NZ Fisher issue 77 by Espire Media

ISSUE 77

March 2018

Autumn Blitz!

Fresh or Salt, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a Season of Highs! 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.

HOT NEW KAYAK FISHING CHANNEL

NORTH ISLAND AUTUMN FRESH WATER OPTIONS

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

EDITOR / Derrick Paull GROUP EDITOR / Colin Kennedy ART DIRECTOR / Jodi Olsson

18.

CONTENT ENQUIRIES /

Anchovy ANARCHY!

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

28.

LEGASEA UPDATE

2018 NAUTI GIRLS

24.

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!

SUMMERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GONE, NOT FORGOTTEN

30.

READER PICS

34. www.nzfisher.co.nz 3

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4 www.nzfisher.co.nz

www.catchfishing.co.nz

ITH

1/0 JIGGING H OO K

EDITORIAL

e’ve been treated to pretty

are appearing in what I’d call plague

darn hot fishing this season,

proportions some places - in this

subject of course, to the

case, Eastern Beach, Auckland.

windows the weather’s offered. But while some are already feeling a cold nip in the air, there’s still a world of fish out there hungry to be caught. There have been some exciting reports recently (and a few pics to back them up) such as one of an 80.25kg Yellowfin Tuna by Dick Sheridan off Northland. So there’s plenty to keep

In Aussie, they rave about prawns as a great bait, but they’re normally poopooed here in New Zealand - this kind of feeding is worth making a note of. If these prawns are invasive, it’ll be interesting to see what effect they have on both fish and fisher behaviour.

the deep-sea anglers excited, plus

Well, I’m off for a months holiday

huge numbers of kingfish around

with the family so I’d like to welcome

many reefs and hungry snapper and

Naomi Peterson, the real engine

kahawai sucking up everything that

behind NZFisher back to the editor’s

swims in our bays and harbours.

chair as she brings the April issue

Interestingly there’s been some high

together while I’m away. Thanks for

numbers of prawns showing up in

reading NZFisher and please flick a

the bellies of snapper and kahawai

copy to fishing friends and family

in the northern harbours. These do

who you think would enjoy a read. As

appear to be a native species - as

always NZFisher is free and we intend

noted here by Jackson Baker. They

to keep it that way! Enjoy this issue

www.nzfisher.co.nz 5

// KAYAK FISHING

Hot New Kayak Fishing Channel from Kerry Flowers

6 www.nzfisher.co.nz

’ve never met Kerry Flowers,

the boundaries, searching for new

but like many of you I’ve heard

highs and bigger, feistier fish.

his name and seen various

reports of his kayak fishing exploits over the past five or so years as he’s pushed the boundaries of what’s possible on a kayak.

This month Kerry has launched his YouTube channel with this brief exciting and on-point video introducing the channel and Kerry’s desire to share his fresh adventures

From huge kingfish and snapper to

chasing some of New Zealand’s

the very first marlin hooked and

biggest fish. Check out Kerry’s page

captured on a kayak in New Zealand,

here and subscribe to get updates

Kerry has done it and keeps pushing

when he loads new videos. 

www.nzfisher.co.nz 7

// TROUT FISHING

North Island Autumn Freshwater Options Get some awesome autumn fishing in before the true cold strikes BY Mike Davis

8 www.nzfisher.co.nz

utumn and early winter are

are now in prime condition - a must

a weird time for freshwater

if they are to survive the rigours of

fishers. The colder nights and

the impending spawning period.

cool water temperatures make many

While the warm summer evenings

anglers lethargic and just as happy

may have been replaced by crisp,

to relax at home, their fishing

still mornings and nights, the fishing

gear stored in the back shed. In

remains red-hot, providing many

fact, autumn can produce some of

different opportunities for the angler.

the best fishing of the season.

In the North Island, the rainbow trout

By autumn-early winter, the fish

dominate, and fisheries like those

have gorged themselves all summer

in the Rotorua and Taupo regions

on baitfish and large terrestrials, and

are outstanding during this period.

www.nzfisher.co.nz 9

// TROUT FISHING Lakes The weather patterns during autumn

but do so over a wider area. The major benefit for the fly-fisher is

are fine, stable and settled. Blue skies

that rainbow trout suddenly come in

and light variable winds predominate,

closer to the shoreline, making them

but the overnight air temperatures

easier for land-based anglers to target.

start to drop dramatically. As the

Even better, river and stream mouths

air and water temperatures fall,

will see good numbers of fish starting

trout once again spread themselves

to congregate increasingly around

throughout the water column

the drop-offs during the settled

because the thermocline weakens

periods. This continues until heavy

and becomes less defined.

