ISSUE 74
December 2017
New Territory? Get ready to explore!
Live-Baiting for Game 101 www.nzfisher.co.nz
“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 6.
10.
PROSPECTING FOR NEW GROUNDS
14.
BAY OF ISLANDS MARLIN MAGIC
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
18.
GROUP EDITOR / Colin Kennedy ART DIRECTOR / Jodi Olsson CONTENT ENQUIRIES / Phone Derrick on 021 629 327
THE INAUGURAL LEGASEA GALA DINNER & AWARDS
24.
LEGASEA UPDATE
or email derrickp@NZ Fisher.co.nz ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES /
DB EXPORT NZ FISHING COMPETITION LUCKY ANGLER PRIZE TRIP
28.
32. QUICK LOOK AT THE NEW FREWZA F18
34. NEW TRICKS FROM AN OLD SEA DOG
38.
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 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!
Cover Image: I’ve been chasing my first kingfish for almost a year now and finally landed my first catch last Saturday and it was amazing. Even though the first one was not a keeper, it put up a great fight and was such a blast to pull it in. The second one I hooked, my first keeper, took me just over four minutes to land. I had been jigging for three hours non stop and was hurting bad but there was no way I was going to give up.....WORTH IT! I’m suffering from stiff shoulders and swollen forearms but will happily do it again. What a rush! - Ross Glenn
READER PICS www.nzfisher.co.nz 3
EDITORIAL
O
n December 4, the NZ Initiative
scientist cum gun for hire found a
released their much-publicised
well funded and ultimately unhealthy
report on the future for
benefactor in the NZ Initiative. From
recreational fishing in New Zealand. The press picked up the highlights including (and focusing on) the call for a general saltwater fishing license to fund and administer the ‘uncapped’
my standpoint, the report (as did its predecessors) were formulaic and designed to fit the predetermined outcomes set by the finders.
recreational fishing public and ‘preserve
“Find ways to constrain the rec
our depleted fishing stocks’.
catch, quieten their voice and most
I’m always pleased when there’s
importantly, ensure here’s a plausible
mainstream coverage of fishing issues
case for proportional shares in the
in Aotearoa, but I’d be lying if I said
fishery”. i.e. stop recreational fishers
this sort of conservative, big-business
from ever increasing their access to the
funded claptrap was of any value. Dr
fishery irrelevant of how many anglers
Randall Bess, former MPI staffer and
there are or fish in the sea.
4 www.nzfisher.co.nz
The most significant issue I have is that
catch flooding social media; we, as a
the report, published as if it were a
recreational fishing cohort, take a total
scientific paper, has more holes than a
of around 1.6% of all fish landed in
flounder nets set on oysters. There’s no
Aotearoa’s waters each year.
critical analysis of the options presented
Thankfully the headaches above have
(and most of those are only offered on
not been the only highlights for me this
‘research’ into the sources Bess wanted
month. I’m pleased to announce the
the results from), and none of the
arrival of my newest (and kick-arse-est)
options has been peer-reviewed or so
new Frewza F18 Hardtop. This boat has
much as offered to scientists or experts
been a real journey, one that effectively
in the field to comment on before being
started with our last boat and we’ve
presented as fact.
managed to create a rig that fills all our
The irony here is the comment
needs, can go where we want and just
passed by peers from this sector’s
looks cool. This time we added a little
refusal to accept any of the science
flair, and I’m stoked we spent the time
offered (and peer-reviewed) by the
getting it right. We took some sound
Simmons et el’ report on historical
advice and went through a design
catch dumping and over-catching,
process that delivered a great result -
despite its scientific credentials.
so much so that I’m keen to share the
So, let’s have a robust conversation
process as I believe it’s worth the effort.
about recreational fisheries
We’ll be profiling our Honda powered
management, let’s allow ourselves
Frewza in the next issue, but there’s a
to consider all the options. What
few intro pic’s later in the issue.
delivers benefits and what is a barrier to the sustainable enjoyment of our fishery? Let’s not for a second forget that despite pictures of the fish we
Tight lines!
Derrick www.nzfisher.co.nz 5
FISHING TRIP
Prospecting for New Grounds Rewards are where you find them BY Shannon Neho Fishing Kings
W
ith a fantastic forecast and
Fishing has changed immensely since
time on our hands, we
lure fishing has become the most
headed up the Far North
prevalent form of angling for most of
to the beautiful Rangiputa harbour
us, especially with the new range style
exploring new grounds catching fish on
from Catch NZ has perfected.
new Catch lures. I was introduced to lure fishing seven years ago by good mate Brendon Hawker, former captain and owner of Innkeeper, based in Tutukaka (before moving his charter
This year I’ve been lucky enough to join the Catch Fishing Pro team. Thanks to John Donald and Jason Kemp for bringing me onboard and trying the new gear from Catch!
overseas to Exmouth, Australia).
