NZ Fisher Issue 27

ISSUE 27 September 2013

Champagne Fishing – Shore Boys on the Water Kiwis at the 2013 Offshore World Champs Congratulations to our Hooked Up prize winner for Issue #27! www.nzfisher.co.nz 1

A NEW OKUMA BABY IS BORN Visit okumafishing.co.nz facebook.com/borntofishnz

2 www.nzfisher.co.nz

editorial

Pg 6

CONTENTS

SPORTFISHING 6 Champagne & Fishing –

What Did I Miss?

20

COMPETITIONFISHING 10 The World Offshore Champs 2013 LANDBASEDFISHING 12 Bucket List Time in the Far North

Part 2 – CMvD BOATFISHING 18 Monster Snapper Snared

in Auckland LOCAlFISHING 20 Fish your feet first SPORTFISHING 22 Fishing & Diving in Vanuatu 26 30

Reader Pics Competition

KAYAKFISHING 32 So You Want to Fish from

a Kayak?

HOWTO

12

34

What Knot & Why?

GEARREVIEW 35 Jiggy’s Jigheads Tackle Review

Pg 36

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18/6/2013 8:58:44 AM

editorial

//From the

EDITOR

ABOUT /

In the middle of August I’m having

as many northern fishers have already

the pleasure of sitting at my desk in

experienced. The beach fishing in

shorts and a tee, smelling the flowers

Northland has been great, with a few

of spring and the salt air on the breeze

15lb plus Snapper taken off Ninety

– and it’s August! It’s possibly the

Mile beach this month and as the

beginning of a wonderful spring, or just

landbased fly guys in Auckland have

a teaser to get our minds off the fact

been finding unbelievable patches of

that it’s the middle of winter. I cannot

EDITOR / Derrick Paull

fish on the inner Islands. Seeing what

help but draw the comparison with the

ART DIRECTOR / Jodi Olsson

our Scottish-Kiwi contributor Aaron

Ministry of Primary Industry and their

CONTENT ENQUIRIES /

has been landing recently, the Snapper

Minister’s most recent, public back

Phone Derrick on 021 629 327

fishing in the outer Hauraki has been

down on the Snapper 1 issue.

or email derrickp@NZ Fisher.co.nz

out of character for August too.

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES /

We’re presented with the unthinkable,

The fish are biting hard most of the

a possible bag limit reduction to three Snapper per person. But wait! The Minister tells media halfway through the consultation period that it’s unlikely that there will be such significant cuts (“Snapper back-down on the cards”, as one headline in the print media read). Do we feel a triumph on the cards? Well, only time will tell, but I cannot help but feel this is a false

day, but they’re in tightly concentrated schools that are easy to run off when you find them. Also, check out Mark Kitteridge and his enormous kingfish landed with the Epic Adventures guys in late July. That is a serious fish and from what I’m told, the biggest landed onboard Epic so far. Well done Mark and the Epic team!

dawn – the fight must continue if

As always, get a line in the water –

we want to know our fisheries can

you won’t catch anything with your

be secured for future generations.

rod parked in the garage!

As far as spring goes, the fishing has

Tight lines,

been extremely ‘spring like’ already

Derrick

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.

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.NZFisher.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!

www.nzfisher.co.nz 5

SPORTDfishing

Fish of a lifetime!

Champagne & Fishing – What Did I Miss?

By Andrew Evans

SPORTfishing

e Getting the best out of the littl

ones!

Place worthy!

THE CHAMPAGNE CRICKET CLUB is

Papillon. Jared came up with a third

have been so keen to get them

a club like no other, founded on the

option, the Boat show won Stabi

that the quest can overshadow the

history of men who enjoyed cricket,

craft who went to…we named this

moment. But this weekend wasn’t

champagne and socializing in the

Gaybi, as in Gold Stabi. Mostly out of

really about us, we both had crew

late 60’s. It is now being carried on

jealousy as we didn’t win it.

that although keen, were very much

by a mix of ex Westlake and Rosmini

Arriving on the first night, the

graduates in their late 20’s (two

Speights flowed and we didn’t really

None of my crew had even stray lined

schools with a fierce sporting rivalry).

realize when it turned into rum. The

before, so it would be a mixture of

The CCC enjoy the twilight and indoor

reports were of good Snapper in

fishing a few baits and helping out

forms of the game, only we don’t

close; classic winter fishing and bait

the lads so we could all have a good

want to embarrass the Black Caps

and burley on the cards. After retiring

time and ultimately win the comp! It

you see, so a good proportion of the

far too late, the call was made for a

was all on.

club enjoy fishing. In late June the

late start.

challenge was set for a Westlake vs.

Rosmini fishing show down.

new to this level of fishing.

As we left the Tutukaka ramp, we

We awoke rusty to a brisk southerly

steamed up around the coastline

and a 2-3m swell hitting the coast; not

to find a likely looking area. The

Scrapper came up with the idea,

the best conditions, so the call was

place is filthy with fishing potential

and we were to base ourselves

made to go for a surf and wash away

and the opportunities for greatness

in Ngunguru at his family’s beach

the cobwebs. After this we checked

are endless. We both settled within

house. There was a loose itinerary

the conditions again and again but

sight of each other in shallow water,

laid down with bottles of rum for the

hangovers and Speights prevailed. To

Papillon a little wider in 10 m but

biggest Snapper, Kingfish and Most

be fair it didn’t look amazing though

there was foul everywhere and it was

Memorable catch. With pride being

and we had two full days. Don’t worry

great Snapper territory. The burley

the biggest prize of all.

we do get on the water, this is a fishing

was sent in and rigs were prepared.