rains send down a ‘fresh’ (coloured

“

If you intend fishing a river or stream mouth in the dark, make sure you do a reconnaissance in daylight first. Many river mouths have a steep drop-off that can be dangerous in the dark.

or extra water that flushes the river), encouraging the waiting fish to enter the river systems and begin their yearly spawning migrations - brown trout should already be in the middle of their spawning cycle and will also be easier to target than at any other time of the year. When the weather is

For those who don’t know, the

fine, shore-based fishing tends

thermocline is the border between

to be hard during daylight hours;

the layer of deep cold water and

success is generally enjoyed in the

warmer surface water, which

hours of darkness, in the evening,

becomes very defined during the

or early morning, at the break of

summer months. As it dissipates,

day. Most anglers fish a sinking or

the fish continue to feed hard and

intermediate fly line during the night

chase the smelt continuously,

with a luminous fly on the end.

10 www.nzfisher.co.nz

Luminous (‘lumo’) flies glow when

have especially steep drop-offs that

charged up by a torch or camera flash;

need to be treated with respect.

recharging will be required 10 to 15 minutes later. If you rarely tangle up when casting, using two flies can be a great option. It’s great to be able to fish with one dark fly and one lumo fly, as either one can comprehensively out-fish the other on any given day. If you intend fishing a river or stream mouth in the dark, make sure you

Usually, the depth of the dropoff is dictated by the volume of water entering the lake, but this is not always the case. Streams such as the Waimarino fall away into deceptively deep water so must be checked out before fishing. When the rains fall in the Rotorua

do a reconnaissance in daylight first.

region, places such as the Lake

Many river mouths have a steep

Okataina beach and the streams

drop-off that can be dangerous in

entering Lake Rotoiti on the eastern

the dark so you can drive a stick or

end, come alive. Ruato, Waieti, the

stake into the sand a few metres in

Dump, Transformer and The Pipe all

front of the drop-off to let you know

fish exceptionally well during the

where it is. Some of the Taupo rivers

day when the weather is really bad.

www.nzfisher.co.nz 11

“

The jigging on Lakes Rotoiti and Okataina is red-hot during the autumn period. Five or six years ago the peak of the jigging season was January and February, but nowadays April and May out-fish the other month’s hands-down. The best way to target the fish along

around Lake Okataina’s deeper drop-

here is with a sinking shooting-

offs during the morning session,

head line attached to Booby flies.

then as the sun gets higher and

Cast as far as you can, wait for the

the lake begins to warm in the

flies to reach the bottom, then

middle of the day, we change to

retrieve slowly. Keep your leader

other methods such as jigging.

length short between the fly and

The jigging on Lakes Rotoiti and

fly line, approximately 50cm.

Okataina is red-hot during the

The booby fly will rise and fall as it

autumn period. Five or six years

is retrieved - and the trout hit them

ago the peak of the jigging season

hard! This kind of fishing tends to

was January and February, but

be very slow and methodical, but

nowadays April and May out-fish

can be very effective. Every autumn

the other month’s hands-down.

some of the North Island’s biggest

On Rotoiti, the area from Hauparu

rainbows will be caught on a Booby

Bay-Gisborne Point, all the way

fly from this area. Consequently,

through to The Pipe, hold large

many anglers target their trophy fish

numbers of fish. The most effective

here, as it is not uncommon for the

patterns used here tend to be smelt

fish to weigh up to 14lb (6.35kg).

variations such as the Grey Ghost,

We often Booby fish from a boat

Ginger Mick and Jack Sprat.

12 www.nzfisher.co.nz

Rivers

through April and May, and most

I love fishing rivers around this time

of the overseas tourist anglers will

of the year, especially up in the

have left our shores. This means less

backcountry. Fish can still be tempted

pressure on our back-country waters,

to come up and take terrestrials off

so some of the fishing can be amazing.

the surface, and some rivers will have

The best part of fishing the

concentrated mayfly hatches. The

backcountry now is that fish will still

majority of fish caught will be on the

move to intercept the fly, which is

nymph, but having the opportunity

quite different to the lake-running

to also fish dries is a great bonus.

fish that sit on the bottom once

The rivers are generally low and clear

they enter the river to spawn.

www.nzfisher.co.nz 13

14 www.nzfisher.co.nz

When there is a fresh in the major

For most anglers, autumn and winter

rivers, the smaller tributaries fill up

river fishing revolves around the

with trout running from the parent

Taupo and Rotorua regions. Rotorua

river. This adds another dimension

only has a couple of spawning

to the backcountry and gives the

tributaries, with most of the fish

angler some pretty unique fishing

spawning in streams no larger than

opportunities because many of

drains or along the sandy beaches.

