ISSUE 23 April 2013
Fish Your Feet First Te Atatu Creek Kingfish!?!? Solo West coast Marlin
www.nzfisher.co.nz 1
TO DO:
Makaira
Grab a NEW Okuma lever drag r eel fro m the tac kle sto re this a rvo
www.cdrods.co.nz
MAKAIRA
Can you hang on to 45.4kg of drag? Okuma Makaira delivers market breaking drag and complete over engineerin gdelivered with dual drag cams to suit your fishing style. THE MAKAIRA REELS FEA TURE: • Up to 45.4kg of drag wit h complete free spool • Patented T-Bar handle • Custom thrust bearing to alleviate side load • Cold forged spool • 17-4 stainless steel com ponents • Silent retrieve • Helical cut gears • Abec 5 – Sapporo stainle ss bearings
SOLTERRA
Solterra
New technology leverdra g for ultimate versatility Solterra features carbonite drag and ergo design, its Okuma’s latest in graphi te leverdrag. THE SOLTERRA REELS FEA TURE: • Patented T-bar or ergono mic handles • Durable Aluminium Fra me • 5 + 1 HPB Bearings • HUGE drag performanc e • Racheting lever Drag Sys tem • Aluminium Handle bar
HOT!
ANDROS
for 2012/13
Andros 2 www.nzfisher.co.nz
Ultimate weapon! 11kg of drag and massive line cap acity the Andros 2 speed leverdra g is the reel for your arse nal. THE ANDROS REELS FEA TURE: • 2 speed, 6:4:1 High / 3:8: 1 Low • 6-pcs ABEC 5 rated EZO Japanese Ball Bearings • External Adjustable Cas ting Control System • Ratcheting Lever Drag for precise settings • Carbonite drag system with Cal’s drag grease • Integrated recessed ree l foot for low profile rod fit • Max drag at Full with com plete freespool is 24lbs • Max drag at strike with complete freespool is 15lb
22
editorial
CONTENTS Pg 8
10
FISHINGFUTURE 6 Where the Roads are Leading LOCALFISHING 8 Fish Your Feet First 10 Up the Creek With(out) a Gaff FISHINGTHEORIES 12 It’s All About the Numbers SPORTFISHING 14 Solo Marlin! 16 Coromandel Calling 18
Reader Pics & competition
JETSKIFISHING 22 King of Jetskifishing 2013 JETSKIFISHING 24 A Perfect Fishing Competition(nearly!) 28
Video of the month
Pg 24
www.nzfisher.co.nz 3
The Beginning of the Future The day you caught your first fish. The first time you climbed into a boat. These moments make up the beginning of the future. Today, Honda’s forward thinking comes together to bring you a reliable, fuel efficient range of outboards.
From 2.3hp to 250hp.
TheBegin ing
Contact your local Honda Marine Dealer today Freephone 0800 478 765 www.hondamarine.co.nz
4 www.nzfisher.co.nz
Scan me for a free cap!
editorial
//From the
EDITOR 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 CONTENT ENQUIRIES / Phone Derrick on 021 629 327 or email derrickp@NZ Fisher.co.nz ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES / Phone Richard on 09 522 7257
AS SUMMER FIGHTS a long, slow
fly but also on traditional gear (well, if
or email richardl@espiremedia.com
battle to its death my land-based
soft-plastics are considered traditional
ADDRESS / NZ Fisher,
fishing bones are getting restless.
now!) and small, sinking stickbaits. For
C/- Espire Media, PO Box 137162,
Yes, it’s beginning to feel like moocher
a while there I hadn’t bought stinky
Parnell, Auckland 1151, NZ
time and I’m ready to get my hands
bait for about 5 years and now with
WEBSITE / www.NZ Fisher.co.nz
covered in fish blood ‘n guts again.
fly, stickbaits, plastics Inchikus and
But before I do, I have one more
heavy metal jigs I think it’s going to be
mission to accomplish – snapper, from
a long while again until I do again!
the shore, on a fly rod. It’s amazing what all this sun will do to a man!
