ISSUE 8 May 2011
The
Landbased Pilgrimage -
Lottin
or bust//
// The new Ocean Kayak Prowler 4.3
NZFisher scores gold at NZACA Nationals// www.nzfisher.co.nz 1
THE RUM THAT INVENTED RUM www.mountgayrum.com Enjoy the adventure, drink responsibly 2 www.nzfisher.co.nz
CONTENTS Pg 20 GAMEFISHING 6
Landbased Game – The East Cape Mecca Pilgrimage
SPORTFISHING 10
The NZACA Nationals 2011
KAYAKFISHING 16
Ocean Kayak Ultra 4.3 makes a splash at the Boat show
16
BOATFISHING 18
The NZFisher competition winners report
20
How to win a National Championship
22
Fishing Video of the Month
23
Competition
THE CLUBHOUSE
6
24
The NZFisher Club est. 2011
26
Regional Reports
Pg 10
www.nzfisher.co.nz 3
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4 www.nzfisher.co.nz
175
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225
ABOUT /
//From the
EDITOR
Short and sharp, NZ Fisher is a free e-magazine delivering thought provoking and enlightening articles, and industry news and information to forward-thinking fisher people.
April and May are the end of the
and great ideas could keep you busy for
Game Season and the beginning of my
a week. I took some time to check out
favourite fishing months of the year. It was
the Q-Sub, damn cool, but not much of a
May last year that I wrote what became
fishing platform! My one year old, Oscar
the headline article for NZFisher’s’ first
was completely enamoured with the Ocean
issue. May, June and July present the
Kayaks, especially the new Prowler Ultra
best and worst of fishing in NZ. The best
4.3 – or maybe that was just because of the
Phone Derrick on 021 629 327
because it’s when the big players turn
bright yellow hull and free stickers he was
or email
up across most of our bread and butter
given there. Either way I’m keen to paddle it
derrickp@NZ Fisher.co.nz
species; Kingfish on deep reefs, Snapper
soon and see if it’s really up to all the hype.
ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES /
in the shallows, Hapuka and Bass come in close (well, closer) and for those really
The NZRFC is holding their 2011 annual
hardy anglers Broadbill spearfish.
conference in New Plymouth on the 1st and 2nd July. It’s shaping up to be an
EDITOR / Derrick Paull ART DIRECTOR / Jodi Olsson GROUP EDITOR / Trudi Caffell CONTENT ENQUIRIES /
Phone Richard on 09 522 7257 or email richardl@espiremedia.com
I was born on the shore and there is
important event where a number of the
ADDRESS / NZ Fisher,
nothing that excites me more than the
big issues facing the recreational fishing
C/- Espire Media, PO Box 137162,
accelerating of a clicker as a big snapper
fraternity will have an opportunity to be
Parnell,Auckland 1151, NZ
takes a big bait that’s been soaking in
discussed, argued over and perhaps,
WEBSITE / www.NZ Fisher.co.nz
amongst the kelp on a rocky shore. That
reconciled. What we’re really missing
hit of adrenaline out of no-where hooks me
here is some open, free discussion on
every time. It might not even happen every
our future. Too many times we hold our
trip – hell it might not happen every four
tongues for fear of offending or being
trips! But when it does, ye-gods I forgive
labelled one way or the other.
myself the early starts, the frozen hands, the wet feet and even the sore shoulders
What I do know is that I don’t know what
from lumping in 40kgs of bait and burley.
is best. What I want to know is if all those
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!
out there with their stakes in the ground I have two fishing friends that are 20lb
can be strong enough to pick them up, toss
virgins; one has never caught one and the
them aside and meet to look for a winning
other never from the shore. This winter
strategy, not another excuse to try and build
we’re pretty determined to break the
bigger walls, we will find a useful solution.
duck and nail them one each. I can feel the cold seeping in already!
Cover Image: Peter Michael Anyway, for the short term I’m working
taken by Aileen Michael
hard in the garden to earn some brownie The big talking point this week has been
points for the first big fish mission next
the Hutchwilco Boatshow held at Auckland
week. Bring on the moochers!
Show grounds. I’m always impressed at the breadth of the marine industry in New Zealand. The products, innovations
Happy Fishing!
Derrick
www.nzfisher.co.nz 5
gameFISHING
Landbased Game – The East Cape Mecca Pilgrimage Words and picutres by Forsyth Thompson
For LBG fishermen there are a
I got an invitation to join the boys from
more PBs. Every time he’s come fishing
few places in New Zealand which have
NZLBG down at Cape Runaway for a few
with me in the last 18 months he’s got
assumed true legend status like East
days over Easter there was no way I was
a PB of some sort, so the bar has been
Cape has.
turning that down (thanks to Ben Hall for
set pretty high but with all the legendary
that). Considering it was Easter, it sure
kingfish of East Cape just waiting to throw
pays to have an understanding wife!
themselves at us, we were both pretty
A while back in the Walk About forum on fishing.net.nz someone posted a question
confident. I’ve not had a land based PB
as to where you’d most like to fish land
With me came Andrew, my keen mate
in quite a while now (needing to beat
based. Unsurprisingly Maria van Diemen
(some of you will have seen him in Issue
21lb for snapper and 21kg for a king) but
and Great Barrier featured heavily, along
6 with an enormous grin and a pretty big
I thought this was going to be my time.
