ISSUE 72
October 2017
The
‘Other’ Species Issue
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“Honda provides me with reliability, fantastic fuel savings, quietness on set, low emissions and incredible harmonics which pull the fish. We’re now saving around 40% on fuel from one of my previous boats running like for like horsepower engines” Nicky Sinden ADOS Addicted to Fishing
“The choice of Honda engines was simple. Our experience with Honda reliability and support has been outstanding. The power is incredible, because the engines are hardly working, the economy is amazingly good.” Captain Phil Barchet Blue Water Adventures
“With a heavier hull on the new boat and a large array of pumps and electronics the big powerful 3.6 litre V6 with a 90amp alternator was the logical choice” Tony Orton Offshore Adventures
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE
CONTACT YOUR LOCAL HONDA DEALER TODAY
www.hondamarine.co.nz/find-a-dealer
CONTENTS 10.
6.
DESTINATION DONEGAL
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
THE ‘OTHER’ FISH
ART DIRECTOR / Jodi Olsson
24.
16. CHASING GOLD
CONTENT ENQUIRIES /
CHARTERED WATERS
Phone Derrick on 021 629 327 or email derrickp@NZ Fisher.co.nz ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES / Phone Derrick on 021 629 327 or email derrickp@NZ Fisher.co.nz ADDRESS / NZ Fisher, PO Box 47794, Ponsonby 11144 WEBSITE / www.NZFisher.co.nz
30. 32.
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LEGASEA UPDATE Cover Image:
HARD WORK FOR SOME OUTSTANDING RESULTS ON THE VIKING
36.
READER PICS
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baby boss SMASH THE SNAPS
Slow pitch jigging has taken Japan by storm, we have tested and enhanced these Japanese lures, making them irresistible to most fish species.
Irresistible to snapper and most fish species • Made from Zinc for increased hangtime and toughness. • This state of the art jig can be used as a slow pitch lure as well as several other techniques. • The edges of the lure create its unique swimming and vibrating action that triggers an attack response in most fish species. • Bright holographic colours on one side with natural fish design on the other draws attention to the lure from a distance. • Pre-rigged with 1/0 stainless steel jigging hook and heavy duty PE assist cord. • Available in 20 gram.
RI G
G
E
COLOURS: Ballistic Blue, White Warrior, Orange Assassin & Shady Lady.
4 www.nzfisher.co.nz
www.catchfishing.co.nz
D
W
ITH
1/0 JIGGING H OO K
EDITORIAL
T
his issue is dedicated to the ‘other’
a good tussle with a snapper on fly or
species. The also-rans, the by-catch,
light gear, or better still, being railed by
the ‘take-it-in-case-we-don’t-get-
an angry king – but there’s so much more
any-snapper’ species, the hard fighters
to our magnificent marine and inland
that go back because they’re ugly, the
fisheries that can open the mind (and
funny sounding, the ‘only on a spear’, the
the wallet!), offer new challenges and
lazy-but-tasty ones, the sharks, the rays
increase the variety of fishing options
and the ones that just look too good to
available. There’s nothing like a new
eat. We’re paying homage to the others –
obsession to keep the interest high!
and we’re doing it in style.
However, if you catch an unknown
Orson Waldock is pretty sharp on a ‘yak.
species, don’t keep it if you’re not sure
With a few ‘fish of a lifetime’ stories
about the size limit or its edibility. There
already under his belt, he’s not someone
are better things to do than getting
you’d expect to be fawning over mackerel
caught by MPI at the ramp and, more
on sabiki flies, but a recent family trip
importantly, not eating something that
to Ireland saw him wrangling a few days
can harm you!
out on a local commercial/artisan fishing
If unsure about fish species, try this app:
boat, where he learned the surprising joys Apple or Android and make sure you offered by this occidental fishery.
make the right decisions.