We started our trip headed to Rangiputa
I’d learnt a lot from Brendan and
with my boat BLACKOUT and my
never looked back. So much so that
teammate Jason Kemp, a well-known
seven years on, that’s all I fish. No
pro kayak fisherman, to target some
dirty old baits and getting home to
snap’s over the sand and along the reefs
scrubbing the berley off the boat!
out from Puwheke and Houhora.
6 www.nzfisher.co.nz
After that, we just kept pulling them I usually fish Bay of Islands or Bream Bay
in every drop but they weren’t getting
in Whangarei, so Rangiputa was new
any bigger, so I decided to do more
grounds for me. I did a lot of prospecting
exploring further south following the
around some foul but there was a
100m contour line on charts hoping
constant wind blowing through, and
we would find another reef.
we were drifting too fast. Around Staffa
Thirty minutes of scanning the bottom
Rock, we struggled with the wind, plus
on high chirp and I saw a little reef with
the fishing was slow, so I made the call
a compressed ball of bait 30m off the
to head out wide northeast. We cruised
bottom. I told Jason to rig up the other
at only 15 knots as it was a bit rough.
Catch lure, a 300g pink joker, and I
I started scanning around the 120m
slammed the boat in reverse holding us
mark, looking for sign or reefs. I found
on the sign.
some good sign on a random reef
On Jason’s first drop he hooked and
using the Lowrance sounder we drop
got peeled from a massive king. His
down the new Double Trouble 300g
400gram jig rod was so bent, but
jig from Catch and on the first drop
tragically the line snapped on the reef,
Jason hooked a nice 12-kilo kingy.
and he was dusted.
www.nzfisher.co.nz 7
Jason grabbed the other jig rod with
fighting way harder than this one had.
the gold Double Trouble lure with the
We carried on jigging using the Double
Catch overhead jigset rod, and I put us
Trouble and Joker jigs to catch some
back on the mark. Jase immediately
nice king’s between 14 to 20 kilos. Most
hooked-up again, but this time he was
were released, with a couple destined
ready. He had a battle on his hands and
for the smoker.
finally pulled the kingy up from 120m
After that, the fishing dropped off,
deep. I pulled it into the boat; it was
so I made the call to head inshore to
a beautiful 20kg fish. He was gutted
explore the beaches around the 18m
he lost the other fish cause it was
mark, scanning the bottom for snapper
8 www.nzfisher.co.nz
“
I turned my back on it, and Jase yelled to me, “Bro, your rod is bent!”. I grabbed it, and the line started peeling fast.
and this time I had my Lowrance set on
I turned my back on it, and Jase yelled
medium chirp so it would show longer
to me, “Bro, your rod is bent!”.
arches on the sounder.
I grabbed it, and the line started peeling
I found some good sign, so chucked
fast. I loosened the drag off a bit so the
out the sea anchor and set the drift to
snap could run but as there was just
cruise along the coastline.
sand under us, I knew we were safe. Six
Out the back of transom, we had two catch micro jigs in the rod holder with kaburas dropped to the bottom while Jase was casting ahead with the Boss
minutes later I finally got the snapper, and it wouldn’t fit in the net! I got it in the boat and took a quick couple of photos before we weighed it.
and small Double Trouble jigs. Every
It weighed in at 23.6lb. I was stoked,
lure was going off; it was crazy! All the
but I quickly released it. I marked on
rods were bent over, and reels were
the sounder where I found it and kept
screaming in no time.
working that area pulling up 15lb
We hooked some nice snapper and even a nice big trev. The kabura has to be the best lure I’ve ever used; the
plus snaps every time. It was epic! We released any fish over 10lb and just kept nice pannys for a feed.
snappers love those crazy little pieces
We made a wee video - check it out
of lead! There was a gold 80g kabura in
here! Doing the hard work scanning
my tackle box I haven’t used yet, so I
new grounds might take a bit of time
thought I’ll give that a try. I rigged it up
but its worth it, if you don’t try new
and dropped it to the bottom and gave
territory or explore new areas, you’ll
it one wind up and left it there.
never evolve as a fisherman!
www.nzfisher.co.nz 9
GAME FISHING
Bay of Islands Marlin Magic
BY Naomi Peterson
10 www.nzfisher.co.nz
“
At 10.10am, . after only about 15 minutes of being in the warmer water, Peter saw the marlin come into the spread...
W
ith the warmer than usual
Deskins had booked the charter, he
waters for the beginning of
had decided that big game fishing was
the month, hopes were high
what he wanted to do. Because it was
amongst marlin fishermen, all vying for
a two-day charter, they spent the first
the title of ‘first weighed marlin’ for the
day fishing for snapper and kingfish.