mag after all! So, once we settled

The very first bait thrown in by G

down and put the funnel away, the plan

smashed by a respectable pannie, it

was made for a 5:30 am start...

was looking good. A quick VHF call

was to get better over the three

We awoke to two boats covered in

between boats determined that both

days, so day one we were to let

ice! We loaded up and got everything

of the Matt’s were feeling a little

the wind die out with a potential

in order. Although Scrapper and I

under the weather, so we weren’t

afternoon Stray line, day two would

have done a fair bit of fishing, we

going to run out of burley!

be Snapper sessions along Tutukaka

both have had the dream fish of over

coast and day three out to the reefs

20lb elude us. I have come close off

surrounding the Poor Knights to chase

the far north bricks with one 19lber

kingfish. There were two boats to be

and Scrapper more so with multiple

We found ourselves heading north from Auckland with a cold southerly heading up the country. The forecast

used; Rosmini was equipped with a

19lbers. So close!

We had a stream of small fish, and a one up to the 50 cm mark so the bin was no longer vacant. No big runs had really started, however that was about to change. I had cleaned out

Buccaneer billfisher named Strayliner,

We spoke on our last trip up north

the freezer before I left and along with

and Westlake on my new boat, a 6.1

about the quest for 20lbers often

a Skippy and an old flounder, I had an

m fibreglass centre console named

overshadowing good trips, as we

XOS jack Mack.

www.nzfisher.co.nz 7

SPORTfishing

Big Snapper I have seen in the past often look old and ragged, but this fish was in its prime, big and broad the only blemish what looked like an old spear wound by its dorsal. Gee, I was glad the spearo missed this fish. not wanting to jinx anything, only telling the boys to get the lines in and concentrating on the job at hand.

Getting line in when I could, as the days. ’s fell both ot and PB h s a w p The com

Having set the boys up for now,

fish tired I began to make ground and I could feel the weight of it, heavy!

her back in the water, after a kiss on the head of course. Holding the fish for a while till she re-gathered her

waiting for colour… and I soon saw it

powerfully she swam off. I couldn’t

and it was big and red!

really believe it, I had no expectation

good bit off the body of the XOS

a tense moment it was directed into

Mackie and attached it to two 10/0

the net - just fitting. The first thing I

hooks and cast out with the 6500

noticed was the tail and the wrist of it.

baitrunner. Waiting, I felt it settle on

Big and powerful, the fish was lifted

the bottom. I was about to reposition

onto the deck.

it in the water column, when the bait

Shouting and high fiveing ensured. I

runner took off with an absolutely

was elated, knowing this was definitely

screaming run.

my first 20lber and it looked well over!

The instinct to strike was quelled

This was the biggest Snapper I had

from my past experiences of

ever seen, when I saw the hook was in

dropping fish during big runs. “Let

the lip and the great condition of the

him have it”, I told myself. It was a

fish there was no doubt in my mind,

considering it wasn’t stopping.

quick photos with the fish before I set

strength it was two kicks of the tail and

The boys started hollering and after

this fish had sucked it right down

I was ecstatic and proceeded to have

After a few minutes of this I was

I decided to take the head and a

big bait but I had the feeling that

Not only over 20lb but over 25lb.

it was going back. Big Snapper I have seen in the past often look old and ragged, but this fish was in its prime, big and broad the only blemish what

of a fish like that on this trip, and it was safe to say the swans (Westlake) will be hard to beat in the Snapper stakes!

I had a Speights to calm the nerves and take it in. Finally I had done it and could now relax knowing I had a trophy Snapper to my name.

The beauty for the lads was that now I had clocked Snapper fishing, I happily became the deck hand and so tied knots, taught lessons on bait presentation, letting the fish run and striking fish. The boys did well, there was the odd bust off but we got in a stream of nice eaters, one of my baits later in the day bought in another 10 lber. Another good fish.

With adrenaline pumping like it

looked like an old spear wound by

We were considering heading out in

does when you are about to strike,

its dorsal. Gee I was glad the spear

search of a kingfish but the wind was

I cranked the handle and struck. It

missed this fish.

around that 15 knot mark and still

came up tight but the line didn’t slow down… it kept charging at full speed!

A slight increase in drag only saw me pulled off balance. Finally it slowed, allowing a few pump and winds, before it took off again. My initial thought was kingi. But it couldn’t be.

I got nervous. It slowed again and we got into a dog fight.

I am fairly quiet when on a good fish,

8 www.nzfisher.co.nz

I rushed the boys with the goal of release in mind “Matt get water in the big livie tank”, which was soon filled, and the Snapper put in. Cameras were readied and the digital scales sorted out. It was when I lifted her out I realized the weight, I fixed her on the scales with G and I watching them settle on and around the 11.5kg mark!

swell around, so we decided to leave that till tomorrow and wrapped up the Snapper session to return to the pad and compare fish and stories. Rosmini were very congratulatory on my fish and looked at the photos. On looking in their bin they had a great day also, with three Snapper around the 15 lb mark to three different anglers and a good bag of fish for a feed.

SPORTfishing

It had been a classic winter’s day for the crews, tentative bites and the occasional big Snapper every other hour. We settled into a relaxed night with hot smoked Snapper heads, a good roast and a few beverages. The Matt’s both worse for wear after a long day at sea, both guilty of a spit over the side. I couldn’t stop grinning like an idiot and prompting everyone

him to hold it up for a few snaps.

The fish was weighed, bled and put in the bin, and I turn to see Rosmini hooked up, (had they called in divine intervention, will those days of bible study pay off?). No, it was a smaller rat and was returned, we are looking good. The call was made to give it another 30 minutes.

for one more drink, but no one could

That was when the old Joey, the

finish watching Aus beat the Lions in

hunter on team Rosmini decides to

game two and it was off to bed for an

have a little flutter with an Inchiku.

early start.