I was involved in the Fishing Future Search meeting in Nelson in February
I’m hooked (Sorry, poor pun there)
and since have had many a long
on Saltwater fly-fishing and there’s
conversation with fishy individuals on
only one cure – actually catching
both sides of the rec-fishing political
something! These guys are doing
spectrum. Rather than just paint rosy
some pretty awesome things on the water inside the harbour and NZFisher is right behind them. Check out the ‘Fish your feet first article in this issue and a bit of a series on fishing close to
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!
picture of the agreed action plans, I’ve put together a very brief overview of the current fisheries management landscape. If it bores you – go fishing!
home in the next few issues. Just recently I’ve been enjoying the
Tight lines,
fruits of our backyard, not just with
Derrick
Main pic: “SOLO MARLIN” Angler Mike Feather, Credit: Derrick Paull Inset: “Kenepuru Snapper” Angler Bevan Middlebrook
www.nzfisher.co.nz 5
FISHINGfuture
Where the Roads are Leading By Derrick Paull I’VE SPENT MANY hours reading into,
‘Fishin Future Search (finding
This is the first ambitious project
listening about, debating and analysing
their wings and leaving the wing
to develop foundation policies and
the state of recreational fishing and
of the Rec Fishing Council).
hopefully not the last. The document
how we, as recreational fishers, are managed in New Zealand.
They’ve both arrived with baggage of their histories but there’s a real
makes great reading and begins to unpeel a few truths about recreational fisher activity and influence on our
When I came onto the rec-fishing
desire in both camps to improve
lobby scene it was under the wing of
the ability of the rec-fishing sector
Keith Ingram and into the folds of the
to strengthen, understand and
Recreational Fishing Council. I was led
exercise our rights under the
to believe that they were the only group
current fisheries act. There are
worth their salt and that ‘other lot’ were
key differences and some startling
worthless. I’m not one to simply take
similarities but the end goal appears
With 32,000 members nationwide the
the word of indoctrinated individuals
to be fairly similar regardless
NZSFC have an extensive base to call
who are often pushing their own
of the method to get there.
on for funding and do a commendable
barrow, so over time I’ve joined more groups and broadened my knowledge
Legasea, in hand with their parent
fisheries. Legasea are up and running with a full head of steam; they are at the forefront of fisheries management with a team of paid professionals funded through a voluntary payment base.
job with the resources they have.
organisation the New Zealand Sport
What has changed recently is the
Fishing council have produced one of
(successful) running of the ‘Fish n’
In the recent past two groups
the most forward thinking documents
future search’ (F ‘n FS) in Nelson
have come into existence; Legasea
which addresses the pressure by both
over a long weekend in February.
(risen from the ashes of Option4)
recreational & commercial fishers on
The event was organised to explore
and an un-named group bought
the Snapper 1 (North Cape –Cape
diverse needs, to foster the discovery of
together under the banner of
Runaway) fishery.
common ground and spark constructive
of the issues and some history.
6 www.nzfisher.co.nz
FISHINGfuture
action that will ultimately benefit all
Under the guidance of Sandra Janoff,
whole community to work together
stakeholders and support sustainable
(Future Search USA founder) the
to define & protect our fisheries and
marine fisheries. The meeting included
group realised eight areas of common
66 individuals from a diverse set of
ground, points where all groups and
backgrounds, drawing participants from
backgrounds came together and
came to unanimous agreement on the
throughout New Zealand.
understood the future requires the
following ideals:
their entire environment. The group
THEME COMMON GROUND STATEMENT Sustainable fisheries We ensure a healthy marine environment enjoyed by all. Community buy-in and support We all take pride in an abundant and healthy marine environment when our community extends Manaakitanga over our fisheries and oceans. Unity across the recreational fishing sector We believe in unity and inclusion within the recreational fishing community. Equity of access We strive to ensure equity of access through stakeholder Engagement Education We ensure New Zealanders understand and value our marine environment and its resources so we can all be responsible for a better future. Governance We are a recognised representative and accountable body that promotes and protects responsible recreational fishing. Sustainable funding We create an independent and sustainable income stream to achieve our aspirations and meet our responsibilities. Communication We create a comprehensive strategy and a network to communicate with members, stakeholders, media and other interested parties.
Future?
with the right action and direction
What does this mean in practice?
they seem possible and appropriate.
All the participants at the event
progress – I don’t agree with the
The one real big bug-bear was how
agreed that a national body is
Ministry that there needs to be
to pay for it; Licensing was supported
required to promote and protect
just one voice. And let’s be honest,
by a majority of participants but the
responsible fishing. There will be
there’s not much chance of these
process doesn’t allow for majorities,
a journey to identify exactly what
two ideologically distant groups
it needed a consensus so there was
functions this national body will
agreeing on everything; but there is
no agreement on licensing – but it did
undertake and how it will work
a good chance that common ground
cause the group to think critically and
with existing recreational fishing
can be found and the two groups
thinking outside the square came up
organisations. The steering group
working together for a realistic,
with some creative and fruitful ideas
will be driving the process to specify
common gain is possible and really,
on funding. The Ministry of Primary
the functions and form of the
it’s desirable for the average fisher.
