ISSUE 5 January 2010
Unlocking the Secrets of Rarotonga// //
Working the jigs
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THE RUM THAT INVENTED RUM www.mountgayrum.com Enjoy the adventure, drink responsibly
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Rarotonga - Best known,
best kept secret.
Game fishing feature
10
Big Snapper from
the Shallows
Kayak Fishing
12
Kingfish 101
16
First Marlin of the Season
Its all on!
20
Power Jig, Diamond Eyes
22
What is Stickbait?
24
The Clubhouse
Raglan Sports Fishing Club
26
Regional Reviews
29
Video of the month
30
Name that Species
20
Pg 10
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ABOUT / Short and sharp, NZ Fisher is a free e-magazine delivering
From the
EDITOR
thought provoking and enlightening articles, and industry news and information to forward-thinking fisher people.
EDITOR / Derrick Paull ART DIRECTOR / Jodi Olsson GROUP EDITOR / Trudi Caffell CONTENT ENQUIRIES /
elcome 2011! What a
(well, probability) that a stewardship fee
Phone Derrick on 021 629 327
great start to the year;
would be charged to all fishers.
or email
A licence by any other name, the fee
derrickp@NZ Fisher.co.nz
game fish of the year is a Blue Marlin.
sounds reasonable; the group would be
ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES /
The snapper & kingfish have been very
voted in and funded by New Zealand
accommodating and the scallops are
fishers to represent their interests
Phone Alastair on 021 866 036
plump and plentiful. Isn’t it great to be
when dealing with Governments and
in New Zealand!
negotiating with Commercial and
blue water & the first real
or email alastairn@espiremedia.com
Customary stakeholders. The suggested
ADDRESS / NZ Fisher,
first Marlin of the year, boated by Kurt
costs might be as high as $50 or a
C/- Espire Media, PO Box 137162,
Bennetto’s team off Northlands west
dollar a week in simple terms, but
Parnell,Auckland 1151, NZ
coast. While NZ’s fishing really hot’s up
would provide the body with funding to
WEBSITE / www.NZ Fisher.co.nz
we’ve included a brief on the wonders
reach parity with our competitors own
of Tropical Rarotonga – a true island
budgets (How much do the commercial
paradise and teeming with fish.
sector spend wooing governments? =
This month we feature NZFisher’s
Onto the boring stuff.... Recently I’ve
Milions of $$$??)
been involved with the New Zealand
I am not a fan of licensing and have
Recreational Fishing Council and their
spoken against it in recent times, but
attempt to act in a way that’s a little
my mind is being changed a little by
outside the square for recreational
the thought of full control of our future
fishing bodies in New Zealand. The
in the hands of recreational fishers with
idea is to progress as the change
real ‘horsepower’ as NZRFC President
agent to create a truly grassroots
Geoff Rowling puts it. The benefits may
up representative body that has a
or may not out weight the costs, but
goal of becoming a statuted group
one thing is for sure, we ain’t winning
representing all New Zealanders non-
with things the way they are!
commercial fishers. It’s a bold move and the plan includes the possibility
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!
Happy Fishing!
Derrick
Derrick Paull is Vice President of the NZRFC. Any comments you wish to make on this editorial can be sent here [Derrickp@nzfisher.co.nz] www.nzfisher.co.nz 5
gameFISHING feature
Raro Sunset
6 www.nzfisher.co.nz
Rarotonga – Best Known, Best Kept Secret By Derrick Paull
reckon New Zealand is a pretty
at Avatiu, you are in 100m of water less
well kept fishing secret. We have
than 1 kilometer from shore – the day
inshore fisheries envied by the
before we hit town a 70kg blue marlin
world and a management system that
was hooked 200m from shore as the
does a respectable job of maintaining
lures were being pulled in as the boat
a healthy fishery. Although we have
Reel Time came back to port.
game fish, barring a few very odd
Unlike most of the worlds other
captures, it’s a five month affair with
fine game fisheries, Rarotonga isn’t
a concentration around January and
exploited, overpriced or over stated.
February. The beauty is that just three
They have a fantastic Yellow Fin Tuna
hours flight from Auckland there is a
fishery, strong Wahoo stocks, more
12 month of the year fishery with very
Mahi-mahi than you can point a stick at
little recreational pressure.
and plenty of interloping Marlin – both
Rarotonga has a game fishery we
striped and blue with the odd black
can only dream about in the depths of
thrown in to test the tackle. I have heard
a kiwi winter. Rarotonga is the ‘main’
of a few broadbill too – but they seem
island of the Cook Island group 1700
to be more of a commercial catch than a
miles north east of New Zealand and
rec one – but that’s sure to change.
is surrounded by water so blue and so
Rarotonga’s economy is fairly slow
deep the gamefish can be caught if not
and this translates to what we in NZ
from the reefs, no more than 50m form
would consider low priced travel,
shore. Leaving the islands largest port,
accommodation & fishing charters – www.nzfisher.co.nz 7
Unlike most of the worlds other fin e game fisheries, Rarotonga isn’t exploited, overpriced or over stated. They have a fantas tic Yellow Fin Tuna fishery, strong Wahoo st ocks, more Mahi-mahi than you can point a st ick at and plenty of interloping Marlin.
