NZ Fisher Issue 23

ISSUE 23 April 2013

Fish Your Feet First Te Atatu Creek Kingfish!?!?

Solo West coast Marlin

www.nzfisher.co.nz 1

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22

editorial

CONTENTS Pg 8

10

FISHINGFUTURE 6 Where the Roads are Leading LOCALFISHING 8 Fish Your Feet First 10 Up the Creek With(out) a Gaff FISHINGTHEORIES 12 It’s All About the Numbers SPORTFISHING 14 Solo Marlin!

16 Coromandel Calling 18

Reader Pics & competition

JETSKIFISHING 22 King of Jetskifishing 2013 JETSKIFISHING 24 A Perfect Fishing Competition(nearly!)

28

Video of the month

Pg 24

www.nzfisher.co.nz 3

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Today, Honda’s forward thinking comes together to bring you a reliable, fuel efficient range of outboards.

From 2.3hp to 250hp.

TheBegin ing

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4 www.nzfisher.co.nz

Scan me for a free cap!

editorial

//From the

EDITOR ABOUT /

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.

EDITOR / Derrick Paull ART DIRECTOR / Jodi Olsson CONTENT ENQUIRIES / Phone Derrick on 021 629 327 or email derrickp@NZ Fisher.co.nz ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES / Phone Richard on 09 522 7257

AS SUMMER FIGHTS a long, slow

fly but also on traditional gear (well, if

or email richardl@espiremedia.com

battle to its death my land-based

soft-plastics are considered traditional

ADDRESS / NZ Fisher,

fishing bones are getting restless.

now!) and small, sinking stickbaits. For

C/- Espire Media, PO Box 137162,

Yes, it’s beginning to feel like moocher

a while there I hadn’t bought stinky

Parnell, Auckland 1151, NZ

time and I’m ready to get my hands

bait for about 5 years and now with

WEBSITE / www.NZ Fisher.co.nz

covered in fish blood ‘n guts again.

fly, stickbaits, plastics Inchikus and

But before I do, I have one more

heavy metal jigs I think it’s going to be

mission to accomplish – snapper, from

a long while again until I do again!

the shore, on a fly rod. It’s amazing what all this sun will do to a man!

I was involved in the Fishing Future Search meeting in Nelson in February

I’m hooked (Sorry, poor pun there)

and since have had many a long

on Saltwater fly-fishing and there’s

conversation with fishy individuals on

only one cure – actually catching

both sides of the rec-fishing political

something! These guys are doing

spectrum. Rather than just paint rosy

some pretty awesome things on the water inside the harbour and NZFisher is right behind them. Check out the ‘Fish your feet first article in this issue and a bit of a series on fishing close to

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!

picture of the agreed action plans, I’ve put together a very brief overview of the current fisheries management landscape. If it bores you – go fishing!

home in the next few issues.

Just recently I’ve been enjoying the

Tight lines,

fruits of our backyard, not just with

Derrick

Main pic: “SOLO MARLIN” Angler Mike Feather, Credit: Derrick Paull Inset: “Kenepuru Snapper” Angler Bevan Middlebrook

www.nzfisher.co.nz 5

FISHINGfuture

Where the Roads are Leading

By Derrick Paull I’VE SPENT MANY hours reading into,

‘Fishin Future Search (finding

This is the first ambitious project

listening about, debating and analysing

their wings and leaving the wing

to develop foundation policies and

the state of recreational fishing and

of the Rec Fishing Council).

hopefully not the last. The document

how we, as recreational fishers, are managed in New Zealand.