Well it paid off, the smaller jig enticing

We awoke again to a crisp calm morning, ice needing to be scraped

the smaller kings that were obviously around. He was hooked up and after a good scrap on Snapper gear a king,

with the result. That Snapper was a

around the same size as ours was put

magnificent fish, will be very hard to

in the boat. It was going to be close.

top and what’s better is that it is still

Westlake would have four jigs in the

After that with sore arms and

out there charging around, growing

water, could it make the difference?

shoulders Rosmini decided on heading

bigger, making babies and perhaps

We steamed the 45 minutes out to the

in to the mainland so the Matt’s could

one day being a 30lber to be caught!

local kingi joint and both boats circling

go for a dive. We searched for any

and searching for sign of balled up

other likely looking kingi territory

bait and kingfish. It wasn’t there, “errr,

around the place, went for a quick

Auckland, all of us agreeing that this

this looks ok have a drop here”, was

Snapper jig, both to no avail. We met

was to be an annual event. Scrapper

going to be etched into my brain as I

up with the lads as they finished their

is expecting a child in the coming

said it over and over. The fish had to

dive. Steaming back into Toots the

months, so the next one maybe a

be there but their mouths were shut

final day was a wrap and targeting

family affair! Thanks needs to go to

tight. We had been jigging for over

kings in winter needs a bit more

two hours now, really should have got

thought it seems. It was to be a quick

some livies I thought.

turn-around as the admin associated

off the boats again. Launching with haste, team Rosmini was down a member due to Grandma’s birthday,

It was about11am when we finally had a breakthrough. None of the

with any big fishing trip ensued. There was cleaning and packing and dump

With that we started the trip back to

him for organizing a great weekend, well done! Also to your sometimes Editor and self-proclaimed land based guru, Forsyth, thanks for the lend of

trips and more cleaning and before

your wagon.

the filleting, a weigh in.

For me it is another fishing goal ticked

the first fish. Never having caught a

The kings as I said were small; ours

off; the next one a big Kingfish! I have

king before he thought he was on the

had pulled the scales to 7.7kg with

introduced a couple more friends to

bottom and I heard a yell of “what

Joeys visibly bigger at 8.5kg. Their

the passion we all share in fishing, they

do I do?!” I turn and see the rod kick,

rat trumped ours, Rosmini was saved

“Pump and wind!”, I yell. He fought

embarrassment. Scrapper awarded

the fish to the boat, I could tell it

me for my catch with biggest Snapper

wasn’t massive, but a king rose about

and Most Memorable catch going to

85cm right in Rossmini’s face. Could

Westlake for my 25.5lb Snapper.

lads had done much jigging, but it was G cranking the spin set who had

Westlake have a clean sweep?

I really thought Most Memorable

Gareth was stoked and surprised by

catch could have gone to Evan for

the strength of the fish; tired, I got

catching two sea birds, but was happy

are hooked and may be expecting a 20lb+ Snapper to come aboard every trip… little do they know it took me four years of targeting big Snappers to get that fish. They can find reality out the ‘hard’ way!

www.nzfisher.co.nz 9

competitionFISHING

The World Offshore Champs 2013 Hard fighting kiwis from Tonga to Costa Rica By the Cockpit Cowboys My good friend Pete the Panel

So when they won the Tongan

beater has been telling me

International again in 2012 it was with

about his international game

trepidation that they decided to head

fishing trips for years and finally

to Costa Rica. At $9800USD to enter,

he let me see the photos.

the costs are pretty high for anyone,

It seemed immediately that Pete might actually be telling the truth, which in fishing circles is a rare and beautiful thing! Pete’s great fishing mate, Mike Wood, has been fishing the Tongan International for 12 years and when they won in 2010 fishing

10 www.nzfisher.co.nz

but as good Kiwis do, they saved hard, bribed their wives and made a plan to get some real fishing done this time.

Their name this year was ‘Salty Dogs’ and the Salty Dogs earned their stripes with some great sailfish and Mahi-mahi captures during the tournament.

aboard ‘Levenuella’ they decided

The team is made up of four

to go through and fish the World

members, Tony Smith, David Swan,

Offshore champs in Cabo San Luca, on

Mike Wood and Peter Lineham.

the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula.

All are keen fishers, but travelling

Their 2011 WOFC trip was fun, but

halfway around the world to fish

the fishing hard – bordering on

for species we don’t even see

boring, they tell me.

in New Zealand is tough.

competitionFISHING

The tournament format sees teams

and their luck changed immediately.

enough fish landed by the boys and

draw their daily boats and skipper

All four members of the crew landed

they faded to mid pack.

from a ballot, this evens the field a

sailfish that day while Pete and Mike

little, but there’s no substitute for

landed two each and saw a bunch

To even make the grade to win entry

experience as the local US and central

more. Team Salty Dogs were the top

is a huge achievement; we’re stoked

Pacific teams took an early lead. Day

ranked team on Day two – outclassing

to see they got some great fish and

one for the Salty Dogs involved a lot

all others and putting themselves in

of trolling and only one sailfish (other

the mix for the final day.

teams landed 6 – 8).

had a ball. You can see some of their fishing highlights here.

Day three, while eventful (they were

On day two they drew Spanish Fly,

surrounded by a huge pod of ‘Spinner

Well done Team Salty Dogs, what a

a very successful boat on day one,

Dolphins’ at one point), didn’t see

great trip!

www.nzfisher.co.nz 11

LANDBASEDfishing

Bucket List Time in the Far North Part 2 – CMvD Cape Maria van Diemen – in a Dinghy?