of course, with the East Cape. So when
snapper too!), who was looking for some
Turns out one of us was right…
Launching’s a cinch when the weather gods play along 6 www.nzfisher.co.nz
gameFISHING
s with the
van Andrew E
napper
winning S
The 2 days before we left I was flat out
So, boat unloaded, berley in and pillies
river mouth in Waihau Bay and heading
at work but somehow managed to find
straight in to get our livebaits. And it was
back round Cape Runaway for some
time to check the swell and weather
all on: a couple of kahawai came straight
more new country to me. The wind had
forecast about every 15 minutes! We left
in and went straight out, then a rod
picked up from the NE and coming round
on Weds evening to drive down, ready
bent over a long way without the classic
the Cape was a little bit “interesting”
for a full day Thursday and got there to
thumps of a snapper. Sure enough, the
in a 3.49m boat. Not as interesting as
some not very exciting news: just one
first of what was to be a huge number
landing on “the fingers” was, the writer
king, weighing in at just 14kg had been
of rat kings was landed followed by a
very nearly ending up in the drink, but
landed in the previous 5 days, with some
succession of kahawai and snapper, both
all went ok in the end (alloy props are
pretty experienced fishos putting in some
in the 2-3kg range. And the day pretty
made for collecting dings as all good
serious time swimming liveys.
much stayed like that nonstop, but for a
LBG fishos know). This was going to be
mid-tide lull.
a different day and we struggled even to
Clearly we weren’t going to be put off
find a kahawai in the berley.
by that so we headed off the following
Several kings were landed over 75cm
morning in the trusty Baby Stabi for
but nothing worth keeping and certainly
Turned out that was because they were all a
a beach launch at Lottin , destination
nothing like what we’d come there for.
bit further off the point but once we found
Medway. As we drove the boat round
But the action had been great and we’d
them we had liveys out for all 3 of us. The
Lottin point and headed east we were
all had as many snapper as you could
snapper were much smaller than the day
greeted by ledge after ledge, deep
want in a day, even if there were no
before and fewer but the kahawai were
water and some of the fishiest country
bigger models to be seen. Getting back
constant all day, Andrew nailing a land-based
you could ever hope to see. I’d never
to the house that night, it turned out
PB at a creditable 3.44kg and plenty of other
seen this part of the country first-hand
we’d had the best of the fishing by some
good sized ones joining it in the livey pool.
and it was even better than I’d thought,
margin, with no big kings even sighted.
Another trip, another PB for him…
the ledge and some nice white wash
The next day we moved up the coast
As with the day before there were rat
everywhere.
a bit further, putting the Stabi in at the
kings everywhere but again no bigger
the sounder showing 30+m right off
www.nzfisher.co.nz 7
gameFISHING
Benjamin Hall with the best king of the trip at 19.4kg
ones. So Andrew switched to a 6kg set
so as the balloon was popped straight off
What followed was a great fight, the fish
with a tiny popper (maybe 70mm long!)
with no messing, I knew this was no rat.
taking lots of line in huge runs and not
and started popping horse kahawai which
showing any signs of giving in right up
was tremendous fun for him and for Ben &
Out ran line, the TLD25 making that
until Andrew hit it with a great gaff shot,
I to watch. Certainly it got heaps of action
great sound and then the line went slack.
first time ever off the rocks and right in
going in the water which we hoped might
Really slack. Winding furiously, I realised
behind the gill plate. And there we had
get the bigger kings coming but just the
the fish had turned and come straight
it, a great solid looking fish and our first
small ones kept coming, a couple around
back to the ledge and before I had even
good one from the East Cape. 2 days
10kg in the berley and a few just legal
had a fight, there it was, literally at my
of livey-swimming disappointment was
ones landed but that was our lot.
feet with 4 of its fat mates, swivel at the
forgotten and we weren’t even an hour
Right on the end of the day when my
rod tip and no gaff in sight. Before one
into the day!
livey had started doing backstroke,
of the boys could get there the 11/0
we saw a good 15-20kg king come
hook pulled (how I’ll never know) and I
The weather wasn’t getting any better
through right at our feet. It sniffed Ben’s
watched it swim away. Hooked and got
though, and the swell picked up along
popper about 1m off the rocks and then
to the ledge; if we’d had a gaffman there
with some really good squally showers
studiously ignored the fresh livey I put
it would have been all over in less than
to keep us honest. The snapper fishing
out as well as the other 2. And that was
60 seconds. Well, it was all over in 60
was slower than the first day, but then
it for the day, the light just about gone as
seconds, just not the result we wanted.
Andrew hooked up solid and landed a
we got back to the beach at Waihau Bay.
