NZ Fisher Issue 69 by NZ Fishing Media

ISSUE 69

July 2017

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CONTENTS ABOUT / Short and sharp, NZ Fisher is a free e-magazine delivering thought provoking and enlightening articles, and industry news and information to forwardthinking fisher people.

EDITOR / Derrick Paull GROUP EDITOR / Colin Kennedy ART DIRECTOR / Jodi Olsson CONTENT ENQUIRIES / Phone Derrick on 021 629 327 or email derrickp@NZ Fisher.co.nz

5... Editorial

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES / Phone Derrick on 021 629 327

6... Yellowfin Fever

or email derrickp@NZ Fisher.co.nz ADDRESS / NZ Fisher, PO Box 47794, Ponsonby 11144

12... Long Day, Huge Result! 18... Lure Fishing

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!

20... Huntly Trout 24... Quick n’ Easy ‘How to’ for Squid 26... Legasea Update 28... Reader Pics

Cover Image: Oscar with his first Gurnard, a monster (46cm) off the Kaipara

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EDITORIAL WINTER...NOT OUR favourite season off the water, but for many, it’s the time when the ‘real’ fishing begins. Over the spring and summer season, and to some extent autumn, fishing can be ‘easy’; any fisher with a rod in hand can find a fish to feed the family. As winter descends, the fish’s metabolism slows, and they simply eat less, making catching them harder. Even netting becomes harder; fish spend less energy as less food is eaten, and therefore travel less, reducing the chance of them moving into the net. Those who relish the cold mornings and the hunt, catching and outsmarting, beyond just the drudge of flicking a metal lure into a workup and letting it drop before skull dragging the hapless fish back to the boat. Winter is the season that separates the fisher from the angler. As our boats become more robust, hardtops more prevalent and bird-radars become a ‘thing’. There’s a new group of winter fishers who also find their best results in winter, but not from the crack of dawn burley trails and long soaked XOS baits – with carefully placed, gently worked skirted metal rigs like the summer fisher, these anglers are chasing the winter workups. Once a mythical ghost in the ‘back paddock’ on the pages of the fishing.net.nz forums, it seems

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these workups are in fact real. While inshore waters are grossly affected by dropping water temps, the deeper (50m+/-) waters tend to remain more stable, rarely dropping below 15c and sustaining much more life. Including huge schools of tortured anchovies who’s only reprieve is...well, there’s no reprieve – they’re on the menu 12 months of the year, and in winter it’s deep in the middle of the Hauraki Gulf, Bay of Islands, Bay of Plenty, Doubtless Bay and other spots that you can find some of the most intense, sustained workups of the year. So, what’s stopping you? Winter is also the spawning season for trout, and those who don’t subscribe to winter marine fishing can often be found flinging flies down the streams and lakes of both Islands, chasing these tasty pests. Funnily, it’s the winter season for trout fishing where trout are most active and, due to spawning, the most likely to hit an artificial fly. The Taupo fishery, until recently the most fished freshwater fishery in New Zealand (which is now the Central Otago canals), is probably New Zealand’s best-managed fishery – and a very productive one. This year the Department of Conservation (who, with Tangata Whenua, manage the Taupo Fishery) introduced new rules to help enhance the fishery. Their goal

is to reduce overall trout numbers (by allowing anglers six instead of three fish per day on most streams) to relieve pressure on source food like smelt, koura and insects, and expect the result to increase overall fish size. This is an interesting approach and one which has worked previously, so we applaud it. Surprisingly, however, in this same release of new rules there’s been a reduction in ‘leader’ length, to effectively eliminate the practice of ‘Czech Nymphing’ – one of the most efficient and user-friendly techniques for fishing the densely vegetated, fast moving Taupo streams. I’m a staunch supporter of making fishing – of any type – accessible to new anglers and removing as many barriers to entry as possible. This rule change not only reduces the likelihood of new angler participation, and, contrary to the other rule changes for the year, reduces the actual fish numbers likely to be taken from the lake. Eliminating Czech Nymphing from the anglers arsenal reduces areas that can easily be accessed, increases the ‘skill’ levels required to enter the fishery, and once again places trout fishing into the realms of a ‘rich wankers’ sport that the likes of Czech Nymphing has helped break down in the last three seasons. I’m embarrassed that the ‘old guard’ have managed to pull this rule change out and neglect the fact that their