sounds perfect doesn’t it! We decided renting a beach front property was better sense than the
of Shimano & Penn with a couple of
Virtually as soon as we left the harbour
Alutechnics thrown in for good fun.
the lines were set. While we didn’t hook
It seems all the boats also soak a lot of
up straight away, this is the normal time
local resorts and very much appreciated
baits and lures with at least 6 lines being
to get your first Wahoo – they hang in
the freedom it provided. Renting a car
trolled at all times and often seven.
close to the reef and are often the first
was easy and even going to the police
Flying fish is a respected bait in NZ but
capture. What we were blessed by was
station in Avatiu was a fun afternoon
it’s suicide to leave port without a good
some very entertaining hits by Mahi-
out – for just NZ$20 and 15 minutes in
supply in Raro – they are the food of
mahi that target the baits from over
a queue, I now have a very flash Cook
choice or just about every predator that
100m away, lighting up and making a
Islands drivers license!
swims the Cook Island waters.
bee-line for them lit up like a glowing
The charter fleet is a little more modern
On board we were shown how the
blue bullet. When they do hit, the white-
& in better nick than what we had
locals rig a flying fish and the pattern for
water eruption is something to behold
expected. Avatiu is home to the majority
the lures we were to troll on day one.
– they are bulldogs of the sea, mean and
of the fleet, but a couple reside at the
George’s deckie, Cam, had a briefing on
hungry all the time with muscle to burn.
northern entrance of Muri Lagoon in
how landing fish would happen under
I’ve learned that Mahi-mahi or Dolphin
the South East corner. The big names in
Georges command and enlightened
Fish are one of the oceans fastest
Rarotonga game fishing are Reel Time,
us on the differing techniques to what
growing species, reaching maturity &
Akura, Seafari and Captain Moko. All
we’re used to in New Zealand. The most
adult size (8kg +/-) within their first year.
have good reputations and skipper’s
difficult to fathom was the fact that
Whether it’s related to this or not, the
who’d like to keep it that way.
they don’t back down on their fish. It
flesh of Mahi-mahi is very pale in colour
seemed a bit strange, but their rationale
and is rated one of the best eating, often
George on board Akura for a couple
is that most fish are lost when pressure
described as the second best in the
of trips and were not disappointed. As
is taken off the fish during the fight, as
world (behind Broadbill Swordfish).
a fisherman, the first thing you notice
can happen (albeit rarely) when chasing
about Rarotonga is the tackle. It’s not
a fish down. The other change, due to
dominated by Blue Marlin with a number
unlike what we fish with here and it’s
the no back down policy, is the rotation
of Striped & Black Marlin also caught
all well maintained (or so it appeared),
of anglers in the chair when a big fish is
annually. Our first day out was our best
but it’s just so heavy. A number of 60kg
hooked. After the fight begins anglers
with the dead flying fish skip bait on
set ups were run aboard Akura and
are swapped in the chair to keep them
the ‘shotgun’ out the back being hit by
the lightest was 37kg. There is a mix
fresh and shorten the fight.
a small Blue at around lunch time. The
We chose to hire the services of
The Marlin fishing around Rarotonga is
DP with mahimahi and 92.5kg Blue
fighting methods in Rarotonga take a
with what turned out to be a 92 kg
little getting used to. The drag set at
Blue Marlin. While it wasn’t a solo
this was a fantastic eye-opener.
about 8kg and no chasing of the fish
capture, I was pleased to see ‘my’ first
We learned a great deal and have
meant we saw a lot of line leave the reel
blue on the deck!
made some valuable connections
quickly and no backing down to retrieve
As a first encounter with Rarotonga,
Out attempts to chase Yellow Fin
for future expeditions north to this
it. The upside of this is that there’s a
Tuna were thwarted by the main FAD
virtually untouched fishery. Places
chance for everyone on board to have a
coming loose from it’s mooring after
on Raro Mission Two, to be held in
go at fighting the fish – that’s right, you
11 years faithful service and drifting off
early November 2011, will be offered
rotate in and out of the chair! While not
into the wild blue yonder. While we did
to NZ Fisher readers wishing to
IGFA legal and not what we’d do here
manage a few smaller models the YFT
experience incredible gamefishing
in NZ, we chose to take the ‘When in
fishing was very slow and not what we
in this tropical paradise. We will
Rome’ attitude & work with the Akura
had anticipated. Once again though,
be booking Akura for a full 5 days
team to their rules.
Mahi-mahi made up for their absence
and targeting YFT, GT’s, Marlin,
and we were treated to more colourful &
Wahoo and Mahi-Mahi – utilising
aerobatic fights.
kiwi techniques. Watch this space!
The fight lasted near on an hour and gave everyone their chance to tussle
www.nzfisher.co.nz 9
kayakFISHING
Big Snapper From The Shallows – Up Your Alley?
ishing the shallows can be
in order to stop the fish of your dreams
very productive, but it can
before it wraps your line round the
also prove to be frustrating
rocks and busts you off. If fishing from
and expensive due to the amount of
a kayak, you also need to take care not
tackle that can be lost to the foul. For
to over-tighten the drag as this could
those who like a challenge and are not
cause you to be tipped out by a sudden
too phased at losing a bit of gear, this
hook-up.
can be a great experience, whether
To limit the amount of bust offs, use
fishing from a kayak or from the rocks
the lightest weight possible that will still
themselves, but it certainly isn’t for the
enable your bait to reach the bottom
faint-hearted.
