ISSUE 3 November 2010
Kayaking for Kingfish Far far north//
Big boy snapper old Skool styles
//
Scallop’s perfected – The Fish Stock //
www.nzfisher.co.nz 1
THE RUM THAT INVENTED RUM www.mountgayrum.com Enjoy the adventure, drink responsibly
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Pg 18
14 22
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Old School Snapper Tactics
Out with the old, in with the new!
11
Fishing Video of the Month
Gurnard capers with Espresso
12
Name the Species
14
The Scientist & the Fish
Where do the snapper go - Part II
18
As Far North as the Eye Can See
Kayak fishing
22
Scallops, Summer’s Richest Gift
24
Where Good Tackle Proves Itself
The Inchiku Rock-G
26
The Clubhouse
North Shore Surfcasting Club
28
Regional Reviews
30
Fisheries Management News Report
14
Pg 24
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ABOUT / Short and sharp, NZ Fisher is a free e-magazine delivering thought provoking and enlightening articles, and industry news and information to forward-thinking fisher people.
EDITOR / Derrick Paull ART DIRECTOR / Jodi Olsson
EDITOR
hings are hot in just about ev-
a need for stocking fillers form the
ery fishery. Spring is here with
family – we have a look at the Inchiku
a passion and you could be mis-
Rock-G – perhaps the perfect stocking
GROUP EDITOR / Trudi Caffell CONTENT ENQUIRIES / Phone Derrick on 021 629 327 or email derrickp@NZ Fisher.co.nz ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES / Phone Alastair on 021 866 036
taken for thinking its summer already.
filler? Or just another trick in the tackle
or email
Auckland, Bay of Plenty & the upper
box for the fisher who has everything!
alastairn@espiremedia.com
north wets fisheries are producing
And since it is the season for giving
ADDRESS / NZ Fisher,
some of the best snapper fishing in
we’ve added another competition for our
C/- Espire Media, PO Box 137162,
memory (well, who really remembers
readers – see page 12 for the all new –
what it was like before the trawlers
‘Name the species’ competition. Summer
Parnell,Auckland 1151, NZ
started pillaging?) Mayor, White & the
is also scallop season, so when you’re out
Alderman’s have proved that world class
there, jump in with a mask and have a
Yellowtail Kingfish fisheries are still part
look around. Chef Chris has produced a
of the mix with the charter operators
recipe to remember in The Fish Stock –
putting people onto 30KG plus fish on
just odn’t over cook them please!!
almost daily basis.
In the world of fishing there are few
Issue three pays tribute to the good
things more satisfying than seeing your
old fashioned fishing style we all (well,
friends land their personal bests or at
most of us) grew up with – bait & burley.
least nice, big fish. While he has boated
Kurt Bennetto looks at the finer details
a better fish (mentioned in the Far North
of luring giant Snapper form the rough
Article) the cover shot of Darren Parsons
while Darren Parson takes to the high
with his best King on a jig is a doosey –
seas off the North of the north in search
nice mate! The King was landed out with
of Kayak Kingfish – again, bait is the key.
Carl Muir from Epic Adventures – hat
Christmas is nearly upon us and there’s
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!
tip to Carl for the pic.
Happy Fishing!
Derrick
www.nzfisher.co.nz 5
boatFISHING feature
y & e l r u B ” do s t i a b big ness. i s u b e th ” 6 www.nzfisher.co.nz
Old School Snapper Tactics // Out with the new
in with the old By Kurt Bennetto
ith the new technology
Location and Conditions
and methods such as soft
The location is paramount when
plastic fishing the days of
targeting big snapper and the shallows
stray lining the big baits with massive
is the place to find them. Anything
burley trails are fading away. Most
from three to fifteen meters of water
people you speak to on Monday at
is perfect. I look for anything from a
work about there fishing weekend or
costal point to a costal gut, through
wherever it may be always seem to
to a sunken rock just off the shore.
catch their fish on soft plastics. Howev-
Whatever it may be it needs to look
er the “old school� method produces
rocky and rugged.
BIG snapper and in certain places is
The perfect conditions for big snapper
BETTER and much more effective than
fishing are after a big onshore storm or
soft plastic fishing, in fact it is still my
blow has passed through. This generally
personal favourite.
leaves behind a nice swell pounding www.nzfisher.co.nz 7
the shore stirring everything up from sand to kina which creates a haven for big snapper. All of my best snapper fishing has occurred when there is a nice swell running. Another big bonus for fishing in surgy conditions is that your bait stays much more active and doesn’t get snagged near as often because it continuously moving up and down in tandem with the surge. This also assists and gives you an advantage with keeping that 20 pounder up off the bottom when you’re hooked up. When you compare that to fishing a dead calm day without any water movement your bait easily sinks and gets snagged which is extremely frustrating and can get rather pricey. Position the boat so that when you cast your bait it lands halfway between your boat and the rocks this is a good method of getting your position right which is normally not to far off the mark. Obviously it’s not the same for every spot but I use this method as the general rule of thumb. Another important thing to get right is your position aligned with the current, here is nothing worse than the burley going up past the anchor closely followed by your line!