By Forsyth Thompson

AS WE GOT DOWN towards Maria

know what likes eating Kahawai! The

We finally decided on some awesome

we could see a couple of boats fishing

current running through was pretty

looking ledges just inside the Cape,

off the back of the island, and it wasn’t

strong, and even if we had been

parked the boat up, did the big

long before we saw one and then the

allowed to land on the island (NB

unload and started getting into it. As

second hooked up into what looked

you’re not!), we couldn’t see how we’d

always the rule is that no-one fishes till

like good solid fish. Fair to say the

get an anchor to hold in the sand with

all the rods are setup, and before this

excitement levels were going up!

enough pressure to get the bungee

starts, the berley goes in the water.

Whenever we go and fish somewhere

anchor system working.

With live bait rods, popper rods and

new, I like to take a bit of time and have a look around the area; you just never know when you’ll get a chance to come back.

The south-facing side of the island was still getting the SW swell but it looked much rockier and deeper, and exactly the kind of place you’d want to

Snapper and livey-catching gear, by the time we’re done, the berley is always pumping and often we’ll get 5-6kg fish chewing on the bag and nailed first cast.

The north side of the island goes

fish if you could! Coming back round

straight onto sand, and only a few

the island we ran through the channel

This time Andrew was first in the water

metres deep. Everywhere we looked

separating it from the mainland and the

with a bait and it was only a matter of

in the clear water were Kahawai,

current was absolutely racing through,

minutes, maybe not even that long,

massive numbers of them, and we

creating standing waves at one end.

and he was into a solid fish that set off

12 www.nzfisher.co.nz

LANDBASEDfishing

Evans & Will

Trevally e Far North s with a prim Andrew Evan

on a heavy run. But within less than

By now the Kahawai were everywhere

baits or livies. There are few things

another minute it was over and he’d

and all three of us were swimming

more frustrating for LBG fishermen than

been utterly dealt to by what looked

livies and watching them with

this, but when they’re not in the mood

for all money to be a big Snapper.

apprehension. Having had a few

and you’ve tried everything, there’s not

Quick retie, filthy big bait and the

legal kings, but no big ones, we were

much else to do.

exact same thing was repeated. This

hopeful this was going to be our shot.

one, if anything, seemed even bigger,

The next thing we know Andrew is

and I genuinely thought he might be

shouting and pointing at what was

into his first 20, and then it ended in disaster in the same way. Shit, these west coast Snapper weren’t messing around: Two massive hook-ups followed by two complete hidings and Andrew was getting schooled!

pretty much just a hole in the ocean as far as we could see! Big shark apparently – Will and I frankly didn’t pay much notice, figuring it was just a regular bronzie.

Then one, then two of our balloons came tearing into the ledge and then across in front of us and it was my turn to do the pointing/shouting thing: behind them was by far the biggest bronzie I’d ever seen: top of its tail sticking what looked like nearly a full meter out of the water and the bulk

Naturally as fishing mates Will and I

We’d had a few decent Snapper by this

of it looking like a family-sized car as

were supportive and offered plenty

point but no sign of a king when two

it cruised past and just inhaled one

of encouragement. Well that’s how I

turned up at once, buzzing everything

of the unlucky baits. As it took off

remember it anyway.

but refusing to take poppers, stickbaits,

and felt the resistance it went crazy,

www.nzfisher.co.nz 13

LANDBASEDfishing

right there in front of us, and whilst there was never a chance in a million of landing it, it was something to see.

Again and again as it turned out, from memory the same fish had four of our livebaits throughout the day and Will (who has done a lot of game fishing) called it for an easy 200kg+.

I couldn’t even guesstimate at the size but I’ve seen a lot of sharks including some big makos and threshers, and this was way, way up there on

our shark but one seriously grumpy

spent probably another 5-10 minutes

the scale. An extraordinary sight

king. I was on the same gear I’d got

before we made the call to keep it

and a reminder that we really were

the 20kg one at E Cape not long

and put a gaff into it. At only around

somewhere just a little bit different.

previously, and this fish was giving

13kg it was no monster at all, but the

Strangely, this huge resident shark,

me a much harder time. No question

fight it put up on an Everol 50 with

even in feeding mode, didn’t kill

I had PB in my mind as I tried to get

37kg was absolutely ridiculous for a

the fishing off and we had plenty of

it in close enough for a gaff shot. We

fish its size. Obviously they just breed

Snapper although no monsters and

finally got a look at the fish and it was

them tougher out on the west coast!

then finally the ratchet went off on my

clearly nothing like the size of the last

The rest of the day passed with a

livies set and this was definitely not

one but it was still going hard and we

few more Snapper, a couple of kings

14 www.nzfisher.co.nz

LANDBASEDfishing

Layng in to the

fish of the day

sighted but not hooked and a few

one, I lost one, and we saw some

standing was pretty cool and we had

more sharkings for Andrew.

significantly bigger ones cruising the

one in the bag for sashimi.

No trevs had shown up until later

berley. But with such a crazy number

None of us wanted to leave but there

in the day as we started dumping

of Kahawai in attendance, we just

was no way on earth we were going to

all the leftover bait and we had

couldn’t get baits to them. Still,

round the Cape in the dark, so despite

them coming right up to the ledge

the sight of huge west coast trevs

the Snapper bite coming back on in

taking baits. Andrew got a good 4kg

within a rod length of where we were

a really serious way, we just had to

www.nzfisher.co.nz 15

LANDBASEDfishing Out of the sun they saw us

Rounding the cape

The be ach kis ses the ocean

do the sensible thing. I can’t imagine

absolutely special and one I genuinely

just didn’t matter in the slightest.

there’s a fish on earth that would

won’t forget.