They’ve both arrived with baggage of their histories but there’s a real

makes great reading and begins to unpeel a few truths about recreational fisher activity and influence on our

When I came onto the rec-fishing

desire in both camps to improve

lobby scene it was under the wing of

the ability of the rec-fishing sector

Keith Ingram and into the folds of the

to strengthen, understand and

Recreational Fishing Council. I was led

exercise our rights under the

to believe that they were the only group

current fisheries act. There are

worth their salt and that ‘other lot’ were

key differences and some startling

worthless. I’m not one to simply take

similarities but the end goal appears

With 32,000 members nationwide the

the word of indoctrinated individuals

to be fairly similar regardless

NZSFC have an extensive base to call

who are often pushing their own

of the method to get there.

on for funding and do a commendable

barrow, so over time I’ve joined more groups and broadened my knowledge

Legasea, in hand with their parent

fisheries. Legasea are up and running with a full head of steam; they are at the forefront of fisheries management with a team of paid professionals funded through a voluntary payment base.

job with the resources they have.

organisation the New Zealand Sport

What has changed recently is the

Fishing council have produced one of

(successful) running of the ‘Fish n’

In the recent past two groups

the most forward thinking documents

future search’ (F ‘n FS) in Nelson

have come into existence; Legasea

which addresses the pressure by both

over a long weekend in February.

(risen from the ashes of Option4)

recreational & commercial fishers on

The event was organised to explore

and an un-named group bought

the Snapper 1 (North Cape –Cape

diverse needs, to foster the discovery of

together under the banner of

Runaway) fishery.

common ground and spark constructive

of the issues and some history.

6 www.nzfisher.co.nz

FISHINGfuture

action that will ultimately benefit all

Under the guidance of Sandra Janoff,

whole community to work together

stakeholders and support sustainable

(Future Search USA founder) the

to define & protect our fisheries and

marine fisheries. The meeting included

group realised eight areas of common

66 individuals from a diverse set of

ground, points where all groups and

backgrounds, drawing participants from

backgrounds came together and

came to unanimous agreement on the

throughout New Zealand.

understood the future requires the

following ideals:

their entire environment. The group

THEME COMMON GROUND STATEMENT Sustainable fisheries We ensure a healthy marine environment enjoyed by all.

Community buy-in and support We all take pride in an abundant and healthy marine environment when our community extends Manaakitanga over our fisheries and oceans.

Unity across the recreational fishing sector We believe in unity and inclusion within the recreational fishing community.

Equity of access We strive to ensure equity of access through stakeholder Engagement Education We ensure New Zealanders understand and value our marine environment and its resources so we can all be responsible for a better future.

Governance We are a recognised representative and accountable body that promotes and protects responsible recreational fishing.

Sustainable funding We create an independent and sustainable income stream to achieve our aspirations and meet our responsibilities.

Communication We create a comprehensive strategy and a network to communicate with members, stakeholders, media and other interested parties.

Future?

with the right action and direction

What does this mean in practice?

they seem possible and appropriate.

All the participants at the event

progress – I don’t agree with the

The one real big bug-bear was how

agreed that a national body is

Ministry that there needs to be

to pay for it; Licensing was supported

required to promote and protect

just one voice. And let’s be honest,

by a majority of participants but the

responsible fishing. There will be

there’s not much chance of these

process doesn’t allow for majorities,

a journey to identify exactly what

two ideologically distant groups

it needed a consensus so there was

functions this national body will

agreeing on everything; but there is

no agreement on licensing – but it did

undertake and how it will work

a good chance that common ground

cause the group to think critically and

with existing recreational fishing

can be found and the two groups

thinking outside the square came up

organisations. The steering group

working together for a realistic,

with some creative and fruitful ideas

will be driving the process to specify

common gain is possible and really,

on funding. The Ministry of Primary

the functions and form of the

it’s desirable for the average fisher.

Industries has committed to funding

national body and will ensure that all

We’ll do our best to keep you

the next three rounds of meetings, on

progress is undertaken in the spirit

informed as news arrives, but in the

the premise of preferring one group

of the common ground agreements.

short term we strongly suggest you

to communicate with instead of the

It is estimated it will take 3 years to

read the NZSFC Snapper 1 policy

many groups on the board at present.

get the new body fully operating.

document, here.

While the goals here seem lofty now,

I’m keen to see both groups

www.nzfisher.co.nz 7

localFISHING It’s like we were meant to be there

Fish Your Feet First A good day at the office with the Marlin Queen. And that was a tough fishing day.