4.5kg fish, his new PB off the rocks and
As this is a fishing report I won’t go into
To say I managed some choice language
his second land-based PB in 24 hrs. The
details about the pub at Waihau except
would be an understatement. After 3
tradition continued!
to say that if you want a great night out
liveys all day for 2 days, to lose the first
and some awesome local hospitality,
strike at the rocks wasn’t what I was
The day continued much like the first,
make sure you go!
hoping for! The boys both had their
rats, pannies and kahawai in abundance
liveys out and within a minute I had
but the good kings had put in their single
Back to Medway for day 3, we figured,
another one out too. No more than 5
appearance for the day. Turns out they
so headed down to Lottin again and
minutes later it looked like Andrew was
didn’t disappear completely, Scott from
back round to the same spot as the first
about to get his first taste of landbased
NZLBGC nailing a really long fish that only
day. Again, there were kahawai there
kings but the good looking fish swam
stayed under 30kg (27.4kg) by virtue of
immediately and out went the liveys. I’d
straight past his livey without stopping.
being so lean. And Rob with a 20kg fish
just put my rod down when the sight of a
More cursing ensued, but only for a
that was the fattest king any of us had
big green back and a yellow tail coming
matter of seconds as it monstered Ben’s
ever seen, genuinely shaped like a tuna!
out of the water got my adrenaline going
livey and set off full speed for
hard out! The livey was a good 2.5kg fish
the Ranfurly’s!
8 www.nzfisher.co.nz
So Andrew and I had some serious
Andrew with his winning 3.44kg Kahawai another Personal Best for the Babi-Stabi
gameFISHING
work to do on the last day to try to
turned up. Which they didn’t, so I
the landbased boys cleaned up. Just
get the kings we’d come for, and
amused myself catching snapper after
shows, the rocks are where it’s at!
having picked a mate up off Lottin
snapper, the best of which went 4.2kg.
on the way home the night before
So we didn’t get the kings we
(saving him the walk out), his story of
The boys came back and we kept on
spent the entire journey there and
an est. 25 kg landed and 3 or 4 other
catching snapper and waiting for the
back talking about but we did have
bigger ones seen, we knew where we
big kings to show up. As the light faded
some tremendous fishing, a lot of
were going to spend our last day!
we had no choice but to accept that it
fun and some great laughs and
wasn’t going to happen and we packed
more than enough fish for us and
At the furthest part of Lottin the water
the Stabi for the last time on the trip
the families when we got home.
was a fantastic blue and the current
just giving ourselves enough time to
was pumping around the point, surely
make the prize giving and dinner at the
Big thanks to the NZLBGC boys
the kings were going to be there?? Out
justifiably-famous Waihau Bay Club.
for putting on a great trip, to the Waihau Bay Fishing Club for
came another livey set and we swam 4 liveys all day. Unfortunately that’s
Andrew, fishing the Open section, not
amazing hospitality and possibly the
all they did: swim! But we had plenty
the landbased one (there’s confidence
best fishing comp dinner ever.
of snapper to keep us busy, several in
for you!) took out both heaviest kahawai
If you’re ever thinking about a land
the 3-4+kg range and plenty of others
and heaviest snapper – 2 PBs, 2 wins
based trip to E Cape, my advice would
but that was it. So, with weigh-in for
and his first ever in a comp. Fair to
be this: a) Do it, stop thinking about
the Waihau Bay comp looming, Ben
say he was pleased! Ben, Scott and
it; b) no, really, just go; and c) get in
& Andrew shot off to weigh their fish
Rob all won prizes too taking out
touch with Jim & Sally Kemp and stay at
while I stayed on in case the kings
landbased and kingi sections, all up
Haywards Farm, you’ll be glad you did!
www.nzfisher.co.nz 9
sportFISHING
10 www.nzfisher.co.nz
sportFISHING
The NZACA Nationals
2011
NZFisher Club makes a big splash in its first outing By Derrick Paull
Steve Rigby - Winner
I am a member of quite a few fishing
It’s been a goal of mine to run nationals
grounds man made sure the logistics were
clubs. It’s not an obsession, but I like
since about 1993 when the North Shore
in place and that the back of house work
to support the clubs that support me
committee said no to running the in ’95.
allowed for a smooth running event.
and NZFisher.
I’m not sure my mates in these clubs will
Two of these clubs are the North Shore
be too keen to do it again soon – but
The main thing we were hoping for was
what a blast!
good fishing and thankfully the gods were smiling on us! The fishing was fantastic;
Surfcasting Club and the Hibiscus Kayak fishing Club and as it turns out these
We chose to host this year’s
no real monsters, but plenty for everyone
two were the hosts of the 2011 New
championships from Orewa due to
and some truly exceptional catches in the
Zealand Angling & Casting Association
its proximity to fantastic fisheries on
mix. Most notably were a 7.72kg by junior
Nationals (I’ve been accused of being
both coasts, both sand & rocky shore
Zachery Moxam of Fielding Surfcasting
quite a strong influence on this decision,
fishing and about thirty boat ramps for
club and an 8.25kg Kingfish by Hibiscus
but I cannot comment!) and I was on the
the boaties. Barry Smith, North Shore
KFC’s Aileen Michael – her biggest and
organising committee.
President and Orewa Primary School
first King from the Yak. Aileen’s fish was
www.nzfisher.co.nz 11
sportFISHING
The flag raising
Peter Froggatt casting his way to First place, 200M plus takes a lot of effort!
