®
WORK HARD, PLAY HARD! WIN A PAIR OF
OAKLEY SUNGLA SSES
PG 17
TRADIE PROFILE
ETHAN OLIVER GAMEFISHING
GETTING STARTED HUNTING
FIORDLAND
FOILING JOIN THE CRAZE
ISSUE 23 MAR/APR 2021
GET ON BOARD, WE ARE. Because being local is at the heart of everything we do, ITM have always proudly supported the Kiwi teams we know and love. So, it wasn’t too much of a leap for us to get behind Emirates Team New Zealand as they fight to defend the 36th America’s Cup. As an Exclusive Supplier, we’ve helped with materials for the team’s base at Viaduct Harbour and for the boat yard in which Te Aihe and her sister yachts have been built. We’ll be there to cheer the boys on out on the water too. Emirates Team New Zealand are counting on us for the long haul, and so can you with every project we undertake. ITM. We’ll see you right.
WORK HARD, PLAY HARD! WORK HARD, PLAY HARD!
WELCOME TO ISSUE TWENTY THREE OF RHEEM OFF-SITE Above Photo: Iker Basterretxea.
CONTENTS 04 FIORDLAND AT LAST 08 FOILING 12 RHEEM 14 TRADIE PROFILE 18 NEW TOYS 20 GAMEFISHING
Cover Photo: Zak Noyle Rider: Kai Lenny
This summer reinforced one simple truth: it’s great to be a Kiwi. While the rest of the world looked like they were scrambling to deal with a chaotic and somewhat riotous season, we were fishing, surfing, heading to festivals en masse and doing, well, mostly what we wanted. Yes, we still have our challenges and I’m sure many readers are feeling the aftershocks of 2020, but for those of us who live for the outdoors, there’s certainly no better place to be than NZ. Issue 23 of Off-Site only confirms how great this summer’s been. Struan Purdie takes lead honours, telling the story of his recent hunting trip to Fiordland – NZ’s hunting equivalent to El Dorado. Steve Dickinson then keeps us current, sharing his knowledge on the rapidly growing world of foiling. I step up to the plate next with the Tradie Profile, introducing tradie, hunter and spearo Ethan Oliver. With gamefish still being caught in a number of the hotspots, Nick Jones rounds out the issue with a beginner’s guide to the sport. As always, get in touch if you have any stories of your own to share. Message us on Instagram (@offsite_magazine) – where you’ll also find plenty of giveaways – or flick me an email at ethan@nzfishingnews.co.nz. Enjoy!
ETHAN NEVILLE
Rheem off-Site is published bi-monthly by NZ Fishing Media Ltd. Offices are located at 177B Marua Road, Ellerslie, Auckland, Ph (09) 579 4060. THE BOSS Grant Blair QS Grant Dixon PROJECT MANAGER Ethan Neville ARCHITECT Ricky Harris CONSTRUCTION MANAGER Leah Foxcroft HAMMER HAND (Advertising) Josh Williams | 021 862 579 | sales@nzfishingnews.co.nz EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES Ethan Neville | 021 176 1366 | ethan@nzfishingnews.co.nz Advertising within this publication is subject to NZ Fishing Media Ltd’s standard advertising terms and conditions, a copy of which is available by emailing grant@nzfishingnews.co.nz or by calling (09) 579 4060
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off-site
Hunting
FIORDLAND
AT LAST
For adventure-loving hunters, Fiordland is about as good as it gets. If you’re also a photographer and filmmaker like Struan Purdie, then it’s heaven on earth. He shares his recent trip to the deep south…
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s the dull whine of the helicopter faded into the distance, we looked around at our new home for the next four days. The topo map we’d been looking at just 30 minutes earlier at the hanger certainly didn’t do the terrain justice. I guess they never do. Massive peaks shot up around us, partially obscured by the swirling cloud. This was it. Fiordland. We had finally made it. As a photographer and a hunter, I’ve always wanted to explore this special corner of New Zealand. I’ve been fortunate to visit some incredible places in my line of work but there was something about the sheer scale of the landscapes of Fiordland that kept it on my bucket list. So, when I got the call from a client asking if I could pack a camera and head south, I quickly rearranged my hectic pre-Christmas calendar
and booked flights. A couple of weeks out, the weather was looking grim with torrential rain in the forecast. At least we’d get some good shots of the new jackets and tents I thought – if my new camera survived the trip. Fast-forward to day one and the sun was starting to poke through as we set up our camp. The plan was to climb high in search of a chamois then work our way down the valley over the next few days to look for a deer. My companions for the trip were Aaron and Adam – a couple of tourist boat captains from Milford who spend the majority of their days off hunting the back blocks of Fiordland. After a couple of false chamois sightings, we finally located a group on the opposite side of the valley up high. It was 3pm and the chamois were over two kilometres away. We were in for a punishing start to the