Fly Flinging in the inner harbour

By Derrick Paull and Matt von Sturmer

Pt Chev Snapper

TO MANY PEOPLE there is much

I spent a really pleasant afternoon

more to fishing than just dropping a

on a shell bank off Point Chevalier

line in the water and hoping for the

chatting with Matt and learning a

best. I find these people fascinating

few of his secrets. It’s easy to think

and I try and get out with as many real

he’s pulling you leg with stories of

‘anglers’ as I can. In these folks there’s

regular bag-limit hauls of to 50cm

a passion that goes much deeper than

from under the nose of stressed out

just putting fish on the table.

city commuters.

I recently met Matt von Sturmer. His

It’s not until you’re there, rod in hand

weakness? Saltwater-fly; And not

looking into the clear, fishy water that

just that – he frequents the inner

you realise just how many fish are

harbour shallows. Areas we’d call

feeding up in the harbour shallows

marginal at best.

over summer.

Very surprisingly Matt usually catches

We’re going to follow Matt and his

more than the rest of us, in areas we

saltwater Fly Fisher buddies over the

just gaze at. If you registered that there

next few months in the ‘Fish your feet

were fish there at all, I’d bet you’d think

first’ section of NZFisher, so if you’re

just mullet and flounder, but Matt’s

into catching more near your back

been nailing snapper – good snapper –

doorstep, watch this space.

in water so shallow you can wade it.

8 www.nzfisher.co.nz

www.adventuresmart.org.nz

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO The Boating Safety

CODE Before you go boating on our seas, lakes and rivers, get familiar with New Zealand’s Boating Safety Code, no matter what kind of boat you use.

1

Life jackets

5 4

Take them – Wear them.

3

Skipper responsibility

to help you stay safe:

Marine weather New Zealand’s weather can be highly unpredictable. Check the local marine weather forecast before you go and expect both weather and sea state changes.

Boats, especially ones under 6m in length, can sink very quickly. Wearing a life jacket increases your survival time in the water.

2

simple rules

5

Avoid alcohol

The skipper is responsible for the safety of everyone on board and for the safe operation of the boat. Stay within the limits of your vessel and your experience.

Safe boating and alcohol do not mix.

Things can change quickly on the water. You need to stay alert and aware.

Communications

The Water Safety

Take two separate waterproof ways of communicating so we can help you if you get into difficulties.

Also available:

CODE

The Outdoor Safety

CODE

For more information about safe boating education and how to prepare for your boating activity, visit www.adventuresmart.org.nz www.nzfisher.co.nz 9

localFISHING My fishing playground, in view of my house

Up the Creek With(out) a Gaff Getting monstered on your back doorstep

By Matt Hemmingway

I AM NOT A frequent contributor

more that the tide is low and quick

Coincidently it was also The Te

but I would like to pass on a day’s

accessibility to the water is impossible.

Atatu boat clubs annual harbour fish

experience that has taken two years to achieve; with a lovely twist. I have made it a mission of mine to specifically hunt and catch kingfish in front of my house in a shallow estuary off Te Atatu Peninsula.

I’m not alone in this pursuit as one of my neighbours Matto (Matt Von Sturmer) a very experienced fisho and now very keen salt fly exponent has

competition which I had duly entered because they were raising funds for child cancer and I’m all into things like that.

had the same ambition for a similar

I knew that I would be able to catch

time. We are both challenged by the

plenty of livies which are generally

I have fished this particular spot for

opportunities of having them in front

small kahawai and yellow eyed mullet

2 years all year round, sometimes

of us, underneath us but the kings are

in front of the house – so burley was

2-3 times a week in some pretty

not willing to play the game. I have

deployed. It was low coming in and

miserable weather. In the summer I

popped, lured, live-baited, baited

the Surtees scraped over the mud in

have been teased beyond belief as I

and god only knows how many times

half a meter of water to my favourite

watch in particular the summertime

I have prayed for them to eat the

spot in front of the house.

kings smashing fish in front of me as I

Bl***y offering I have presented but

watch from my porch. The frustration

always to no avail.

is compounded when I have work or family commitments but really it is

10 www.nzfisher.co.nz

The burley was shovelled overboard and the live-bait lines were deployed

Well this morning I was up at 4am

promptly. I was immediately hauling in

and off to Te Atatu south to launch.

my livies and with 20 in the tank and

localFISHING

with the water at a metre I set some

body I was shaking with excitement.

the leader was incredibly light and

out and butterflied a couple of others.