(when fishing off the rocks it is usually
Snapper seem to fight harder in the shallows and they will almost always run
best to use no sinker at all). Obviously, the sea and wind
straight for the nearest rock or patch of
conditions must be taken into account
kelp in an effort to free themselves. Your
when fishing from or close to the rocks.
gear will need to be in good condition,
Too many fishermen have been swept
drags must be smooth and set correctly
off rocks. If you are fishing from a
10 www.nzfisher.co.nz
One of the good points about shallow water fishing is that the fish can be easily released once caught, as their swim bladders don’t inflate. kayak, you must
out of there fast when you need to. Be
be prepared to
sensible – if there is too much swell or
cut your line
wind, stay further out from the rocks;
if necessary.
you can always cast in to them.
Imagine getting your line snagged really close in, or a large fish pulling you towards the
One of the good points about shallow water fishing is that the fish can be easily released once caught, as their swim bladders don’t inflate. It is
rocks, with a big swell or strong wind
such an awesome feeling to watch a
gust also pushing you in the same
big old moocher flick its tail and swim
direction – you must always have your
away unharmed, and of course it is
wits about you and know how to get yourself
great for the future releasing those big breeding fish. Pete & Ails
www.nzfisher.co.nz 11
boatFISHING
Putting bend on the new JM the
Kingfish 101. //Jig or Live Bait? Or jig & Live Bait? By Ed Stubenitsky
hat happens when you get 4
Plenty of preparation had taken place
BBQ, at least one of the boys had the
good keen blokes who hap-
with a good few trips to the tackle store,
food covered!
pen to be the greenest king-
and hundreds of hours of research. Four
So after a good hearty feed we headed
fish hunters you’ve ever seen with a new
keen young city slickers who have only
out to fill the live bait tank, it was a
arsenal of gear and a weekend away in the
dreamed of slaying kingfish headed away
little more time consuming that we
Coromandel? Magic! Absolute Magic!
to find out what all the fuss was about.
anticipated, though as we found later
Finally, the long anticipated Friday
on in the trip, never underestimate
arrived. We’d all put in a leave pass
Day 1
the value of these little guys and allow
with the Mrs, had is approved and met
We woke Saturday morning to the
yourself plenty of time to catch them.
early evening to load the boat and
smell of bacon, eggs, hash browns and
car to head to what we will call spot ‘x’.
all the trimmings sizzling away on the
12 www.nzfisher.co.nz
We made our way out to the area we had heard there were a few fish
.
around, found some really good mark
back of the boat as simultaneously the
Day 2
on the sounder and cracked out our
3 anglers hooked up. Unfortunately we
Started much the same way as day 1
new arsenal of rods. We had models
had hooked up into the wrong species,
with catching live baits and heading
from Shimano, Daiwa and the 2 JM 3
with some particularly large barracuda
back to the spot we thought would
King specials on board, each paired
being brought to the boat. These were
make all our dreams come true.
with an individually selected reel, a
suitably dealt with and sent back into
With the weather being a bit better
Trinidad 40N, Shimano Saragosa,
the sea.
we had some company in the area, a
Daiwa Saltiga, and JM PE5.
A few more passes and much of the
few other boats close by. Inspiration
Boys being boys wanted to play with
same. All in all the barracuda accounted
was instant when we circled round
the new gear and after a few hours there
for a few lost jigs and hooks, but a little
one boat with a young lad bent in 2
were some very tired faces and with little
entertainment. There was a foul hooked
holding on to his rig for life.
action on the jigs the boys were getting
red snapper of a reasonable size landed,
We rigged up and had 3 jigs new from
a little disheartened. I’ve never seen
and with the weather packing in we
the packet in the water to see if we
people so keen for a break from fishing
started on the very long and very quiet
could catch some dinner. After an hour
and happy to take the wheel while they
trip back to the ramp.
or so without success a familiar look
watched their mates suffer fatigue from
Back to the house, rig tying and a few
was coming to the faces of the boys. It’s
working the jig rod. Fishing was what
discussions on what to do tomorrow
not ideal when other boats around are
you might call a little ‘slow’. Then all of
provided the much needed inspiration
catching and your just fishing…
a sudden, there were 3 shrieks from the
to attack the fish again.
I decided to give a live bait a go,
Getting railed on the jig set
www.nzfisher.co.nz 13
it was a koherau?, I named the little
process making sure everyone within 20
We were very careful to ensure that we did
guy Jim. Well 2 minutes later little Jim
miles was aware we were ecstatic.
not take more fish than required; we should
got nailed and I was hooked up to
Shortly after, yet another live bait got
all make a real effort ensure we conserve
our first king fish of the day. Landed
nailed and the line started leaving the
our fisheries so in future we can take our
we estimated its weight at 12kg and
reel at a good pace, unfortunately on
kids and grand kids to these places and
measured 101cm we quickly decided
this occasion we managed to get 50-
give them these same experiences.
to keep it for dinner.
60m of braid wrapped around the prop.
