Fishing Guide - Nelson Tasman Golden Bay

NELSON TASMAN GOLDEN BAY FISHING GUIDE 2015

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NELSON / TASMAN / GOLDEN BAY - fishing guide 2015 12 Connolly’s Quay Fishing Platform

PORT NELSON “Sourced from Land Information New Zealand data. Crown Copyright Reserved.”

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Cast toward deeper water slightly to the north west of the platform for snapper, trevally, yellow-eyed mullet and kahawai.

13 & 14 Fifeshire Rock Channels

Cruising kingfish are known to frequent these channels on the incoming and outgoing tide.

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15 Bolton Hole

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A very popular spot from early spring to late autumn for snapper and kahawai. Flasher rigs and strayline: use a variety of baits.

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16 Back of Haulashore Island

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Snapper, trevally, kahawai and yellow-eyed mullet. Anchor, berley, strayline and flasher rigs.

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17 The G Spot

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1 & 2 Akersten Street Snapper, trevally, kahawai and yellow-eyed mullet in spring and summer.

3 Wharf – Tee Jetty

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An easily accessible family fishing spot all year round, with good results in summer.

Kahawai, yellow-eyed mullet, mackerel, school snapper.

Cast a lure and try your luck for a kingfish that like to hang around the wharf structures.

4 Haven Channels Fish the incoming and outgoing tides for kahawai, snapper, yellow-eyed mullet. A good set net spot for flounder.

23 Vickerman St, Port Nelson 548 0433

5 Inside Boulder Bank Channels Incoming tide tends to bring snapper, trevally, kahawai and kingfish.

6 Boulder Bank Back Eddy Kingfish lurk in here on the turning tide. Cast poppers, stick baits or livebaits under balloon.

7 & 9 Northern and Southern Cut From late spring for trevally, snapper with kingfish making an appearance in summer through to late autumn.

8 Haulashore Hole Good sized snapper have been landed here along with the usual suspects of yelloweyed mullet, mackerel and trevally.

10 Southern Edge of Shipping Lane Popular kayak fishing spot for snapper and kahawai.

This is where the Port Nelson’s dredge dumps its tailings. A good spot for snapper and kahawai. Run setline through it also.

18 Seaward Boulder Bank

From late spring this is a good night fishing spot for snapper.

Best fished between 11.00pm and 2.00am on a half tide, use a variety of baits.

19 Off the Lighthouse

From half way either side of high tide fish the change of light for snapper, trevally, kahawai, yellow-eyed mullet, mackerel and cruising kingfish.

CRIMPY’S SECRET GPS SPOTS 40 42.120s 172 09.411e 41 13.782s 173 17.367e

11 End of Richardson Street Cast toward hole which lies about 50 metres from shore to target snapper, yellow-eyed mullet and kahawai.

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THE FISHING PAPER & HUNTING NEWS

1 Fisherman Island Off the green navigation symbol to the south east of the island there is excellent snapper fishing during summer.

Snorkelling around the rocks is very scenic. This area offers good spear fishing opportunities with the occasional crayfish.

2 Adele Island A good free diving spot for crayfish all round the coastline and reefs offshore.

It’s worth targeting tarakihi off the north of the island where snapper are also found in summer.

3 Six Foot Rock This rock just north of Adele Island, fishes well year round for tarakihi and the occasional blue cod. Fish late summer for snapper and good results for gurnard have been had further out from the rock over the sand from February onwards.

ABEL TASMAN 16

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4 Hapuku Reef

6 Bark Bay

Situated at the start of what the locals call the Mad Mile, and for very good reason. The currents through here can be quite strong and when the nor’wester comes in it cuts up.

The reef drops quickly onto a muddy bottom and fishing close in will produce snapper and a variety of other species.

Access for land based again via the coastal track. Limited rock fishing, so mainly suited to boat access. Borders the marine reserve and produces snapper, kahawai, tarakihi and a few blue moki. Kingfish patrol these waters from mid-summer and are best taken on heavy tackle with medium to large live baits or troliing lures.

Paddle crabs are plentiful at low tide.

5 Pitt Head Moderate fishing from the beach late in the evening, but good light tackle fishing from around the rocks. On the main coastline, small blue cod are occasionally caught.

Late summer target cruising kingfish. Free diving for crayfish around coastal margin.

Coastal Waters Between 5 and 6

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This stretch of coast is good for kahawai in late summer and early autumn. It’s also proven setline territory for snapper.

This area is also well worth checking out for free diving for crayfish and moki. Any of the headlands or drop-offs with currents are known to hold populations of cruising kingfish from spring through to mid autumn. The area also provides great opportunities for the thrill of spear fishing kingfish.

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TONGA ISLAND MARINE RESERVE – No fishing zone.

Ensure you make yourself aware of the exact boundaries of the marine reserve, which stretches from Bark Bay in the south to Awaroa Head in the north.

This is one of the country’s most spectacular dive sites, both snorkelling and scuba diving. Try scuba diving the rock that lies just north of Tonga Island where you’re likely to see masses of crayfish in excess of 10lb.