12 www.nzfisher.co.nz
sportFISHING
The National Championships are about more than just one fish. To succeed at the Nationals you need to catch a ‘bag’ of fish across a specified number of species, maximising points.
the second heaviest overall, just behind fellow Hibiscus member, Dave Brown who weighed in an 8.46kg Snapper. These are great fish, but the National Championships are about more than just one fish. To succeed at the Nationals you need to catch a ‘bag’ of fish across a specified number of species, maximising points. The champs are broken down into three divisions, Boat, Shore and for the first time this year – Kayak. While there’s no official ‘Over-all Fishing Champion’ the last two years and now 2011 have seen a kayaker score the highest out of all competitors. This year’s Kayak champion & overall highest scorer, Steve Rigby, is another Hibiscus local who put his knowledge of the area to good use & landed a very impressive ‘bag’ of fish paddling out of Leigh Harbour. Steve’s total points of 338 were well ahead of second place Derrick Paulls 284. www.nzfisher.co.nz 13
gameFISHING
The Casting Kit
One thing that always impresses me is the
There were some hic-ups and there always
& East coasts to provide the best
enthusiasm & exceptional results of the
will be but there is no doubt the fishing,
opportunity for great fishing. Their
Auckland Lady Anglers club. Once again
casting & prize giving were great and
casting venue is none other than the
they dominated the ladies section and
thoroughly enjoyable.
world famous Manfield race track with
took out the Club Boat Section, ahead of
a near perfect casting court for the
all other clubs. Not only do they fish and
Next year’s Nationals are being hosted
best of the best to heave their stuff.
cast well, but these ladies show the rest
by the Fielding Surfcasting Club, based
NZFisher club will be there – we have
of us smelly, boring fisho’s how to have a
from Fielding and including enormous
some trophies to defend!
good time at the prize giving too.
boundaries including West, South
14 www.nzfisher.co.nz
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“If it works for the NZ Army, it’ll work for you!”
As used by the NZ Defence Force! www.nzfisher.co.nz 15
kayakFISHING
Ocean Kayak Ultra 4.3 makes a splash
Elite, Ultra and then...? By Reagan Ashton
The ultra 4.3 is latest in a line of five
fishing kayak.
front storage with locking easy ac-
ocean kayak fishing kayaks manufac-
At 4.3 meters the boat retains very good
cess hatch.
tured in New Zealand over the last 6
hull speed, but delivers good stability
years. It is combination of knowledge
and impressive maneuverability.
•
lows multiple foot positions for the
learnt from the above and Ocean
comfort of different size paddlers
kayak NZ.s consistent innovation and
The new features include:
determination to build the ultimate
•
16 www.nzfisher.co.nz
Adjustable foot track system – al-
The click seal hatch- water proof
•
Press in foam seat – comfortable backside support
kayakFISHING
•
Adjustable back rest- three position
The ultra 4.3 retains the standard
This boat has been designed with input
adjustable back rest.
features the ocean kayak range is re-
from New Zealand’s top kayak fisherman
•
Molded in rod holders behind the seat.
nowned for.
and hull designers with the sole aim of
•
Hatch access behind the seat- this
•
Molded in inserts
making the world’s best fishing kayak.
allows the battery to mounted at
•
Flag holder
For further information on the Ultra 4.3
the center of the boat.
•
Solid side handles
and the ocean kayak range go to
Multi fit transducer scupper.
•
Replaceable skid plate
www.oceankayak.co.nz
•
www.nzfisher.co.nz 17
boatFISHING
The NZFisher Competition Winners Report
After one cancellation due to weather the trip I won via NZ Fisher (online mag - look it up if you haven’t subscribed) out with Carl on Epic was finally on last Wednesday. A slightly late 4.50am start from Rotorua meant some quick times across the Waikato to pull into Tairua with 5 minutes to spare at 6.55.
By Shane Cameron See this article and comments online at fishing.net.nz
Unfortunately the rest of the crew - Derrick (NZ Fisher mag), Jai and Paul had been held up as an accident was cleared off h way 27 and were still an hour behind. No worries though - this gave Carl time to wander up to the bakery for some brekkie and allowed us to put another 5 or 6 liveys in the tank. Once the boys arrived with arm loads of rods and gear we were off to make it across a slightly lumpy looking bar before it was a no go. Finding more liveys in the soupy looking water inshore of Slipper proved fruitless so the call was made and Carl headed us out to the north of the Aldy’s. After a bit of a slow start to the jigging and with a brand new zest tail weighted on I finally hooked into something with weight on my poor old terminator 400 and Duel Speedy 20. lift, crank. Lose line, lift, crank, get a bit of line back, lose line again. and then, crack. Should have replaced that line really aye. No worries - this means I got to play with Carl’s bling. Jai the fired into life after looking a bit green on the trip out and proceeded to land three or four solid fish over the day in amongst the rats. He had the magic touch for the day and seemed to be able to do no wrong on the jigs or liveys.