Bait and Burley The burley trail is the deal breaker, it is so important to be stocked with burley as you head out for your big snapper hunt. The burley trail does take a while to work, sometime up to a couple of hours. But as all serious fishermen know patients are required to achieve the results. I find homemade burley is the best, loaded with skip jack tuna and kina which create a massive oil slick on the surface. Plus making your own burley is a good way to clean that bait freezer out. Bait presentation is also very important when targeting snapper. I cringe when
www.nzfisher.co.nz 9
A lot of people don’t realise but a just legal sized snapper will hoover back the average whole pilchard no trouble at all.
I see someone cut a pilchard onto
with a big burley trail running you will
before you get a taker for your big bait
quarters and put a cube on each hook,
have kahawai, mackerel and even trivially
but when you do its normally a good
it just looks so unnatural and wrong.
appear, take advantage of this and get
snapper. When this happens be sure to
A lot of people don’t realise but a just
some fresh bait, you cant beat it and it
let this fish swallow the bait, because the
legal sized snapper will hoover back the
will pay off. I personally like to catch a few
bait is bigger than normal give it longer
average whole pilchard no trouble at all.
mackerel in the harbour before we even
in free spool before you slam the drag
I normally start off with whole pilchards
head out. Remember it is important with
up and strike.
and as the burley trail starts working
cuts baits to have them presented well
Put the plastic away for a weekend, get
and fish start getting bigger this is the
which consists of long thin strips rather
out there and get back to the old skool
time to go for the big fresh bait such as
than a square cut which is near impossible
this method is still the best for catching
a whole butterflied mackerel or even a
for a snapper to suck back.
those big moochers in the shallows.
full length kahawai fillet split down the
Now, when lobbing that big bait down
Remember location, Burley and big
middle. Quite often when snapper fishing
the burley trail it may take a while
baits. Good luck!
10 www.nzfisher.co.nz
Gurnard capers with Espresso Want to catch Gurnard? Heres how! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX3T3YuV1M8
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As used by the NZ Defence Force! www.nzfisher.co.nz 11
competition
Name the species
ere’s a new competition for NZ Fisher Subscribers. We want to test your fish knowledge with a series of fishy pictures. If you think you know what species this is, just email Capt. Snappy at derrick@nzfisher.co.nz with your guess. All entries will go into the draw plus the first correct answer will win an Active Duty Gift pack.
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Every issue, all NZ Fisher subscribers* go in the draw to get hooked up with some fantastic prizes courtesy of generous NZ Fisher supporters. To find out if you’ve won simply check this section in each issue to see if your name has been drawn and then get in touch with our Editor before the deadline to claim your prize. Sweet as!!! *Sorry—only NZ residents eligible for prize draw.
Congratulations to our Hooked Up prize winners for Issue #3! If you’re one of the lucky NZ Fisher subscribers listed below, simply fire an email to our editor derrickp@nzfisher.co.nz before 5pm Friday 17 December 2010 to claim your prize!
Gaylene Kelly of Rotorua You’ve won an Active Duty sun and bug skin defence pack from Skinshield NZ including sunscreen, repellent, lip balm and Permethrin clothing treatment kit! For more on the Active Duty skin defence range see www.skinshield.co.nz
Max McRae of Franklin You’ve won a fantastic goodie bag courtesy of the team at down at The Bait Station and including a selection of jigs, poppers and slow jigs - don’t blame us if the fishing’s no good! Check out some of the merchandise at www.baitstation.co.nz
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The small print… Yes it seems like they won’t let you do without it, even when you’re giving stuff away. Anyway, please note that to be able to win stuff in the Hooked Up section you need to have been a confirmed email subscriber to NZ Fisher e-Magazine as at a date no less than two working days prior to issue date (‘cos that’s when our prize winners are drawn) and be a resident of New Zealand at the time of the draw. To be eligible to claim any prizes including, but not limited to, alcoholic beverages, travel, motor vehicle/boat usage, tattoos, sharp things or any other prize that might require you to be over than 18 years old, you must have been over 18 years of age at the time of the draw! Cheers. www.nzfisher.co.nz 13
scienceFEATURE
Areas where the tagged fish were released. Credit: NIWA
The Scientist & the Fish //Where do our Snapper go – Part II By Darren Parsons, Fisheries Scientist, NIWA
What the tags revealed
The median distance between
with some making longer-distance
The location at which tagged snapper
release and recapture for these
movements. The most mobile of the
were recaptured was highly dependent
fish was only 690 metres, with very
fish we tagged were from the mid
on where they were originally tagged.
few fish moving greater distances.