2017-2018 season.
This provided the family with fresh fish
The first couple of weekends of
for a delicious BBQ dinner that night
this month produced ideal weather
aboard the boat. The following day was
conditions, and anglers were out
set aside for trolling.
giving it a shot. There were even a
Peter and Helen have been running
couple of reports of marlin seen on
Grand Cru Charters since 2008,
the surface, free jumping, and of
initially in Tutukaka, and for the
hook-ups. However, the marlin were
last six years in the Bay of Islands.
happy to stay in the ocean, and none
Their 42-foot 2004 Capricorn Cruiser
made it to the boats.
‘Grand Cru’ had been on the dry
Peter and Helen Hadfield of Grand
dock having antifoul treatment and
Cru Charters were out on a two
a fixed windscreen installed, and
day overnight charter with a family
had only been back in the water for
holidaying from the USA. When Chad
about a week before this charter.
www.nzfisher.co.nz 11
GAME FISHING
Monday morning was the first day
Peter was running four lures – two
they had trolled for the season. They
long and two short - and the fish came
know the Cape Brett area well, and
in from the side and took the short
were cruising some hot spots in the
lure. Then it raced off to the side of
area. As they approached the Main
the boat, jumping and twisting and
Rock area, about 220m off Cape Brett
putting on a pretty impressive show
in stunning blue water, the water
as Peter cleared the other lines and
temperature changed from 20.9degrees
Chad got ready to get into the chair.
to 21.7degrees.
At this stage, Helen was at the helm,
They had picked up a couple of skippies
and had to put the throttle down to
about half-an-hour earlier, so knew
increase their speed to keep ahead of
there was bait around. At 10.10am, .
the marlin that was jumping and racing
after only about 15 minutes of being in
along beside them. Chad’s wife Angela
the warmer water, Peter saw the marlin
was impressed with the size of the fish,
come into the spread and take the black
and their children excitedly watched
and purple Zuker lure.
the fish jump close to the boat.
12 www.nzfisher.co.nz
With the lines cleared, Peter returned to the helm, and Chad got to work bringing the fish in. Chad and Angela
Paihia weighmaster Dick informed
have fished blue water for marlin
Chad that it’s tradition to jump off
before in Panama and Puerto Rico,
the wharf for your first marlin. So
with Chad, previously catching a
Chad in good spirits jumped off
sailfish and Angela catching a 120kg
the wharf, much to the delight of
Blue marlin in Panama in 2008.
watching spectators! The marlin
Today was Chad’s turn on the rod.
tipped the scales at an impressive
They didn’t expect anything like this on their trip with Grand Cru
235.8kg, and was the first weighed marlin for the 2017-2018 season.
Charters, Knowing all too well that
As Chad and his family were continuing
you can fish all day without catching
on their travels as part of their holiday,
a marlin, Chad and Angela thought
the fish was taken to be processed, and
that maybe a tuna or small marlin
Peter and Helen will enjoy it with their
would have been fantastic. After an
family and friends. Chad is having the
about four-hour battle in which Chad
bill and tail mounted, which will be
fought hard, the fish was at the boat.
shipped to the USA when it is done. For
Unfortunately, it died during the
Chad and Helen, it was a phenomenal
process. It was the first marlin for Chad,
day and one they will never forget.
and the biggest fish for the boat.
Although this is recognised as the
It took a bit of an effort to get the fish
first weighed marlin for the season,
onto the boat, but with the marlin
the NZSFC and club honours are still
safely on board and a few photos later,
up for grabs at the time this was
the crew headed back into Paihia for a
written. It is not recognised as a club
courtesy weigh for the Bay of Islands
fish because the angler wasn’t a club
Swordfish Club. Helen and Peter are
member. So if you’re reading this
club members. However, because
and the NZSFC title of first weighed
Chad isn’t a club member, there is
marlin for 2017-2018 is still open –
no club recognition for the marlin.
get out there and give it a shot!
www.nzfisher.co.nz 13
CELEBRATING FISHING
The Inaugural LegaSea Gala Dinner & Awards A celebration of all things rec-fish
Scott Award Credit: Dave Adams 14 www.nzfisher.co.nz
BY Derrick Paull
W
Hunting and FIshing cheque presentation
e really don’t give thanks enough, be it the day to day things we receive and
Those codgers had a great idea, but
take for granted, the beautiful country
history tells us it was the intense
and surrounds we’re privileged to live
desire to make real change and the
in or even more mundanely, the great
smarts to engage a wide audience that
work being done by a bunch of often
Messrs Scott MacIndoe and
forgotten and almost certainly underpaid
Matt Watson brought to the table
contractors and employees of Legasea.