I fought him in 2 metres and finally

before reaching the point of gaffing

Small snaps played with the dead

brought him alongside. I was so

my prize I lost him.

baits and the livies swum freely with

caught out because I hadn’t actually

gay abandon as they must of known it

anticipated catching one that I was all

was me and no harm would come to

fingers and thumbs.

them; for two years in this spot none had been hurt, maybe harassed but the worst could only be release and “Thanks for your service”.

I lost him. Gutted.

In the next hour I was hit several more times on my livies, each time losing

In a balance of dexterity which belies

my quarry to very light gear. A choice

my bodies obvious capabilities I

had committed myself to but was in

released the gaff from its aged and

actual fact the catalyst to a sudden

permanent position because the net

surge in pick-ups.

After two hours and a couple of snaps

was going to be too small but this was

in the bin and I had a solid hit on a

all too unwieldy as he fought to be

yellow eye mullet. Now, generally

free and used his skills to thwart me at

when I get a hit here it is either one

every moment. I was not going to lose

of three opponents: A ray, a shark or

this guy I screamed inside; but the to

a large snapper. But this time it was a

and fro was punishing. I eventually

king; I was gob-smacked and with so

convinced myself to grab the leader

the main small fish. These fish are

much adrenaline running through my

ignoring my better judgement. Sadly

to be auctioned afterwards with the

I arrived at the weigh in to give my largest snap a comfortable 42cm and joined the throng to view the spoils.

I was surprised to see there was a generous supply of fish all of which are by upper harbour standards in

proceeds for Child Cancer. I asked the organisers if I could bid on the fish and if I won any could I return them back into the auction for further fundraising, (I have to say I don’t really eat fish, just like the boating and hunting). I bought plenty and the coffers of the fundraising were duly increases as the fish I bought were put back through the auction.

The prizes for the categories were presented. And no, my snap was too small, but to my amazement there were no entries for Kingfish, kahawai or gurnard, just snapper.

So after the snap prizes the officials decide to random draw tickets for the other categories. Well the heaviest kingfish prize went to, you guessed it, me! My jaw was on the floor and I had a smile that must have wrapped my head.

POST NOTE: Check out Matt’s next days fishing here – nabbed hot off the press from Fishing.net.nz. Te Atatu is going off right now ;)

And then it was gone...

www.nzfisher.co.nz 11

FISHINGtheories

It’s All About the Numbers

Depth = higher chances. Sea Ox dragged this one out of 75m on a livebait targetting kings!

The flip side of trying to catch big snapper

By Sam Elliot

LUCK MAY PLAY a part in fishing, but how can you increase your odds of getting that trophy snapper that everyone is after?

Lots of burley, a craggy looking reef that rarely gets fished and some big baits sounds like a pretty good combination. That is a tried and proven path to that hump headed moocher, but there might be other ways to go about it. Some of them may be a bit counterintuitive, but bear with me.

Catching big fish is all about

12 www.nzfisher.co.nz

numbers. The problem is the numbers aren’t in our favour. There are lots of fish that aren’t trophy size, and very few that are. So it’s possible that there are a number of trophy fish in the area where you are fishing, but you’re too busy hauling in panny’s to catch them.

A great day out, but not what you are after. What we need is a way of increasing the chance of catching that big fish amongst the masses. Here’s the counterintuitive bit. One way is to try not to catch

fish. Well not completely, but enough so that your bait is in the water longer, which gives that shy moocher more time to grab the bait before its snapped up by a pesky panny.

So how can we go about finding a balance between not catching anything and doing enough to secure the fish of a lifetime? Don’t give up on your normal methods, but give one or two of these ideas a go and it just might switch the odds in your favour.