Hauraki Gulf. The median distance
The snapper least likely to move were
Fish tagged in the inner Hauraki
between release and recapture for
those tagged in shallow rocky reef areas
Gulf were slightly more mobile. The
these fish was 18.9 km. Many of these
(in this case around the coast of Leigh
median distance between release and
fish moved long distances, often into
and Kawau Island).
recapture for these fish was 2.2 km
the Bay of Plenty. The longest distance
14 www.nzfisher.co.nz
Short Distance Movements� and “Long Distance Movements Credit: NIWA
Mel (NIWA) and fish Credit: NIWA
www.nzfisher.co.nz 15
Fishermen have known for many years that snapper are capable of undertaking long- distance movements or being resident to small areas.
movement we observed was from a
that even when the fishing in inshore
fish that was recaptured just north of
waters is poor, there are still likely
Gisborne, a total movement in excess
to be resident fish in the area. So
of 450 km!
some snapper probably will not leave
These results confirm what fishers
their usual haunts, even over spring
as the level of fishing effort in the
suspected, that both resident
when large numbers of other snapper
inner Hauraki Gulf is much higher than
‘kelpies’ and more mobile ‘school
aggregate to spawn.
at Leigh and Kawau. The most likely
fish’ are present within the same
explanation is that the population size of snapper on the rocky reefs near
only able to tag snapper from a
How fishing may affect different snapper populations
limited area within the Hauraki
The tagged snapper recaptured in this
less fishing effort can extract a greater
Gulf, it seems that snapper from
study not only helped us understand
proportion of the population). If
deeper water are more mobile and
fish movements, but also the level of
correct this implies that populations of
those from shallower waters more
extraction by fishing experienced in
resident snapper are more vulnerable
residential. The resident snapper
the different areas in which tagging
to overexploitation.
were also made up of both large and
occurred. Snapper from the rocky
small fish; big fish did not seem to
reef areas near Leigh and Kawau
localised areas containing resident
travel any more or less distance than
experienced the highest extraction
snapper could become depleted
small ones. Snapper in the rocky reef
rates (~5% annually) whereas snapper
regardless of what the overall
areas near Leigh and Kawau were
from the inner and mid Hauraki Gulf
snapper stock is doing. This is likely
predominantly resident, as were the
areas had annual extraction rates of
an important issue for recreational
snapper tagged in shallow muddy
around 4.3% and 3.3% respectively.
fishers, who largely fish in areas where
areas near Auckland. This suggests
This result was somewhat surprising
resident snapper are prevalent. I
snapper stock. Although we were
16 www.nzfisher.co.nz
Leigh and Kawau is small (meaning
These results therefore suggest that
Mel (NIWA) and fish
suspect it comes down to a situation
Post script note:
of having your cake and eating it.
NIWA is continuing to analyse
hearing from you, please call 09-
Healthy populations of resident
other information arising from this
375 2050. Finally, we would like to
snapper ensure easy access to good
tagging programme which will be
thank all the fishers who returned
fishing experiences, but each localised
communicated to the public in the
information on tagged snapper to us.
population will only be able to sustain
future. If you do catch a tagged
Without your cooperation this project
a certain amount of extraction.
snapper we are still interested in
would not have been possible.
www.nzfisher.co.nz 17
kayakFEATURE
As Far North As The Eye Can See
// A man and his fish Words and Pics by Daren Parsons
,
ish are where you find them,
areas where there are no boats? For
loads of beautiful places and great
but where might that be? I
a while now, I have wanted to try the
fishing too. As you head north of
guess you can look at it from
second idea out and head to a really
Kaitaia you can feel the remoteness
two perspectives. If dozens of boats
remote area targeting big snapper and
creep in around you, and I was hoping
are all anchored up in the same spot
kingfish. So with a tent, 30 packs of
this would also spell big fish. My tactic
it might be because there are a lot of
soft baits and a kayak on the roof, to
was to catch kahawai live baits, bridle
fish there. Alternatively, there might be
the top of the North Island I went.
rig them and slow troll them behind
virtually untouched fish populations in 18 www.nzfisher.co.nz
The Far North really is blessed with
the kayak along remote stretches of
ts e g id ere” M ” rywh Eve
finding a reef that looked promising and it was with great anticipation that I made my first cast. “Whack”, my bait was hit before sinking to the bottom, but the fish was not big. Two hours later my enthusiasm was waning. I had covered all of a few hundred metres, caught a bunch of snapper, but couldn’t entice anything of decent size. Moving away from the coast into slightly deeper water resulted in a few fish of slightly better size, but as I drifted out even further they stopped biting. I put my rod down and rearranged my position as something gave the line a tug. I hooked the fish, which initially didn’t pull hard, but as I came into more direct contact the fish it screamed off This is why I was soft baiting with 20 lb braid and a rod rated to 60 lb. I cranked the drag and lent into him, but he kept going and going. Feeling uneasy about applying more pressure and risking pulling the hook, there wasn’t much else I could do. The fish eventually reefed me, despite the bottom being pretty flat. I could still feel the fish, and for the next 10 minutes I floated above trying to free it. The water was shallow (about 10 ft deep) and I toyed with the idea of swimming down to free the line. Eventually the line did snap however and I cursed not taking the plunge. That could have been the difference between a successful or failed trip. When I got back to shore I decided to take advantage of the calm weather and head to a more exposed spot
northland coast. As I paddled along I
weather was perfect and the water oh
about as far north as you can go. I also
would also flick soft baits at any gnarly
so clear.