Our cover girl this month is Ashley
Finally, a big thank you to all those who
Harris. Ashley is a keen and very capable
sent in images for the readers pix section
Auckland fisher, whose dad Kyley has set
this month – from warehou to boarfish –
her on the right track, honing skills on
providing a snapshot of our wildly diverse
tough-to-catch ‘other’ species such as
and incredible species.
parore, squid and the rather uncommon
Tight lines!
banded wrasse. I’m personally a big fan of the other species. Not that I don’t enjoy
Derrick www.nzfisher.co.nz 5
ASHLEY’SparoreSURPRISE
The ‘Other’ Fish
The one that didn’t get away BY Ashley (and Kyley) Harris
6 www.nzfisher.co.nz
M
y dad and I decided to go out
HOW DAD AND I CATCH PARORE
and do a parore session. After
We like to fish for parore from jetties
about half an hour I finally
located in the cleaner ocean water.
hooked up the monster lurking in the
Estuary parore can be a little muddy and
shallows of Okahu Bay Wharf. I was so
not taste as good.
excited I could barely contain myself. It was circling hard in the water from left to right.
RIG Our rig is a simple system incorporating
I had nearly gotten it up halfway, and
a single-hooked ledger rig set, so the bait
my Dad had the net, ready to scoop,
sits just above the bottom.
but it did one last powerful pull under the wharf, and suddenly I felt no more tension. My hook had snapped off. That’s when I knew it had been one of the biggest, as only a few had been able to do this. I was so disappointed.
BAIT Our bait of choice is fresh mussels, with a small amount of crushed mussel berley to attract them in. Parore do love green weed, but they go crazy for fresh mussels.
About 90 minutes later I was on my
However, lots of small spotties will ravage
last bait, and Dad said, “Okay, wind up
the latter bait, too.
– it’s time to go.” I slowly started to wind up, and bang, the
TIMING
last one of the day – not as powerful, but
We find the best time is around slack
very heavy; it easily went into the net
tides when the water isn’t moving too
after a quick fight. I started unhooking it
hard (so the rushing tide won’t sweep
and saw two hooks inside its lip. I was so
the berley away), on an overcast day, as
happy and excited – it’s the only one I’ve
parore are wary. Find a spot with a lot of
ever lost and been able to get back again!
edible weed or mussel beds nearby.
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ASHLEY’SparoreSURPRISE
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HOOK SIZE I’ve found hook size and type are quite important. Too small can hook them, but they are very good at getting off in a fight. Too big, and they tend to eat the bait off without getting hooked. We use strong Owner Flyliners, size 1 or 2, with good effect, or small jigging hooks with a wide gape. Don’t be shy to put half or even a whole mussel onto the hook if targeting the big ones. THE STRIKE Parore can often remove the bait without you feeling a thing. Consequently, I like to have a very sensitive rod tip, and a 1oz sinker positioned just off the bottom, so the tip is under tension. Any change in pressure could be a sprat or a parore; just lift the rod a fraction, and if any more weight comes on, strike more firmly to set the hook. Now battle it hard before it wraps the line around a pole! LANDING THEM Parore fight hard, with tight turns and barrel rolls that see them easily unhooked if the tension isn’t kept on. Often they fall off the smaller hooks when being lifted by hand. We use a special five to six-metre telescopic rock fishing net to land our parore.
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FISHINGonTOUR
Destination Donegal
Donegal County is in Ireland’s northwest and is studded with an endless series of pristine beaches, inlets, offshore islands and rocky coastline BY Orson Waldock
Steaming out of Lough Swilly and past the iconic Fanad Head Lighthouse
10 www.nzfisher.co.nz
Donegal’s coast is truly stunning: white-sand beaches and plenty of fishy-looking foul
D
onegal County, in Ireland’s northwest, is studded with an endless series of pristine
beaches, inlets, off-shore islands and rocky coastline. It’s a stunning coast on a good day, but an extremely harsh environment for the bulk of the year, when this isolated coast is battered by a fevered Atlantic Ocean. It has been lightly touched by humans, with isolated houses and small villages hunkered down in the landscape. It is a world-class wilderness.
The June Rose is a traditional timber inshore coastal boat; certainly not fast, but steady and big seas.