these small tributaries do not hold

The Ngongotaha and Waiteti are the

fish for much of the season.

two major spawning rivers here, and

The added attraction of fishing

once the rains come, the rainbows

these smaller waters is that you can

enter en masse. The streams are tight

comfortably fish a 5- or 6-weight

and small with lots of snags and loads

fly-fishing outfit. These smaller rods

of fish, making them some of most

are comfortable in the hand, give

interesting waters you will ever fish.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

delicacy to the presentation and, most of all, have soul. When in the backcountry, leave your Glo-bugs at home and save them for the Rotorua and Taupo rivers. You need only take your natural fly patterns and camera. Also, remember the backcountry season finishes up at the end of June, so with the cold and wet weather imminent, make the most of this fishing while you can.

When there is a fresh in the major rivers, the smaller tributaries fill up with trout running from the parent river. This adds another dimension to the backcountry and gives the angler some pretty unique fishing opportunities www.nzfisher.co.nz 15

“

There are very few places in the world that boast the variety and quality of trout fishing that New Zealand offers during this part of the year, so do yourself a big favour and make the most of it. Spring-fed, these streams are

They can be successfully fished

deceptively clear, while the pools

in different ways, from swinging

are short and deep. This means

wet flies with single or double-

reasonably-heavily-weighted nymphs

handed rods to upstream nymphing

are needed to get down to the bottom

with the standard fly rod.

- much heavier than you would

The catch rates when using wet

expect for the size of the water.

flies won’t be as high as when

Also, thanks to all those snags, very

fishing nymphs, but the average

strong tippets are needed to control

size of fish caught will be larger,

the fish once hooked; fishing with

so both techniques have their

tippets under 8lb (3.5kg) is foolish,

merits - this is not to say you

and when the rivers are carrying

won’t catch really large fish while

some colour you may be fishing

nymphing, you can, but less often.

up to 5kg down to the flies.

When the Tongariro and Tauranga-

The Taupo rivers are larger freestone

Taupo Rivers are coloured or running

waterways and are world renowned.

green, egg-imitation patterns or

More books have probably been

Glo-bugs of different colours work

written about them than any other

well, but as they clear, the natural

waterway in the country. These

patterns begin to work better.

riverbeds are open, making them

The biggest thing to remember is that

very accessible and heavily fished.

if the flies are not visible to the fish,

16 www.nzfisher.co.nz

you won’t catch them. When the fish

end of June, is that you have many

run these rivers, they tend to sit on

options. Anglers can be fishing from

the bottom, so heavy flies are needed

a boat one day, up in a back-country

to get down to them.

stream in the middle of nowhere the

Through autumn and into the early

next and then on the way home might

parts of winter is when the biggest fish

fish the Taupo rivers.

tend to run, the numbers of fish won’t

There are very few places in the world

peak until September and October.

that boast the variety and quality of trout

The best thing about fishing

fishing that New Zealand offers during

these waterways before there are

this part of the year, so do yourself a big

restrictions, or they close at the

favour and make the most of it. 

www.nzfisher.co.nz 17

// BOAT FISHING

Anchovy ANARCHY!

Josh Darby shows off a nice king hooked on the edge of anchovy work-up action

BY tutor, guide, lure tester and charter skipper Nik Key www.snapfishingventures.com

18 www.nzfisher.co.nz

t’s anchovy time again - those

The first thing I’d like to point out

two or three months when a

is that every season is different. For

huge area in the Hauraki Gulf

example, while there were masses of

holds schools of anchovies. These

skipjack tuna chasing the anchovies

schools are spread far and wide at

last year; this year the tuna have not

the time of writing this article, from

arrived in the same numbers.

East Coast Bays up past Kawau Island

The anchovies also school together

and across the gulf to the top of

with pilchards, which should become

Coromandel Peninsula, down into the

more abundant soon. Obviously, these

Firth, and everywhere in between!

schools get huge, and the work-ups can

I’ve been taking advantage of this

last for days when the baitfish become

seasonal pattern for years and would

concentrated. So, no doubt about it

like to pass on what I’ve learned.

now is the time to chase the anchovy!

www.nzfisher.co.nz 19

// BOAT FISHING The Biology of the Anchovy

Spawning grounds extend from

The anchovy found in New Zealand,

shallow water out to the mid-

Engraulis australist; (kokowhaawhaa),

shelf, and the eggs are pelagic.

is primarily a resident of inshore

No reliable ageing work has been

waters such as harbours, gulfs, bays

undertaken in New Zealand, but

and some large estuaries, and it’s also

some information is available for this

found all around the Australian coast.