and with swift, decisive action bore
For five years this ever-changing
Legasea from the ashes of Option4
group of passionate and focused
and presented the NZ Sport Fishing
recreational fishing advocates have
Council with a public outreach arm
been grinding away and making
that now claims a larger database
progress on our behalf to bring
than its parent.
recreational fishing to the fore in the
It’s not easy to forget Matt Watson’s
eyes of the public, the ministry and
early video - his face has been so
our various Ministers of Fisheries.
widely publicised on our screens in
In the beginning, there were a few
the last decade, but it was the ‘cash
hard heads that had an idea to bring
register’ video provided the catalyst
rec fishing advocacy out of the dark
that got Legasea airtime and the
ages and into modern, public light.
momentum to grow.
www.nzfisher.co.nz 15
CELEBRATING FISHING
Matt Watson - Legasea Award Credit: Allysa
Not satisfied simply with lending his image and mana to the project, Matt setup and delivered www. freefishheads.co.nz - a complete website with the ability to change the way we (well, a fair few of us fair skinned fellas) dealt with our catch, introducing a new age of full utilisation and increased respect for our catch. Scott has hardly been idle, sharing his time and his home with the often motley Legasea crew - ever the maven, looking for new opportunities to engage the community and persistently fronting our message of a fair go to the minister and his
Koparepare Wines
desire to protect our rights has led him to become more than just a figurehead but a mentor and true leader to many of us. With these and many more thoughts in mind, it is no surprise that Mat should receive our first ever ‘Legasea Award’ for service to the organisation and the fishers of Aotearoa. Scott’s recognition came in a slightly more circumspect manner. Behind his back, the LegaSea crew commissioned the creation of a magnificent hook carving and, presented by Scott’s longtime friend and ally Wane Wharerau, bought the house down.
bureaucrats - never letting go of an
On behalf of the NZFisher team, thank
opportunity to build our support
you LegaSea and in particular, Scott
amongst the community at large.
and Matt for your dedication and
Scotts tireless, borderline narcissistic
service to support our passion.
16 www.nzfisher.co.nz
Partners, supporting and aligned organisations
PURPLE
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New Zealand Angling &
Casting Association
14
GAME FISHING
DB Export NZ Fishing Competition Lucky Angler Prize Trip 18 www.nzfisher.co.nz
Jordan Smith
I
Hooked up
t’s not often you catch three solid, legal kingfish while you’re catching bait for the day but when you’re
lucky enough to win a trip of a lifetime, maybe more good fortune is hardly surprising!
We arrived at the OffShore Adventure
Jordan Smith was the winner of the DB
lodge in Mangawhai Heads the night
Export NZ Fishing Competition lucky
before and enjoyed a classic BBQ washed
angler prize for the 2017 season earning
down with a few cold DB Export Hop
him and a mate an Offshore Adventure
lagers before heading off to dream about
with Tony Orton, a set of the best
torrid tussles with some XXL kings at the
Shimano rods, reels and tackle and a six
‘Mokes’. I don’t know about you, but I
rack Bradley Smoker. Jordan chose his
always find it hard to get a good night’s
good mate Greg to share his adventure,
sleep before an adventure like this and
and we were also joined by Jono from
just before I’d landed the kingfish of my
DB to make a team of four plus Tony, our
dreams it was 5.15am and all hands on
captain and guide for the day.
deck for a quick breakfast.
www.nzfisher.co.nz 19
GAME FISHING
Greg
The sunrise which had turned everything The 8.85m Offshore Adventures
it touched a deep golden yellow
Extreme centre cab is powered by twin
combined with an ocean best described
Honda 250’s and is a dream machine
as oily, provided a spectacular start for
when it comes to a fishing platform.
stacking the live-bait tank. The real
Tony delivered the full safety briefing,
standout feature was the water clarity,
and then it was lifejackets on for an
and it wasn’t long before Jono spied
uneventful bar before heading up to an
several respectable kings patrolling the
area of foul looking for live-bait.
area a few metres down.
20 www.nzfisher.co.nz
while it’s important to emphasise these commercial fishers are doing nothing illegal, taking all that bait from Bream Bay and exporting it for bugger all you’d have to say is morally wrong and commercially dumb. If those baitfish helped our kingfish and snapper populations I quickly said, “Are you thinking what I’m thinking Tony?” and sure enough, a very freshly caught jack mackerel went out on the top-water set. No prizes for guessing what happened next and as we caught a few more baits, three nice sized kingfish in the 90-100cm range were
grow, the economic opportunity from tourism and a fantastic recreational fishery is a quantum leap ahead than a dollar or two a kilo of baitfish. Isn’t it time we woke up as a nation and worked out how we can maximise the economic benefit from a fragile fishery
brought alongside – great practice for
while ensuring the biomass is restored
the next part of the day, and a couple of
and nurtured?
PB’s knocked over already!