It’s a place I know well, making the long
Martin and his two mates run a small,
haul back to Donegal every few years
traditional inshore fishing boat, June
to touch base with the in-laws and
Rose, out of Portsalon, and regularly
reconnect with the rest of my wife’s
set lobster pots and do some bottom
family. While it’s pretty easy for the trip
fishing purely on a recreational basis. Like
to turn into a procession of cups of tea
fishermen the world over, putting tea on
and the odd session at the pub, this time
the table for three large extended families
around I was keen to land a few new
was important, but even more critical was
species out of the North Atlantic’s depths.
the opportunity to catch up with mates
Local knowledge always seems to trump
and spend some time on the water.
enthusiasm and good intent, so I put
The first trip out on the June Rose was
the word out amongst the relatives that
a brief one, motoring out of Portsalon
I was keen to connect with locals who
on a Wednesday evening to retrieve
could point me in the right direction. In
and reset the pots. This was a fantastic
a country renowned for its hospitality,
opportunity to see some of the
I was soon rewarded with an uncle who
coast from the water, but time didn’t
had a third share in a lobster potting
permit any of us to get our lines wet. I
boat and needed a deckhand for the
returned with a few crab claws but still
day. Result.
waiting to chase some Atlantic fish.
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FISHINGonTOUR
The fish were coming on board pretty quick, including pollock, coal fish and, my favourite, herring
It was with relief that Martin called the following weekend to say the weather looked good for a trip to go wide and chase some fish. The only issue was they were a man down and needed
The dog seems to rule the roost on the June Rose
someone with a decent back to run the lobster pot winch.
ends of the many lobsters, crabs and odd
The closest I had been to a commercial
conger eel that needed to be extracted
fishing vessel had been on the couch
from the pots.
watching Deadliest Catch, so was a little
With a decent haul on board, we steamed
nervous about the chances of coming
further up the coast to target fish on
home missing a finger or two. But the
deepwater reefs, where upwelling currents
guys soon had me up to speed, hooking
saw vast schools of fish congregate. We
the float line, feeding the winch, calling
were fishing heavy gear attached to
the pot as it came alongside, then hauling
ledger rigs with three or four hooks armed
it onto the sorting table. I let the more
with simple black or white feathers that
experienced crew deal with the pointy
attracted a multitude of species.
12 www.nzfisher.co.nz
Eoghain cooking up a feed of crab claws over coals
Fresh herring over coals with a herb and olive oil dressing
Fresh crab claws with cajun spices came up a treat over coals
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FISHINGonTOUR
Target species!
We checked out a couple of spots, with the drops not producing any fish, before finding a reef holding fish. But once we had found the spot, the fishing was electric. It was a real struggle to get your
Coal fish coming over the side in their twos and threes
gear to the bottom, as the feathery lures
Fishing is one of those pastimes that
were being hit continually by pollock,
sits alongside travel so well. Both are
coal fish, herring and the odd ballin
at their best when combined with an
wrasse. Typically bringing in fish in twos
adventurous spirit, a love of the outdoors,
and threes, we had a catch of table fish
and the opportunity to connect with like-
and baits for the pots in no time.
minded people. ď‚&#x;
Long evening and even better sunsets on Mulroy Bay
14 www.nzfisher.co.nz
Making quick work of the pots. A good lift of the pots can produce not just lobster but pollock and congers, too www.nzfisher.co.nz 15
BOATFISHING
Chasing Gold
The learning curves to land your ultimate goal
16 www.nzfisher.co.nz
BY Nigel Morgan
C
hasing gold – how does it happen? How do all the fellas in these magazines know so much? Catch
so many fish? They must all work at tackle shops and spin yarns all day, get all the good gear…Yeah, that must be it. It can be disconcerting when you first realise you’ve got the bug, trying to process all the fisho tabloid info, doing the maths on how many high priced reels you need to get the job done, and how
The early fishing missions used to be
you need a different weight rod for every
pretty sporadic; tides were a factor, but
separate soft-bait size. Not quite. But
‘just not at slack tide’ might have been
seriously, how do I get to where they are?
the motto. Now the tides have turned
First of all, you have to want to be
drastically since those days. Hilarious
a better fisho; if you are happy just
puns aside, the main factor involves the
dropping flasher rigs time after time,
preparation time involved and research
using the cheapest squid bait you can
going into every trip. Possibly spurred
find to get a grey, drab day of zero
on by the lack of time in my daily
surprises, that’s great. I’d rather be there
schedule and the need to use that as
than weeding the garden.
productively as possible.