sport was dying until this technique was introduced, and engaged a younger, more open minded cohort who have quite simply embarrassed the old boys who refuse to accept that times move on, and that this fishery should be for everyone, not just those who have wasted countless hours (and many more dollars) learning to cast horribly inefficient indicators. Indicator nymphing may be the best method on the Tongariro, but it’s an inferior method on the majority of Taupo streams where fast, deep water necessitates heavy, fast sinking bombs dragging down the generally unweighted nymphs that do the damage. This technique requires a ratcheted skill level, as casting the super-heavy bombs is a dangerous task for fledgling fly flingers as the bombs can do serious damage to not only the angler but their rods as they fly forward at a great rate of knots. Czech nymphing, on the other hand, offers anglers a chance to fish this water safely and effectively. This month I managed to tie my love of winter fishing (albeit in the tropics!) and fly fishing (albeit for saltwater fish!) and I hope you enjoy the recollection of mine and our other contributors’ fulfilling trips!! Tight lines!

Derrick www.nzfisher.co.nz 5

GAMEFISHING

Yellowfin Fever BY Derrick Paull

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WITH A SPLASH OF soy or a decent bath

many an article in this and other

in lemon juice yellow fin tuna is an easy

mags, lamenting their decline and

top five pick for the best homemade

suggesting that the Pacific Islands

seafood dish in the world. Possibly both

would now be the closest any of us

iterations would make that list, but

would come to catching another fin.

it’s not unrealistic to put YFT right up

That 2015 season was remarkable, it

there. As a kid growing up, I fantasised

was repeated somewhat in 2016, but

about hitting the Bay of Plenty with Rick

by and large, the drought returned.

Pollick and his ilk chasing these fast,

I’d never really thought about chasing

chubby tuna as they gorged themselves on the plentiful saurie, anchovy and flying fish in the bay. Fishing News often had cover shots of these 100lb+ ‘cows’, and a few even made the cover. The annual lashings of ‘fins’ were things of legend, but in reality, they were there annually, and all you had to do was show up and look for the birds.

yellowfin outside New Zealand. It seemed that despite their low, and in some cases zero, catch rates; I’d get one. I’ve always considered myself a fairly lucky fisher, but after about a decade of no YFT, I’ve decided enough was enough and I hit the Islands – Rarotonga to be specific. Raro is the largest and best known of the 15+ islands in the

In 2015 the yellowfin returned to

Cook Islands group, and an easy, very

New Zealand in reasonable numbers

comfortable and affordable flight aboard

after a 15+ year drought, along with

an Air New Zealand 787 Dreamliner.

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GAMEFISHING

consistent period with fish from a meagre 1kg through to mid-30s feeding in the tropical depths day in day out. This doesn’t guarantee success, but the idea of the monkey Before heading up, I looked at the

off my back first appealed, so

best time for a mixed bag of species.

late May – we’re on our way.

As YFT were the prime target they took precedence, but there’s no harm in getting amongst wahoo, marlin and mahimahi in the same period, right? Christmas time sees the larger fins turn up around the Cook Islands – 70 to 80kg models are far from uncommon, but there’s a high chance of missing them all together.

Rarotonga is such a relaxed and welcoming place; it’s easy to slip into island life; the cafes, pizza and burger spots and innumerable snorkel spots can steal your days, so when the wind’s up and the swell keeps the harbour closed you’ll enjoy your days immensely. That’s not to say that when this happened to me, I didn’t look longingly at the

Late summer and autumn (it hits a

reef, drive by the harbour twice a

chilling 20 degrees here in winter –

day checking the swell and casting

pack a second t-shirt!) are the most

small lures into the wind round the

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reef and sand flats, landing scores of bluefin and other species of trevally. An entree, not the main course. After six days of closed out weather, a semi-attractive day dawned and I was in! Diane from Marlin Queen the premier (and regarded by many the most successful) charter businesses in Raro sorted me out on the first boat out of the day, into what could be easily called an angry sea. I was aboard Strike Time, their new Senator pontoon boat with fabled Captain Tom at the helm, and we were headed deep in search

of a ‘floaty’ that had been seen off the northern coast and was likely to be holding bait the yellowfin and mahimahi would be herding. We pounded out for about half an hour before we found the birds providing us with the mark and began trolling around, marking fish deep and seeing the odd bust up on top. I was joined on the boat by a Kiwi couple (Brett and Lisa) who’re keen snapper fishers, and like me had never snared a YFT, but hopes were high, and we had Captain Tom on our team! When the first rod went off, I went for it, but in what has become something of a habit these days I indicated to Brett to take the rod and land his first fin. Tom slowed the boat as he fought the fish, and with other fins busting up

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GAMEFISHING

around us, I took the opportunity to

reef. Sadly no more fish were found,

throw a Squidwings lure out on my

but the buzz lived on for hours.

top-water set. The hook-up was almost

Back at the wharf Brett, one of the

instantaneous and bloody glorious!