On our arrival, the first drop was a
An uneventful and pleasant cruise to
double hook-up with Greg and Jordon
the Mokes gave us time to chat and
on solid fish. Greg’s was a serious string
get even more fizzed up about the next
puller but being a big strong lad, he
few hours. The best news was that
easily won the battle with a nice king of
the further we went, the more the
around 20kg. A good start indeed.
conditions improved.
After that, the fishing was steady if not
The only damper on that part of the
spectacular catching and releasing a
day was seeing the purse seiners
number of good healthy kingfish over
working Bream Bay hard where they
the next few hours. Tony uses free-
are apparently targeting jack macs,
swinging, crimped circle hooks and
blue koheru and trevally. The word is
free-spools the bite, pushing the drag
the catches are being exported and
up once the kingfish is running. It’s an
www.nzfisher.co.nz 21
GAME FISHING
effective technique that works well.
of excitement, a mako with a healthy
The gear on Offshore Adventures
interest in some kingfish sashimi
is all immaculately prepared, and
turned up and decided to remove the
features top quality Shimano rods
propeller from one of Jordan’s kingfish.
and reels, so there’s no need to
It was a solid king too and while we
bring anything unless you really
landed the rest of the fish, it was time
want to. Tony’s a fountain of fishing
to call it a day as we had enough for the
knowledge and will share as much
table and it’s a fair old ride home from
as you can take in during your time
the Mokohinaus – even at 30 knots!
on the water. As we know, there’s
All in all, a fantastic day out and top
always something new or a new
marks to Tony Orton for turning on
twist on an old technique to learn.
5-10 knot variable winds and a great
Several reasonable snapper lurking
day on the water. Congratulations to
in the bait-schools couldn’t resist
our winner Jordan for being part of the
temptation and ended up on board.
DB Export NZ Fishing Competition and
Before we knew it, the sun was well
great to have Greg and Jono join us for
over the yardarm, and the day was
the day. If you’d like more information
drawing to a close. Just to provide a bit
on OffShore Adventures, click here.
22 www.nzfisher.co.nz
ABOUT THE DB EXPORT NZ FISHING COMPETITION The DB Export NZ Fishing Competition is an online fishing competition based on a measure and photo format. Anglers from anywhere in New Zealand can participate and win some fantastic prizes
is a parade of the all-time best of the best. At the end of the season – thanks to our amazing sponsors, DB Export, Shimano and Bradley Smokers, there are some great prizes for the longest fish of each species, and some spectacular lucky angler draws.
by photographing their catch on an official measure and entering online.
THE DB EXPORT NZ FISHING
Most importantly, once you have taken
COMPETITION LUCKY ANGLER DRAW
the picture of the fish on the measure, it’s your choice to keep it and share some of our finest seafood with friends and family or release it.
All you need to do is upload one eligible catch during the calendar month, and you’re also in the draw for some great Shimano gear or Bradley products.
Entering a catch is as simple as taking
It’s as easy as that. You’ll need to be
the photo on your smartphone then
registered at www.fishingcomp.co.nz
loading it at The DB Export NZ Fishing
and thanks to DB Export, that’s FREE -
Competition Website using the phone’s
just use the code DB EXPORT when you
web-browser, or on any digital device
sign up. You’ll also need a measure so if
including tablets and laptops.
you or your mates don’t have one; you
Leaderboards feature catches from
can order online or pick one up at any
around the country and a ‘Hall of fame’
Burnsco store nationwide.
www.nzfisher.co.nz 23
FISHERIESUPDATE
Legasea Update Conservation through inspired leadership www.legasea.co.nz
24 www.nzfisher.co.nz
To achieve abundance and a fair go for future generations recreational fishing
W
must stay outside of the failing quota
hen LegaSea was first invited
system. We do not want a fixed quota,
to have input into The Future
managing recreational catch by an
Catch project by Dr Randall
overall allowance and individual bag
Bess, we were excited because the project was described as a well-funded study to improve recreational fishing.
and size limits are sufficient. Since time immemorial saltwater fishing has been a part of our New
It didn’t take long to realise that this
Zealand lifestyle. In the old days,
was yet another attempt to upgrade
the primary objective of fishing
commercial rights to our fisheries and
was sustenance for the family.
remove the Minister’s discretionary
Over time, fishing has taken on a
powers that provide for our fishing and
broader significance. Fishing is now
environmental interests.
also a social event with family; it’s
It is vital to retain this Ministerial
competition amongst friends, and an
discretion because it is both a statutory
opportunity to take time out from
duty and a defence for managing our
work life or to spend precious time
fisheries in the best interests of all
outdoors with the young ones.