trip. It’s tough taking photos when you’re busy trying to suck enough air to sustain your burning legs. I was thankful to not be carrying Adam’s hefty 7mm Remington Magnum as we made our way up the steep slope in the punishing summer sun. A couple of hours later, things finally started to level out. We slowly approached the ridge where we’d spotted the chamois, poking our heads over carefully. There was no sign of the group but we did spot a lone male feeding up a small creek. A plan was quickly hatched and we crept in using a narrow gut as cover. At 230 metres, Adam settled in behind the rifle. The chamois knew something was up but with the wind in our faces, he couldn’t work out where we were. A loud boom sounded, followed by a second shot to seal the deal, and the chamois was down. He wasn’t a trophy by any stretch, but the boys assured me the
The chamois knew something was up but with the wind in our faces, he couldn’t work out where we were. A loud boom sounded, followed by a second shot to seal the deal, and the chamois was down. Adam prepped and ready for any sign of wildlife.
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Adam hit this chamois from 230m with the wind in his face. butcher in Te Anau could convert him into a delicious Texan chilli and cheese sausage for the Christmas BBQ. After a couple of photos, we loaded up the packs and carried on towards the top ridge. No other animals were spotted that day but as we dragged our weary bodies into camp, I had a quiet moment of reflection. Here we were exploring one of the most beautiful parts of New Zealand while a global pandemic forced millions around the world into lockdown. After a hectic year, I was certainly
The only way to access this remote part of the country is by helicopter.
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grateful to call this place home. Over the next couple of days, we worked our way down the main valley in search of deer, which turned out to be plentiful in this particular catchment. One evening we spotted a total of nine young stags, all of which were in velvet and still growing out their antlers. Since we were still a full day’s walk from our pickup point, we took the opportunity to sneak in as close as we could and even put the drone up to get some close-up shots from above.
One evening we spotted a total of nine young stags, all of which were in velvet and still growing out their antlers.
That night the infamous Fiordland rain made its debut and decided to stick around for the following day. Although this meant we could photograph the wet weather gear, it also proved near-fatal for my new Canon R6, which experienced a fogged sensor towards the end of the trip. Despite the technical difficulties and damp conditions, our spirits were high as we trudged into camp for our last night. The rain had eased and although my dry items of clothing were dwindling, our pickup point for the following morning was
The guys’ home for their three nights in the wild. just a stone’s throw from camp. This meant it was time to tip over some Christmas venison. After half an hour of searching through the binoculars, Aaron spotted a likely candidate – a young stag across the valley feeding on the edge of the bush. It was already 8:30 pm and our remaining light was fading. The plan was to drop down to the river below and creep up the opposite face to within 150 metres of our target. However, as we descended, the stag stopped feeding and locked onto us. With our
The crew for the weekend: Struan (writer), Aaron (middle) and Adam.
options running out, Aaron found a nearby rock and settled in behind the rifle. From a respectable 350 metres, Aaron placed the shot just behind the shoulder. The result was one dead deer, two happy hunters and a relieved photographer. Working in these sorts of places is hugely challenging but also very rewarding. You’re often up against the weather, the terrain and the animals. However, when these variables come together, you feel very lucky to be walking through these mountains with a camera in hand.
All in all, the trip was a huge success. We covered some awesome country and more than fulfilled the client’s brief. It’s given me a taste for Fiordland and fuelled my hunger to return. I urge you, if you get the chance to visit this remote part of New Zealand, seize it with everything you have. You won’t regret it. To see more from our trip, look up Bushbuck Outdoors on Facebook and Instagram or follow Fiordland Boys Hunting NZ on Youtube.