Marlin Queen team, expertly filleted the

As Brett fought his fish from the back,

yellowfin and we were sent on our way

I kept mine to the starboard side as

with a few nights of world class dining.

best I could. I got such a huge buzz

Rarotonga is a special place, and

out of landing one (albeit a compact model!) and this one especially since it was hooked on my gear.

somewhere I’m stoked to be able to travel to so easily from New Zealand. The Marlin Queen team are professional,

With the weather deteriorating and

friendly and most importantly, fishing

Brett feeling a little worse for wear, we

royalty in Raro – I cannot recommend

headed in and sought shelter from the

their services highly enough. 

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LANDBASEDGAMEFISHING

Long Day Huge Result! Land based Northland Kings BY Ashneil Kumar

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IT WAS 1AM, and my alarm was going crazy. I was tired, yet so extremely thrilled about how the day may unfold, there was no option to hit the snooze button. I jumped out of bed and was soon buzzing on caffeine, threw my gear into the car, departed Manukau and began the first leg of the journey

to New Lynn where I would meet up with Hiroyuki and Yoshi, my land based buddies for the day! After a three hour journey north of Auckland, we finally arrived into Tutukaka. We took a short route east of Tutukaka, to our spot for the day. After a quick stretch upon arriving, we grabbed our gear and made our way

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KAYAKFISHING

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to the spot. The views throughout the journey were amazing! Clinging onto narrow ledges, avoiding deep drop-offs and swimming across a perilous channel, we had finally arrived at our spot. The stick baits were fired out, and we were pumped to land some monster kingfish! A few dozen casts, and by this point I had nothing solid other than the odd kingfish chase. After a quick snack, it was time to switch out the stick bait and try a different option. The stick bait of choice was the Savage Gear Freestyle, a sinking and quick swipe swimming lure in a very delicious blue sardine colour. The swell was choppy, and there were intermittent showers between the clouds, so selecting a lure to suit

the occasion was very important. My technique: a massive cast ensured long runs, and a secondâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pause between sweeps gave the lure time to sink below the surface. Quick retrieves mixed with pauses emulated an injured, spazzing out fish. Yum! An adjustment of trajectory and I was skating along the edge of the wash and rocks. A couple of rats (small kingfish) followed when suddenly a large dash of green emerged and smashed the lure. It was at this moment that I knew I had to lean back onto the jagged rocks and hold on! The braid peeled off the reel as the fish dashed off towards the foul bottom. A few quick turns of the drag wheel and I leant back onto the

KAYAKFISHING

jagged rocks for support. I was onto

onto the fish’s tail, at which point

something big! Hiro quickly came to

we realised just how big it was! We

my aid and pointed towards an ideal

could all finally breathe again.

spot to potentially land the fish.

A couple of cheers and high fives

With dangerous ledges, breaking

later, we had one heck of a story

swells, and an angry fish, I feared

(and GoPro video) to share! This

for my safety. With the rod in hand,

has been one of my best days

I made my way across the ledge,

out, and would not have been

while ensuring the line (80lb J-braid

possible without my companions.

w/ 120lb leader) made no contact

Thank you, Hiro and Yoshi.

with the rocks. It was intense! The fish attempted a few solid dives, but quick retrieves ensured I kept

Editor’s note:

the fish off the bottom. After a few

What Ash fails to mention is quite

very long minutes, I finally caught

how hard and probably treacherous

a glimpse of the leader. Hiro, brave

the walk in was. Ash and his mates

and ready, made his way to the

made this video – there’s plenty on the

edge to grab the leader. Slipping

fight, but I suggest you check out their

on the rocks and wrestling the fish,

efforts. While not quite morningtide

Hiro managed to get a good grip

level, it’s pretty ninja level!. 