Shane makes the honours board too 18 www.nzfisher.co.nz
2
2
boatFISHING
1
2
which resulted in........ 1)
On the road just after 6 - a detour up the
and a jig caught king.... 2)
Thames coast to drop some firewood to the
Paul got in on the action too..... 3)
in-laws batch and home to collapse in bed
and after a long day the rain finally came in
just after 10. Waaaay better than working!
and the last few drops were done in the wet
After 2 hours in the dish washer the final
A wicked day with a skipper who went the
product came out looking like this:
extra mile to find us fish and didn’t once laugh at my spastic imitation stick-insect
HUGE THANKS TO DERRICK AND CARL
jigging style. Carl had us on the go all day
FOR THE DAY!! Can’t wait to do it again
and didn’t get us back into the harbour un-
sometime. (So no one else enter any of
til after 5. He certainly does the hard yards!
their comps!)
3
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boatFISHING
How to win a National Championship The NZACA National Champ’s words By Steve Rigby
This is my account of Regan and
At 07.30 we pulled our anchors and
drop resulted in a nice snapper of about
Steve’s Nationals experience.
paddled out to our first deep water
3kg, ok this was good.
spot. Upon arrival we found some good Regan and I left Leigh boat ramp
looking sign on the sounder. Except
A few minutes later my lure got hit very
early with a plan to anchor near Cape
for a few gentle tugs and a couple of
aggressively on the way down by what
Rodney to catch a few yellow tail for
chewed softbaits we had no good bites
was obviously a better fish. After a few
livebaits and stray line for snapper.
though. We had stayed on our first spot
long runs and big headshakes the fish
We found a likely looking spot and
a bit too long and by now the tide had
started to come up and soon enough was
started fishing at about 05.15, just after
slackened off a bit and the snapper had
on the surface. I reached for my gaff, but
lines-down.
stopped feeding. Undeterred we kept
realised to my horror that I had left it in
trying, for another hour or so, largely
the ute, Bugger!
Straight away we started catching kaha-
unsuccessfully apart for a large barra-
wai; they were so abundant that I could
couta for me.
not get a bait past them, nor could I get any yellow tail for bait.
I could see that the fish was only hooked in the skin of its top lip so just lifting it out of
By about 9 am I was close to giving up
the water was not an option, after a bit of
on this spot so I called Regan to tell him
careful manoeuvring I managed to get my
Regan did considerably better than me
that I was going to try somewhere else, he
fingers into its gills and lifted it aboard.
and got his limit of 5 kahawai and two
told me that he had just caught a snapper
When I went to Iki this fish it started to thrash
nice snapper very early, one of which
and was getting bites again, things were
around on my lap and in order not to let go
was around 4.5 kg. I landed 4 weighable
looking up! Encouraged by this news I
I stuck my thumb further in to get a better
kahawai, a few blue mao mao, and a
paddled towards him a few metres and
hold. Bad idea! I then discovered with how
couple of throwback snapper.
found some likely looking sign. The first
much pressure a 5 kg snapper can bite with
20 www.nzfisher.co.nz
its back teeth and how much it hurts. With a
forts and several changes of lure I could
throbbing thumb I started fishing again
not tempt them to bite.
boatFISHING
and caught a few smaller snapper in the 1 to 1.5 kg range which I released (
As I got nearer to Leigh Reef I started to
Regan paddled over to me at this spot
I would regret this later) , another nice
see more and more sign on the sounder
and we did a few more drifts through
one of about 2.5 kg and a trevally of
but despite stopping and dropping
this area where I caught another trevally
about 2kg.
lures down I got no bites. The tide was
and another couple of snapper one of
so strong that each time I tried this I
which was my best one of the day at 7.5
drifted back quite a long way.
kg. Regan got another couple of snap-
By now we were getting fewer bites and seeing less sign on the sounder
per but no trevs.
so we decided to move. By this time
Eventually I reached the area which I want-
Regan had 7 snapper and 5 kahawai on
ed to fish and found a good school of fish
We paddled around this area for a while
board and I had 4 kahawai, 3 snapper
which looked like they might have been
looking for likely kingfish sign until I
and a trevally.
kingies. I wasted no time in dropping a
found a nice densely packed school of
200 gram jig down to them . The first drop
baitfish with a few bigger fish around
We headed back towards the Leigh reef
resulted in a hook up, it didn’t feel like a
the edges. We dropped jigs here and
against a pretty strong tide, progress
kingie though, no strong runs just constant
caught a few rat kingies each before
was slow, and about 5km/h was all I
weight and that tell tale nodding of the rod
calling it a day and heading home.
could manage. I noticed some birds
tip I suspected that this was a Trevally so I
working further out to sea so I headed
backed the drag off a bit and gently lifted
Paddling back was hard work with very
out towards them trolling a fly, while
the fish up through the water.
heavily loaded fish wells and tired arms.
Regan chose to paddle a more direct route towards the reef.