A few minutes later I landed another
If there is one bit of advice I could give
I can’t say I recommend this approach,
for all those looking to get into jigging,
on a jig this time, similar size and just as
although it is pretty easily achieved. Half
get good gear and don’t underestimate
much excitement in the back of the boat.
an hour later we had sorted the mess
the amount of effort it takes to pump a rod
One of the lads joined me and put his
having been hung over the back of the
all day long, you’ll need plenty of patience
first ever keeper in the bin.
boat with the guys holding onto my feet
and perseverance Having said that there is
(and wearing a life jacket of course).
nothing like a kingi freight train hitting you
A short while later my live bait got hammered by what was to be a 24kg
Two more, smaller fish around 10-12kg
in mid water without any notice.
monster. The fight was relatively short,
were landed, bringing our total for the day
but after 2 long days my arms were
to 6. There were 2 very promising fights
home, memories to last a lifetime and
killing me! The fish surfaced after 5-6
where line was disappearing from the reel
the need to apply to our respective
minutes and was landed in the boat.
and rods well bent which resulted in bust
partners for another leave pass to get
We were all fairly vocal throughout the
offs and plenty of tales for the way home.
out and do it all over again!!
In total we had 1 fish each to take
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The fruits of our labour (Credit: Graeme Cox) www.nzfisher.co.nz 15
gameFISHING
Derk fighting his first Marlin
n
First Marlin of the Season //It’s all on!
By Kurt Bennetto
he season is now well and
which turned out to be a Mako Shark. For
came free. Gutted! Well, that’s one word
truly under way and I am over
three seconds there I was very excited
to describe it although I recall adding a
the moon!
until I realised what we had hooked but as
few others at the time. However, I had
The start of this season has been very
soon as we did we were more concerned
a funny feeling in mind that this wasn’t
different to the last but that’s not a bad
about getting the lure back! The Mako’s
going to be the only action for the day
thing. A lot of Blue Marlin have been
proved to be present in large number as
as it was still only mid morning!
caught early and most people believe
the day progressed which is quite unusual
are attributing this to the higher than
to see out where we usually catch the
temperature rose and the fish appeared
usual temperatures on the east coast -
marlin. In fact they were so thick I lost
to go slightly off the bite. However at
which I would tend to agree with.
count of how many I saw.
roughly 2pm the reel started singing
In the last edition I wrote about “
The water was unusually blue and all
As mid day approached, the
and we were in again. We saw the fish
sharpening up” and getting that gear
the signs were there - we could sense
crashing around on the surface and
ready. I must say I am glad I got it sorted
it was just a matter of time before we
instantly knew it was a good one. We
before Christmas because Northlands’
were pleasantly interrupted and when we
screamed towards the fish in reverse
West coast has started with a hiss and a
got a call from another boat less than a
with the angler grinding away and after
roar as early as it gets!
kilometer away informing us of their triple
all of a few minutes the leader popped
strike, the confidence went sky high!
up and we took our early chance. As we
On the 7th of January we headed off the beach with high hopes as we had been
As we continued trolling I turned
pulled the fish onto the boat, our first
given the word from a few of the boys
around to see the electric blue pectoral
time angler was peaking with excitement
that there were marlin around in good
fins of a marlin which instantly bit the
and that is what its all about.
numbers. The water was blue behind the
short corner and we were hooked up!
The fish weighed in at a very
surf at just 16 meters and as we set the
After a short fight we had the fish along
respectable 125.2kg. It was a great first
gear in 60 meters of water we didn’t have
side. As the leader approached the rod
trip of the season to the west coast to get
to wait long before we raised our fist fish
tip the fish shook its head and hook
off the mark and long may it continue.
16 www.nzfisher.co.nz
That look says it all
After a bit of h uff and puff, Der k’s fish is on boa rdl
n
- you never d n u o s & e f a s Home, Coast! t s e W e h t f f o know A proud and satisfied crew www.nzfisher.co.nz 17
NEWproduct
Power Jig, Diamond Eyes
//Slowly slowly catchy monkey Snapper By ‘Esspresso’
18 www.nzfisher.co.nz
Temptation
ebbing of it is the underlying reason why
in the predatory space close to the sea
This typical several pound pannie just
these Diamond Eyes work.
floor. So we’ve spotted something many
Imagine you and I are a couple of
metres away that could be food…right,
temptation is what killed the cat wasn’t
sizeable snapper…swimming along
time to investigate! We swim over closer
it (for fish in this case)? Temptation is
looking for an opportunistic snack, and
now and it drops back down into the mud,
the key to the success of the Power
over there, out of the corner of your eye,
motionless, exhausted, dead. Oops, it’s
Jig, Diamond Eyes. Highly luminous
quite some distance in fact is a small
not quite dead yet as it desperately tries
weighted head, big bright eye and
glowing odd looking creature and a
to swim away from our close scrutiny – it
trailing dangly bits that give it life in
small plume of mud rises as it swims up
must have spotted us and tries to flee to
aquatic environs - looking like fins/legs/
the water column in an effort to escape
higher ground out of sight. Pathetic, you
flappy bits in a bit of trouble. Life or the
our now attentive gaze and stay alive
got no show bro’, no way Jose’ you’re all
couldn’t resist the temptation. And
www.nzfisher.co.nz 19
NEWproduct
A fantastic addition to the soft baite rs arsenal, same type of style, boat and rod se tup, so as you change out your soft plastics wi th colour and shape, and I am personally a gr eat fan of the use of highly luminous materia l for fish attraction - try a Power slow jig mine… odd looking but firmly in our
Play It Again Sam
vision down in the dark depths…stupid
Within the glowing morsel are two
be experienced time and time again,
thing it’s still glowing and look at its
strong and exceptionally sharp little
tap, nibble nibble, drop, tap tap…
flailing fins at the back, no match for
hooks that easily penetrate tough fish
whack! Permanent hookup. And now
me! Right let’s just see if this can be
mouths. Care is needed and use of
like with most patient tasks in fishing,
my next tasty treat let me grab it and
drags (after all that’s why reels have
be patient, no need to strike ripping
see…oops hang on, no thumbs, buga.
drags, to be used) so that fast fighting
the hooks out defeating the purpose.