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Foiling
E B O T E TIM
D E L I O F
If you’ve gone to any beach with a bit of surf this summer, you’ve probably seen a surfer or two rising out of the water and floating across waves. Foiling has exploded in NZ, but for those of us still yet to give it a go, Steve Dickinson provides us with a few tips to get started…
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he America’s Cup yachts have brought foiling to a whole new level. Everyone now knows y what a foil is, how the ing foil But do. y the at work and wh it had early is not a new science – s. There ing inn beg l and unusua sy over ver tro con of ree deg a is s used, wa foil t boa t when the firs to as early but it could date back for sur f/ as 1906. However, foiling 3. The first fun has its roots in 196 s made by hydrofoil “water-ski” wa al engineer. an American aeronautic s wa re ctu stru oil The hydrof of a chair, attached to the bottom fixed water and then on to a pair of by boat, ed skis. The rider was tow e out of ros he but r, skie like a water the water on the foil. into the Roll for ward for ty years Hamilton was early 2000s and Laird of these first seen foiling on one nor th chair designs foils off the oved rem had He a’i. shore of Kau rd, strapped the chair, added a boa d boots on a pair of snowboar
Kai Lenny hydrofoils in the
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around like and was being towed rofoil. It hyd a on a wakeboarder was the lly rea it but y, ms clu s wa . It was ing foil f sur beginning of came to rd Lai t tha iod per s thi in secretly New Zealand and was . This was lan Rag und aro fing sur craze. new s thi of the beginning re of the mo lot a , rds Lai by Led guys started cutting-edge big wave ent and ipm equ the s, foil ng usi and the sport technology got better started to boom. ers on It was not long until rid massive the into ed tow re we s foil fs of Maui and waves at the outer ree fers found sur ve wa big The a’i. Kau below the rgy ene the that by using go of the let ld cou y the e, fac sur even the line and ride any wave, wn as Jaws. kno ak, bre f sur ul erf pow lly find the rea to t firs They were the face. sur the h eat ben er pow imate Enter Kai Lenny, the ult (stand up P SU a is He n. ma ter wa mpion, paddleboard) world cha , windsurf ion mp cha rld wo ng kiti wave world champion and big
Maldives. Photo: Zak Noyle
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award winner. He is the Molokai to Oahu record holder, and the youngest invitee to the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Contest. When he was a kid, Kai received his first foil board – a modified air chair with snowboard boots attached, just like Laird’s. He picked it up quickly but because it required towing or large waves, he was limited by when and where he could ride. Surprisingly, the first wave he ever caught on a foil board was at Jaws (of which he is now the renowned master). Kai soon began to explore new ways of “self-powered” foiling. He wanted to get ‘on foil’ using only his power. First, he attached a foil to a SUP board, paddled out, and then progressed to a short board while riding waves. Working with designers and builders, he helped create new wings and boards that were more efficient, allowing them to be ridden in waves with less energy. Now go to any beach in New Zealand, wave or no waves, and people are foiling, whether that be windsurfing foils, kite foils, SUPs or wing foils, which have gone crazy over the last two years. No matter what the craft, once a
rider is foiling there is no wake or drag, which allows riders to travel at far greater speeds. For example, the current America’s Cup boats can go four times faster than the wind on low wind days. Last November, the NZ yacht was clocking over 120km – the pursuit boats can’t keep up!
Getting started If you want to experience foiling for yourself, it is easy to learn but hard to master. It’s a very delicate sphere of balance and movement. Firstly, I would say get a lesson or two. But if you choose to go ahead and buy a board and find a beach with some waves, stay away from any other surfers or swimmers. You can ride everything; it does not matter what the conditions are like. The best way to get started is to find a spot with small waves in the one-to-two-foot range where you have a bit of space to practice. The goal is to paddle with the white water and then when you stand up, you will have all the power you need to ride the hydrofoil. But just try belly-boarding for a while before you jump up. Using a jet ski or a boat to tow you will help you learn the basics
No matter what the craft, once a rider is foiling there is no wake or drag, which allows riders to travel at far greater speeds.
and will make it easier to adapt to the board. Once up and riding behind a boat, you can drop the rope and simply ride the wake.
The foil board setup The place where you attach the foil to the board depends on your weight and height, and what you’re about to ride. If you are a small surfer and need extra lift, you are going to position the wing forward in the box. A larger rider should move it forward, too. Ideally, as with surfing, place the traction pads where your feet should be. They work as a guide to your stance. The trick is to find the sweet spot, which generally translates into having your back foot near the back of the board and over the mast stem, or maybe a little bit behind it. If you want to start pumping or make a tight radius turn, you can always step back a little bit further and be right on the kick tail pad. Aim for a shoulder-width stance with a lot of front foot pressure – the front foot is for balance and the back for turning. It sounds simple but it’s not! The rest is trial and error, so get out there and start practising!
