalREVIEWS
Bay of Plenty Source: Rick Pollock www.Pursuit.co.nz Kings Kings and more kings plus
I have been doing a few talks recently
I am about to get very busy on the
a few (Ed: Giant!) albies being seen.
on top water fishing and they have
water, (for the next few months I
Our last trip out was a cracker with
been well received. For those of you
think I have maybe 4 or 5 days off)
over 30 fish being landed with some
who may have got the bug and are
but even so I do expect to find
real nice fat fish amongst them. Best
keen to give it a go we still have a
some time to do some very detailed
thing for me was to see them come up
few spaces left in December but they
reports. Our first big trip for spring
from the depths covered in INK, this
are filling fast. Also if you want to
is with my crazy French twin Etienne
means the squid are there and kings
learn more you could pick up some
Piquel form New Caledonia which
on squid are mad.
of the recent Bay Fisher magazines
will be loads of fun. Etienne is the
which include some very detailed
New Caledonia fishing guide for
We also entered the Top Catch jigging
articles I have written on top water
Ocean Blue, and will be known to
comp a few weeks back and even
fishing and also issue 85 of the Blue
some of you who have been lucky
though the fishing was very hard for
water magazine featured an in depth
enough to go over there to chase
most we still managed to park above a
article on top water fishing and the
the Big GT’s. I am excited to be
nice patch of fish and do ok. I got the
gear involved. (The cover shot for this
showing our New Zealand Kingies
fourth longest released fish and the
issue was one of my photos and it
off to Etienne, and it will be great to
other boat we teamed up with got the
was great to see a NZ Kingfish on the
learn some of his tricks for landing
3rd heaviest and the heaviest overall
cover of one of Australia’s Premier
the GT’s and put our brains together
for day one.
fishing magazines)
to invent some new kingfish tactics.
Coromandel Source: Carl Muir www.EpicAdventures.co.nz Carls been a bit busy this month –
Taranaki – West Coast The AMF Team
check out these outstanding fish caught just a few days ago! For our
Fish here is a non event
its only Spiky’s and Cutta in
international readers, this is the sort of
again now the weather has
close at the moment – but at
trip our local skippers like Carl can
packed it in again.
least they pull some line!
A few boats that made it out
Some good crays have been
before this latest weather
taken in close, there are
system came through caught
a lot of female with eggs
good fish in 80m plus depth.
however…but you can’t win
The fish are definitely there
them all!
make a reality for you.
and they’re hungry – it’s just
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a matter of getting to them.
Whitebaiters have been
Unfortunately due to weather,
waiting for the rain, so it may
most of us are landlocked or
happen now in a big way and
fishing in very close and sadly
keep the locals happy.
regionalREVIEWS
Hauraki
Spring has pumped up the
out for their fishing fix. The calmer
catching not necessarily so. Small soft
volume right on cue. Some snapper
days seem to be mid-week, may I
baits have been the key to success
are already in roe, and so are john
suggest having a mental health day
out in the gulf, the bigger snapper
dory, gurnard and kingfish! Confusion
or two, a good idea at this time of
have had quite empty stomachs apart
abounds as the water temperature
year as it could be weeks before fine
from small grubs and small shellfish…
is still more like a salt-water slurry,
fishing weather lands on the weekend.
dragging a smaller soft plastic along
12-13c on a good day i.e. only just
the bottom well behind the boat has
starting the upward spiral for summer.
The outer gulf is alive with activity
led to success even on the ‘quiet’
Yet all around the Hauraki Gulf the
most days, somewhere. The middle
days. The snapper’s winter condition
signs of spring have been turned
gulf is still relatively quiet though
is superb, their winter bulk making
on. A dozen or more Brydes whales,
waiting for the big turnaround only
smoked snapper absolutely delicious!
2 pods of orca, baby dolphins, big
recently initiated.
brown jellyfish and yellow pollen on
The weather patterns accelerate at
the surface close to land…spring has
When the current is medium to
will so the forecast can be a day or
definitely sprung.
strong the fishing has been very
two out right now, so preparation
good, not so on low tidal flow days,
and flexibility is key if you want to hit
Between gale force winds only
which unfortunately have coincided
the outer gulf, some big snapper are
periodic calmer times have allowed
with the sunny windless days making
lurking there just waiting for you to
the prepared to down tools and head
conditions picture perfect, but the fish
spring into action.
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NEXTmonth
f sher
In the next issue of NZ Fisher…
•
Spring Kings make the most of their new season hunger
•
Coromandel; Number three on the top 5 count down
•
Piper: More than just great bait
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