Industries has committed to funding
national body and will ensure that all
We’ll do our best to keep you
the next three rounds of meetings, on
progress is undertaken in the spirit
informed as news arrives, but in the
the premise of preferring one group
of the common ground agreements.
short term we strongly suggest you
to communicate with instead of the
It is estimated it will take 3 years to
read the NZSFC Snapper 1 policy
many groups on the board at present.
get the new body fully operating.
document, here.
While the goals here seem lofty now,
I’m keen to see both groups
www.nzfisher.co.nz 7
localFISHING It’s like we were meant to be there
Fish Your Feet First A good day at the office with the Marlin Queen. And that was a tough fishing day.
Fly Flinging in the inner harbour By Derrick Paull and Matt von Sturmer
Pt Chev Snapper
TO MANY PEOPLE there is much
I spent a really pleasant afternoon
more to fishing than just dropping a
on a shell bank off Point Chevalier
line in the water and hoping for the
chatting with Matt and learning a
best. I find these people fascinating
few of his secrets. It’s easy to think
and I try and get out with as many real
he’s pulling you leg with stories of
‘anglers’ as I can. In these folks there’s
regular bag-limit hauls of to 50cm
a passion that goes much deeper than
from under the nose of stressed out
just putting fish on the table.
city commuters.
I recently met Matt von Sturmer. His
It’s not until you’re there, rod in hand
weakness? Saltwater-fly; And not
looking into the clear, fishy water that
just that – he frequents the inner
you realise just how many fish are
harbour shallows. Areas we’d call
feeding up in the harbour shallows
marginal at best.
over summer.
Very surprisingly Matt usually catches
We’re going to follow Matt and his
more than the rest of us, in areas we
saltwater Fly Fisher buddies over the
just gaze at. If you registered that there
next few months in the ‘Fish your feet
were fish there at all, I’d bet you’d think
first’ section of NZFisher, so if you’re
just mullet and flounder, but Matt’s
into catching more near your back
been nailing snapper – good snapper –
doorstep, watch this space.
in water so shallow you can wade it.
8 www.nzfisher.co.nz
www.adventuresmart.org.nz
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO The Boating Safety
CODE Before you go boating on our seas, lakes and rivers, get familiar with New Zealand’s Boating Safety Code, no matter what kind of boat you use.
1
Life jackets
5 4
Take them – Wear them.
3
Skipper responsibility
to help you stay safe:
Marine weather New Zealand’s weather can be highly unpredictable. Check the local marine weather forecast before you go and expect both weather and sea state changes.
Boats, especially ones under 6m in length, can sink very quickly. Wearing a life jacket increases your survival time in the water.
2
simple rules
5
Avoid alcohol
The skipper is responsible for the safety of everyone on board and for the safe operation of the boat. Stay within the limits of your vessel and your experience.
Safe boating and alcohol do not mix. Things can change quickly on the water. You need to stay alert and aware.
Communications
The Water Safety
Take two separate waterproof ways of communicating so we can help you if you get into difficulties.
Also available:
CODE
The Outdoor Safety
CODE
For more information about safe boating education and how to prepare for your boating activity, visit www.adventuresmart.org.nz www.nzfisher.co.nz 9
localFISHING My fishing playground, in view of my house
Up the Creek With(out) a Gaff Getting monstered on your back doorstep By Matt Hemmingway
I AM NOT A frequent contributor
more that the tide is low and quick
Coincidently it was also The Te
but I would like to pass on a day’s
accessibility to the water is impossible.
Atatu boat clubs annual harbour fish
experience that has taken two years to achieve; with a lovely twist. I have made it a mission of mine to specifically hunt and catch kingfish in front of my house in a shallow estuary off Te Atatu Peninsula.