expected this to be even more remote,
looking rocks that might hold monster
On my first days fishing the sun was just
but there were a lot of people in the
snapper. This trip had been a long time
coming over the horizon as I paddled
camp site and I soon discovered that
in the planning. Furthermore, a month
down a creek next to the camp site
most of them were fishing.
of easterly winds and an unexpected
where I was staying. I pulled my kayak
Seems I was not the first person to
transaction on a house delayed my
over a sand dune and set off into the
think the far north might be a likely spot
departure. The wait was worth it, the
surf. I didn’t need to go far before
for a kingfish. Despite the numerous www.nzfisher.co.nz 19
”Onward to Surville Cliff”
land based fisho’s, I was about the only
both under 6 ft.
person fishing from some form of boat.
Catching a live-bait was not difficult.
So as I paddled out the next morning it
What was more difficult was catching
was with some anxiety.
one small enough so that I had more of a
Aside from the open ocean, swirling
chance of hooking a reasonable kingfish,
current lines and lack of other boats to
as opposed to something that would
come to my aid if needed, I couldn’t
tow me to Australia. Eventually a nice
stop thinking that this was probably the
1.5kg kahawai was bridle rigged and
last place in the world you should really
sent behind the boat. I managed
be attaching yourself to a 2 kg kahawai
to paddle and fish about 12 miles
in a vessel with virtually no freeboard.
of coast that day. There were plenty of
Stories of people hooking gigantic
snapper up in the wash, but my biggest
sharks at this spot were firm in my mind
was only about 3.5 kg.
and as I passed around peninsulas where
I towed the kahawai behind me the
A fine fish a ny day but not – the ta rget to day The next morning I was determined the day would
the current would drag me out to sea I
whole day, and aside from a couple of
end differently, one way or another.
felt slightly uneasy. What I did have in my
very small kingfish jumping next to it,
Unfortunately, it all seemed to play out the
favour was a waterproof VHF and a call
there was no interest. After a long day
same way. I caught my live bait, I caught a
schedule with the kind folk at Far North
at the paddle I was most pleased to
bunch of ok snapper, my butt hurts again,
Radio. Not that they could really help me
set foot ashore. Mostly because I could
and still no kingfish. At least I was feeling
if I became connected to a shark. Earlier
barely move my legs after 12 hours
slightly more comfortable with being on
in the summer this had happened on a
sitting in the same position, but also
an exposed and barren stretch of coast
couple of occasions, but thankfully the
because that uneasy feeling disappeared
without a person in sight. Towards the end
sharks (mako and hammerhead) were
as I neared the beach.
of the day I had basically given up hope. I
20 www.nzfisher.co.nz
”The
battle comes to an end”
had one more peninsula to round before
to side would be a different
turning for camp, and I found myself
story, hence my reluctance
thinking, “If its going to happen it would
to apply full drag earlier in
be better here than off that exposed and
the fight. Once I got over
current ridden peninsula”
the fish there were a few
……Cue screaming ratchet……..
blistering vertical runs, but
“Slowly increase drag…..Holy heck,
nothing like the initial 1
I’m hooked up, and by the wake
mile tow.
coming off my kayak and the speed I
Eventually I could
am heading out to sea its probably a
see electric gold and
kingfish….Increase drag….Holy heck
green beneath me
×2, I am going even faster. I didn’t think
and while the speed of the
The mighty kingf ish beaten – but so was the angler
that was possible.”
fish had given me confidence it wasn’t
About 1 mile from the coast (which
a shark this was also a relief. The fish
was also about 1 mile north of New
then floated to the surface and didn’t
Zealand) I decided an emergency sea
move a fin. This allowed me to take
anchor deployment was required. Of
some self pics (not easy) and lift on the
course it was tangled and took another
fish to feel its weight.
couple of minutes to get into the water.
The pictures don’t do it justice as
By now I was nearing 2 miles north
the fish is more than a metre behind
of New Zealand in the middle of a
my head, but I estimate its weight at
gigantic current line. Fortunately the
being in excess of 22 kg. As I had no
sea was calm, but for a nano second I
ice and planned to stay in the north
did contemplate cutting the line. The
for another few days I had no other
drogue slowed my progress and I was
option but to release it.
able to push the drag up to strike, about
The rest of the trip pales in
8 kg of drag being applied through 60
comparison really, despite the white
lb line. To be honest, the fish behaved
sand dunes, crystal clear waters,
perfectly throughout the fight. Apart from
good snapper and 4.5 kg trevally that
turning towards me initially, it had run in
were all present at my next camp site.
a straight line for the entire fight. That
Overall I spent about 15 full days
Self takes are so much fun!
it was definitely worth it. Now I just
meant I was able to keep the line just off
towing kahawai behind my kayak
need to figure out a way of increasing
my bow which put all the force over the
this summer for one fish. I imagine
the catching and decreasing the
length of my kayak and kept me nice and
I paddled over dozens of trophy
paddling, otherwise I’ll be doing the
stable. A fish that size darting from side
snapper in search of that one fish but
miles again next summer. www.nzfisher.co.nz 21
theFISHstock
Scallops, Summer’s Richest Gift ello and welcome to the second installment of the Fish Stock. I hope you managed to impress a few folks with the Kingfish and Prosciutto Wraps from the first issue. If you haven’t tried them yet they will make the perfect entrée to this month’s recipe. What can possibly be better then kicking back on a sunny summer’s afternoon with a cold beer, after gathering what would have to be one of the most sought after and succulent delicacies our coastline has to offer? Zygochlamys delicatula, Scallops or Fresh is best (and raw they’re delicious too!)