New Zealanders, not just a handful of
Given the significance of recreational
corporate quota owners.
fishing, the Minister must remain free
The project’s third report has been
to both set aside allowances for our
presented to the Minister. LegaSea
fishing and to make sustainable catch
does not support the report’s
and allocation decisions.
recommendations to use current
The commercial wild fish catch is
settings as a basis for allocating a defined
over 400,000 tonnes per year while
proportion of each fishery for public
recreational catch estimates are a bit
use. Any such proportional allocation
over 10,000 tonnes, yet The Future
scheme is unfair because it takes away
Catch report focuses on possible growth
the Minister’s legal obligation to provide
in recreational catch as the major flaw
abundance for our kids’ fishing future.
in New Zealand’s fisheries management.
www.nzfisher.co.nz 25
FISHERIESUPDATE In the past 18 months, we have heard horror stories about tonnes of fish
It’s time for the Minister to wrest back
being wasted through dumping and
control of our fisheries, apply a good
discarding from commercial vessels. Even
dose of kaitiakitanga [guardianship],
the Ministry charged with managing our
and establish policies that will deliver
fisheries has admitted that discarding is
on the sustainability obligations
“the single biggest issue we face in our
we all have to our kids and theirs.
wild stock fisheries”.
Ministerial discretion must stay.
In 2014 the Director of Fisheries quantify the tonnages involved
FISHERIES MANAGEMENT ANNUAL REPORT
but did say, “We suspect they
The LegaSea Annual Report has been
are significant to the point that
issued and is included in the New
they are impacting on stocks”.
Zealand Sport Fishing Council’s Fisheries
The Ministry’s failure to prosecute
Management Annual Report 2017.
those responsible for dumping tonnes
The report can be downloaded here.
Management admitted they couldn’t
of fish is a travesty. The promises of husbandry, efficiency and innovation
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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.
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www.nzfisher.co.nz 27
FISHERING GEAR
New Tricks from an Old Sea Dog 2018 release due for the Everol Infinite reel
28 www.nzfisher.co.nz
E
verol, has recently developed
A world leading, ferrari inspired triple
the Infinite for ‘top shot’
drag consisting of three carbon disks
fishing for bluefin tuna and
and two stainless steel discs, not only
marlin around the world.
offer a very high drag of about 75lb, but
The Infinite has a compact body
also a remarkable graduation thanks to
slimmer than other models of the
the 240 degree travel of the drag leve
same class, a narrow spool integrated
All Everol reels are still hand made in
without sacrificing capacity, it can
Italy to exacting standards.
easily hold about 800 mt of 80 lb braid (diameter 0 About 30 mm). The Infinite has harness lugs but there is no top bar for better hand access to the spool to lock it during the combat. With a ratio of 1: 3.7, the Infinite with full capacity
STATS: • 800m 80lb braid .30mm • Ratio 1:3.7 • Max drag 75lb • $1099.90 Incl GST
retrieves around 95 cm per crank.
www.nzfisher.co.nz 29
FISHING BOAT
Quick Look at the New Frewza F18
I
t’s shiny & new and we don’t have
and of course a whole new name - Smoke
many trips under the belt but we’re
‘n Lures looks hot wrapped by fellow
so excited and keen to show her
Frewza Owner, Matt Doel Print Cave.
off before Christmas. Our new Honda
Even the design phase was exciting and
powered Frewza F18 is a beast - with
we couldn’t have done things without
upgraded hull, beast-mode Honda BF135
Matt’s team’s help.
30 www.nzfisher.co.nz
www.nzfisher.co.nz 31
READERPICS WINNER!! Logan - Albacore
Ashley (former NZFisher cover girl) Harris with a brace of local snaps caught from her dads new boat.
Deva Brown once again smashing some monster Hauraki snaps.
PRIZE!!
- Albacore 32 Logan www.nzfisher.co.nz
Mark Harvey with his new PB Puka landed on is own Frewza out the back of the Knights.
Kyley Harris with one of many fish he’s landed in the first month of new boat ownership.
Geoff ‘Karnage’ Bostock with a Hourhora red on a recent trip with legend Rob Parker.
www.nzfisher.co.nz 33
Shane Mankelow with a far, far north doozey.
Phil Fussel with a tasty Whangarei snap - an easy cacth within minutes of home. Stephen Minty aboard his Frewza Spearmint nice king!
34 www.nzfisher.co.nz
William Ried with a massive (and so tasty!) JD.
5yr old Eden headed out at 4am to help Dad catch livebaits.
Thomas Nehemia’s one-man haul from the wild west.
www.nzfisher.co.nz 35
FISHING for GAME
Drifting with Live Baits
Keep your options wide open, especially when they’re the best ones! BY Scott Tindale
36 www.nzfisher.co.nz
“
One of the things I love about fishing is the hundreds of ways it can be done. You could say there are no rules to fishing, only the fishing rules.