I’m not alone in this pursuit as one of my neighbours Matto (Matt Von Sturmer) a very experienced fisho and now very keen salt fly exponent has
competition which I had duly entered because they were raising funds for child cancer and I’m all into things like that.
had the same ambition for a similar
I knew that I would be able to catch
time. We are both challenged by the
plenty of livies which are generally
I have fished this particular spot for
opportunities of having them in front
small kahawai and yellow eyed mullet
2 years all year round, sometimes
of us, underneath us but the kings are
in front of the house – so burley was
2-3 times a week in some pretty
not willing to play the game. I have
deployed. It was low coming in and
miserable weather. In the summer I
popped, lured, live-baited, baited
the Surtees scraped over the mud in
have been teased beyond belief as I
and god only knows how many times
half a meter of water to my favourite
watch in particular the summertime
I have prayed for them to eat the
spot in front of the house.
kings smashing fish in front of me as I
Bl***y offering I have presented but
watch from my porch. The frustration
always to no avail.
is compounded when I have work or family commitments but really it is
10 www.nzfisher.co.nz
The burley was shovelled overboard and the live-bait lines were deployed
Well this morning I was up at 4am
promptly. I was immediately hauling in
and off to Te Atatu south to launch.
my livies and with 20 in the tank and
localFISHING
with the water at a metre I set some
body I was shaking with excitement.
the leader was incredibly light and
out and butterflied a couple of others.
I fought him in 2 metres and finally
before reaching the point of gaffing
Small snaps played with the dead
brought him alongside. I was so
my prize I lost him.
baits and the livies swum freely with
caught out because I hadn’t actually
gay abandon as they must of known it
anticipated catching one that I was all
was me and no harm would come to
fingers and thumbs.
them; for two years in this spot none had been hurt, maybe harassed but the worst could only be release and “Thanks for your service”.
I lost him. Gutted. In the next hour I was hit several more times on my livies, each time losing
In a balance of dexterity which belies
my quarry to very light gear. A choice
my bodies obvious capabilities I
had committed myself to but was in
released the gaff from its aged and
actual fact the catalyst to a sudden
permanent position because the net
surge in pick-ups.
After two hours and a couple of snaps
was going to be too small but this was
in the bin and I had a solid hit on a
all too unwieldy as he fought to be
yellow eye mullet. Now, generally
free and used his skills to thwart me at
when I get a hit here it is either one
every moment. I was not going to lose
of three opponents: A ray, a shark or
this guy I screamed inside; but the to
a large snapper. But this time it was a
and fro was punishing. I eventually
king; I was gob-smacked and with so
convinced myself to grab the leader
the main small fish. These fish are
much adrenaline running through my
ignoring my better judgement. Sadly
to be auctioned afterwards with the
I arrived at the weigh in to give my largest snap a comfortable 42cm and joined the throng to view the spoils. I was surprised to see there was a generous supply of fish all of which are by upper harbour standards in
proceeds for Child Cancer. I asked the organisers if I could bid on the fish and if I won any could I return them back into the auction for further fundraising, (I have to say I don’t really eat fish, just like the boating and hunting). I bought plenty and the coffers of the fundraising were duly increases as the fish I bought were put back through the auction. The prizes for the categories were presented. And no, my snap was too small, but to my amazement there were no entries for Kingfish, kahawai or gurnard, just snapper. So after the snap prizes the officials decide to random draw tickets for the other categories. Well the heaviest kingfish prize went to, you guessed it, me! My jaw was on the floor and I had a smile that must have wrapped my head.
POST NOTE: Check out Matt’s next days fishing here – nabbed hot off the press from Fishing.net.nz. Te Atatu is going off right now ;)
And then it was gone...
www.nzfisher.co.nz 11
FISHINGtheories
It’s All About the Numbers
Depth = higher chances. Sea Ox dragged this one out of 75m on a livebait targetting kings!
The flip side of trying to catch big snapper By Sam Elliot
LUCK MAY PLAY a part in fishing, but how can you increase your odds of getting that trophy snapper that everyone is after? Lots of burley, a craggy looking reef that rarely gets fished and some big baits sounds like a pretty good combination. That is a tried and proven path to that hump headed moocher, but there might be other ways to go about it. Some of them may be a bit counterintuitive, but bear with me. Catching big fish is all about
12 www.nzfisher.co.nz
numbers. The problem is the numbers aren’t in our favour. There are lots of fish that aren’t trophy size, and very few that are. So it’s possible that there are a number of trophy fish in the area where you are fishing, but you’re too busy hauling in panny’s to catch them. A great day out, but not what you are after. What we need is a way of increasing the chance of catching that big fish amongst the masses. Here’s the counterintuitive bit. One way is to try not to catch
fish. Well not completely, but enough so that your bait is in the water longer, which gives that shy moocher more time to grab the bait before its snapped up by a pesky panny. So how can we go about finding a balance between not catching anything and doing enough to secure the fish of a lifetime? Don’t give up on your normal methods, but give one or two of these ideas a go and it just might switch the odds in your favour.