The Red Bull Sailing Team training in Mussanah, Oman. Photo: Samo Vidic
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Kai Lenny surfs in Pe’Ahi, HI, USA. Photo: Jake Marote
Above: Kai Lenny at the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy 2019. Photo: Mohamed Ahsan.
Airton Cozzolino performs during the City Foiling project in Milan. Photo: Olaf Pignataro
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AUMANGEA THE KIWI SAFELY RELOCATED
Fo
“It
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2020 ended on a positive note for Kiwis for kiwi and their sponsors. A Coromandel born kiwi named Aumangea – which means ‘strong’ or
The kiwi itself came across on its own DOC (Department of Conservation) boat, Steve explained, as “they don’t want to take any chances.” The ferry arrived at Home Bay on Motutapu, and after a speech from Kiwis for kiwi Executive Director Michelle
‘brave’ – was successfully relocated
Impey, Steve and the rest of the crew had a chance to
on Motutapu in December. Living in
approaching, it was soon time to gather back at camp
the safety of this island sanctuary,
explore the island and have lunch. With the DOC boat and watch as the kiwi was brought onto the island.
the young kiwi will be able to find a mate and get busy creating a new generation of kiwi. Among the lucky few invited to watch the relocation was Rheem New Zealand General Manager Steve Bullock, who explained the massive effort that goes into making this day successful. “We all met at the downtown ferry terminal and had to do our shoe brushing because it’s important not to let any unwanted ants, soil or seeds onto the island. It’s a chartered ferry with about sixty people, mainly made up of Kiwis for kiwi staff and sponsors.”
Aumangea takes a peek at the crowd.
“The DOC worker took the kiwi out of the cage and cradled it and carried it right in front of us, so we were literally within arm’s length of it. The kiwi was quite alert and a little bit nervous and wiggled around a bit but she kept it under control. We had to be absolutely quiet,” Steve says. After a blessing for Aumangea, the young kiwi was put back into the cage so it could be taken into the bush and released. There it joined the close to 100 other kiwis which have made Motutapu their home. According to Kiwis for kiwi, only 5% of kiwi chicks
DOC Biodiversity ranger Hazel Speed carries Aumangea to the release point.
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survive to six months in the wild, so moving kiwi to sanctuaries like Motutapu is essential work.
Ki
po
te
ou
For Steve, it was an unforgettable experience. “It’s quite emotional… It’s just an amazing experience being that close to a live kiwi; I don’t think many New Zealander’s have done it. “We are thrilled and proud to be sponsors of such a great cause.” Kiwis for kiwi have set their sights on increasing kiwi populations by 2% per year, but it’s going to take a team effort. Head to www.kiwisforkiwi.org to find out how you can show your support.
Kiwis for kiwi Executive Director Michelle Impy.
The ferry arrives at Motutapu Island in the Hauraki Gulf.
DID YOU KNOW?
PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY
Some people think that kiwi are timid and shy. In fact, they are super strong, territorial and can be extremely bad-tempered! Adult birds use their razor sharp claws as weapons and a couple of slashes can draw blood.
To help us help kiwi, please visit ®
www.kiwisforkiwi.org/donate
off-site
Tradie Profile
For most of us, a 42km marathon is extreme. For ultramarathon ru
it’s called stage one of five. Photographer and filmmaker Struan P 14
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covered the final Alps to Ocean Ultra event last year in the South I and was blown away by the sheer determination and strength he witnessed. He shares the story of the week…
arathon runners,
r Struan Purdie
he South Island
rength he
ETHAN OLIVER
TRADIE, HUNTER, SPEARO
“Hinau”, Ethan tells me, is actually the name of a native tree. Once a year, hinau charitably drop their berries, and the pigs waste no time cleaning up the forest floor. When this happens, there’s only one place you’ll find Ethan: snooping around the hinau with his dogs and knife in tow. So when he set out building by himself two years ago and had to choose a business name, Hinau Construction was the undeniable winner – why not bring pig hunting to the workplace? He’s now inundated with work, has a few sites on the go and is looking to bring an apprentice on board, but thankfully he still took some time out of his busy schedule to have a yarn with me – also Ethan – about his trade and how he fills his time off the site.