Come on think man, this glowing bug
fish don’t rip the hooks out and return
Merely continue to wind, gently pump
thing is swimming slowly up and away
momentarily to their previous routine,
and wind as you normally would retrieve
from us, it’s now or never, swimming up
usually momentary is all, either the
a fish. While a relatively inexpensive
behind the bug-fish thingy relentless
same fish or other fish will continue to
purchase they can also become an
in its quest for freedom – tough
bite at the Diamond Eyes as it appears
exceptionally cheap way of catching a
luck, time for lunch. Oh and even
to be a tough little morsel but with
lot of fish as they can be successfully
though you’re a mate and going to
its tantalizing escape route– all too
used over and over again.
the same snapper school as me, this
often fish keep striking at it and if not
is lunchtime cuz and although we’re
hooked up straight away, usually all it
both not that hungry it’s eat or be
takes is to keep the tease going with
•
Zero boat mess, smell and muck
eaten, so you shoulder me out of the
patient continuous and slow winding,
•
No bait freezer, stinky fingers
way so you can…CHOMP! And that’s
or drop back to the bottom and start
•
Used time and time again
all she wrote!
the play again.
•
Effective when the bite has stopped
•
Various weights colours and sizes
This experience of hilarious thrills can
Great Points:
to use for various situations •
Simple, effective, great for novices and Rod Holder expertise too
20 www.nzfisher.co.nz
Note the hooks often spread the load
you can throw these well out back
how they will catch their next fish…a few
over different mouth areas reducing pulled
because of their inherent heft and
sloooooww retrieves up off an apparently
hooks – but be careful the hooks work just
use the slow retrieve back to the boat
feature and fishless sea floor will often
as well on you too, pliers to remove them
routine. Because of this weight you can
provide the surprise you’re looking for. Be
from a struggling fish are a good idea.
cast well back to where the bigger fish
prepared though, like many things they
lurk in your burley trail…then simply
can be looked at initially with skepticism,
reduced significantly due to the lack of
provide the temptation of a disturbed
until you use one successfully that is.
scent with the visual action and vibe of
fish-thingy swimming slowly and oh
the jig being key as with many successful
so quietly, don’t look at me, there’s
arsenal, same type of style, boat and
styles of catching fish without bait.
nothing to see here…get me outta
rod setup, so as you change out your
Although called a jig I tend not to use
here man!!! Bugger, spotted by another
soft plastics with colour and shape,
the bouncy bouncy approach, just the
snapper, you know the rest.
and I am personally a great fan of the
Catching smaller fish and reef fish is
A fantastic addition to the soft baiters
drag along behind in Rod Holder or the
Slow jigs can be kept on board as
slow wind up, far higher than you think
an effective fish catching tool and as
attraction - try a Power slow jig and
fish would swim up and bite actually,
a ‘check out how good I am’ too – by
surprise yourself with a fat pannie or
then the drop and repeat process. It’s
this I mean, next time you are out there
three for dinner. A little knowing grin
not tiring, so great for younger and less
and the fish have stopped biting, you’re
is allowed as the open mouths of the
experienced fishers to use, no casting
drifting along, nothing’s happening…
dis-believers aboard gape at what you
required and can be used on spinning
put one down as others aboard flag the
caught your fish on. Best have two or
or overhead reels. If you’re anchored,
fishing and snooze, eat or just wonder
three aboard for times like these.
use of highly luminous material for fish
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fishingTIPS
What is a stickbait?
Derrick with 20kg King on Alive Stickbait 22 www.nzfisher.co.nz
?
Stickbaits
Stickbaits
ell, here’s the web’s an-
Stickbaits come in many different
and have great, easy to use actions
swer “Stickbait — a hard
shapes, sizes & weights and a very
for newbie’s. They also catch fish – the
or soft lure that is gener-
wide range of prices. The ones that are
image below
ally long and slender and designed to
considered the very best (Carpenter,
emulate a baitfish”
Hammerhead & Orion to name a few)
taken on an Alive stickbait on it’s first
retail, at anything from $120 to NZ$350.
outing.
But, there’s more to it than that. Many
Shows Derrick with a very nice kingfish
of us have fished with Poppers before
Thankfully their not lost as often as jigs,
and to some good effect, but the
so they tend to last a bit longer and for
Stickbaits. Here is s a pic of a 15lb
common answer is they attract kingfish,
that price you’d be thankful!