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WIN

Squidwings Click

HERE

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This is what they look like under UV light

LUREFISHING

Lure

Fishing A yakkerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guide to using Squidwings

Jason Kemp of NZ Kayak Fishing Group gives us the low-down

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I’VE BEEN USING Squidwings really successfully for a few months now, and I reckon there’s some things y can do to increase your chances.They’re a really versatile lure with a lot of applications. There’s three basic techniques: 1. I basically drop it directly on top of the fish, normally a big snapper will hit it first if they are there. Retrieving similar to a slow pitch action with a nice steady upward swoop, then let it sink a bit but at the same taking a couple winds on the reel as it sinks momentarily! The skirt flares up, attracting onlookers. Repeat! 2. They can be cast and retrieved in a stick bait fashion 3. They can be trolled and are proven to catch anything from kahawai, kingfish, skippies, yellowfin tuna, even marlin with the bigger 200g Squidwing.

The wings help it stabilise while trolling (prevents it spinning), and gives off a slight bubble trail. The theory behind this lure is that most fish eat squid. 28g Squidwings will be available soon. These baby Squidwings will be ideal for micro jigging, and in a normal softbaiting fashion as well. They will be dynamite on those winter moochers, look out for these. Currently available in 60g/80g/100g/200g check out your local store. 

FISHINGLOCAL

Huntly

Trout Yes, I said Huntly! BY Logan Baxter & Derrick Paull

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I RECENTLY SAW a post on Facebook showing a beautifully conditioned brown trout. I assumed it was a southern capture, and by the colour of the rich, peach coloured flesh, surely it was a lake fish feeding up on crustaceans. You can imagine my immediate disbelief when I read it had been caught in Huntly. Yes, Huntly. The town you pass through. It’s a town on the way to somewhere, not the destination. Or is it? Logan was kind enough to give me the real low down of where his ‘X’ spot was, and it was neither down south or in a lake!

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FISHINGLOCAL

“

Goes to show you – good fish can be found just about anywhere. Even Huntly!

“

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Huntly’s known for its lakes – a decent stock of course fish are present, and more recently there’s been a growing carp bow fishing following, but it’s really the Waikato River that’s the fishing lifeblood of the region. I’m not able to say exactly where Logan landed his fish, but I can tell you it was enticed by a 70mm effzett shad softbait in motor oil colour – these are paddle tail type baits, and this one was probably looking pretty close to a fat smelt, of which half a dozen were found in the guts of Logan’s fish. Goes to show you – good fish can be found just about anywhere. Even Huntly! 

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SQUIDFISHING

Quick n’ Easy

‘How to’

for Squid

SQUID FISHING IS great fun, and when

well – Check it here.

they’re on, squid provide not just a

Michael Walkley of the NZ Fish Hunt

delicious feed but also a bit of fun chasing too. I’m keen, but not as able as some and thankfully there’s a few really good ‘howto’ videos online.

Dive page has done a lot and if you’re keen on catching more squid, keep in touch with their page. They’re also running a kid’s squid comp and doing a

This one’s from The Kiwi Catch Facebook

fair few nights out on the water, hoping

page which is, ironically, filmed in Sydney

to aid newbies to the sport and getting

but demonstrates the techniques really

some ink on the decks, so to speak! 

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FISHERIESMANAGEMENT

Legasea

Update ANOTHER CHAPTER IN THE series of failures by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) was uncovered in an MPI report. This report suggested that the cameras being installed to monitor commercial fishing activity are not up to the task. The report stated that the cameras were unable to reliably distinguish species and sizes of fish, making prosecutions for dumping unlikely.

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Under the Quota Management System (QMS) some species or sizes are allowed or required to be returned to the water, alive or dead. The inability to tell the difference between species and sizes from the camera footage gives the accused a convenient alibi. Last year it was revealed that MPI officials refused to prosecute large scale fish dumping. When challenged, they argued that their decision was based on legal advice that they couldn’t use camera footage as evidence. This was later proven to be false, and MPI was forced to admit they were wrong. Despite this, they proceeded to award the camera monitoring contract to an industry owned company. This is just another blow to the faith the public have in MPI’s

fisheries. This is difficult to reconcile given past behaviour. LegaSea believes the only way to restore faith in our fisheries management regime is to establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry. It is clear that the relationship between MPI and commercial fishing interests is so intertwined and the influence so great that this is surely the next logical step. We must be able to trust our Ministry to act in the national interest. We are all losing out as commercial interests are allowed to run rampant in our precious marine environment. LegaSea believes we deserve better. Now is the time for all New Zealanders to demand an independent Commission of Inquiry into fisheries management. 

ability to manage our fisheries and

Call 0800 LEGASEA (534 273)

constrain commercial fishing.

Email us info@legasea.co.nz

The Ministry were quick to dismiss

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the findings of this most recent