FISHINGtheories

cted this lazy old ved softbait attra A big, slow retrie n’t survive. to release, but it did snapper. We tried

Heading 12 miles off-sho re is

one way to get into bigger snappe r

Use bait that doesn’t always get the fastest bite

Fish where there are fewer snapper

Basically avoid pilchards and anything smelly. These are irresistible morsels to small snapper, but very few large snapper are caught on pillies.

Fresh baits that you have caught yourself are nowhere near as smelly, so might not get smashed straight away, but are attractive enough to secure your fish of a lifetime. Using larger baits is another way of giving your bait more time in the water.

If you have a spare moment have a look at the NZ Angling and Casting Association website and take note of the number of records for snapper from the shore based clubs in the Gisborne area. The Gisborne area is not known as a snapper fishing Mecca like the Hauraki Gulf. But fewer snapper can mean it’s easier to get to the large ones. This seems to be the case around Gisborne.

Conversely, while the snapper fishing in the inner Hauraki Gulf

is amazing, it’s not the place to catch large fish. I know of some very large fish caught from places like Rangitoto and Rakino Islands, but they are few and far between.

There are simply too many smaller fish to get through.

Fish deep water This one is simple. There are fewer snapper in water over 50 m deep, but there is also a much higher ratio of larger snapper compared to smaller ones. Spending time fishing deep reefs is an easy way to target big snapper.

Fish your baits slowly This mostly applies to soft baits, but if you wind back stray lined cut baits it is something to think about for bait fishing too. Basically, bigger fish can be apprehensive to take the bait. A slowly moved bait gives that bigger fish more time before it disappears and it can’t be bothered chasing it. Again, this may mean you get less fish, but you are more likely to snag that bigger one if it is there.

Go the extra mile - long walk (in the rain) to get

fish like this

sportFISHING

ate Perfect conditions & the ultim

result.

SOLO MARLIN!

By Mike Feather

I HAVE ALWAYS wanted to catch

got sharked so I thought I would leave

a Marlin single handed and on a

the next one on the surface and slowly

Saturday in March I went out for a solo

worked my way along the blue side of

mission in search of Marlin out over

the colour change where there was a

the Manukau Bar in my 533 Stabicraft.

nice looking current line.

I had lures in the water by 8am and

I was off Pararaha valley in about

trolled north at 70m till I got off

65m. After about an hour and a half I

Karekare Beach and I came across a

began to think about maybe sending

tailing Marlin which sounded as soon

the live-bait back down as I had with

as I got within 50m of it. I worked the

the others so I slowed the boat down

area for half an hour but nothing came

and started to pull the halyard when I

of it. My plan was to live-bait for the

noticed that the line that was out the

day so went in close to 30m and got

back was now on a 45 degree angle

Half an hour later I got it close enough

half a dozen jack macks and raced

to the side and starting to overtake

trace and I introduced it to the

back out.

the boat!

‘attitude adjuster’ just to make sure

The first live bait was deployed about

The rigger released and line peeled,

15m down and I hooked up a Blue

so I put the drag up and I suddenly

Shark of around 60 to 70kg. Over the

had a stripy around the 100 kg size

next 3 hours the next four live baits

explode out of the water about 70

14 www.nzfisher.co.nz

feet away...I was hooked up.

My immediate thought was, ‘Ok...here I am out here by myself...it’s what I came for...this will be interesting’.

Fortunately for me the fish was really active on the surface and must have jumped at least forty times and tired itself out pretty quickly but with just me on board I wanted to make sure that it was going to be quiet boat-side and did not rush the fight.

it wasn’t going to cause problems.

The next five minutes was probably the hardest part of dealing with the fish as I could not reach across to

sportFISHING Mike & his solo marlin back at the shore.

put the motor out of gear and I was concerned that the fish would get propped and not only that I could not quite reach down far enough to grab the bill as the water pressure was pushing its head away from the side of the boat.

It was one of those...’You have got to be kidding moments!’. It is moments like these that you find any weakness in your set up and I have since added more cleats to the boat. After several attempts with the gaff handle I finally managed to reach across to knock the engine out of gear and then pulled the fish on board.