Tipa in Maori.
Serves 4 as a main
Ingredients 20 fresh scallops
Method This is a great quick dish to whip up.
Stir the fried chili, garlic, lemon juice and rind through the noodles with a
300g soba noodles
It pays to have all of the ingredients
pinch of salt and pepper and a good
2 tsp grated ginger
cut, prepared and ready to go before
glug of olive oil. Cover and set aside.
½ cup of good Sauvignon Blanc
cranking up the pan; things need to cook
or Pinot Gris
in unison to stay hot and fresh.
1 fresh red chili finely chopped
First of all, bring a pot of water to the
Pour a bit more oil to the hot pan, add the scallops and fry for a minute on each side. Keep the heat up and bit by bit pour the
Rind of one lemon finely chopped
boil and cook the noodles for about 5-6
wine and ginger mix over the scallops. Let it
Juice of one lemon
minutes before removing and rinsing in
reduce and deglaze all the goodness off the
3 cloves garlic finely chopped
cold water. While these are cooking; in a
pan onto your scallops for another minute.
200g rocket
fry pan add some olive oil and lightly fry
Olive oil
the garlic and chili, remove from the pan
scallops, a side of rocket and serve with
Salt and Pepper
and set aside (keep the pan on the heat).
a fresh glass of Pinot Gris.
Mix together the ginger with the wine. 22 www.nzfisher.co.nz
Plate up the noodles with a share of the
Tight lines and empty plates!
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theWORKface
Where good tackle proves itself // The Inchiku
Rock-G
By Grant ‘Espresso’ Bittle
ou know, there’s nothing like
their flutter in water works wonders on fish
when fishing was average at best, you
shiny sparkling new and fasci-
from Mackerel through to Marlin and pretty
know the ones, moon not right, not a
nating looking fishing tackle
much everything in between. In addition
lot of current - a good test in fact. The
to try right? After-all doing the same
the Rock-G has a holographic style shiny
moment I plopped this little jig in the
ol’ same ol’, can get a little staid and
scale-like weighted body, eyes, razor sharp
water and gave it a twitch, I just knew
it is possible to gradually diminish the
hook…things that do the fish catching trick,
this would work. The angled darting,
all-important aspect of discovery, chal-
so what about all of this in combo?
panicked, fleeting motion of the jig is
lenge and the delight of finding a new
Other aspects that captured my
excellent. It moves just like a fleeing,
successful technique to hunt fish with.
attention about this particular jig when
perhaps injured little baitfish – the very
When you’re out on the water and
I first gazed upon it was the offset…
prey that so many fish are after. In the
perhaps looking at a bit of coastline
everything. Offset shaped weighted
wash, down the face of deep drop offs,
and thinking “that looks fishy”…here’s
body, offset hook attachment, all about it
darting in and out of weedy areas and
something that might just tick all the
seemed out of alignment and angled, out
out over expanses of sand…a ‘oh hell
right boxes.
of balance almost. But that offset nature
I’m in the wrong place’ kind of motion
is exactly why this jig imparts its own
is exactly what this Rock-G jig screams.
unique and tempting action in the water.
The neat sideways and seemingly
Having more than just one or two methods delivering a knockout punch to fish on the boat is essential in my books,
So even before tying it on the end
random drastic escaping swim action is
not every day is the same, and if it was,
of my lightweight soft plastic rod and
certainly enough to entice both feeding
fishing could become rather dull now and
reel setup out drifting around in the
and predatory strikes from Snapper and
then. Now looking at this new little jig
big salty puddle I was excited about
other fish species no doubt.
(new to me anyway) perked my intrigue
the possibilities being conjured up in
straight away – after all it has some very
my mind. I started to develop a plan, a
and jigging arsenal of tackle prevalent
good looking time honoured components
cunning plan, time to be lured in Mr. and
in mine and many other keen fishers
like the little luminous bead, a well known
Mrs. Snapper!
tackle bags. With retrieval action similar
attractant for many fish, especially New Zealand Snapper. The colourful skirts – well 24 www.nzfisher.co.nz
A great accompaniment to the soft bait
With only limited knowledge about
to both styles its ideal to use on your
how this could work, I set out on a day
lighter setups with braided line, and
fish) you need more than one approach,
eventually get eaten, but if you give it
the more options the better.