Note: If you are intending to dive in the marine reserve, ensure you have no fish, including shellfish or crayfish, aboard your boat. Fishery officers regularly patrol this area.

7 Awaroa Bay Access is boat only and this shallow sandy bottom coast is dotted with small reefs worthy of a cast or two. In the estuary you’ll find flounder and paddle crabs. In summer surfcast from the beach for kahawai.

11 Outer Rock South off Totaranui Reef A good summer through to mid autumn snapper, tarakihi and kahawai spot.

Flasher rigs have been successful in targeting trevally around rocks with kingfish also known to lurk in areas of current. This is also a popular free dive spot for crayfish and moki.

12 The Brick Search for the two pinnacles where you’ll find snapper during summer and blue cod year round. Drift with slow jigs, softbaits or flasher rigs.

13 South Anatakapua Bay Fish early spring and later in summer for snapper. Target gurnard over the sandy bottom areas in late summer and autumn. Kahawai and kingfish are common around rocky areas in late summer.

14 Separation Point A very popular fishing spot that experiences moderate to heavy pressure through the summer months. Some blue moki can be taken in close, but

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the area is popular for its blue cod fishery. Target snapper late in the spring and again mid-autumn. A standard ledger rig with heavy sinker is the most commonly used terminal tackle for this area. Mechanical slow jigging for kingfish late in the summer. Trevally are also caught here in late spring and again in late autumn: flasher rigs with mix of bait or slow jigs.

15 Separation Point Offshore Blue cod are common here year round but a better winter fishing area. Troll for albacore tuna in mid to late summer.

16 Separation Point West Spring snapper and again in autumn. Kingfish are found around rocky outcrops and areas of current. Live baiting or trolling surface lures is effective. Kahawai, sea perch and trevally are caught in late spring and again in early autumn. Use slow jigs, softbait or flasher rigs. It’s also a good free diving spear fishing site.

Make sure you check out the shallower margins before heading into the deeper water.

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8 Ratakura Point Snapper and the occasional tarakihi are found around areas of foul. A good spot for free diving for moki and crayfish.

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FISHING PROHIBITED

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Kayak Spot

Dive Spot

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9 Rocks Offshore From Goat Bay A good site for summer snapper.

10 Totaranui

Fishing Spot

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Tinnies can be launched from the beach and there is access to some reasonable land based fishing. Change of light, berley and a light tackle approach are what is required here. Paddle crabs are also plentiful. Set lining over the sandy bottom during late spring then again in early autumn has provided good results for snapper and gurnard.

These fish are also known to inhabit the drop-off areas.

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THE FISHING PAPER & HUNTING NEWS

NELSON / TASMAN / GOLDEN BAY - fishing guide 2015

TASMAN BAY

1 Sandy Bay Beach This is a very tidal area with good flounder fishing on the incoming evening tide. Paddle crabs are also plentiful with snapper cruising the area at the top of the tide.

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2 Split Apple Rock

Land based access from the Kaiteriteri road via Stephens Bay. Beach and rock fishing onto a sandy bottom. Snapper and kahawai are the main species taken. Use ledger and flasher rigs with a variety of bait.

Snapper, kahawai, trevally, yellow-eyed mullet and mackerel.

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Some land based fishing is possible but it is largely boat access. Fish in close, with light tackle for tarakihi, kahawai and snapper. Berley essential.

3 Anawera Point

24 Outflow Pipe

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25 Atawhai Drive and QE II Drive Intersection.

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Cast to the channel. Good site for school snapper in spring then again in late summer to mid autumn. Kahawai and small trevally are also caught here. Best time is the incoming tide, fishing through top and on back of tide.

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26 Boulder Bank

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26A – Closer in to the Boulder Bank in shallow water use plenty of berley and try straylining and flasher rigs on incoming and outgoing tide. Best fishing time tends to be at mid tide at the change of light at dawn or dusk.

Use a variety of baits for snapper and try drop-shotting soft baits. Expect

4 Kaka Island At the mouth of Kaiteriteri Bay is a set of rocks and the small island. Fishing these areas early in the spring and again later in autumn can produce snapper of reasonable size.

5 Stephens Bay Surfcasting for kahawai, yelloweyed mullet, mackerel and in spring and late summer snapper.

Good spot for dinghy fishing – strayline evening & early morning. Flasher rigs good with shellfish bait.

7 Riwaka River Outflow and Estuary The estuary is ideal for flounder set netting and evening spear fishing.

Paddle crabs are abundant and plenty of cockles can be found around here too. It’s no deeper than a metre at low tide.

8 Oyster Beds Use short tows when dredging because in close there are a lot of stones that can foul your dredge. Good snapper area.

9 The Kumeras Surfcasting for snapper late summer to autumn. Year round for kahawai and flounder.

10 The 20 Metre Line This is good in early to late spring where large snapper are often caught on setlines. Gurnard, greyboy, rig and kahawai in late spring and early summer. A lot of spiny dogfish and carpet sharks so avoid berley, but drift using straylines and slow jigs. Pink and white Jitterbugs a good spring choice.