The next few minutes were spent sat down taking in the moment with a sense of relief and the realisation that I could now tick this off my bucket list.

Once home, its measurements came to a fraction under 105kg. It’s not the biggest of Marlin but landing it solo makes it by far the most satisfying one for me that’s for sure.

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sportFISHING

Coromandel Calling

By Ariel A Perez

IT HAS BEEN nearly 5 years since I

outer islands on the west coast of the

went to the Coromandel during my

peninsula. In the first hour of getting

early Land based fishing days, chasing

my first live bait piper out, I had my

kingfish and big snapper from the

first hook up and after a 5 minute

rocks. But the weekend before Easter

fight, I had lost the king after failing

had me decide to come back and

to stop it taking my line into the rocky

give it go. After an early morning

bottom. I usually bring a 24kg live

drive from Auckland, we arrived at

bait gear in this place, but I made a

Anglers Lodge and used their water

mistake of only bringing along my

taxi service to take us to one of the

15kg. After 3 hook-ups and losing

Ariel playing the waiting game on a perfect ledge.

16 www.nzfisher.co.nz

sportFISHING The spoils of a long drive & decent weather - A 7kg autumn snapper

them all to bust-offs, it was obvious it was no match to the size of the kings that was around that day. Tired and beaten from my battles with the kings, I went and do a relaxing stray lining session for snapper. Using the piper my partner Angela caught earlier as bait, I hooked and landed a 7Kg snapper along with a couple of pan size ones for a feed. It was all a great day out in the Coromandel and will certainly be back, but I will make sure not to be outgunned the next time.

www.nzfisher.co.nz 17

READERpics

Darryl Lock’s first surfcasting snapper.

Karl Lear & his son Oscar & Oscar’s first fish; a chunky Waitemata Snapper.

Image: Sharon Baker Lear

From Callum Geekie - a 50cm snapper taken on a whole Blue Mac head from the rocks around Auckland

Angela Kerr & her prehistoric looking 30kg ‘puka taken aboard Epic last year

18 www.nzfisher.co.nz

READERpics

Derek Kesley & a fit looking King looks like the Kaipara

WINNER

Brad Adams’ son with a great summer snapper

Mike Rippon’s Massive ‘Nomad Charters’ king.

Hard to beat that one Mike!

Jason Christiansen with a legal King from the bricks in Doubtless Bay

www.nzfisher.co.nz 19

READERpics

Michael Perkins is doing us a favour by removing these colourful pests from Auckland Waterways.

Carp are a pest, but a sometimes great bait

Samantha Bowler sent this pic of her partner with the winning (19.5lb) snapper at the 2013 Taupiri competition

Tyson Dudley’s tagged & released Summer Marlin, estimated at 120kg! Great fish & smoking shot!

Tim ‘Tipper’ Arlott with another ‘Epic’ caught Autumn Kingfish from the Aldermans

This month’s winner of the ReelWear tee is Brad Adams for the pic of his son’s first snapper.

Brad wins a Reel Adventures, ReelWear Tee-Shirt The OKUMA Tee goes to Michael Perkins for his community service in killing Carp – Thanks Michael! Brad and Michael, drop us a line to arrange your size and delivery details. Keep sending in your pics for the great OKUMA and Reel Wear prizes up for grabs every month.

Win this Reel Wear tee shirt next month by sending in your fishy pics to Facebook

20 www.nzfisher.co.nz

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Not only that but every month we’ll give away an Okuma Hoody and ReelWear T-shirt between now and

PREVIEW THE NEW HDS GEN2 TOUCH AT LO W R A N C E . C O M

June 2013. Every image you enter has a chance to win each month and also the big prize. The more and sooner you enter, the better your chances so get fishing and posting those images to Facebook!

www.enl.co.nz

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jetskiFISHING

King of Jetskifishing 2013

By Andrew Hill THE DAY HAD come again to see

interest with anglers travelling from

who would earn the title of the newest

as far as Whakatane and Taranaki,

King of Jetskifishing. With this bi-

making the most of meeting others

annual event and being the seventh

involved in the fun sport. After

King of Jetskifishing, it is always

the early morning briefing, each

exciting to see who has entered.