some motion showing signs of (failing)
While still occasionally venturing out with bait and burley my personal
often than not by the bigger fish, not just
preference has turned towards the more
tiny pickers. That why jigs work, action,
clinical approach. Clinical in terms of
flutter, attraction = a call to action!
reducing the clean up time, smell and
ck Paull
Credit: Derri
old John “Even stealthy Rock-G” Dory love the
life, it’ll get hit far more often, and more
Remember fish don’t have thumbs, the
mess aboard my trailer boat, simplicity
only true way to check if something is
if you like increasing both success rates
edible is to bite at it, the more attractive
and reducing the ‘work’ associated with
the action, the more attention, the more
fishing. My boat these days is being
bites and hookups. The Rock G has a
transformed into a clinical fish hunting
very attractive action in the water not
machine. Fast, smell free, clean and
only to fishers, but to the fish.
successful fish hunts are the order of stealthy lighter leader (the bite and
the day, much appreciated by kids (zero
hookup is well back from the line so
bait smell helps reduce sea sickness),
little chance of bite-offs). What a great
and those that don’t like the smell of
option to have on the boat, carrying a
bait or soft bait liquids in their fingers
few different weighted Rock-Gs, always
after fishing – and these little jigs tick
at hand, clean and simple, no smell or
lots of boxes.
mess, goo or gunk, and no deterioration,
With successful catching being the
instantly ready and most importantly,
number 1 priority, I’ve found that using
they catch fish!
rod/reel, and line weights at least
Perfect to have in the tackle box to
roughly designed for what I’m doing
increase the options and a truly fun way
adds not only to the ability to detect
to come home with the goods, especially
and secure hookups, but to the pleasure
if you like jigging. Over the recent years
in achieving a successful days fishing.
of fishing I have tried a lot of different
Various styles of jigs have been around
approaches to catching fish, enjoying
a long, long time and will continue
each and every one for their own process
to be as they are an effective way of
to hunt down and capture my targeted
hooking fish. Why they work is simple
prey. Through interest and necessity I
– fish are more often than not attracted
now have increased the options available
to bite something with correct visual
and approaches used to catch fish. After
stimulation/attraction. Even when using
all to be successful each time, avoiding
a whole real Pilchard for instance, if it’s
the disappointment of a skunking (no
just lying there on the sea floor, it will
Credit: Grant Bittle
“Snapper find the Inchiku irresistable.”
www.nzfisher.co.nz 25
theCLUBHOUSE
North Shore Surfcasting Club
26 www.nzfisher.co.nz
// Over Forty Years catching the best The NSSC Committee
or over forty years the North
The Club’s beginnings were strongly in
Ray’s humorous story telling skills are
Shore Surfcasting Club has
the hands of founding member and North
renowned and Ron’s exceptional memory
been leading the way with
Shore Fishing legend Stu Hunt . The
of the clubs history is priceless.
monster Snapper, Kingfish, Kahawai
early club members found that our type
and Trevally. Records for all three spe-
of Rock and landbased fishing was well
and local interclub competition is envied
cies have at one time or another been
suited to the use of Alvey fishing reels.
by most of the National Body. The club
held by NSSC members, the Kahawai
A large number of the clubs greatest
has produced Open, mens, Junior and
record still stands, as do the Kingfish
catches have been recorded on Alvey
team wins at the NZAand CA’s national
and Snapper from the rocks.
reels, their simple, robust design has
champs in 5 of the last ten competitions
been credited with many fine catches
and missed overall wins in 2004 and 2006
founded in 1968. Over the years it has
over the years. These fine catches include
by miniscule margins, often beating the
grown from a ‘small handful’ of die-hard
Trevor Savory’s TWO 30lb plus snappers!
boaties outright. The club fishes against
The North Shore Surfcasting Club was
fishermen to its present day status - a
Stu was an exceptional fisherman and a
The club’s record at both Nationals
other Auckland and Northland clubs each
highly popular, family-oriented club
great mate of many of the clubs past and
year for the Davy Jones Challenge and
that boasts more NZ Fishing Records
present members. The club was formed
Stu Hunt Memorial challenge. These are
(both Junior and Senior) than any other
by a group of die hard fisho’s with the
currently held by Rodney Fishing Club
land-base club in the country. We’ve
intention of getting out and catching
after they won it back from NSSC in 2006.
also taken won the NZACA Nationals
the best fish they could with their Mates.
on many occasions in Senior Mens and
Other founding members Sue and Ray
competition in Maunganui (Doubtless
Women’s as well as juniors!