S
mall boat game fishing in wind
Same as most small boats, our Ramco
over 12 knots is uncomfortable as
Red October drifts stern-on to the wind –
a rule; dragging lures and getting
something I miss in the launch – allowing
tossed around by the sea all day is likely
us to drift-fish in any sea conditions. The
to keep your chiropractor in steady work.
only battle is the initial run out wide,
And don’t think that just because you
once we have collected enough bait.
don’t have a big launch, it will be cheap;
However, we can reduce the
thousands, possibly tens of thousands, of dollars will still be tied up in your runabout and fishing equipment, and the high fuel costs will add up too, especially if you troll all day. However, one of the things I love about fishing is the hundreds of ways it can be done. You could say there are no rules to fishing, only the fishing rules. So perhaps it’s time to try something different? I thought we’d discuss drift-fishing with live baits for gamefish, as it’s worked well for us, not only saving fuel, but getting results, too. This concept is certainly not new, and with some trial and error, you can refine it to suit your boat and the equipment you have.
punishment by hugging the coastline as much as possible, sheltering in the lee until far enough upwind for the swing out wide. This also gives an extra opportunity for topping up on live baits for the drift down. Starting the day upwind makes it easier at the end of the day to get home and to the weighstation. Drift-fishing in rough weather is surprisingly easy on the body; no pounding, and stable and quiet. Once in position at a suitable depth, we start our drift. Where? Birdlife, baitfish, sea temperature, tide lines, bottom structure and local knowledge all help determine this. While depths between
www.nzfisher.co.nz 37
FISHING for GAME
50 and 100 metres on the west coast,
stay on that side (until attacked). Set
and 100 and 150 metres on the east
this first bait long, about 30 to 40 metres
coast, can be productive, marlin and
back using a #18 rubber band. Tie it off
sharks can be attracted to the presence
to the outrigger, and with the reel in free
of bait almost anywhere. Again, there
spool run off an extra 20 metres of line
are no rules to fishing. We’ve caught
into the water as drop back. This is so you
marlin only metres from shore while
have time to feed additional line out with
sheltering from the weather.
minimal resistance if you get a strike.
The drift speed is quite important: too
If a predator is in the vicinity, the bait
slow, and the baits will cross over or
will start to get agitated. You will see
overtake the boat; too fast and they
the rubber band beginning to spring
will skip, die or bust the rubber bands
furiously. If you wish, break the rubber
holding the line.
band and hold the line between your
Adjust your speed and direction by using
fingers instead, but be ready to drop it if
a sea anchor in strong winds. We used
you feel the strike. Otherwise, wait for
20-litre buckets on ropes in the early
the rubber band to snap.
days to keep us drifting at around 2 to 4
Once the fish has the bait, pay out more
knots in the typical 15-knot-plus winds
line, dumping at least another 20 metres
we fished in. On calmer days we create
into the water. This provides sufficient
windage to help move us along. No wind
time for you to clear any other lines you
and you’ll have to start the motors or get
may have out and get ready.
the crew to row.
If the fish hasn’t felt any resistance, the
Two baits are usually set, one each on the
ratchet will click away slowly and then
outriggers, and if you’re keen, one deep
stop. This tends to signal when the fish
off the corner, in short. Kahawai are best
has turned the bait and is swallowing it
on the outriggers as they stay on the
head-first. Count to five slowly, move the
surface. Put one out at a time, and watch
lever to strike, and wind flat out until you
the first one to see which side of the boat
can’t get another turn on the reel. This
it favours. Once there, it will generally
removes any stretch or belly in the line
38 www.nzfisher.co.nz
and sets the hook. Now sit back and relax as the fish realises it’s hooked and makes its first run. Time to start the motor. When drifting it’s usually not necessary to drive away unless the fish swims up to the boat to investigate or you are drifting too slowly. Unlike most other styles of fishing, you usually have plenty of time to react. It’s also
WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO RIG LIVE BAITS
common to have marlin and sharks
The following items may not look like
investigate the boat before the bait.
fishing gear. In fact, you’ll probably have
My favourite live bait is a trevally of
to ask someone where to purchase them,
around 1 to 2kg. Their silver bodies
but they make live-baiting easier.
provide plenty of flash, helping to attract more attention, and they’re also very
Cotton string: for bridle-rigging the bait
hardy and swim deep. Run off the corner
to the hook: Store the string ball inside
they are like having a downrigger. Marlin love them, too. Another advantage is that if they survive the day, they make delicious sashimi; a bit of soy and wasabi is all you need for the trip home.
an empty plastic peanut butter jar. Drill a 1/8-inch hole in the lid so the string can feed out from the centre of the ball – a no-tangle dispenser. Pull out the required amount, double it over and tie a knot. Cut
You don’t need to be too fussy
off, leaving the tag-end hanging out the
about what you use as a live bait;
jar for the next time.