FISHINGtheories
cted this lazy old ved softbait attra A big, slow retrie n’t survive. to release, but it did snapper. We tried
Heading 12 miles off-sho re is
one way to get into bigger snappe r
Use bait that doesn’t always get the fastest bite
Fish where there are fewer snapper
Basically avoid pilchards and anything smelly. These are irresistible morsels to small snapper, but very few large snapper are caught on pillies. Fresh baits that you have caught yourself are nowhere near as smelly, so might not get smashed straight away, but are attractive enough to secure your fish of a lifetime. Using larger baits is another way of giving your bait more time in the water.
If you have a spare moment have a look at the NZ Angling and Casting Association website and take note of the number of records for snapper from the shore based clubs in the Gisborne area. The Gisborne area is not known as a snapper fishing Mecca like the Hauraki Gulf. But fewer snapper can mean it’s easier to get to the large ones. This seems to be the case around Gisborne. Conversely, while the snapper fishing in the inner Hauraki Gulf
is amazing, it’s not the place to catch large fish. I know of some very large fish caught from places like Rangitoto and Rakino Islands, but they are few and far between. There are simply too many smaller fish to get through.
Fish deep water This one is simple. There are fewer snapper in water over 50 m deep, but there is also a much higher ratio of larger snapper compared to smaller ones. Spending time fishing deep reefs is an easy way to target big snapper.
Fish your baits slowly This mostly applies to soft baits, but if you wind back stray lined cut baits it is something to think about for bait fishing too. Basically, bigger fish can be apprehensive to take the bait. A slowly moved bait gives that bigger fish more time before it disappears and it can’t be bothered chasing it. Again, this may mean you get less fish, but you are more likely to snag that bigger one if it is there. Go the extra mile - long walk (in the rain) to get
fish like this
sportFISHING
ate Perfect conditions & the ultim
result.
SOLO MARLIN! By Mike Feather
I HAVE ALWAYS wanted to catch
got sharked so I thought I would leave
a Marlin single handed and on a
the next one on the surface and slowly
Saturday in March I went out for a solo
worked my way along the blue side of
mission in search of Marlin out over
the colour change where there was a
the Manukau Bar in my 533 Stabicraft.
nice looking current line.
I had lures in the water by 8am and
I was off Pararaha valley in about
trolled north at 70m till I got off
65m. After about an hour and a half I
Karekare Beach and I came across a
began to think about maybe sending
tailing Marlin which sounded as soon
the live-bait back down as I had with
as I got within 50m of it. I worked the
the others so I slowed the boat down
area for half an hour but nothing came
and started to pull the halyard when I
of it. My plan was to live-bait for the
noticed that the line that was out the
day so went in close to 30m and got
back was now on a 45 degree angle
Half an hour later I got it close enough
half a dozen jack macks and raced
to the side and starting to overtake
trace and I introduced it to the
back out.
the boat!
‘attitude adjuster’ just to make sure
The first live bait was deployed about
The rigger released and line peeled,
15m down and I hooked up a Blue
so I put the drag up and I suddenly
Shark of around 60 to 70kg. Over the
had a stripy around the 100 kg size
next 3 hours the next four live baits
explode out of the water about 70
14 www.nzfisher.co.nz
feet away...I was hooked up. My immediate thought was, ‘Ok...here I am out here by myself...it’s what I came for...this will be interesting’. Fortunately for me the fish was really active on the surface and must have jumped at least forty times and tired itself out pretty quickly but with just me on board I wanted to make sure that it was going to be quiet boat-side and did not rush the fight.
it wasn’t going to cause problems. The next five minutes was probably the hardest part of dealing with the fish as I could not reach across to
sportFISHING Mike & his solo marlin back at the shore.
put the motor out of gear and I was concerned that the fish would get propped and not only that I could not quite reach down far enough to grab the bill as the water pressure was pushing its head away from the side of the boat. It was one of those...’You have got to be kidding moments!’. It is moments like these that you find any weakness in your set up and I have since added more cleats to the boat. After several attempts with the gaff handle I finally managed to reach across to knock the engine out of gear and then pulled the fish on board. The next few minutes were spent sat down taking in the moment with a sense of relief and the realisation that I could now tick this off my bucket list. Once home, its measurements came to a fraction under 105kg. It’s not the biggest of Marlin but landing it solo makes it by far the most satisfying one for me that’s for sure.