Snapper taken on the surface on a NZ
but they don’t often hook up. Well, the crafty Japanese fisher’s have
Stickbaits are not generally a simple
Not only Kingfish will be taken on
made ‘Cannibal’ stickbait in 2o meters
cast & retrieve kure. There is a need for
of Water. Many kiwi anglers are now
developed a type of ‘popper’ that runs
the angler to impart a little action to get
experimenting with these great lures and
on or just bellow the surface, called a
them working really well. Interestingly
it’ll only be a matter of time before a
stick bait. It does emulate a baitfish, or
the mosty expensive Stickbaits often
marlin is landed on one!
rather a baitfish in distress. There has
need the most skill, but do provide the
been a lot of hype recently about the
ultimate action. Some brands produce
try casting it in likely spots (Around reef
effectiveness of Stickbaits and from our
‘entry’ models for new users. The
wash or around work-ups) and see what
experience if there’s kingfish around they
Tailwalk by ‘Gunz’ and the Alive range
happens – you never know how easy it
are deadly!
are such entry level lures ($50-$75)
might be!
The best idea is to purchase a stickbait,
www.nzfisher.co.nz 23
theCLUBHOUSE
Raglan Sports Fishing Club he club was formed in 1999 by some of Raglan’s keen fisherman and woman and caters for all fishing interests from game fishing to surf casting. We have been overwhelmed by the support we have received from the fisherman who fish the rugged West Coast off Raglan and our membership has grown to over 500. Members mostly fish out from Raglan but we recognise the fact that our members fish all around the country and we accept all fish caught and weighed within New Zealand waters. Our weigh station is situated at the rear of the Harbour View Hotel and weigh masters are only a phone or V.H.F. call away. Call (Raglan Sport Fishing) on channel 86 The club runs several very successful fishing tournaments each year. The Fish City Icebreaker in October/November. Manu Bay Fishing contest on Auckland Anniversary weekend and the Rollos’ Mixed classic, which coincides with nationals, in February. Raglan Sport Fishing Club member Richard Hart has won the NZSFC ‘Saul Trophy’ for most game fish in a season three times and the trophy was won by Richards crewmate Shane Hartstone in 2010. Richard has not tagged & released over 1000 Yellowtail Kingfish. Raglan is a very fishy spot with an abundant snapper fishery – a place where it’s not if but when 24 www.nzfisher.co.nz
you’ll get the big one and where bag limits are the norm not the exception. We are a member of the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council. This enables
Our anglers regularly get bag limits of Snapper in the spring with several fish over 10kg. The Game Fishing season usually starts
members to have access to courtesy
in mid January and runs through to
weighing facilities and clubrooms in most
April. Marlin can be caught as close as
coastal areas. We are also members
the 50m mark.
of the I.G.F.A. and the New Zealand
The club prides itself on its Tag and
Recreational Fishing Council which
Release both for Marlin and all other
advocates for recreational fisherman for
species within the tagging programme,
more fish in the water. So as a member
and with this supplies two free tags to
of the Raglan Sport Fishing Club you
each paid up member, these are replaced
will be supporting and improving the
free of charge when the completed tag
West Coast fishery and the environment
form is re-turned to the secretary.
affecting this catchment. The club has initiated several large
We endeavour to make the West Coast a safer place to be, and twice a year in
projects in the Raglan area. Namely the
conjunction with the Raglan Coast-guard
installation of the floating pontoon down
run a Bar Orientation day. This is an
at the main wharf, the rebuilding of the
event to familiarise users with the Raglan
Kopua Boat Ramp and the installation of
Bar and its many seasonal changes. This
the V.H.F. on Mount Karioi along with the
event is a must for all regular and new
ongoing upkeep of the Manu Bay Boat
users of this area.
Ramp and break-water. As a club member you will receive
Club members are friendly and helpful so please, don’t hesitate to ask
regular newsletters and e-newsletters if
them for help with the bar or weather
you have this facility, this is all aimed at
conditions. So if you are interested
keeping you informed on club activities.
please fill in the membership form
We also supply you with a fishing update
linked here and we will look forward to
so you are able to catch some great fish.
having you onboard.
Back to the
26 February– 6 March 2011
future
&
traditions
of the
history
—the culture,
SEA
Kia kaha tangata moana!
Seaweek 2011 follows a five year series of themes, this time exploring where we come from in relation to our ocean, what it means to us and why - and how that influences the furture. Loads of great ideas and resources with developing event information can be found on our website at:
www.seaweek.org.nz
www.nzfisher.co.nz 25
regionalREVIEWS
Coromandel/Tairua Source: Carl Muir/Epic Adventures
five years since we did our first charter. When we sent out our last newsletter we
Doubtless Bay/ Karikari
were in the middle of an awesome bite of big kingfish with plenty of 20-30kg+
he fishing in the bay has been
models and that trend
more often great than poor,
certainly carried on
huge thanks to everyone who has been a part of it and helped make it the best yet! There’s been plenty of milestones.... marlin on jig rods, a Blue on 15kg in the Nationals, 100 kingfish days, Tobez joining the team, Sanity joining the Epic fleet, our first Ozzie TV footage and filming with the JM and Daiwa guys. But the biggest buzz over the year as always has been seeing the smiling faces day in day out as people have fun on the water and in a lot of cases achieve something new for themselves. Its been a blast! The last three months have seen plenty of that with some huge kingfish, plenty of new PB’s for lots of anglers and some awesome surface action. You’ll find plenty of pics and stories from the last few months action in this newsletter. Also in this newsletter is the latest
but there are still those hard
for the last three
days. Success for snapper fishers was
months. The big fish
more focussed in the middle of the
carried on through
bay before Christmas, but as spawn-
November with the
ing slows the reefs are turning up
two fish pictured opposite both taken on livebaits, Deano on Sanity and
more and more good fish. Kingfish were hard to come by before
Andrew on Epic both with fish well into
the break but a number of very healthy
the 30kg’s.