However, the fact that you’ve invested
iPads and cellphones become filled
in a magazine says you’re probably a bit
with wind and sea temp charts, regular
more interested than that, so why not
checking of tidal coefficients and possibly
step it up? Now, I don’t claim to be an
the odd moon phase become a daily
amazing fisherman by any stretch, but
ritual. Nav apps and Google Earth are
I have a decent claim to be the most
scrutinised in symphony to find those
improved. So, maybe one day I’ll be half
pins, ledges, and slivers of scaly-water
decent. My theory on better results is
column. Along with that comes the
simple and to elaborate I’ll go back in
learning of new knots, hook sharpening,
time a few years.
reel care...the list goes on, and on.
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18 www.nzfisher.co.nz
The lawns look good, however, and it’s only on the return trip from Bunnings that I would get a glimpse of the salty The internet is a great tool for almost
mistress with not a white cap on her.
all the above, especially when learning
This is easily fixed by combining sources
things like knots or rigging methods.
of reliable data. There are a few good
It can make tying a PR knot look easier
websites out there like metvuw, which
than making marmite on toast. In fact,
will let you make up your mind from the
rather than being scrutinised for laying
excellent data provided. This can often
off my excess marg back into the tub,
be fine-tuned with a quick glimpse at
it’s the trimmed tag-ends in the lounge
windfinder or the likes.
that do the damage.
That still doesn’t consistently find you
While on the topic of Internet versus
the fish and definitely takes time. When I
fishing, it’s particularly apparent that
first became absorbed with fishing, rather
not all wind-forecast websites are
than just plain old interested, the catch
generated equal; unfortunately, some
rate was pretty low, with probably one in
appear to be severely hindered when
around five days on the rocks seeing me
it comes to accurate forecasting. I’ve
bringing home the target species - that’s
learnt this the hard way by making
not to say there wasn’t a lot of kahawai
plans to do things a lot less interesting
by-catch. Now it’s heavily the other way
than wetting a line, only to find I have
around, with a target catch rate of around
done myself a grave injustice.
5:3 days – to be conservative.
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time they were the Rolls Royce of lures – you were pretty lucky if you had one in your old beige plastic tackle box. I was reintroduced one night on the couch while living in Blenheim, scrolling through YouTube, looking for likely leads in the kingfish hunt (yea, I know, but someone’s gotta watch all those videos right?). There were a couple of guys in a hardtop trolling lures along the boulder bank out of Nelson with a title along the bottom ‘X-rap Magnum A large proportion of fish-finding
30’. Their hook-up rate seemed to be
knowledge can be attributed to my secret
speaking for itself. Decent. And that
weapon: inshore, shallow water trolling.
was only an hour and a quarter from
Wait, what? Yeah, that’s right, it’s a thing.
my couch! Needless to say, like a man
I used to think of it as the slackest form
possessed I was off to the local tackle
of fishing out (big game fishing aside,
store to acquire one.
of course). You’d see some guys rolling past in an old kauri forest towing slugs of hexagonal wobbling steel, or if they were flash, Rapalas or Smiths jigs.
Quite markedly, my kingfish fortunes changed from that day due to that $20 to $30 lure. However, as it panned out, it wasn’t so much the lure itself as the
That famous and somewhat overlooked
time spent on the water and, more
lure: the Rapala. I first used Rapalas
importantly, learning to use the sounder
when fishing for trout as a kid; at the
effectively, that paid dividends.
20 www.nzfisher.co.nz
“
There are a lot of rat kings in the inner sounds, and it takes persistence to find the brutes. Persistence and fuel.
As time wore on, it was very apparent just how close to the shore you should run to increase the hook-up rate. Very close. I remember one fight at the Noises, in particular, with some sort of astonished scramble occurring as I cleaned the gear, game-fishing style, fought the ballistic green-yellow torpedo, all the while being pushed further into shore by wind and tide, and somehow managing to keep the alloy hull from contacting the bricks.