Sometimes you need to remember

make me think that Reinga in a 3.5m

We’d finished three days in the Far

that the truly great trips don’t always

boat would be ok in the dark! Like

North with a trip I never thought I’d

have to be the ones with the biggest

the first two days, we’d not cracked

be able to do in the little stabi, and

any PBs and we’d not actually caught

fish; getting out and having real

we’d had some awesome adventures

any really big fish, but the experience

and seen some amazing things. So

we’d had (even just getting there),

we’d got no PBs and really hadn’t

and the country we’d fished had been

landed any monsters at all, but it

16 www.nzfisher.co.nz

adventures with great mates will always keep me coming back.

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 17

boatFISHING

IF YOU WANT TO catch that fish of a life time, you need to get out of Auckland right? Not necessarily.

Whangaparaoa resident Tony Hurley not only caught the fish of his life time in June, he caught the fish that nearly every Auckland boat owner is after, and he did it within sight of the Sky Tower.

At 34lb 4 ounces (15.54 kg) and 95 cm long, Tony’s Snapper is of Moby Dick proportions. So how did he do it?

“Thinking positively is a big part of it”, says Tony. In fact Tony goes as far as saying that he knew something special was going to happen that day. After anchoring up at his usual shallow water spot at Tiritiri Island, Tony and his mate settled into a pretty good fishing session. Six fish between 10 and 18 lb were landed

Monster Snapper Snared in Auckland

By Darren Parsons

before Tony hooked into the monster fish on a half pillie. The fish was netted after a 4-5 minute fight and a handful of surging runs.

Tony describes the fight of these big Snapper as much like that of a stingray. He should know, he has caught plenty of large Snapper to 24 lb at his Tiri spot.

Upon arriving home, parking capacity on Tony’s street became in hot demand as word of the big fish got around. All up Tony splurged five bottles of top shelf liquor on the impromptu guests.

The big Snapper is currently being mounted by a taxidermist and will be put up on the wall of Top Catch Whangaparaoa.

18 www.nzfisher.co.nz

www.nzfisher.co.nz 19

localFISHING

Fish Your Feet First 20 www.nzfisher.co.nz

I AM CONSTANTLY searching for

and spontaneous adventure available

new rocky coastlines to explore with

by jumping on a ferry to one of the

a fly rod to catch Snapper in winter.

many Hauraki Gulf islands.

One of the tricks to catching a fish on a regular basis is knowing when to fish and where. Part science and part intuition, multiple factors swirl around right to the last minute before the final commitment is made to head in a certain direction. Transport, company, tides and of course the weather all play significant roles in the final decision. It’s the transport option that has played the biggest role in some of my recent fishing experiences and in a city like

Recently a northeasterly storm whipped up Northlands east coast for several days. On Saturday the wind eased but the swell was big enough for the inner city beaches to offer head high waves. Many points and reefs that are not surf spots for 364 days of the year came alive with quality surf.

I joined the multitude of Auckland surfers to savor these rare waves so close to home.

Auckland which offers so many options,

Sunday the wind shifted again and the

being restricted to land is not always a

swell had eased to offer just enough

bad thing. I have many options to be

surge to make the fishing interesting.

boat fishing and often decline the big

On the ferry at 9am, a short hike

trips away; what I really enjoy is the fast

and a scramble down to some rocks,

localFISHING

While there were no fish caught that warranted trophy status the pleasure I took in watching my tiny fly being approached by respectable Snapper and the excitement of letting them pull line from my reel to ensure I was not busted off made for a fantastic days fishing, something to chuckle about as I joined the afternoon crowds walking up queen street in the middle of Auckland’s downtown.

I was greeted with green murky

the first arrival of a small pack that I

mm Snapper that eclipsed normal

water stirred by the recent storm.

kept active for the next ten minutes.

experience. My usual approach is

These conditions can often produce great fishing as Snapper forage the shallows for easy meals in the surge and discoloured water but on other days it just makes it hard see your fly or believe the fish are there. Arriving at a spot that I would have previously dismissed as a fishing location due to the shallow water, rocks and weed, I set about seeding some gutters with tiny pilchard pieces. Nothing appeared in the first 40 minutes, baitfish and Kahawai who are the usual first arrivals did not intercept the tiny pieces as they sunk to the bottom.

Often the Snapper will move in to investigate a fishy commotion and,

to present a fly to a sighted fish and then leave the area to rest while I

depending on their mood, will either

work another spot close by. However,

find the buzzing Kahawai off putting

the mood of the fish meant that a

or competitors that need to be

momentary pause was all that was

pushed along.

required between catches, at least 8

Soon I had a Snapper claiming some dominance over the Kahawai which were twice its size. Kahawai know that speed is their only weapon and as the competition hotted up over the tiny morsels, a few more Snapper moved in and pushed the Kahawai out. We witnessed this relationship in spectacular fashion last year on

fish were caught and released before I switched focus to the gutter just 100 meters north. Once again the Kahawai appeared and soon after, some feisty Snapper started to win the race for whatever made a tell tale splash on the surface. With knowledge of an upcoming bone fishing trip, I dropped my leader down to 4.5 kg and tied on a small size 4 fly. Whether it was

Knowing there was more to be gained

the Coromandel where the Kahawai

by retiring from the rock I had chosen

were numerous and lightning quick,

to hide behind than continuing to

however when a Snapper of about

work the small gutter, I set about

3kg size appeared it set about chasing

the fish that day, I caught another 12

putting together a 9wt fly rod and

them away, right up towards the

reasonable Snapper before it was time

re-positioned myself along the coast

surface! I have no doubt that Kahawai

to pack up to make the ferry home.

where I found another gutter with an

have deep respect for the predatory

While there were no fish caught that

equally good elevated hiding position.