fish have been taken off Karikari and
There is not much that will compare to a 30kg+ kingfish hell bent on finding the
over some of the deep reefs. Those enjoying a post Christmas fish
reef below, and I’ll be the first to admit
have been spoilt by a wide variety of
walking away with my hands shaking
species including Skipjack tuna, Albacore,
after helping someone thumb down on
Kingfish, Gurnard, snapper, Pink maomao
the reel ! The adrenaline on board after
and sadly still some hardy couta.
someone has just landed one of these monsters is something else. If tangling with some of these monsters is something you want to do in 2011 then get in touch and start
Crays have taken a hammering during the peak season, but you can still get a few if you’ve got a tank on your back, most of the shallows are pretty bare. The next two months (if the wind
planning your trip now. Check out our
ever stops!) will see an influx in
calendar for some dates here.
Marlin being caught. They come in
Let 2011 be as bountiful as 2010 and we’ll all be happy!
so close to the peninsular you could (and some try) almost get them form the shore. I’ve heard on one Yellow Fin being caught off the Garden
developments on our new Senator
Patch, but they’re pretty scarce – it
RH750 custom sports fishing boat which
would be good to see a few more
will be in the water early next year.
come by... but everyone’s saying that!
This week we knock off another
Whatever your target, February is
milestone, and that is five years in the
the best moth in the Bay and we look
fishing charter game. Yep, 22 Dec marks
forward to seeing you up here in the Northern paradise!
26 www.nzfisher.co.nz
West Coast / Taranaki arlin everywhere! Pretty
after teasing them up! It’s marlin mad-
our video of the month - he’s really
simple really. Raglan,
ness at its best! The short answer is, if
cracking into them!
Manukau, Kaipara, Hoki-
you have a suitable boat the go to the
The easterlies have meant pretty
anga & Ahipara have all registered
west coast to catch a marlin (with all
good diving too. There are a lot of
marlin for the season and most boats,
these easterlies, why wouldn’t you?!?!)
good crays on the west coast and
if not landing them, are getting solid
Other fisheries have been
a few paua too – definitely worth a
bites with most seeing marlin free
performing pretty well too. There’s
crack if you wander in off the beaches
jumping throughout the day. Lures
snapper on the 50-60meter mark most
near rocks – just be very careful if
and livebaits are both getting atten-
of the way up the coast and kingfish
there is a swell – the west coast can
tion and one boat has even been
too if you know where the reefs are.
be deceptive and dangerous – but
deploying spearo’s to chase them
See Ben Brown’s video linked in to
rewarding if it’s flat with good viz!
Free casio watch
Biscayne
with every Fin-Nor rod & reel combo AHAB
valued at
15000
$
Ask instore for details.
Marquesa
™
www.fin-norfishing.com
www.nzfisher.co.nz 27
regionalREVIEWS
Hauraki Gulf Source: Grant ‘Espresso’ Bittle
Hot stuff
and rewarding summer fishing season
Hot, wet and humid weather has been
so look after your throw backs, a little
the order of the day, and along with it
care in handling lets them shake off the
some very hot fishing out there in our
trauma of capture quickly and get back
salt water playground. Snapper have
to getting bigger!
been playing the game and kingfish
West Coast / Raglan & North
are everywhere too, small, medium
Workups v’s Channels
and big marauding specimens flashing
Inner channel fishing has been the
through berley trails inquisitive to most
better bet lately, many miles searching
potential morsels whether live-baits,
for quick and limited workups not only
dead baits or soft baits, even hooked
means a lot of gas burnt but so many
snapper being reeled in, you name
fish are right in and around the big
ots of easterlies have meant
it the kingies are checking them out.
volcano and pretty much all other gulf
we’ve had some good days on
Mind you so are the prolific number
islands, breeding feeding and when the
the water, but the northerly
of sharks, so fish on the line can come
bite is on… it’s on!
back in halves! The snapper condition
Slack tide and lots of fish on the
aspect has also meant those days have been very sloppy. When we’ve had time on the water
is in general much better condition
sounder – no bites…patience, as when
than a month ago as the recent feeding
the tide starts to get going especially
there’s been plenty of fish, just no
takes its positive effect. Throw a SP or
the incoming, the fish have been eager
monsters and as of mid Jan, no Marlin.
surface popper close to any marker
to please and very good average size
buoys as you go past, definitely worth
too.