T
here was no umming and ahing for Ethan when it came to career choice – his mind was well and truly made up before school prizegiving. “I started building two days after my last exam,” he tells me. “Jumped straight into a three month trial and then into my apprenticeship. I did that with a local Upper Hutt guy (Brendon from Build and Scape Ltd) and we built houses together. I was pretty lucky, he was really good to work for. We just got all the crap jobs done together.” As someone who hates to sit still – something Ethan confirmed at least a couple of times in our conversation – building proved to be the perfect fit. “I just like the idea of building and standing back at the end of day and looking at what you’ve done… It’s great when you’re driving around and mates say: ‘Did you build this?’ and I say, ‘Yep,” and they say, ‘Oh my god’.”
After four and a half years of working with Brendon, however, he thought it was time to give it a crack himself. Hinau Construction was born, which was a big jump for the then 22-year-old Ethan. “I didn’t find the transition too bad. I went straight to an accountant and he talked me through it and made it real simple. Just go to work and don’t spend all your money,” he laughs. “I thought I was going to have to be asking for work, but straight away there was heaps of work – which was awesome but a bit of a shock when you’re trying to learn how to run a business. I’m not very computer smart but it’s been really easy.” But he was quick to remind me that owning his own business has come with some new challenges. In December last year, right in the middle of the Christmas rush, he broke his hand, forcing him to take a substantial break from work. “That was quite an interesting eye opener as
The stars of the show – Ethan’s pig hunting dogs. to what happens when you hurt yourself… I had to ring up and talk to everyone. Some people were like were ‘Na, we’ll get someone else’; other people waited; and some got abusive…” The advantages of working for himself far outweigh getting a bit of stick from his customers, however, and first among these benefits is being able to ask himself for leave when he wants go hunting or diving. “In the winter, it’s pig hunting and in the summer, diving,” he tells me. “For pig hunting, it’s mostly local in the Wairarapa, but we do trips down south once or twice a year. If you got a 100lb pig hunting around here, that would be a really good hunt. Down south, we can catch three or four that size in the morning.” On one of these trips he and his crew were choppered into the bush behind Blenheim where there was
Ethan with his prized rig.
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“no reception, no nothing.” After they set up camp – no more than a couple of tents and a tarp – they went for a quick wander to check out the country. It wasn’t long before they saw a good boar, and eyeballed it at 150lbs. “We quickly tried to put the dogs onto him but he was onto us. He sidled his way down into the river and up the other side and headed straight for a mob of goats which, unbeknown to us, had a couple of pigs close by. As the big boy ran through the mob of goats and sent them running everywhere, he quickly snuck off and headed for the skyline while some smaller pigs that we assumed to be around the 70lbs mark scarpered off in all different directions. The two dogs in pursuit fell straight into the trap, lost the big boy and headed off after what we thought
Ethan spends most of his spare time in the bush hunting – and not without success.
A solid summer haul from Ethan’s local patch.
was one of the smaller pigs.” The dogs soon found their mark, and Ethan shot down to a river just below him. As soon as he had scrambled down the bank, he realised it was anything but a 70lb pig. “This was a good black boar standing his ground. After reaching for the gun and realising I had no bullets to help the dogs out, I had to sneak around the back in the open somehow and get in to stick this big fellah in waist deep water. “Once he was on the deck we had a quick check over the dogs to make sure no one was carrying any big injuries. A nice shoulder rip on one bitch but nothing that she wasn’t use to. With all the dogs happy and healthy and a good boar on deck, we started thinking about how big the pig that we initially tried to chase was if he made this pig look about half his size. We all smiled. Good on him.” Ethan’s had no less success with freediving. On his first dive with a gun in his hand, he shot a five and a half kilo moki. “It was the first fish I shot, so I had to ask my mate whether it was a good or not” – yep, he’s one of those guys. Since then, he’s dived regularly around South Wairarapa and the Wellington Coast, with blue cod, tarakihi, moki, crayfish and paua all being on the menu. This mainly takes the form of shore-based diving. “That suits Wairarapa South and Wellington South as opposed to the west coast where you need a boat.” Over the summer break he grabbed a solid cray in South Wairarapa. When I asked about whether he had hit up any festivals for New Years, he just laughed. He was up before light on New Year’s Day, fresh and ready to dive his local waters – and you can’t fault the results. So what’s next for Ethan? “My goal at the moment is to get myself into a house. Being 24 and self-employed, the banks don’t really want to give me money ha… other than that, I just want to grow my company so I’m not working till I’m 70.” And with things tracking like they are, I’m sure he’ll be spending plenty more time around the hinau tree before long.