I have even caught marlin on blue maomao. As long as it’s lively, a hungry gamefish can be tempted.
Several advantages are gained by bridlerigging baits: the baits last longer, swim better, and can be towed at speed, while
It’s more appropriate to match the live
the rig exposes more hook and allows
bait to the speed of drift, with skippies
it to fold back along the bait when
for fast drifts, say, and yellowtail mackerel
swallowed. If fishing to IGFA rules, ensure
typically used for slow drifts. Experiment.
the bridle length is no longer than a
One day I’d like to try paper nautilus.
hook-length in front of the bait.
www.nzfisher.co.nz 39
FISHING for GAME A bait needle: This is used to thread the
“
It’s frustrating to have a firmly attached bait that’s swinging around a marlin’s mouth pull the hook free.
bridle through the bait’s eye-socket cavity. Make sure the needle is blunt so the fish is not easily injured. Feed the needle through in front of the eye, wriggling your hand slightly to find the clear passage. Hold the two loop ends, pass one loop through the other, and then tie a halfhitch in front of the nose. This prevents the knot tightening on the head. Attach the loop to the hook, ready to release. Bait needles are simple to make from a 200mm-long piece of stainless-steel welding wire. Flatten one end and fold it over, leaving enough room to slip the string in. Alternatively, find the nearest Spotlight (a sewing supplies store), and for around $3, purchase a loop turner. These are also handy for
Zip-ties, waxed thread and heavy dacron:
making wind-on leaders.
I don’t like using these to rig baits, as they Darning needle and buttons: No, not don’t snap easily. It’s frustrating to have
for those clothing disasters! Again, a
a firmly attached bait that’s swinging
quick way to attach the bait. Here the
around a marlin’s mouth pull the hook
idea is to tie a string loop through a
free. Not so much of a problem on
button and tie off. Thread one end of
heavy tackle if the line is kept tight, but
the loop through the needle. Holding
should you let the line go slack, or you
the baitfish, push the needle up
are fishing light line and can’t put much
through the roof of its mouth, seating
pressure on, the weight of the bait can
the button. Remove the needle and
work against you like a hook remover.
attach the loop to the hook.
40 www.nzfisher.co.nz
Foam mat: Here’s a trick I learned after being told off for getting fish all over my new shirt after trying to hold one still to rig it. Using a sharp knife, cut a Docking rings: Talk to a farmer. These
piece of three-inch-thick foam rubber
handy O-rings float. Tied to a bridle of a
so it’s around the same size as this
pre-rigged bait, they allow you to have
magazine. Then partially split the foam
baits swimming in the tank, waiting to
lengthways down the middle, leaving a
be used. The ring is easier to grab (floats)
one-inch-thick ‘spine’. Dipped in water,
and prevents the bait swallowing the
it now can be used to sandwich live
string. They can be quickly slipped over
baits while rigging. Position the fish
the hook for despatch.
upside down in the foam to calm it.
www.nzfisher.co.nz 41
FISHING for GAME
Rubber bands, size 18: They have 100 uses, including flicking them at your
Berley: attracts everything (especially
sleepy crew. In this instance, they can
other boats, when they spot the birdlife
be used to hold the main line in position
behind you!). The pre-frozen stuff
until the strike. Wind the rubber band
creates a ‘window’ of calm water for
around the main line 12 times. Feed the
miles, and makes it easier to spot a fin,
loop at the rod end through the other
tail or a shadow lurking below. Watch
end and pull up tight. This can now be
any birds sitting on the trail. They too
attached to the outrigger clip or reel
can indicate a predator is lurking. The
handle. This allows the reel to be left in
freshly introduced part of the berley is
free-spool, with the ratchet on, and 20m
what attracts attention, so keep it flowing
of drop-back line in place.
consistently and with few gaps.
42 www.nzfisher.co.nz
Any gamefish crossing its path is likely
so sure it was that silly. In the middle
to follow the trail to the source, so live
of nowhere, baitfish have meatballed
baits swimming in a berley trail often
under us, marlin and sharks have circled
won’t last long. On two occasions we’ve
around, checking out the artwork
had marlin strike a berley bag. Not sure
and ignoring our livies. With plenty
who was the more surprised, the fish
of bill strikes and tooth marks in the
or us! We now tie off the berley with
paintwork, we were definitely centre-
heavier rope.
stage while drift-fishing.
Want to try something else? Spray-
So experiment and, most of all, be
paint the propeller with various dazzle-
prepared for a lot of action. Marlin and
coloured stripes or try painting baitfish
sharks hang out together, so it’s not
silhouettes on the underside of the
uncommon to hook up both at the
hull. Did it first as a joke, now I’m not
same time. See you out there.
www.nzfisher.co.nz 43
F
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