NSSC and Doubtless Bay fish an annual
‘Cat-weasel’ MacIntyre and Ron Cross (all
Bay) over the Queens Birthday weekend
Currently there are 10 Life-members in
now based in Tairua) regularly commute
each year. This fish is usually the most
the club including former NZ angling and
to Auckland to remain involved with the
popular competition of the year with
casting past presidents Frank King and
club. The last such trip was for the 2006
up to 90 members from both clubs
Ted Audain.
prize giving at the clubrooms in Milford.
competing for excellent prizes.
www.nzfisher.co.nz 27
regionalREVIEWS
BOP ell the fishing has been
has been out of Tauranga that has stood
turned up big time. Day one saw some
nothing short of amazing
out. Some days the bite will last all day with
good fish landed up to around 20kg but
out of Tauranga over the
fish busting up on the surface everywhere,
it was day two that stood out with the fish
past month, the run of juvenile squid
other days it has been more difficult but
biting their heads off all day. We never
have arrived and with that the kingfish
you still get a bite at some stage.
counted the fish but we all guessed that
have become almost suicidal when
Derrick & the team from NZ Fisher
the final tally would have been over 100
presented with a quality stick bait.
headed out in Early October and were
and all of these fish were caught on top
Jigs have been accounting for a large
treated to an unbelievable day on the
water lures. I dropped one jig and it got
number of fish and the biggest in recent
surface gear, while they didn’t hit any
nailed straight away by a barracuda so
trips tipped the scales at the magical 50
monsters the fish were constant all
needless to say the jig rod spent the rest
pound mark. But the bigger fish on jigs
day. In all they nailed over 100 fish that
of the day hidden away.
have been hard to come by as the little
averaged 12-15kg. Aaron McDonald
kingies have been charging in before
topped the day with a 23kg fish taken on
trips out lately with some great fishing,
they even get a chance.
top water gear.
I would like to thank everybody who
We have had some really memorable
Top water has been where it’s at and the
We had Malcolm and Chris from Sydney
whole Bay of Plenty has been on fire from
out recently on a trip organised by Ocean
thoroughly enjoyed your company.
Waihau Bay to Cuvier Island but for us it
Blue Fishing Adventures and the fish
www.extremesportfishing.co.nz
Coromandel
has come out with us recently I have
Source: Carl Muir/Epic Adventures
t has been a pretty special week at
The snapper have well and truly played
the Aldermen Islands out of Tairua
ball this week as well with Ian Du Plessis
All the snapper are out deep at present
this week, good crews on Epic with dif-
caught on the Jigstart spiral wrap.
pictured here with a nice snapper taken
and a long line of big snapper caught on
ferent day trips every day getting to some
on a livebait. Tobez has had a couple
livebaits and softbaits this week was the
quality fishing action.
of monster days on Sanity this week,
result, like this nice 9kg fish to Peter.
Fish of the week on Epic was this monster 33kg kingfish - a solid fish going 1.35m - to
livebaiting the Aldermen Islands. There has been a patch of XOS
The conditions have been just superb over the last week and the fishing out of Tairua
Andrew Foreman from Waiheke Island who
mackeral in the Bay which has made for
came out on a Boulder Guiding trip with
a healthy livebait tank and you know
us to check out some of his rods and reels.
what they say - big bait - big fish, that
2 degrees to be pushing 18 degrees so it
The kingfish took the biggest livie we had in
rang true and they accounted for some
isn’t long before the marlin and tuna turn up.
the tank, it has been fair to say the kingfish
very nice 20-30kg kingfish. The following
For more choice pics from the week on
have been proprtional to the size of the
day saw a couple of big kings again to
livebaits you’ve stuck down this week.
Gazza pictured opposite with a 30 kegger
28 www.nzfisher.co.nz
and Whitianga has just been awesome. The water temp has also spung up a good
Epic check the full report www.epicadventures.co.nz
Outer Gulf Source: Grant Bittle ‘Espresso’
he middle Hauraki Gulf, eastern
right workups, because there’re workups
Tiri, southern Whangaparaoa
and there are workups…but that’s an
peninsula, the Firth of Thames,
entire study in itself (basics are covered
southern Kawau through to Orewa have all been invaded by baitfish, and big bait
in the Catch Snapper DVD). Most forms of terminal tackle have
West Coast/ Taranaki Things are definitely hot on the West coast with most anglers heading out to the 40-60m marks & nailing prime fish. There have been many reports coming
schools remain out wider. O.K. so we
been working well, but those that
aren’t out there targeting tiny baitfish
emulate a wounded Pilchard have been
back form the Raglan locals that it’s
for dinner on even tinier sabikis – but
the best. While swimming literally in a
easier to catch a 15-20 pound fish than a
where there’s baitfish, the bigger preda-
bait-ball the other day the underwater
pannie! NZFisher contributor Ian Biddick
tors lurk, and there are some big ones
roundup is a majestic thing to see – and
was lured down to Raglan by the lure
in amongst the schooling fish. Many
it’s going on out there on a daily basis,
of his first 20lb + snapper (the boat had
Snapper in the 15lb+ mark (and a few
usually more than once a day too. The
landed three the day before) and came
20lbers) are being caught close by the
condition of the Snapper, Kingfish,
a way happy, but not that happy with a
bait-schools, nice legal sized Kingfish
Gurnard, Dory is simply superb with
new PB of nearly 8kgs. Rule of thumb,
too, and keep an eye out for the odd
early spawning season vitality. When
deep ids good & smelly bait is the only
toothy Mako showing off their nice shiny
it’s on, it’s on, when it’s not – well it’s
suits. Over just the past couple of weeks
probably on somewhere else! Move to
the baitfish have been hounded relent-
find the fish as they can swim around a
lessly right into the shallows of places
lot or change your tactics if there are
like Army Bay, Karepiro Bay and along
fish under your boat but not biting e.g.