We took that lure for the ride of its life,
Bibbed lures also allow you to cover
wriggling away behind many a vessel,
plenty of the water column without
from three-metre death-trap dinghies
the use of downriggers in relatively
named Stugarts to six-metre hardtops.
shallow conditions. As stated, kingfish
Initially, we were pulling mostly rat
love a good bibbed lure and often
kingies, left, right and centre.
fall victim. The main problem lies
This, I can confirm, there are a lot of
in finding a lure that won’t keep
rat kings in the inner sounds, and it
getting ambushed by kahawai, or if
takes persistence to find the brutes.
fortunate enough to be down in the
Persistence and fuel. But persistence
Marlborough Sounds, the ‘snakes’.
and patience are something I have (have
Often this comes down to size, with the
you ever been trout fishing?). After a
larger models putting the unwanted
while, the legal specimen were also
bycatch off – but never completely.
taking a liking to the wriggling plastic,
There’s a lot that can be learned from
and I started to get a bit of an idea where
a fine-tuned sounder, seeing what
these creatures like to reside. Possibly
creatures will rise from the hidden
more of an exception than the rule,
baitfish schools and lone eyebrows
but very often the lures were struck in
appearing on the screen, too, whether it’s
shallow water between three and 60
two metres off of a gut-filled coastline or
metres; it was also rather surprising how
twenty-two kilometres offshore around
many of the strikes occurred two to five
open ocean reefs and islands. Kingfish are
metres from the boat’s stern.
where you find them.
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I must say, though, that although this
lures for kingfish – it’s like a bloody
style of fishing is an art form in itself
drug I tell ya, especially because it’s the
and provides an immensely valuable
best method, right?
prospecting method, it never provides
Recently we managed some success in
me with the same fulfillment provided
the Beach and Boat 2017 with a relatively
by taking a kingfish on topwater or jig.
small king, finishing 2nd overall. That has
It does, however, work really well and
given the lads and I something to work
that’s enough for many fishermen. Rather
on for the next couple of tournaments: a
surprisingly, I still have my prospecting
better result – and an idea to document
Rapala – a Blue Mackerel X-Rap Magnum
the process over the coming summer.
30. Maybe I’ll hang it on the shed wall.
Look out YouTube!
For three years now, I’ve been a one-
Finally, my number one piece of
eyed Cantab living in Auckland, and all
advice for catching kingfish? Just a
that hard slog in the Sounds has been
repetition of what many anglers much
filed and is referenced two or three
more knowledgeable than me have
times a week if the weather plays ball.
already said: leave the snapper stick at
My main game has become topwater
home. Just leave it!
22 www.nzfisher.co.nz
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CHARTERFISHING
Chartered Waters BY Naomi Peterson
24 www.nzfisher.co.nz
Fishing on a charter will often mean fishing from a bigger boat than your own, which gives the possibility of going places you wouldn’t typically fish, and/or an opportunity to fish a new or different area. It can also be a ‘reccie’, a chance to learn about the area.
T
If wanting to tick off that ‘bucket list’
entertained the idea of paying someone
or whatever else has been on your
to take me fishing. If you own a boat,
mind. If traveling overseas to target
why would you want to pay someone
specific fish, a charter will probably
when you are more than capable of
be your only option. Or, if wanting to
heading out fishing in your boat?
nail that 20 pounder, an experienced
My first three experiences on a fishing
charter skipper who knows where the
charter were because I was fortunate
fish are, and how to catch them, can
to have won the fishing trips. Since
help you achieve that dream. Charter
then, I have paid for six more charters
operators are out there day in and
on different boats. Why? Because I’ve
day out and are often in contact with
come to understand that a fishing
other charter operators. That shared
charter can offer a whole different
knowledge, combined with knowing
fishing experience than just going
where the fish are, understanding
out in your own boat to your same
their behaviours and how to target and
locations can.
catch them, is invaluable.
his year I’ve fished on a couple
fish, a charter can provide you with the
of fishing charters. However, a
chance to do so, too, whether it be the
few years ago I would never have
20lb snapper, a wahoo, yellowfin tuna
www.nzfisher.co.nz 25
CHARTERFISHING
Hooked up!
love to take people fishing. They have An experienced charter operator can teach you certain techniques to target particular species you may have no experience in and want to do on your own boat or provide the chance to try out some specialist/high-end
experience in the particular fishing field and are a wealth of local fishing knowledge who are willing to share if you ask. They will work to ensure your day is enjoyable and try as hard as possible to meet your expectations
fishing gear on board and get advice
(within reason of course!).
on it before splashing out and buying
However, that said, there have been
something similar for your own use.
some charters I have been on where I
It’s also a chance to learn basic boat-
or other anglers haven’t caught a fish.
handling skills, or how to use your
On one of my first charter experiences,
electronics properly. Experienced skippers
I thought “if I was paying for this, I
know how to read their sounders and
don’t think I would be particularly
know what sign to look for.
happy.” Why? Because I only caught
In my experience, the charter boats
sharks. Which in their own right were
I’ve been on are crewed by experts –
a damn good battle on the end of the
dedicated professionals who genuinely
rod, but not what I wanted to catch.