We had been on the water for over 10 I landed this fish which was indeed a
hours and had covered 24kms.
trevally without too much trouble and Upon reaching the birds I could see
paddled back up to the school. This time
What a day it had been, near perfect
several small schools of skipjack tuna
I dropped soft bait down and it got hit on
weather and plenty of hungry fish. We
on the surface but despite my best ef-
the drop by another trevally.
had been fishing mainly in water that was
Steve’s bag of fish weighed in ahead of all others at the Nationals and for the third year in a row the Hibiscus Kayak Fishing club topped the tables. Well done Steve! 130 to 140 feet deep and were using 1oz
was already about 15 knots. The sea was
three barely weighable snapper (I should
jig heads to get down to the fish. Most of
already quite rough when we reached
have kept some of the ones I released
the snapper were caught on 4 inch gulp
the end of the reef (despite the wind and
on Thursday). Regan already had his
jigging grubs whereas the trevally seemed
tide being from the same direction). With
limit of snapper so he released the ones
to prefer 5 inch jerk shads.
sea anchors out we were drifting along at
he caught. By 9.30 the wind was increas-
2.5km/h and paddling back against the
ing and rainclouds were gathering so
As the weather forecast for Friday was
wind we only managed 3.5km/h, this was
we decided enough was enough and
less than ideal, 20knot north easterlies
hard work. We found little in the way of
headed home.
developing in the morning we decided
kingfish sign, just a few bait schools. We
to make Friday’s trip a short one, the
did catch a couple of rat kings on jigs
ED: Steve’s bag of fish weighed in
plan was to try for a kingie at Leigh reef
and one on a soft bait.
ahead of all others at the Nationals and for the third year in a row the Hi-
before the wind got too strong. We left the boat ramp at about 6.30 and as we
Regan and I both caught a trevally on
biscus Kayak Fishing club topped the
got to the harbour entrance the wind
softbaits and I caught a kahawai and
tables. Well done Steve! www.nzfisher.co.nz 21
FISHINGvideo
Fishing Video of the Month
I can’t say too much about this
See www.youtube.com/
month’s Fishing Video, but can confirm
watch?v=lNM7pB5etz8 to watch this video
no sharks were killed in the making of this film.
For Espresso’s awesome video on catching big snapper on stupidly light line,
22 www.nzfisher.co.nz
Please be aware, it is a little bit bloody,
click here. Be sure to follow Espresso on
but there’s a happy ending!
The Fishing Website .
competition
The Kayaker’s Eldorado Our very own Jai Sanders of Hibiscus
We have secured one copy of this great
to send an email to Editor Derrick to
Kayak Fishing Club had a once in a
DVD to give away to a lucky NZFisher
enter the draw. To get a second entry,
lifetime opportunity to fish with legend-
reader, but wait – that’s not all – our
go to our NZFisher face book page
ary Jim Sammons on Jims recent trip to
copy is even signed by Jai himself!
[Hyperlink: http://www.facebook.com/
New Zealand. Yes, Jai’s an accomplished
NZFisherMagazine] & tell us who you’d
fisho in his own right, but fishing with
To win this disc, simply click here
Jim was an extraordinary experience.
[Hyperlink : derrickp@nzfisher.co.nz ]
really like the disc signed by!
www.nzfisher.co.nz 23
THEclubhouse
The NZFisher Club est. 2011
The Newest champions on the block!
As of the 30th May, the NZFisher club
fishing but master casting member, Neil
their own personal bests and running an
has a total membership of 4 people.
Angus rounded out a spectacular debut
annual ‘sweep’ for the best fish in the
Despite this small number, we four
nabbing a second placing in the hard
following species; Kingfish, Snapper,
managed to win two sections at the
fought casting competition.
Kahawai, Blue Cod & Gurnard.
We began the NZFisher club with the
Unlike so many of our fellow clubs
intention of offering a web-based club to
we don’t have clubrooms per-se,
The 2011 Championships coincided with
any anglers & casters who wish to join a
but you can find our ‘Clubhouse’
the beginnings of the NZFisher Club and
club that will probably only meet once a
at www.nzfisher.co.nz/clubhouse
were the perfect platform to kick start
year, have no finances to worry about &
in a couple of months.
the clubs being. An old fishing buddy of
will offer full access to IGFA, NZ Records,
mine teamed up with NZACA Masters
trophies and merit awards by joining
The plan is to get some teams together
champ Scott Tindale to compete in
the NZACA. As we have the intention of
to fish the likes of the Furuno’s, the
the men’s teams division which they
receiving no funds on behalf of the club
Nationals (Both NZACA & Sport Fishing
managed to pip the opposition and take
membership is set at just $10 for an adult
if they’ll let us!) and some regional
out first place.
– all of which is paid to the NZACA.
comps – I’m very keen to get on the
NZACA Nationals and come second and third in two others.
water nationwide! I fished in the boat section & also
NZFisher has always been about
managed first place. Scott, in his capacity
promoting fishing as a recreation in New
If you’re keen to join or simply want
as an individual also placed third in the
Zealand and the club will reflect this
more info, please drop me an email at
men’s boat section and our fourth, non-
desire by rewarding anglers who submit
derrickp@nzfisher.co.nz.