See Life Differently Winner
Jason Wadsworth was towing out a long line at Maketu with his kayak when a huge wave knock ed him into the drink. He los t a bit of gear, including his favourite sun glasses, so we know Jason will make the most of his new Oa kleys!
Send in a shot of you, your copy of Rheem off-Site and why you need a new pair of Oakleys for your adventures in the great outdoors! Include a caption of who, what, when and where the picture was taken. You could win a pair of Oakley Polarised Caliber Sunglasses valued at $299. The winners will have their photos published in our next issue of Rheem off-Site.
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New Toys
Stoney Creek Apex Cooling Hoodie As tradesmen, you know the importance of having the right tool for the right job. This applies to fishing just as much as working on site. When you’re exposed to the elements at sea, the right gear will keep you comfortable and allow you to focus on the task at hand! An opportunity at sea can come and go within a split second and it pays to be focussed and ready to STRIKE. When you put your ‘tools down’, pick up your Apex Hoodie to keep cool and protected with UPF50+ protection and RAMJET cooling technology. Learn more at www.stoneycreeksportfishing.com Men’s Apex Hoodie: $139.99 Women’s Apex Hoodie: $139.99
Hi Tech Elite Bolster Seat
Glowbite Grumpy Fish The Glowbite Grumpy Fish is the world’s most technically advanced slider style lure. It has no shortage of new features, including: • Stressed Fish Flash – Flashing light that imitates the light reflected off a stressed bait fish. Lasts more than 70 hours in the water. • Fish Attractant Dispenser – Insert your favourite fish attractant sauce and enjoy the benefit of a scent trail behind your lure. • Dinner Bells – Rattles that can be added for sound and vibration – fish love them! • Twin Tails – These tails last twice as long. The straight one is ideal for a slow drift, and the curly one comes alive at speeds greater than one knot. • Hook Placement Technology – Longer hook flies that increase drag on the hooks. • Owner hooks – 2/0 gorilla hooks, extra sharp, strong and rust resistant. Find your local stockist at www.glowbite.co.nz
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The all new Elite Bolster Seat is now part of Hi Tech’s extensive seating range. This modern helm chair is perfect for those looking for that solid modern look. It comes with lift-up bolster for ease of access and stand up sit down comfort. It has a strong rotationally moulded frame with moulded inserts for bolster arms and swivel fixing, professional yacht seat fabric PVC Vinyl and is UV resistant tested to 650 hours. It’s also mildew resistant and flame retardant and the vinyl is tested to achieve 650 hours. One-year warranty after delivery applies, so long as the seat is not artificially damaged. Find out more at: www.hitechplastics.co.nz
Kawasaki 2021 Jet Ski STX160 range When calm waters need stirring up, look to the new entry-level Jet Ski STX160 and STX160X for the perfect dose of fun. The 2021 Jet Ski STX160 models feature a tried and tested highperformance 160hp 4-stroke marine engine with class-leading acceleration, agile handling and three-person seating. Electronic features bring performance technology to riders of all skill levels with the SLO key included for learning and KSS (Kawasaki Smart Steering) which aids in positive handling even when using no throttle. Throw in cruise control and class-leading fuel and storage capacity to maximise the good times with comfort and convenience. See your local Kawasaki dealer today for more info.