The fishery’s in pretty good nick, plenty of healthy snapper and plague
a pause as there are many kingies
Whether anchored with bait thrown
proportions of huge gurnard, so
hanging around them looking to
out the back, or deftly picking your way
getting a feed’s been easy. The
provide some fun.
through hundreds of fellow fishers on
crayfish are good if you can find them,
the drift, it’s all good really. Colours for
but there’s a few people coming home
Serial Spawners
soft plastics have been significant to
empty handed sadly. What we really
No, not yet another sci-fi movie - but
help fill the bin with brighter ones and
need is the warm water up around the
due to the water temperature being
real bait doing well at the start of the
Manukau to wash on down and bring
warmer earlier this year and with the
bite, then darker SPs taking over the
us some of those magnificent Stripies
continuing nor-easterlies the water in
snappers attention and bites mid tide,
they’re getting into! We wait patiently
the gulf has been a balmy 21+c and
with bait back into the winners circle as
& enjoy the Albacore as they make
looks like staying that way for a few
the tide slows down again.
their way down and on to our tables!
months. Apart from pleasant swimming and other water borne activities this
Such a variety of fish and techniques to
warm water combined with a good
catch them, all so close to home – the
food supply apparently means snapper
perfect excuse to go fishing!
can spawn more than once over
Cheers
summer. This is great news for a long
Espresso.
28 www.nzfisher.co.nz
Bay of Plenty Source: Mark Amistead
nce again we have had a
new rods, lures and plenty of other toys
battles were won by the anglers but the
great time with our friends
to ogle over. The new rods look great
fish also managed to find the reef on a
from Japan, we have just
and they were put to the test on some
few occasions and busted off.
had two separate trips, one with Mogi
decent fish, the catch of the trip was a
Keep an eye out for some of the new
San and a few of his friends and the
28Kg fish caught on a PE5 rod out of
model rods coming out this year, I even
other was with Konishi San and anoth-
8 metres of water, it was a tense battle
managed to have a swing on one and
er couple of very competent anglers.
driving it out of the reef and avoiding
caught a nice little king, Konishi relished
The first trip was a lot of fun, the lady
all of the cray pots in the process. The
the job of captain and appeared to
angler on board would have been lucky
fish was absolutely massive and had it
have a lot of fun helping drive the fish
to have been 40 Kilograms but she was
been in prime condition it would have
out of the reef.
a star pulling in some really good fish.
been a mid thirties fish.
We have lots more exciting trips coming
On this trip it was the jigs that did most
A lot of the fish in the Bay have now
of the damage with the fish tending to
spawned and are in poor condition, but
Whakatane Tuna tournament and a week
hang a bit deeper.
this does not deter there fighting sprit
off fishing for myself. And what do I do on
with some pretty tense battles. Some
a week off; well of course I go fishing.w
Konishi San arrived with a truckload of
up in the near future including the
Summer dayfishing on NZ’s West Coast Producer: Ben Brown (BenBrownNZ on You Tube) his month we bring a video shot by local fisher, Ben Brown off the west Coast of the North Island, out from Kawhia Harbour. This video sums up pretty much everything NZ Fisher loves about New Zealand Fishing: Lots of fish, great action, beaut weather & time on the water with your mates. What more could you ask for?!?!?! Here’s Ben’s explanation: “Gotta love these Easterly weather patterns. The West Coast has been primo! Shot out for a day last week with the boys and got amongst some nice Kingie, Snapper and Albacore action. Threw a little vid together of some of the days action” Enjoy Ben & his mates video here [ http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=mdloPRL44Qw ] www.nzfisher.co.nz 29
competition
Name the species
ave a look at the pic beside & email us to win this month’s prize. You can email Captain Snappy here [derrickp@nzfisher.co.nz] to go it he draw for an ‘Active Duty’ prize pack, but for real bang for your bucks, go here to our Face Book page, enter your guess and go in the draw for a day’s fishing with Mark Armistead on Board Extreme Fishing Adventures – Mark is an awesome skipper, focussing on top water gamefishing & jigging for Kingfish. Check out Mark’s site at www.extremesportfishing.co.nz This month’s fish is a bit of a sporadic catch in NZ – but he’s common to our tropical north! This is a huge prize but can only be won by clicking ‘like’ & entering your answer on Facebook – do it now!
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Check out our fantastic menu at www.swashbucklers.co.nz 30 www.nzfisher.co.nz
// In the next issue of NZ Fisher…
• Top-water experts share their secrets
FEEDBACK
It’s always nice to get feedback and it sure makes the job of getting the magazine out more of a pleasure than a chore. Here’s a couple of comments we received in January: Well done Derrick and crew ,I very much enjoyed the read and pic’s of your latest edition .i’m looking forward to your next issue ,keep it up people ,it’s great..Baz
Barry Smith, Orewa
Hi guys, keep up the the good fishing news. I have been with you since issue one and think its been a great idea and Neil Cadman
read , keep ‘em comin’
Hi Derrick, Just thought I would let you know that I love your magazine and look forward to receiving it every month. Awesome.
Gaylene Kelly, Secretary, Rotorua Fishing & Casting Club
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!
Next edition out 2011
Kayak Fishing Range Because one kayak won’t suit everyone
PROWLER ULTRA 4.7 Image courtesy of Rob Fort – Coromandel Kayak Adventures
Some fishing kayaks may excel in one or two areas, the Prowler Ultra 4.7 excels across the board, with an inpressive range of features making it the benchmark when it comes to design and performance. “This boat is the benchmark in kayak fishing design” Rob Fort - Coromandel Kayaks
K AYA K F I S H I N G R A N G E
Scrambler 11
For more information and to find your local dealer visit:
Prowler Elite 4.1
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