species in Australia, where it matures

Scientists believe that the New

at one year and reaches 16cm at six

Zealand species, like its Australian

years of age. The main size range of

counterparts, comes inshore during spring, then moves further out to sea in the winter. The vertical distribution in the water column is not known, but it seems likely they occur throughout the depths between the surface and the coastal seafloor. Anchovy are planktivorous, feeding mainly on copepods. They form compact schools, particularly during the warmer months, and larger fishes, seabirds, and marine mammals prey heavily upon them. Although they generally form single-species schools, anchovies are closely associated with other small pelagic fishes, particularly pilchards and sprats. The reproductive cycle is not well known; the main spawning season appears to be spring-summer, but in northern regions spawning may occur through much of the year.

20 www.nzfisher.co.nz

“

the anchovy in north-eastern New Zealand is 8−14cm, which are likely to be two- to five-year- old Fish.

The best time to fish them is when they’re being rounded up, concentrating them into ‘meatballs’ or ‘boil ups’ by predators that include skipjack tuna, kahawai, trevally, kingfish and local marine mammals.

Over the years, usually in March Finding the Anchovies As stated above, the anchovies are holding in vast, spread-out areas of the Hauraki Gulf, and the best time to fish them is when they’re

and April, we have had spectacular fishing against Rangitoto Island (just north of the lighthouse), where the anchovies frequently get pushed up onto the rocks by marauding kahawai.

being rounded up, concentrating

The water below us sparkles with

them into ‘meatballs’ or ‘boil ups’

scales as well as bits of anchovy,

by predators that include skipjack

creating a natural berley trail to

tuna, kahawai, trevally, kingfish

attract the snapper, which are also

and local marine mammals.

in close taking advantage of the

Obviously, on flat calm seas, it is far easier to find the anchovies, as you can see the birds either sitting on the water or skipping over and into the water feeding on them. Birds will often sit on or near the bait so as not to expend unnecessary energy, so don’t drive

feeding opportunity. When the ‘boil ups’ have been going on all day, it can be very rewarding for the bigger specimens at the change of light. This is adrenaline-fuelled fishing at its best; we have caught snapper up to 7kg in three to five metres of water on light soft-bait gear at such times.

past these raft-ups. Instead, look

We have also left angry, hungry

around them on your sounder; you

snapper biting, seen other anglers

could be surprised, as I have been on

fishing on anchor, maybe 300 to

numerous occasions, at what you see.

500m away, and on the way home

As the anchovies get pushed closer into the ‘bucket’ we know as the

asked them how the fishing was, for the reply, “Very slow.”

Hauraki Gulf, they become piled

I believe that the reason for this is

up inshore; it’s a great time for

that the snapper in the area are drawn

recreational boaties, with smaller

into where the anchovies are being

vessels able to take advantage

rounded up, leaving elsewhere devoid

of this seasonal bonanza.

of snapper.

// BOAT FISHING

Fishing the Anchovies

that looked like an anchovy, point

When fishing the anchovy schools, it

the rod tip to the water and

is either really difficult or really easy

wind fast. This would often end up

to get snapper and other predators

with a very happy angler holding

to bite. As we all know, fish can be

light gear while the line screamed

very finicky at times, so when the

off the reel at a furious rate.

fishing is like this, I like to ‘match the hatch’. I find a 3-4” soft-plastic

Other days it does not matter what you drop down into the mayhem:

or small jig that looks like and

we have often caught the biggest

moves like an anchovy will entice

snapper or kingfish on a 100-150g

these tentative, focused feeders.

slow-jig that looks nothing like the

We had a great time in April-May

baitfish present. This just proves

last year towards the top of the

what I have always said: you need

Coromandel (about 4nm west of

to try everything at your disposal

Fantail Bay) using this tactic for

to see what works at the time. You

skippies. We would find a boil-

never stop learning when you have

up, cast into it with a soft-plastic

this open-minded attitude. 

22 www.nzfisher.co.nz

Be FishCare Aware!

SCHOOL OF BEST PRACTICE

Tip of the month: Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time you came round to circle hooks. Circle hooks will: 1. Lip hook fish more often, and

D A N G LI

NG CAS TI N G

H E NE W - T ZE

Image courtesy of NZ Fishing News

2. Improve their chance of survival upon release. Reduce your impact. Help rebuild our inshore fishery. Learn the 5 FishCare principles at www.fishcare.co.nz

I AT I O N (I

www.nzfisher.co.nz 23

// COMPETITION FISHING

2018 Nauti Girls Finally - the weather and fish turned up together! BY Naomi Peterson

A new PB snapper for Jan 24 www.nzfisher.co.nz

Hooked up!

hat do you get when

Whangamata on the first weekend of

you put 568 female

February. Boasting a prize pool worth

anglers together in a

over $45,000, it attracts the serious

one-day fishing competition? A seriously fantastic weekend of fun, fishing and fashion at the Whangamata Ocean Sports Clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nautigirls fishing competition.

and the social female anglers alike. The weather was a bit dubious this year, but by 6am on the morning of the competition, boats were already lined up in the harbour waiting for

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s become a well known and

the flag to be hoisted, signalling that

attended competition on the

fishing was all-go. As soon as that flag

fishing calendar, held annually in

was up, we were off with the masses.