26 www.nzfisher.co.nz
Kingfish
PB kingfish for Denise Bowler with Thomas Maxwell from Epic Adventures
The other anglers were pulling up kingies, bass, and hapuku, and there was me with shark after shark. As it turned out, there were more than enough fish to be shared amongst the group of friends I was with, so I was content with that. I would just have to wait until another day to catch that big hapuku (which, by the way, I still am
PB kingfish for Naomi Peterson with Thomas Maxwell from Epic Adventures
waiting for). [Ed: Noted Naomi – we’ll head deep this year!] Which makes me wonder: do people ever feel ripped off if they don’t catch anything when on a paying charter? As fishermen, we know that sometimes no matter how hard you try, you can’t even buy a bite. So we understand that’s the nature of fishing. Sometimes you catch a fish, sometimes you don’t.
PB snapper for Naomi Peterson on board Wave Dancer Charters
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FISHINGforFOOD
Ranfurly Bank hapuka
Ranfurly Bank kingfish
Rarotonga yellow fin tuna
28 www.nzfisher.co.nz
In my experience, the day’s catch from
weather, making sure your crew is all
the charter is always shared among all
okay and so on.
the anglers anyway, so you will usually
At the end of the day, you say thanks
end up with some fish to take home. And
very much and walk off with your share
sometimes it’s just about having a great
of the bounty – which, if you’re lucky,
day together with a group of mates, with
has even been filleted for you. There’s
catching fish just a bonus. Aside from
no tidying up the boat and washing it
catching fish, what I’ve also come to like
and the gear down either.
about fishing charters is how hassle-free it is! You just walk on and walk off afterward.
However, if you do decide to try one of the different fishing experiences
There’s no prepping the boat for the
offered by charter operators, do
trip, finding a crew (or having to take
your homework first. Ask around for
out crew who think that just because
recommendations and check them out
you’ve got a boat, you should take
online. If you go with an expert in the
them fishing), filling it up and checking
fishing field with a good reputation,
everything is good to go, deciding
you’re likely to have a thoroughly
where to fish, double checking the
worthwhile experience.
www.nzfisher.co.nz 29
FISHERIESUPDATE
Legasea Update CRA 2 Campaign Report www.legasea.co.nz
B
etween July 11th and September
the quality and availability of crayfish
3rd, 2017 LegaSea ran a
between Pakiri and East Cape on the
campaign – the ‘Crayfish Crisis’. It
northeast coast of the North Island.
highlighted the collapse of the Crayfish
A three minute video ‘The Tragedy of the
2 (CRA 2) stock and the need for a Royal
Quota Management System’
Commission of Inquiry into the Quota
was published and people were
Management System. This campaign was
encouraged to contact their local MP and
developed following the March 2017
Minister for Primary Industries, Nathan
survey that saw more than 800 CRA 2
Guy, to express their thoughts about
fishers and divers respond. The survey
the ongoing mismanagement of New
revealed an overall dissatisfaction about
Zealand’s fisheries.
30 www.nzfisher.co.nz
The campaign drew mixed and largely predictable reactions: 1. The minister provided assurances that he was aware of the concerns and a scientific survey would be completed later this year. 2. Commercial interests strongly objected to the claims about depletion and/or poor pot lift rates. 3. Non-commercial interests agreed
Respondents to the survey and accompanying campaign provided detailed comments from experienced fishers on how the CRA 2 fishery has changed over time. Their feedback on how the fishery could be managed in the future is a valuable resource that will be used in upcoming discussions. LegaSea is pleased with the outcomes of the ‘Crayfish Crisis’ campaign and our
that either a seasonal or full closure
ability to reach so many people through
was required to rebuild crayfish
the combined efforts of the New Zealand
abundance and marine diversity.