24 www.nzfisher.co.nz www.nzfisher.co.nz
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regionalREVIEWS
The Far North Source: Rick Pollock www.Pursuit.co.nz
Another big wind day followed
sword of 149 kilos on 60k tackle – a
Water temp and quality plummeted
by three beauts – not a bad ratio.
fitting catch to what may be the
despite little or favourable
Quite a few boats taking advantage
conclusion of a brilliant inaugural
(northerly) wind. Must be the act of
of nice weather inshore, predictably
start – well done. Otherwise a
sinister currents at work here which
far fewer further afield. Listening
few marlin seen here behind lures
we’ve seen so often, despite a kind
to the radio most everyone on the
or feeding on saurie but more
moon phase. Otherwise kingis and
water sounds cheerful and happy in
landed. Bottom fishing has taken
bottom fish have cooperated as per
their work – and why wouldn’t they
an abundant turn and suddenly
usual as have the bronzies if (when)
be in such glorious conditions.
become much harder after being
you outstay your welcome in any
quite vibrant over the last couple
one posse!
Doubtless Bay – Cape Karikari
months. Water remains warm at 19
Status quo. Water has cleaned
degrees C.
up considerably from last week’s
King Bank Similar here. After a decent marlin
deluges but this doesn’t seem to
North Cape – The Hook –
bite here only days ago, one visiting
affect the fishing one iota.
Compass Rose
boat could only muster two bites
A few skippies have turned up
and one fish for its troubles. That
Great Exhibition Bay
around here along with nice water
fish, at 97kgs, was decidedly taking
Also very similar to last week’s
but no marlin seen of late. Here,
advantage of the rich bounty there
report. A distinct lack of skippies, a
too, bottomfishing has fallen off
with five whole, maximum sized
very few marlin and seemingly nice
quite dramatically for no apparent
mao mao distending its stomach to
plump snapper everywhere.
reason. Back inshore, however,
capacity! Water had dropped a full
snapper are biting their heads off
degree (obviously still good enough)
Garden Patch
with some excellent quality amongst
with a decidedly green tinge to it.
Renewed interest and effort put into
the numbers. Also an influx of
Kingis and bass still keen to make up
the sword fishing there, both day and
decent trevally are testing anglers
the difference.
night propositions with success at
and providing good sashimi.
both. Veteran angler Guy Jacobsen
Newsflash
has had another couple chances at
Three Kings – Princes Group
On Wednesday afternoon May 11th
more coveted records with the last,
While koheru are still relatively easy to
charter boat “Enchanter” while
an unsuccessful bid on 10 kilo tackle
come by in Norwest Bay, using them
passing North Cape enrooted to the
ended after five hours of toil.
has been far more difficult. An influx of
Three Kings made an unexpected
On a more positive note, young
cold water (14-15 around the islands)
but spectacular catch. Mt
Bevan Beauchamp in his first year
may be the damper on kingfish feeding
Maunganui angler Mike Holdaway
behind the wheel of “Harlequin”
with difficult times of late – particularly
landed an All Tackle World Record
has had a cracker in every regard.
with anything artificial.
claim shortbill spearfish landed in a mere 130m water in less than
Landing more billfish than most any other boat this year, he’s still making
Middlesex Bank
outstanding water quality the
the most of his somewhat limited
After a brilliant spree which saw one
38.75kg fish surprised everyone.
opportunities at this time of year.
boat land five stripies over a two day
After being weighed in at Houhora
period and another manage three
the crew continued on with the big
out of a quadruple strike, things
fish mounted by Kevin Flute
have cooled (literally) considerably.
Rick
Girlfriend Olivia Woolston successfully boated a national record
26 www.nzfisher.co.nz
regionalREVIEWS
Coromandel Source: Carl Muir www.EpicAdventures.co.nz Hi all, this time of year takes a lot of
fishermen in the water had to rub his eyes
Out wide most of the structure around
beating. The Eastern Coromandel is
in disbelief as a striped marlin swum right
the Aldermen Islands is holding good
packed at the moment with fish and they
in to the transom of his boat. Looking at
kingfish. Scott Stonex fishing from his
are feeding up large. You don’t have to
the STT chart for Easter weekend (that will
little Surtees centre console reported
have a large boat to get into it either, as
teach me to look at it after the fact and
catching an est. 30kg fish quite a way
soon as you are a 100m or so from port
leave the marlin gear at home!) it is pretty
south of the Aldies at Easter on jig and
you will spot birds, fish and the hardest
evident to see why, a nice patch of warm
another which just dusted him big time
part will be choosing where to go and
water coming in from the south, pushing
(and Scott can stop most of them....)
what to chase.
21 degrees in places between the Aldies
Our livebait catching activities have often
and the Mayor.
The Mercury Pins have fired up big time. Crackerjack reef in particular (where we
been relegated to the wharf in the dark
So, they are still there it’s just a matter of
released 100kingis in a day on jigs last
early hours of the morning as once the
putting some time in. May last year we
year) has been firing back up, if you really
sun is up; there is that much carnage
had a stripey smashing up saurie next to
want to have your arms stretched big time
from the kahawai, snapper and kingfish
us while we were catching kingfish. June
this is the time of year to do it....with a lot
that the bait is too scary and flighty to
last year one of our fishos had a makka
of the kingfish moving out of the Gulf this
be caught. Here’s a bit of a run down on
livebait destined for a kingfish stolen by
spot holds a good congregations of these
what is on offer at the moment:
a marlin. There’s still some marlin to be
fish before they fan out back along the
caught yet we reckon.....