Jetskifisho would set off and give it

major species categories.

It was another great event involving the whole family, with the BBQ and refreshments enjoyed at the end of the day.

their best at the generous $6,000

Plenty more photos are now loaded

prize pool.

on our Facebook page, thanks very

Eastern Beach. All entrants are required

Also up for grabs, the bragging rights

much too all our sponsors that

to make the early start with their skis

for the Logitech “Mad Mile”, you

continue making the event possible.

around to the beach for registration.

can view this exciting aerial video

Great to see another newbie to

On registration at the Sea-Doo tent,

footage by viewing at our Jetskifishing

they receive their complimentary King

YouTube page.

of Jetskifishing Tournament bag with

After a few minutes of horsepower

entrants have as good a chance as

our sponsor’s goodies.

fuelled adrenalin, we soon had new

each other on the day. The next

King of the Mad Mile, Lemar Paterson

event is later in the year; look

on his SeaDoo RXT.

forward to seeing who is ‘King

registered anglers. The competition

Here is the full video clip of the day’s

of Jetskifishing 8’, scheduled for

is continuing to attract nationwide

action, including the winners of the

Sunday November 4th 2013.

The summer format features our spectacular shotgun start leaving

We were fortunate with the weather and had great turnout with 78

22 www.nzfisher.co.nz

the sport taking out the King of Jetskifishing, just proves that all

jetskiFISHING

King of the Mad Mile!

The Mad Mile !

Sea-Doo King of Jetskifishing in association with Woodbine Marine HEAVIEST WEIGHT SNAPPER PLACE

NAME

WEIGHT

1st

Jarrod Langstone (Yamaha FX HO Cruiser)

4.35kg

Prize and Trophy - $1,000 CASH 2nd

John Hickey (Yamaha FX HO)

1.80kg

Prize – Daiwa rod and reel combo 3rd

James Johnston (Sea-Doo GTX Ltd)

1.70kg

Prize – Berkley Tackle Bag 4th

Stefan Orzel (Yamaha FX HO)

1.65kg

Prize – SavePhace Jetskifishing Mask 5th

Eddie Braun (Sea-Doo Wake)

1.60kg

Prize – Cock and Bull Voucher The full results are available at www.jetskifishing.co.nz ing of Jarrod - K

the Gulf!

If you’d like to get started with Jet Ski fishing come see Andrew Hill at the Jetskifishing Store. You can follow Andrew’s adventures here on Facebook

www.nzfisher.co.nz 23

competitionFISHING

A Perfect Fishing Competition(nearly!)

The Blue Water Classic

By Phil Josephs

THE BLUE WATER CLASSIC s the

Day One

of the baits going into the tank, with

premier event the calendar of the

We’re on the water before day break

most of the Kahawai giving 4kg’s a

Mt Maunganui Sports Fishing Club.

and had a half a plan for the day.

nudge, there is no such thing as a live

This year I was invited to fish in the

We made a bee line for the Okuparu

bait that is too big!

competition with Russ Hawkins (a

Reef, a structure about 10km’s off

We motored a short distance to the

local Charter skipper from Fatboy

the cost of Mt Maunganui and an

back of Motiti Island. This is an area

Charters) his son Duane and mate

excellent place to gather live bait.

decimated by the Rena oil spill but

Kirky, a wee man that would struggle

The bungees were over the back in

is now fighting its way back into the

to keep his chin of the gunwale

quick order and we had the tank full

pristine marine environment it was

during the comp, the fish just

of kahawai in no time. There we a few

before the ship struck the Astrolabe

getting the better of him.

raised eye brows at the size of some

Reef. Lures were set and we settled in

24 www.nzfisher.co.nz

competitionFISHING

Day Two

for the first session trolling, making our

and off we went. Arriving at the first

way around Schooner rocks, Tokoroa

spot we planned to deploy live bait on

shoals and past Plate island heading to

bridle rigs (just in case a marlin was in

the area towards White Island.