LEADERS IN BOAT TRAILER DESIGN & PERFORMANCE ‘Superbly Built’ ‘The boat goes on and off the trailer like a dream’ ‘it tows like a breeze!’ Matt Watson, ITM Fishing Show
Used by
Trade in your existing boat trailer for a new Voyager, and receive minimum 10% DISCOUNT on the value of your new replacement trailer • We service, repair and re-galvanise any boat trailer • Parts, servicing, multi-roller and tandem conversion
www.voyagertrailers.co.nz
FN4718
6 Kaimiro St, Pukete Industrial Estate, Hamilton – Ph 07 849 3158 www.nzfisher.co.nz 15
sportFISHING
Coromandel Calling By Ariel A Perez
IT HAS BEEN nearly 5 years since I
outer islands on the west coast of the
went to the Coromandel during my
peninsula. In the first hour of getting
early Land based fishing days, chasing
my first live bait piper out, I had my
kingfish and big snapper from the
first hook up and after a 5 minute
rocks. But the weekend before Easter
fight, I had lost the king after failing
had me decide to come back and
to stop it taking my line into the rocky
give it go. After an early morning
bottom. I usually bring a 24kg live
drive from Auckland, we arrived at
bait gear in this place, but I made a
Anglers Lodge and used their water
mistake of only bringing along my
taxi service to take us to one of the
15kg. After 3 hook-ups and losing
Ariel playing the waiting game on a perfect ledge. 16 www.nzfisher.co.nz
sportFISHING The spoils of a long drive & decent weather - A 7kg autumn snapper
them all to bust-offs, it was obvious it was no match to the size of the kings that was around that day. Tired and beaten from my battles with the kings, I went and do a relaxing stray lining session for snapper. Using the piper my partner Angela caught earlier as bait, I hooked and landed a 7Kg snapper along with a couple of pan size ones for a feed. It was all a great day out in the Coromandel and will certainly be back, but I will make sure not to be outgunned the next time.
www.nzfisher.co.nz 17
READERpics
Darryl Lock’s first surfcasting snapper.
Karl Lear & his son Oscar & Oscar’s first fish; a chunky Waitemata Snapper. Image: Sharon Baker Lear
From Callum Geekie - a 50cm snapper taken on a whole Blue Mac head from the rocks around Auckland
Angela Kerr & her prehistoric looking 30kg ‘puka taken aboard Epic last year
18 www.nzfisher.co.nz
READERpics
Derek Kesley & a fit looking King looks like the Kaipara
WINNER
Brad Adams’ son with a great summer snapper
Mike Rippon’s Massive ‘Nomad Charters’ king. Hard to beat that one Mike!
Jason Christiansen with a legal King from the bricks in Doubtless Bay
www.nzfisher.co.nz 19
READERpics
Michael Perkins is doing us a favour by removing these colourful pests from Auckland Waterways. Carp are a pest, but a sometimes great bait
Samantha Bowler sent this pic of her partner with the winning (19.5lb) snapper at the 2013 Taupiri competition
Tyson Dudley’s tagged & released Summer Marlin, estimated at 120kg! Great fish & smoking shot!
Tim ‘Tipper’ Arlott with another ‘Epic’ caught Autumn Kingfish from the Aldermans
This month’s winner of the ReelWear tee is Brad Adams for the pic of his son’s first snapper. Brad wins a Reel Adventures, ReelWear Tee-Shirt The OKUMA Tee goes to Michael Perkins for his community service in killing Carp – Thanks Michael! Brad and Michael, drop us a line to arrange your size and delivery details. Keep sending in your pics for the great OKUMA and Reel Wear prizes up for grabs every month.
Win this Reel Wear tee shirt next month by sending in your fishy pics to Facebook
20 www.nzfisher.co.nz
COMPETITION
Win a Rod & Reel with OKUMA & NZFisher!
Built-in StructureScan® HD sonar imaging, plus award-winning Broadband Sounder® with DownScan Overlay™ and TrackBack™ feature. The ultimate fish-and structure-finding display. www.lowrance.com/find
Personalised or optional Navionics® charts. View both at once in 3D perspective view, plus StructureMap™ and Broadband Radar™ capability. www.lowrance.com/navigate
JUST POST A pic of you with a fish to our Facebook page and you’re in the draw to win an Okuma Salina II Rod and Reel combo plus tackle
New super-bright widescreen displays in 7, 9 and 12-inch sizes with touchscreen control. Dominate your time on the water with greater command and control that’s now easier to learn and customize. www.lowrance.com/dominate
worth $750.00. Not only that but every month we’ll give away an Okuma Hoody and ReelWear T-shirt between now and
PREVIEW THE NEW HDS GEN2 TOUCH AT LO W R A N C E . C O M
June 2013. Every image you enter has a chance to win each month and also the big prize. The more and sooner you enter, the better your chances so get fishing and posting those images to Facebook!