the North Shore Bays for instance.
using a slow retrieve of a soft plastic
The aerial bombardment has been
for instance has been filling the bins for
way to go! Things around the Naki are also on the improve with numerous 25+ snapper being weighed and solid reports of bag limits within the hour. The northern reaches (Mokau & White Cliffs) seem to
readily visible from land without
many even when the bite has gone off,
be the best bet while the weather allows
binoculars so searching for workups has
subtle enticing motion is the key.
and the southern haunts have been ‘ok’ without records being broken. Game fish
been as easy as looking seaward from
When you’re out in deeper water –
the beach. In fact 10m depth all round
here’s some helpful tips on increasing
are only a couple of months away – get
the place has been the place to be after
your success with Snapper, 3 minutes
that tackle serviced & make sure your
work most weekday evenings, within fast
is all you need www.youtube.com/
Gamefish club memberships’ up to date!
and easy reach - pannie Snapper city.
watch?v=vXsILZIH-3A
The water temperature struggles
There are number of huge Whales
upwards, but with it the Snapper and
in the Gulf at the moment, in fact a
Kingfish have been swarming in on their
rare Blue Whale was graciously giving
So from the biggest to the smallest
prey, the baitfish. Worthwhile workups
a display along with a Brydes mother
of species out there it’s all on – hey
have been out in the middle, out wide
and her calf just north of Flat Rock one
speaking of smaller fish here’s a bit of
and in close, with the right sort of
afternoon recently, what a wonderful
fun, catch some Gurnard – here’s how
workup and the right attitude prolific
sight to unfold before me, just me and a
with the softly softly approach www.
pickings are an almost certainty. I say the
few Whales having a swim, breathtaking.
youtube.com/watch?v=qX3T3YuV1M8
www.nzfisher.co.nz 29
FisheriesManagementnewsREPORT
Option 4 - the ‘other’ team More fish in the water
the same or better quality of rights
has evolved into providing service to
option4 is a diverse group of people from
while preventing fish conserved for
representative organisations seeking to
around Aotearoa who rallied in mid-
recreational use being given to the
achieve “more fish in the water/kia maha
2000 in response to the government’s
commercial sector.
atu nga ika ki roto i te wai”. The Hokianga
Soundings policy, which sought to confine
4. No licensing of recreational fishers.
Council have received much service.
every New Zealander’s right to fish. In addition to limiting access, the
Accord and the New Zealand Sport Fishing
By the submission deadline a record
The Hokianga Accord encompasses
bureaucrats also proposed that
60,000 Kiwis had rejected Sounding’s
the non-commercial fishing interests of
fishermen be licensed, irrespective if you
options one, two and three. Clearly
the mid north iwi of Ngapuhi and Ngati
were fishing for food or pleasure.
New Zealanders valued their traditional
Whatua, hapu and whanau, option4, the
right to fish in the sea. A website www.
NZ Sport Fishing Council and a number
Principles
option4.co.nz was established to
of environmental organisations.
Led by Paul Barnes, option4’s Project
provide hard-to-source information and
After fourteen overnight hui with
leader, a team of dedicated people
a contact point for people who wanted
many people contributing a good
travelled thousands of kilometers talking
to stay abreast of important access,
understanding of each other’s aspirations
at fishing clubs and public meetings.
management and policy issues.
and mutual concerns has developed. Today a team of experienced writers,
Overwhelming support was given for option4’s principles:
Public awareness
policy analysts, fisheries management
1. A priority right over commercial
option4 was also an integral part of
specialists and legal advisors respond
fishers for free access to a
the four-year Kahawai Legal Challenge,
to a variety of proposals and seek to
reasonable daily bag limit to be
which concluded with the Supreme
offer regular updates and insight on the
written into legislation.
Court decision in May 2009. The
complex topics of fisheries management
outcome was mostly positive for non-
and the allocation of public resources
2. The ability to exclude commercial methods that deplete recreationally
commercial interests. However, recent
important areas.
management decisions have poorly
to call or email either Trish Rea (09 8186205,
reflected the Court’s rulings.
trish@option4.co.nz ) or Scott Macindoe
3. The ability to devise plans to ensure future generations enjoy
Over the past five years option4
For more information please don’t hesitate
(021 622463, scott@wilmac.co.nz ).
Free casio watch
Biscayne
with every Fin-Nor rod & reel combo AHAB
valued at
15000
$
Marquesa
™
If you wish to know more please visit www.nzsportfishing.co.nz. 30 www.nzfisher.co.nz Ask instore for details.
www.fin-norfishing.com
// In the next issue of NZ Fisher… • Big Snapper ‘old skool styles’ • We test the Power Jig Rock G Inchiku 15 gram • The conclusion to “where do the Snapper
Next edition out 17/11/2010 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 third Wednesday!
www.nzfisher.co.nz 31