the area) but we weighted them with a

The conditions were just epic, but the

8oz ball sinkers over the bridle rig and

fishing, well, it was rubbish. No life to

set down on the face of the fish to get

speak of above or below the water

them to the depths required, we were

A new pin was selected for day two.

soon had the boys hatching another

fishing in around 150m of water with

Baits rigged, same way, same hook up

plan. We considered we might drive

good sign on the bottom so no good

time. It was hammered as soon as it

around hoping, for want of a better

having the live bait on the surface.

hit the bottom.

word, for a marlin or we could target

This worked very well.

specific fish with the live baits in

The first live bait took longer to prepare

specific areas. So that’s what we did.

the comp so that everyone got a fair

and get to the bottom than it did to be

shot at a fish. Wee Kirky in the chair

Russ having a wealth of information of

engulfed by a predator. 24.30kg’s of

for the first bait of the morning and

the Bay of Plenty pointed the big AMF

Kingfish arrived at the boat a while after

saw him quickly connected to a very

to an area in the middle of nowhere

and spirits on board were very high.

big Mako. The fish put on a fantastic

Same plan, off to collect the live baits but this time we trolled back to the pins that we had had such a good start on yesterday. We got nothing on the lures but for the odd albacore.

We ran a clock from the very start of

www.nzfisher.co.nz 25

competitionFISHING

aerial display. As mentioned earlier he was fighting hard to keep his chin off the side of the boat as this shark was big and it was angry.

We got it to the boat but in the attempt to tag it, it went nuts at the boat and broke off, a bummer but still a great fight. Next bait in the water was Duane’s; it was eaten straight away but this time a kingfish and a good one. So with our good fish from day one still to be weighed we set the lures and headed for home stopping for an uneventful jig at Penguin shoals on the way in.

Day Three This was a shorter day due to the requirement to return in time for the prize giving. Our two good fish so far had us in a good position. Not wanting to change a winning formula too much, we collected the livies but flagged the trolling. On to pin number three. We were a man down due to Kirky having to attend a funeral so the clock was extended to 20 minutes each.

We stopped at Pudney rock on the way set a bait and it was hammer straight away and reefed after a bit of a scrap so we carried on to the original destination. Conditions were average. But again baits deployed and baits eaten. Russ was up first and PB for him at 20.4kg’s on the first bait.

Duane was up second and another solid fish of 20kg’s. I was up third and the bait got eaten in the normal fashion but this time it was a bit more serious that what we had dealt with so far. I’m on a beautiful Offshore game rod with a Tiagra 50w in a harness and I’m losing a scrap with a kingfish after about 5 minutes I was not getting anywhere with this fish. The last run

26 www.nzfisher.co.nz

competitionFISHING

was at near on sunset and it was like it was in free spool and then gone, hook pulled!

Duane, was over the side with a jig straight away and hooked up straight away and same result. It could just be that some Kingfish are just not meant to be caught. That was it. Comp over and off to the prize giving. We finished in 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th for Kingfish from our boat and collected same fantastic prizes. It was a near on perfect result and a great few days fishing.

We tried different things and they worked, we went to different areas and caught fish and we had a lot of laughs doing it.

www.nzfisher.co.nz 27

VIDEO

Fishing Video of the Month •

Tuna Tuna tuna! http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=qOFXAg6Df7E

•

West coast marlin at its gritty Kiwi best https://www.youtube.com/ watch?feature=player_ embeddedandv=ZKG3j6yNDr4

•

Kings off Whitianga in a small boat – This makes the cut for enthusiasm if not for size ;) http://www.youtube.com/watc h?v=msys82XjgKoandfeature=y outu.be

•

Check out the Pure Fishing team on their Whatuwhiwhi 6-day epic - and it is epic (and over 30 minutes!) http://www.youtube.com/ watch?feature=player_ embeddedandv=2Q3j5saqIi4

28 www.nzfisher.co.nz

NEXTmonth regionalREVIEWS

In next months issue: -M ay 2013 will be ‘Guest Edited’ by our own Forsyth Thompson - More from our own back yards in ‘Fish your feet first’ - East Cape Epics– A tale told twice on the rocks

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