potential of the slower moving

warranted trophy status the pleasure

These days I choose my fishing spots

Snapper and the short bursts of speed

I took in watching my tiny fly being

for the potential to conceal myself as

they are capable of. It’s witnessing

approached by respectable Snapper

this sort of near natural behaviour

and the excitement of letting them

that really appeals to me when using

pull line from my reel to ensure I was

stealth, but it was time to start fishing,

not busted off made for a fantastic

much as any other factor. Returning to the first gutter and just as I was beginning to think “I should have been here yesterday”, when the swell would have been really stirring things

two hours into a my four hour trip and I had not put a fly in the water!

the light, gentle approach with which each fish was fought or the mood of

day’s fishing, something to chuckle about as I joined the afternoon crowds

up for the Snapper, a large Kahawai

What followed was a session of

walking up queen street in the middle

blasted past. That first Kahawai was

continued activity from 400-450

of Auckland’s downtown.

www.nzfisher.co.nz 21

sportFISHING

Fishing & Diving in Vanuatu

By Grant Blair, The Fishing Website

VANUATU HAS A well-deserved

hammers down to get you into some

reputation for exceptionally good

hot fishing action.

game fishing in the heavy and light

Best times and species Put simply, Vanuatu fishes all year

Vanuatu is one of the worlds’ top

round, however the ideal times are

blue marlin fisheries with a number of

March through November as this

world records to its credit as well as a

is the time when the weather

good number of ‘grander’ blues that

and water conditions are usually

have been taken in the area. Most of

optimal. It’s also rather nice

the regular game fishing charter boats

timing in that it gives Kiwis and

south direction close to Vanuatu, to

would catch around 100 per year with

Aussies the excuse to escape the

the various FAD’s just offshore and

many being tagged and released to

clutches of winter and head for

often it’s only a short trip with the

conserve the fishery.

warmer climes and some fishing!

tackle classes as well as newer techniques like jigging and surface fishing with poppers and stickbaits.

From the 1000m contour line and the renowned ‘Marlin Highway’ which runs hundreds of miles in a north/

22 www.nzfisher.co.nz

sportFISHING

Where to go The main game fishing operations operating in Vanuatu are While being a renowned blue marlin

found on Efate - Port Vila and on

fishery with frequent catches in the

Santo - Luganville. From Port Vila, it

100-200kg range, the odd XXXL

can be only a 10-15 minute trip to be

model does turn up in the gear and

into sailfish and yellow fin action in

the current record stands at a very

Mele Bay at certain times of the year

respectable 515kg or 1,135 old-

however it takes longer to get to the

fashioned pounds!

FADS and out to the marlin highway.

Other species that are targeted and

Possible destinations with local charter

frequently caught in the area include

operators include the Marlin Highway,

black marlin, sailfish, striped marlin,

Blue Hat, 366, Nguna Volcano, the

yellow fin tuna, mahi-mahi , wahoo,

Erromango Sea Mounts and Hat

Spanish mackerel, sailfish, dogtooth

Island. From Santo, the journey is

tuna, coral trout, job fish and red bass.

considerably longer; however there is

Yellow fin and dog tooth tuna

good fishing along the way.

reach some very large proportions.

On some of the smaller islands there

Dogtooth grow to around 80kg and

are fishing options in various states of

yellow fin to 100kg, while rare, are

development and it’s even possible

quite possible.

to rent a small dugout and create

The most important thing about

your own adventure in and around

Vanuatu is the surrounding waters

the reefs and drops close inshore

are rich in a wide range of species

catching a variety of species on lighter

and there’s plenty to interest anglers

tackle. Be careful eating reef fish due

of all abilities and interests, be it

to ciguatera. A tip we heard from the

trolling for pelagics, jigging the

locals – cut a small section from the

drop-offs or surface fishing with

fish and leave it outside overnight. If

poppers and stickbaits.

the ants eat it, it should be OK to eat.

Put simply, Vanuatu fishes all year round, however the ideal times are March through November as this is the time when the weather and water conditions are usually optimal. It’s also rather nice timing in that it gives Kiwis and Aussies the excuse to escape the clutches of winter and head for warmer climes and some fishing!

www.nzfisher.co.nz 23

sportFISHING

What gear to take Most of the charter operators have excellent equipment so check what’s on offer before you go and maybe you can save lugging armfuls of kit with you. If you do want to take your own gear, take the highest quality hooks

can pull 10+kg of drag smoothly such

common as are mahi-mahi (especially

as a Daiwa expedition or Stella. A

around the FADs) and large yellow

minimum of 50lb braid is essential for

fin. Dead bait fishing is common

offshore popping on the reef edges

with rigged ballyhoo skipping or

and deep drop offs but 80lb is better

swimmers being employed.

to stop those bigger fish. A smaller set with 30 lb braid for fishing in

and split rings you can get and ensure

the lagoons and inshore reefs for a

your poppers or stickbaits are well

multitude of smaller species is also a

made with through-wire construction.

good idea.

Scad, rainbow runners and small tuna (called mac tuna or kawa-kawa) are also used. The kawa-kawa are a live bait favourite as they keep well in tuna-tubes and are a favourite fare of the large pelagics! Trolling lures,

Popping and surface fishing:

Trolling:

bibbed minnows and diving lures

Giant trevally and dog-tooth tuna

Species you’re likely to encounter in

like mackerel maulers, etc are also

of legendary proportions will take

closer include wahoo, barracuda,

commonly used techniques depending

no prisoners and the coral outcrops

dogtooth, sailfish, smaller yellow

on the situation (such as presence of

and bombs will shred your line in a

fin and the occasional Black Marlin.

bait schools where livebaits are more

heartbeat. Solid rods are essential

Further out in the deeper water,

commonly deployed) or the species

as it a high quality spinning reel that

blue and striped marlin are more

being targeted.