www.enl.co.nz
www.nzfisher.co.nz 21
jetskiFISHING
King of Jetskifishing 2013 By Andrew Hill THE DAY HAD come again to see
interest with anglers travelling from
who would earn the title of the newest
as far as Whakatane and Taranaki,
King of Jetskifishing. With this bi-
making the most of meeting others
annual event and being the seventh
involved in the fun sport. After
King of Jetskifishing, it is always
the early morning briefing, each
exciting to see who has entered.
Jetskifisho would set off and give it
major species categories. It was another great event involving the whole family, with the BBQ and refreshments enjoyed at the end of the day.
their best at the generous $6,000
Plenty more photos are now loaded
prize pool.
on our Facebook page, thanks very
Eastern Beach. All entrants are required
Also up for grabs, the bragging rights
much too all our sponsors that
to make the early start with their skis
for the Logitech “Mad Mile”, you
continue making the event possible.
around to the beach for registration.
can view this exciting aerial video
Great to see another newbie to
On registration at the Sea-Doo tent,
footage by viewing at our Jetskifishing
they receive their complimentary King
YouTube page.
of Jetskifishing Tournament bag with
After a few minutes of horsepower
entrants have as good a chance as
our sponsor’s goodies.
fuelled adrenalin, we soon had new
each other on the day. The next
King of the Mad Mile, Lemar Paterson
event is later in the year; look
on his SeaDoo RXT.
forward to seeing who is ‘King
registered anglers. The competition
Here is the full video clip of the day’s
of Jetskifishing 8’, scheduled for
is continuing to attract nationwide
action, including the winners of the
Sunday November 4th 2013.
The summer format features our spectacular shotgun start leaving
We were fortunate with the weather and had great turnout with 78
22 www.nzfisher.co.nz
the sport taking out the King of Jetskifishing, just proves that all
jetskiFISHING
King of the Mad Mile!
The Mad Mile !
Sea-Doo King of Jetskifishing in association with Woodbine Marine HEAVIEST WEIGHT SNAPPER PLACE
NAME
WEIGHT
1st
Jarrod Langstone (Yamaha FX HO Cruiser)
4.35kg
Prize and Trophy - $1,000 CASH 2nd
John Hickey (Yamaha FX HO)
1.80kg
Prize – Daiwa rod and reel combo 3rd
James Johnston (Sea-Doo GTX Ltd)
1.70kg
Prize – Berkley Tackle Bag 4th
Stefan Orzel (Yamaha FX HO)
1.65kg
Prize – SavePhace Jetskifishing Mask 5th
Eddie Braun (Sea-Doo Wake)
1.60kg
Prize – Cock and Bull Voucher The full results are available at www.jetskifishing.co.nz ing of Jarrod - K
the Gulf!
If you’d like to get started with Jet Ski fishing come see Andrew Hill at the Jetskifishing Store. You can follow Andrew’s adventures here on Facebook
www.nzfisher.co.nz 23
competitionFISHING
A Perfect Fishing Competition(nearly!)
The Blue Water Classic By Phil Josephs
THE BLUE WATER CLASSIC s the
Day One
of the baits going into the tank, with
premier event the calendar of the
We’re on the water before day break
most of the Kahawai giving 4kg’s a
Mt Maunganui Sports Fishing Club.
and had a half a plan for the day.
nudge, there is no such thing as a live
This year I was invited to fish in the
We made a bee line for the Okuparu
bait that is too big!
competition with Russ Hawkins (a
Reef, a structure about 10km’s off
We motored a short distance to the
local Charter skipper from Fatboy
the cost of Mt Maunganui and an
back of Motiti Island. This is an area
Charters) his son Duane and mate
excellent place to gather live bait.
decimated by the Rena oil spill but
Kirky, a wee man that would struggle
The bungees were over the back in
is now fighting its way back into the
to keep his chin of the gunwale
quick order and we had the tank full
pristine marine environment it was
during the comp, the fish just
of kahawai in no time. There we a few
before the ship struck the Astrolabe
getting the better of him.