Stoney Creek Trench Polarised Sunglasses Sharp in clarity and in style, the Trench polarised sunglasses use CRYSTALIT Technology to enhance colours and provide high contrast for greater visual accuracy. They’re built TOUGH with a TR90 Thermoplastic Frame and polycarbonate lens construction to provide durable shatter resistance. These are your ideal everyday wear sunglasses for when you’re on the job, driving or out and about town getting all your supplies ready for that up and coming fishing trip. They’re all part of the new Sport Fishing series that includes a full range of salt and fresh water styles. Find out more at: www.stoneycreeksportfishing.com Trench – Polarised Sunglasses: $219.99
Makita 40V XGT Brushless 6-Piece Combo Kit Makita and ITM are excited to announce the new XGT 40V battery system that will co-exist with LXT and continue towards a vision of a battery solution for all applications. XGT is engineered for select higher-demand applications as the industry pushes the transition to battery power. Although the 40Vmax XGT batteries look similar in size to 18V LXT batteries, XGT is a new system with its own tools, equipment batteries, and chargers. The new 40V XGT Brushless 6-Piece Combo Kit includes a 40V Max Brushless Hammer Driver Drill, 40V Max Brushless Impact Driver, 40V Max Brushless AWS* 185mm (7-1/4”) Circular Saw, 40V Max Brushless 125mm (5”) Slide Switch Angle Grinder, 40V Max Brushless AWS* 28mm Rotary Hammer and 40V Max Brushless Recipro Saw. Two 40V Max 4.0Ah Batteries, a 40V Max Rapid Charger, 18V Charging Adaptor and tool bag are also included with the kit. Available now at ITM.
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Gamefishing
GAMEFISHING S R E N N I G E B Catching a gamefish is one thing, but landing one on your own boat with your mates is another experience entirely. Charter captain Nick Jones shares a few tips for getting started with gamefishing.
W
ith warmer than average water gracing New Zealand as a result of La Niña conditions, we have seen a great start to the summer gamefishing season off both the west and east coasts. Gamefishing can be an expensive and cruel mistress, but once that reel starts howling, it makes all the effort worthwhile. I don’t consider myself an experienced gamefisher, but I have certainly learnt a few things the hard way! So, here are a few tips for newbies.
Work out what you want to target Our typical gamefishing season begins in December and runs through to about June. This is when anglers will head out from 20
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FOR
ports around the northern half of the North Island targeting striped marlin, blue marlin and yellowfin tuna. Nevertheless, other gamefish species are available during the ‘offseason’ – namely southern bluefin tuna which are primarily targeted in mid-winter off East Cape, and the deep-dwelling swordfish which can be caught during all seasons.
Prepare well Gamefishing requires a fair more amount of kit and preparation than bread-and-butter fishing – the following are important considerations: • Having sharp hooks is a crucial element, especially when your primary target comes adorned with a solid and awkwardly placed bill. If you’re rigging your lures or livebait rigs with heavier gauge hooks that aren’t chemically sharpened, then it
pays to invest a decent amount of time filing the point and barb down for easier penetration. • In terms of rigging, check out the wealth of online rigging tutorials or get an expert at a good fishing tackle store to do it for you. • It pays to have good quality rods and reels spooled with 600m+ of 24kg or 37kg line. I lost the first marlin I hooked after an hour on an old Shimano TLD25 with 15kg line – and that one hurt! As they say, don’t bring a knife to a gunfight. Livebaiting is a good option if you’re financially restricted – you can realistically fish with one or two quality sets (and burn a lot less fuel!). Ensure your equipment is regularly re-spooled so that your line does not go past its use-bydate. • It’s so easy to keep buying the latest shiny lure you see but in reality
You only need a basic mix of head styles, sizes and colours to cover most gamefishing bases. George Bourke with the results of a great day’s gamefishing.
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Keep a close eye on the spread when trolling – you never know when a fish is going to appear. you only need a basic mix of head styles, sizes and colours to cover most bases. I like to err on the side of running smaller lures – you’ll have a better chance of hooking smaller species such as shortbill spearfish, mahimahi and tuna, yet still attract the big ones. • If you’re going livebaiting, it’s likely you’ll need small tuna lures on rods or bungees for skippies, lures for kahawai, or sabikis for jack and slimey mackerel, and bait needles and thread/rubber bands for bridle rigging baits. • Outriggers help reduce tangles, spread the lures and keep them visible in clear water away from engine wash. Although I cut my gamefishing teeth using surf rods lashed to the side of the boat as outriggers, getting a firm, crisp release from professionally made sets rather than a sloppy, stretchy
release from poor DIY versions will increase your hook-up ratios. • Dredges are a great visual stimulant for gamefish as they imitate a small school of fish or squid. • Rubber bands are handy for anything and everything during a gamefishing trip! • Ensure you have an endgame plan with either a flying gaff or tag pole. • Wind-on leaders are great for trailerboat fishing to clear lines quickly and help boat-side fish handling. • A game chair or gimble belt and harness are mandatory.