24 www.nzfisher.co.nz

sportFISHING

Tournaments The Port Vila Game Fishing Club runs six competitions a year. Some of the

The diving is world class.

Fabulous, vibrant coral reefs, abundant fish-life and a couple of dives that are on most divers’ bucketlists. The SS Coolidge and Million Dollar point. Clear, warm water for most of the year makes Vanuatu a virtual mecca for divers.

Charters

larger ones such as the Marlin Classic

The game fishing charter fleet in

as well as the locals. The tournaments

Vanuatu is now a well developed

are held in February through to

industry that has a range of top class

November. Read Pete Phillips report

vessels manned by experienced

about the 2011 Marlin Classic here.

captains and crew running state of the art quality fishing equipment.

attract lots of international anglers,

There are competitions for everyone from a great day out in February with

Vanuatu offers a wide range of options

the ladies fishing comp, the yellow fin

and even if the sea conditions are

shootout, through to the big money

a little unfavourable there is almost

Marlin Classic or the ‘Tusker’ Game

always somewhere you can tuck into

Fishing Classic held in November.

the lee of and island and fish.

Day trips are common or you can charter a boat for several days for live-aboard options. Some operators have a ‘stay-away’ option where you

Diving The diving is world class. Fabulous, vibrant coral reefs, abundant fishlife and a couple of dives that are

can fish during the day on a luxury

on most divers’ bucket-lists. The SS

boat and stay in lodges and guest

Coolidge and Million Dollar point.

houses on remote outer islands in the

Clear, warm water for most of the

evening, experiencing some of the

year makes Vanuatu a virtual mecca

fine local hospitality and food.

for divers.

www.nzfisher.co.nz 25

READERpics

Reader Pics A bag of nice Snapper for our Scottish-Kiwi, Azza McDonald

A stunning Stargazer (Monkfish) caught and released by John Buckley in Doubtless Bay.

‘Black Hooks’ National Kayak Fishing Team member David Brown & a nice Stanmore Bay Snapper from his Kayak.

Aaron McDonald was amongst the Kahawai ‘out the back’ & caught a number whole juvenile Snapper in their bellies - including this 20cm model 26with www.nzfisher.co.nz

Aaron McDonald, often just the skipper with a snap he snared this season

Aarons mate Duncan & his best Snapper of the day, earlier this winter

READERpics

Ian Biddick with a 15kg+ King landed aboard Reel Life with Capt. Phil while testing the new Honda BF250 fitted to Reel Life!.

John ‘Straight-up’ Buckly & his PB on softbait, a 10.55kg Snapper talken last year in Doubtless Bay

Rhys Hambridge-Johnson showing the awesome colours of this John Dory taken this winter

www.nzfisher.co.nz 27

READERpics

Sea-Ox & his best Snapper for a few years

Russell Tidmarsh & a beautifully coloured winter Snapper ready for the bin

28 www.nzfisher.co.nz

Kerry Boyle holding a nice late summer kingfish caught with Aaron McDonald

Steve Futter showing he’s not just a one-hit wonder

READERpics

Steve Futter with a hefty winter red.

Tony with one of first ever Snapper landed out on Highlander with Aaron McDonald

Team ‘y Not’ - The Marmonts of the North Shore Surfcasting Club at Doubtless Bay in June

www.nzfisher.co.nz 29

COMPETITION

Win a Trip on Board Diversity with Tackle-It and NZFisher!

JUST POST A PIC of you with a fish to our Facebook page and you’re in the draw to win day trip aboard Diversity care of Damo and the team at Tackle-It. Every image you enter has a chance to win the big prize. The more and sooner you enter, the better your chances so get fishing and posting those images to Facebook!

WINNER: Aaron McDonald for image: Aaron McDonald was amongst the Kahawai ‘out the back’ & caught a number with whole juvenile Snapper in their bellies - including this 20cm model

30 www.nzfisher.co.nz

VIDEO

Fishing Video of the Month

Brilliant weather, some hungry kings and Snapper and a Mako to keep things interesting – check out Nathan and Thomas’ day on the water with Capt. Phil on Reel Life Adventures right here.

But for the more energetic fisher, check out the Jig Assassin Team at the Ranfurly Banks. If you fish only two places in your life, let them be the Three Kings and the Ranfurly Banks – unbelievable fishing!

Watch it large and loud!

www.nzfisher.co.nz 31

kayakFISHING

So You Want to Fish from a Kayak?

By Shane Kelly

I’M OFTEN ASKED if you can catch

to be set up similarly. This is how I

fish from any old kayak. Yes you

set up my kayak for a day’s fishing.

can… well sort of. I mean you’d be

My setup up is not perfect but it is

relying on luck. Luck that you found

effective and safe.

the fish and luck that you made it back to shore safely.

32 www.nzfisher.co.nz

I highly recommend talking to your local kayak fishing retailer to

If you’re like me and want to

find out what is right for you. It’s

catch fish and be safe then some

important to balance safety with

considerations are required, pictured

practicality – so don’t overburden

is my Viking Profish 400, but most of

yourself with gear, it might get you

the good kayaks out there are able

into more trouble than save you.

kayakFISHING

A. The kayak, mine is a Viking

F. Boots, like I said I hate cold feet

J. Dry bag, ideal for things you

Profish 400 lite purpose built for

and these puppies are brilliant

might not need on the water but

kayak fishing, it’s perfect

(NRS).

do need to have with you flares,

for my size, weight and my style of fishing.

keys, etc (I keep a spare old mobile in mine too).