raised eye brows at the size of some
Reef. Lures were set and we settled in
24 www.nzfisher.co.nz
competitionFISHING
Day Two
for the first session trolling, making our
and off we went. Arriving at the first
way around Schooner rocks, Tokoroa
spot we planned to deploy live bait on
shoals and past Plate island heading to
bridle rigs (just in case a marlin was in
the area towards White Island.
the area) but we weighted them with a
The conditions were just epic, but the
8oz ball sinkers over the bridle rig and
fishing, well, it was rubbish. No life to
set down on the face of the fish to get
speak of above or below the water
them to the depths required, we were
A new pin was selected for day two.
soon had the boys hatching another
fishing in around 150m of water with
Baits rigged, same way, same hook up
plan. We considered we might drive
good sign on the bottom so no good
time. It was hammered as soon as it
around hoping, for want of a better
having the live bait on the surface.
hit the bottom.
word, for a marlin or we could target
This worked very well.
specific fish with the live baits in
The first live bait took longer to prepare
specific areas. So that’s what we did.
the comp so that everyone got a fair
and get to the bottom than it did to be
shot at a fish. Wee Kirky in the chair
Russ having a wealth of information of
engulfed by a predator. 24.30kg’s of
for the first bait of the morning and
the Bay of Plenty pointed the big AMF
Kingfish arrived at the boat a while after
saw him quickly connected to a very
to an area in the middle of nowhere
and spirits on board were very high.
big Mako. The fish put on a fantastic
Same plan, off to collect the live baits but this time we trolled back to the pins that we had had such a good start on yesterday. We got nothing on the lures but for the odd albacore.
We ran a clock from the very start of
www.nzfisher.co.nz 25
competitionFISHING
aerial display. As mentioned earlier he was fighting hard to keep his chin off the side of the boat as this shark was big and it was angry. We got it to the boat but in the attempt to tag it, it went nuts at the boat and broke off, a bummer but still a great fight. Next bait in the water was Duane’s; it was eaten straight away but this time a kingfish and a good one. So with our good fish from day one still to be weighed we set the lures and headed for home stopping for an uneventful jig at Penguin shoals on the way in.
Day Three This was a shorter day due to the requirement to return in time for the prize giving. Our two good fish so far had us in a good position. Not wanting to change a winning formula too much, we collected the livies but flagged the trolling. On to pin number three. We were a man down due to Kirky having to attend a funeral so the clock was extended to 20 minutes each. We stopped at Pudney rock on the way set a bait and it was hammer straight away and reefed after a bit of a scrap so we carried on to the original destination. Conditions were average. But again baits deployed and baits eaten. Russ was up first and PB for him at 20.4kg’s on the first bait. Duane was up second and another solid fish of 20kg’s. I was up third and the bait got eaten in the normal fashion but this time it was a bit more serious that what we had dealt with so far. I’m on a beautiful Offshore game rod with a Tiagra 50w in a harness and I’m losing a scrap with a kingfish after about 5 minutes I was not getting anywhere with this fish. The last run
26 www.nzfisher.co.nz
competitionFISHING
was at near on sunset and it was like it was in free spool and then gone, hook pulled! Duane, was over the side with a jig straight away and hooked up straight away and same result. It could just be that some Kingfish are just not meant to be caught. That was it. Comp over and off to the prize giving. We finished in 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th for Kingfish from our boat and collected same fantastic prizes. It was a near on perfect result and a great few days fishing. We tried different things and they worked, we went to different areas and caught fish and we had a lot of laughs doing it.
www.nzfisher.co.nz 27
VIDEO
Fishing Video of the Month •
Tuna Tuna tuna! http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=qOFXAg6Df7E
•
West coast marlin at its gritty Kiwi best https://www.youtube.com/ watch?feature=player_ embeddedandv=ZKG3j6yNDr4
•
Kings off Whitianga in a small boat – This makes the cut for enthusiasm if not for size ;) http://www.youtube.com/watc h?v=msys82XjgKoandfeature=y outu.be
•
Check out the Pure Fishing team on their Whatuwhiwhi 6-day epic - and it is epic (and over 30 minutes!) http://www.youtube.com/ watch?feature=player_ embeddedandv=2Q3j5saqIi4
28 www.nzfisher.co.nz
NEXTmonth regionalREVIEWS
In next months issue: -M ay 2013 will be ‘Guest Edited’ by our own Forsyth Thompson - More from our own back yards in ‘Fish your feet first’ - East Cape Epics– A tale told twice on the rocks
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!
www.nzfisher.co.nz 29