Finding the fish The process of finding the fish starts before you head out on the water. Check out recent reports, which fishing club sponsor grids have been fruitful, talk to people who’ve been out recently and keep an eye on the
Once you’re out there, it’s all about reading the signs. All signs of life are positive.
Send us your best hunting, fishing, diving and outdoors images as well - we have a pair of top Oakley sunglasses to be given away each month for the best image. Tradies, Rheem off-Site is YOUR magazine. Please share your experiences and adventures with us. You don't have to be a Pulitzer prize-winning writer that is our job!
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ISSUE 23 2021 MAR/APR
WIN A PAIR OF
OAKLEY SUNGLASSES
PG 17
LE TRADIE PROFI
ETHAN OLIVER GETTING STARTED FIORDLAND GAMEFISHING
HUNTING
FOILING
AZ E JOIN THE CR
TALK TO US SO WE CAN SHARE YOUR STORIES WITH OTHERS. Ethan Neville 021 176 1366 ethan@nzfishingnews.co.nz off-Sitenz
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Some of the essential kit for gamefishing.
and the fifth option is a shotgun. The short corner is generally set on the boat’s second pressure wave, with the other lures staggered on backward pressure waves on alternating sides with the shotgun the furthest back set in the middle of the spread. Positioning lures on the bottom half of pressure waves mean lures are easy for fish to see and eat, and they will track smoothly and not skip. If lures are skipping, then try banding down the corner lures or lowering the outrigger height so they run from a lower point. A general rule-of-thumb for drag settings is that ‘strike’ should be 1/3 of the line’s breaking strain if you’re using standard game hooks. You can use a set of scales to help set the drag correctly. Trolling speed depends on the conditions, current and lures, but generally between 7-9 knots is about right. For livebaiting, most boats run one or two livies at a time. They can be set at different distances from the boat, from the outriggers, or one on the surface and one on a downrigger to provide some spacing. Common livebaits include skipjack tuna, kahawai, koheru, jack mackerel and slimey mackerel. The gear should be set with a light drag or with a decent slack line dropback in the outriggers to allow the fish to swallow the bait before the hook is set.
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Fighting the fish
Hooked up and jumping – nothing beats a successful day’s gamefishing. sea-surface temperature, current and chlorophyll charts online. Once you’re out there, it’s all about reading the signs. All signs of life are positive – be it birds on the water, gannets circling or diving, baitfish schools, dolphins, whales, sharks, or your target species cruising or feeding. If you see lots of baitfish on your sounder or spot marlin or tuna in a particular area, then it is advisable to stay in that area and ‘mow the lawns’ rather than ‘leave fish to find fish’. Current lines or mixing zones are an important place to find gamefish, particularly striped marlin. These areas can be distinguished by 22
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different surface conditions (rippling or smooth water), visible colour changes, temperature changes, and birds and baitfish holding in the area. Current lines tend to hold baitfish or squid and can be thought of as a highway for gamefish and are a great area to target your efforts. Similarly, drop-offs, trenches and seamounts on the chart often create upwellings that kick-off the food chain and are worth checking out to see if fish are holding.
Setting your gear When trolling, most anglers fish four or five lures – a short corner, long corner, short rigger, long rigger
Common livebaits include skipjack tuna, kahawai, koheru, jack mackerel and slimey mackerel.
Once you’re lucky enough to be hooked up, remain calm. When trolling, keep the boat moving forward at trolling speed while you clear the gear – this helps set the hook home, provides line weight pressure to keep the hook in the fish, and also allows more chance for a double strike. Once the gear is clear and the angler harnessed in, you can then start to use the boat to run the fish down. Big tuna will tend to settle into big circles under the boat, while striped marlin generally stick on the surface. Blue marlin have a tendency to dive when they feel lots of pressure, so be smooth and steady and don’t be tempted to increase the drag unless you absolutely have to. Putting too much pressure on a big fish can sometimes lead to it heading to the depths in panic and it will be extremely hard to lift back up. Good luck out there!
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Phil Lewis (Auckland) phil.lewis@fortresstrailers.co.nz Ph: (021) 287 2452 Dave Rudd (Bay of Plenty/Waikato) dave.rudd@fortresstrailers.co.nz Ph: (021) 068 9383