G. A running rig is used in conjunction with an anchor (Drift

B. The paddle, mine is a carbon

Chute/Drogue) and can be set

K. Fish Storage, no point spending

fibre ‘Propelz lightening’ light and

off the front or rear of the kayak

strong you can paddle all day and

all day fishing only to have your

simply by pulling the cord.

catch spoiled by the sun.

it’s tough as old boots.

H. The Anchor, because I fish in C. PFD/life Jacket, do NOT leave

L. Fishing Rods, my

Wellingtons’ notorious currents

home without it, to do so is pure

I use a heavier than usual setup.

stupidity.

I highly recommend rigging up

recommendation here is to leave those big long heavy boat rods at home. Lightweight rods and reels

a quick release system with a

are awesome to use on a kayak,

float in case of snags, current

D. Paddle Jacket, to stay dry is to

big rods and reels will only get in

undertow and the ability to go

stay warm.

the way.

with a big fish.

E. Dry pants, these ones have built in socks because I hate having

I.

The Flag, be safe and be seen

cold feet. I wear these all year

you can’t miss me flying my

round keeping my dry in the

canes flag.

M. Leashes, if you don’t want to lose it put a leash on it rods, paddle, dry bag, etc. I even leash myself to the kayak when fishing big

winter and my legs out of the sun

currents.

in the summer.

N.

www.nzfisher.co.nz 33

HOWto

What Knot & Why?

By Derrick Paull

BORN TO FISH, the Okuma NZ Facebook page recently posted a great you tube clip on how to tie the Albright knot. I reposted on NZFisher page and got some interesting responses about the use of the knot and better options (i.e. the FG knot).

It got me to thinking; what is the best knot for a situation and when do you make the decision to go with one over another.

With the increased use of braid, ‘old’ knots a like the Albright are less well suited for connecting braid to mono and there have been a number of knots created to get good attachment without having the braid cut the mono.

Knots suited to this type of application are actually plats, rather than knots.

This means they’re laid around the mono line and pressure is exerted as the lines are pulled tight, but there’s no actual ‘tying’ of a knot.

There’s a lot said about how good the PR & FG knots are (where do they get these Acronym names from?!?!?). I find both difficult to tie quickly or in high pressure situations where there’s a lot going on or the boat is rocking a lot.

This alternative, demonstrated by Markus of FCO, is a really easy and useful version of the PR knot that makes it more appealing to tie, not only because it’s a good knot, but because it can be tied quickly without too much fiddling around.

I do recommend tying a few times at home before trying on the water though!

34 www.nzfisher.co.nz

gearREVIEWS

Jiggy’s Jigheads Tackle Review By an Independent reviewer

From NZ Fisher:

choices. The hooks used in the

They have held their points well and

jigheads are also top quality and

have stood up to the pressures that

highly rust resistant. The feature that

a few large snapper have exerted on

first got my attention, however, was

them. On the downside the coloured

the shorter shank on the hook. This

paint and eyes do chip off after a

means that more of the soft bait is

while. The jig head is still perfectly

free to wiggle behind the hook, giving

functional without the paint, however,

the bait a more natural and attractive

and I understand that the paint on

Jiggy’s jigheads are an outcome

action. This feature in combination

the next generation of the jigheads is

of this exact situation. Tired of

with the sturdy hook that even a large

even more durable. The most pleasing

modifying gear that wasn’t suited

snapper would struggle to straighten

feature of the jigheads has been the

for purpose, the manufacturers at

is what makes Jiggy’s jigheads so well

Jiggy’s have incorporated a number

versatility they provide with using

suited to the soft baiting that we do

of features specifically designed to

different sized soft baits. The shorter

here in New Zealand. So how did they

make soft baits more effective in

shanked hook means you can easily

stack up to a field test?

The majority of the products we use for fishing are not designed for fishing for New Zealand species in New Zealand conditions. As a result we often have to get used to making compromises with the gear we use.

New Zealand conditions.

interchange between 4”, 5” and even

I have been using Jiggy’s jigheads for

6” baits; a real bonus.

Features include large realistic eyes

a few months now and can definitely

Overall two thumbs up for Jiggy’s

and glistening colouration in four

attest to the quality of the hooks.

jigheads.

www.nzfisher.co.nz 35

HOOKED UP!

CO

HOOKEDUP!

U

LD

Every issue, all NZ Fisher subscribers* go in the draw to get hooked up with some fantastic prizes courtesy of generous NZ Fisher supporters.

To find out if you’ve won simply check this section in each issue to see if your name has been drawn and then email us before the deadline to claim your prize. Sweet as!!!

IT

B

E

YO

U

?

Congratulations to our Hooked Up prize winner for Issue #27!

Barry Williams is the winner You’ve won this month’s awesome Hooked Up prize pack including: •

Your choice of mens or womens ReelWear T courtesy of Reel Adventures

•

A $50 voucher to spend online or instore from GoFish.co.nz

•

A super tough 3-tray tackle box from Flambeau (contents not included)

•

Plus two 500ml bottles of Tackle-It Odour Eliminator from PureAir to keep those fishy smells at bay!

To claim your prize you simply need to email jenniferl@espiremedia.com before 5pm Friday 20th September, 2013. Easy!

*To be eligible to win stuff in the Hooked Up section you need to be a confirmed email subscriber to NZ Fisher e-Magazine and be a resident of New Zealand at the time of the draw. A big thanks to our Hooked Up sponsors! Please support them!

36 www.nzfisher.co.nz

NEXTmonth regionalREVIEWS

In next months issue: - - -

How to rig livebaits with re-curve hooks for Kingfish Sounder vs Fish finder, what’s the difference?

Spring time fishing; the annual revolution

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

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