Kylie with the winning snapper

26 www.nzfisher.co.nz

Kingis smashed the jigs

We planned to fish in close due to

snapper. We caught kahawai on the

the weather, but as we headed out

small Rapalas and had so much fun

the harbour entrance and towards

with the kingis smashing our jigs on

Onemana, the conditions were much

every drop.

better than forecast. The call was made to head to the Alderman Islands for snapper and kingfish. The morning turned out quite spectacular, and we had some of

Back at the tent that evening, it seemed everyone had had an amazing day judging by the smiles and the laughter, and the number of fish

the best fishing weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had in this

weighed in supported this. Credit to

competition. One in our team picked

the Whangamata Ocean Sport Club

up her PB snapper, and another

for all their hard work putting on an

landed what would be the winning

absolute Stella event once again. ď&#x201A;§

www.nzfisher.co.nz 27

// FISHERIES MANAGEMENT

Legasea Update

www.legasea.co.nz

t’s competition time and the LegaSea team has been attending a raft of events around the country,

presenting the FishCare programme and gathering responses to the Crayfish Crisis campaign.

Northland Starting in the far north, LegaSea spent two days at the ITM Doubtless Bay Fishing competition talking with contestants and signing people up

In the first seven weeks after the holiday

to the LegaSea cause. This effort was

break LegaSea has been involved in

made possible with the help of our

activities enabling us to engage with

long-term volunteer Phil van Loghem,

more than 2000 people. The opportunity

and Si Yates, LegaSea’s Corporate

to talk to this many folk while they are

Relations and Fundraising Manager.

out and about having fun is pure gold.

ITM is a LegaSea Platinum Partner so

Thanks to everyone for the invitations.

we were excited to join forces with

LegaSea doesn’t have the resources

them and support this local event.

to attend every event we are invited

Toll Stadium was this year’s venue for

to however, we do appreciate the

the Ngapuhitanga Festival. Around

commitment that people have in

400 people engaged with our team

helping others to understand the need

throughout the day to learn more

for more fish in the water and a healthy

about fisheries issues. The FishCare

marine environment.

material was of particular interest

If you have an event coming up please

with its kaitiakitanga (guardianship)

message, helping people to care

or send you some material to share

for, and protect, the marine

with your crew.

environment for future generations.

28 www.nzfisher.co.nz

Crayfish Crisis campaign The Crayfish Campaign video has been a helpful tool in elevating people’s awareness of depletion issues. The Eastern Coast

feedback from experienced fishers about

Thanks to our volunteers, the

the state of the fishery is disturbing. The

LegaSea Hawkes Bay team, and

CRA 2 fishery on the northeast coast is

LegaSea’s FishCare Ambassador

at an all-time low and it is clear that the

Mandy Kupenga we managed to

Minister needs to act decisively to bring it

get to six events on the east coast

back from the brink. The joint recreational

between Auckland and Napier in

submission sent to MPI in February urges

January and February. Without a

a more precautionary approach be taken

doubt, the tide of opinion is turning

when managing all our precious crayfish

against depleted fisheries and this is

stocks. Feel free to download the crayfish

demonstrated by the 3900 Crayfish Campaign surveys completed within

submission summary here to learn

the first three weeks of its launch.

more.A link to the submission summary is now online, here.

Manawatu Keen advocate Allan Davidson travelled

Subscribe a mate

from Wellington to Waitarere Beach

To be successful we need people

up the Manawatu coast to talk with

engaged and learning about the state of

the local fishing club in early February.

our inshore fisheries. Ask your friends,

This was a fantastic opportunity to

family, any fishing folk, “May I please

engage with grassroots fishers and

have your permission to subscribe

hear their perspectives. The LegaSea

to the LegaSea database?”. Then click

message of restoring abundance

here to enter their details. If you

and providing a better fishing

want us to do the data entry send us

experience for all was well received.

an email with the details. Easy as. 

Call 0800 LEGASEA (534 273)

Subscribe at www.legasea.co.nz

Email us info@legasea.co.nz