Sport Fishing Council, LegaSea, the New Zealand Underwater Association, and
More than 780 people emailed their
other partners. We are grateful to all
concerns to MPI Minister Nathan Guy
involved. If you are keen to participate in
and their local MP, advising them that
future surveys and polls, please subscribe
their response to the CRA 2 issue would
to the LegaSea email database at www.
influence how they would vote in the
legasea.co.nz/subscribe/
general election on September 23rd.
Kia kaha.
Call 0800 LEGASEA (534 273)
Subscribe at www.legasea.co.nz
Email us info@legasea.co.nz
Read more at www.facebook.com/legasea
www.nzfisher.co.nz 31
KAYAKFISHING
Hard Work for Some Outstanding Results on the Viking BY Lee Kennedy
32 www.nzfisher.co.nz
H
ey, peeps. Well, it’s been a pretty exciting few weeks for me fishing wise; I’ve managed to get out
every single weekend, following two months with no fishing (let’s just say I’m making the most of it!) So, a few of the lads and I made the most of the crappy weather yesterday and thought we’d try our luck out from Leigh. I’ve been fishing the area over
have to reset your drift multiple times to
the past couple of weeks and found
get onto the spot – there are some really
the fishing very challenging, with the
good fish to be caught!
fish having to be earned. There hasn’t
This was certainly the case this time too,
been a hell of a lot happening in the
with Drew and I fishing this area for quite
area’s shallows, which usually happens
a few hours before it finally produced fish.
around this time of year.
However, Drew lost an absolute stonker
You’ll get the odd moocher hanging
of a fish after a solid 15-minute fight,
around in the shallows, but it’s very hit
thanks to a barracouta damaging his jig’s
and miss. I have a couple of areas that
Kevlar assist rig earlier on!
produce some pretty good fish this time
Quite a few of those scummy bastards
of year (these fish don’t come easy,
are out in the deeper water at the
though), from depths of around 45 to
moment. One other bonus blessing my
55 metres. It’s a bit of a paddle out to
hooks over the past years is blue cod!
this area, and the fish are usually very
These fish are divine eating and seem to
few and far between, especially this time
be in decent numbers out off Leigh; the
of year. In saying that though, if you
one in the photo is just shy of 1.5kg.
take the time to find the fish, use your
Biggest blue cod I have ever caught, and
electronics, grid search, set yourself up
funnily enough, I have a guaranteed
on the right drift direction – even if you
spot for them. Very cool!
www.nzfisher.co.nz 33
TRAVELFISHING
Drew and I worked the 50-metre mark
they snapper? Sure enough, first cast,
most of the day, with our biggest fish
1/2 oz jig head with a Gulp Crazy Legs in
landed on white Beta Bugs (lumo skirt).
‘New Penny,’ and we’re into solid fish!
Then, on returning, we had a crack on
We did the same drift a few times with
some schooling kahawai... Oh my god!
some really good results, but you had to
Thousands of them – but could we
be right on the spot to get them!
catch one? Na, no way. Not through lack of trying, with Drew and I chasing them hard as they busted up, time and time again, to no avail. We only wanted one! We then tried a spot that I had a few marks on, not too far from the reef in about 25 metres of water. And boy, did we find some real solid dark-red arches over this area. The question was – were
34 www.nzfisher.co.nz
My advice: Take the time, use your electronics, hunt them out, set up a good drift, find out what’s working, and you’ll get them! Just remember, when setting up your drift, even just a few metres could be the difference between you catching fish or catching nothing️. Give it a go. Cheers and happy fishing!
www.nzfisher.co.nz 35
READERPICS
Blair Herbert
Brad Marshall
Connor Tinning
Bryce Helms
Arripis trutta going aerial. Credit: Orson Waldock
Massive (Bait or dinner?) Squid
36 www.nzfisher.co.nz
Eoghain Waldock
Darren John
Graham Holmes
Gary Royle
Graham Boyd
www.nzfisher.co.nz 37
James Corric
READERPICS
Jeremy Wayne Viall
Jacob Mayers
Joe McLeod
Kyley Harris
McLeod.jpg 38 Joe www.nzfisher.co.nz
Paul Conaghan
Orson Waldock
Ross ‘From the TV’ McNaughton
Jordan Murley
www.nzfisher.co.nz 39
READERPICS Rangi Vallance
Ryan Beeching
40 www.nzfisher.co.nz
The Waldock Lads
Shane Beeching
Saul Harman
Thomas Nehemia
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