coast. The average size is not huge but
MARLIN
there a big numbers of fish and still some
While there are not that many captures
KINGFISH
to report over the last month, they are
The inshore kingfish are starting to show
still there, it is more a factor of no one
up in better size and we’ve had a couple
SNAPPER
out targeting them. Thames fisho Drew
of great stickbaiting sessions in close
Softbaiting in around the kahawai schools
Edwards proved this two weeks ago,
lately out from Tairua. The exception
along the coast, you can’t go wrong, the
venturing out in a 4.5m Stabicraft on
to the lack of catchable bait mentioned
10-20m mark is loaded with respectable
two glassy days in row and bagging a
above is when the kingis are in residence
sized snapper. Great fishing for those
marlin both days, the biggest a healthy
and in hunting mode, a big densely
in skis’ kayaks and small boats close
140kg specimen.
packed bait ball generally is a sign of
to home. Most of our snapper fishing
kingfish in numbers and this is when the
though has been in the deep while we’re
inshore stickbaiting really fires up for us.
targeting kingfish with livebaits and fresh
April has seen the jigging produce some
bait producing nice lines of snapper to
really good action, over the first week
top off some awesome kingi fishing.
Both of Drew’s marlin were caught on livebaited skippies (not that Drew would be seen dead trolling a lure!) on nice glassy days, one reasonably close to the 100m line where the bait was caught, the other right on top of the Hook. Another boat Black Jack caught a stripey in similar conditions a few days later amongst the bait, birds and dolphins south of Red Merc, again on a livebaited skipjack.
of April anything in orange was the hot colour and loads of fish in the 15-20kg mark were caught on jigs. Since then the fish have switched a little more to livebaits and we’ve seen all day bites and sounders just loaded with good schools of kingfish. These fish are fighting hard
Only this last Easter weekend Tairua
and an awesome average size. Plenty of
spearo Rick Turner was at Stingray rock
solid 20kg ++ fish taking baits.
south of the Aldermens with spear
big ones amongst them.
Now, we just need this easterly to blow out of steam and enjoy it! If you’re keen to get amongst the action and maybe learn a trick or two we have plenty of spots coming up over May and June. Check out of calendar here and let us know if you’re keen to get amongst it. www.epicadventures.co.nz/ availability.html Cheers Carl and Tobes www.nzfisher.co.nz 27
regionalREVIEWS
Bay of Plenty Source: Mark Armishaw www.extremesportfishing.co.nz I know it has just been far too
big buggers just did not look up to
and even put some of the gear
long since my last report, not that
smash our lures.
away. Not me though, this is the
things haven’t been happening but
time to get out there and into
its more just a matter of getting
Out on the banks the jigging was
some of the best kingfish action
down in front of the computer to
fantastic with two days of steady
the bay of Plenty offers.
write it all down.
action and great weather, lots of fish
in the 20kg class and plenty of mid to
The next couple of months will be
3 Kings
late twenties as well.
full of solid jigging action as the
We have just got back from an
fish start to school up again on
exhausting and successful trip to
I will be doing some more detailed
the reefs and then just around the
the Three Kings islands, this year
reports for the bay fisher and Modern
corner it will be top water time.
we ventured up on the reliable
fishing for all you Australians out there.
vessel cascade.
I simply cannot wait for those huge
After this trip a few of the guys
schools of fish to turn up and start
This is my third trip on Cascade
have already banged their names
smashing surface lures, there is simply
and I have to say I am always blown
down for a trip to Ranfurly banks
no better way to catch a big king.
away by the level of service these
in December, for those of you who
guys give.
think you can handle giant kings
For myself I am off to New Caledonia
slamming jigs all day long and may
on an Ocean Blue fishing trip soon to
Mike Boswell is a great skipper and
want to join us then let me know
tangle with some GTs and then when
gave his all to give our guys the best
ASAP because this one is already
I get back I hope to give the Swords
opportunity to get stuck into the
half full.
a hard time during the day, this will
fish. The top water action just did
all be in between chasing mega kings
not happen for us on this trip, after
Local fishing
and trying out some new techniques
last year’s impressive effort I was
As we head into winter everybody
that I assure you will be something to
hoping for much the same but the
starts to complain about the fishing
look out for.
Free casio watch
Biscayne
with every Fin-Nor rod & reel combo AHAB
valued at
15000
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28instore www.nzfisher.co.nz Ask for details.
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FOSTERING CHANGE Marine recreational fishing in New Zealand All welcome
Members and non-memb
ers
Get involved...
to design a future that has guaran
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teed access to abundant
in NZ. Hear ideas about reform of the recreational fishing sector, lessons from recreational models in operation and from the fishing media about public opinion for cha nge.
NZ Recreational Fishing Council Conference 1st-2nd July 2011
New Plymouth Sportfishing & Underwater Club, New Plymouth Register online at www.recfish.co.nz or contact Secretary, Sheryl Hart 07 8258867 www.nzfisher.co.nz 29
NEXTmonth
In the next issue of NZ Fisher… • A week at the Three Kings • Broadbill season warms up • The Prowler Ultra 4.3 Paddled
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