At times, red cod are abundant late winter through spring. Albacore tuna

spoon shaped sinkers that are easier to jiggle free from between rocks. Big eagle rays are often caught here. It’s also worth spinning for kahawai and kingfish.

27 Marybank Flounder on edges of main channel. Use either set nets or spearfishing with light at night.

Deeper water creates different current patterns meaning this area fishes best on an incoming tide and has excellent results at the change of light. Fish the edge of the drop-off for snapper, trevally, blue cod, yellow-eyed mullet, mackerel and kingfish. Kingfish are often taken from here on live bait and lures. Drift fish or kayak up to 300m offshore for snapper, kahawai and gurnard.

G D IN ITE SH B FI HI O PR

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Situated at the back of Pepin Island, this spot provides sheltered fishing during

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sou’westerlies. An area of shallow reef runs onto a sandy bottom. Fish in close for snapper and kingfish, or over the sand for gurnard.

33 West Delaware Bay

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Late summer for snapper, gurnard, kahawai, mullet and mackerel. A good spot for set lining for gurnard particularly in late winter.

34 Delaware Bay Drift fishing for gurnard, particularly good in winter, but you’ll also pick up the occasional large snapper in summer. Try ledger rig or slow retrieve of soft bait or lure from the bottom. Rig caught in spring.

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11 Port Motueka Great spot for catching baitfish like yellow-eyed mullet before moving down the coast to target snapper.

Pacific oysters are also plentiful along this coast.

12 Moutere Bluff – inshore Snapper in shallow water from September then again from mid summer and on to autumn. A lot of pannies but big snapper also.

12a. Moutere Inlet Spearing flounder in channels low tide through winter.

13 Kina Beach This beautiful stretch of beach is quite secluded and easy access is offered from the Coastal Highway. An ideal picnic area, Kina Beach provides easy surfcasting conditions. Fish through the top of the tide for kahawai, snapper and rig. Fishes best on a mid-tide approaching dusk.

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19 over summer and autumn when water temperature high – troll albacore lures 6-8kts. Will take Rapalas and long jigs.

Black Magic albie lures hot choice.

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14 Moutere Bluffs offshore On the 10 metre line. Fishes well in spring then again in early autumn for snapper. During October and 22 November expect rig and year round for gurnard.

15 Ruby Bay Early spring through summer for snapper fishing the change of light in the morning. In close, they go off the bite at daybreak. Mainly school snapper.

16 Mapua Channel The old wharf offers safe fishing for youngsters, but currents can be strong so heavy running rigs are advised. Boat fishing for kahawai, and in spring and again from late summer this is a good snapper spot. Big snapper in shallow!

17 Rabbit Island – surfcasting Spring and again late summer through to autumn for snapper, kahawai, spiny dogfish and greyboys. Look for gutters where shellfish exist and fish incoming tide. Good electric kontiki spot. Large rays are also common off the beach.

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20 Monaco Tidal Flats A good set net area for flounder late autumn – mid winter. Pannie snapper spring through to late autumn.

A popular snapper spot from spring until mid December. Fish the change of light in the morning in 6-8m at anchor, with good berley trail and strayline and variety of baits. Gurnard and kahawai are also common along here – take slow jigs or flasher rigs while drifting.

December can bring plagues of juvenile school sharks, so don’t berley if they are present.

19 Oyster Island All the back channels offer school snapper in late spring then again from midsummer through until autumn.

Kahawai, yellow-eyed mullet and mackerel are also often caught here.

Strayline on shallow banks on incoming tide - sunrise.

Large area of foul where dredge dumps waste is for good spring and summer school snapper, kahawai, yellow-eyed mullet, and greyboy, plus occasional rig. Gurnard are caught here year round.

22 Mussel Beds Off Airport A good snapper spot from early spring through to early summer. Historically some large fish have been landed here.

PAINT & MAINTENANCE

FISHING

CLOTHING

36 & 37 Whangamoa Head to Grahams Point

41 Moncrieff Reserve Both land based and boat fishing for spring and autumn snapper, with kahawai in late autumn.

42 Old Wharf

Blue cod, tarakihi off reefs and foul areas year round. Snapper and gurnard in spring to autumn in more open water.

Fish the 30-metre mark in spring for large snapper and gurnard. This is also a popular set line area. Drift using

Land based summer fishing for snapper and kahawai.

43 Main Beach Okiwi Bay A tidal area where land based fishing during summer can result in catches of snapper, mullet and kahawai.

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23 Back Beach This is one of Nelson’s premier surfcasting spots fishing for snapper, kahawai and yellow-eyed mullet.

The incoming tide produces the best results, however the back tide is also worth trying. This is a highly popular early morning fishing spot, however a half tide at the change of light in the evening also a good time.

Late spring for large snapper by fishing the change of light at dusk – then again mid to late autumn. Fish the edge of the foul using stray lines, slow jigs or flasher rigs. This is good kingfish country in late spring then again in mid to late summer.

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21 Tasman Bay

18 Rabbit Island – boat fishing

35 East Delaware Bay

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From spring until late autumn all bays and coves around mussel farms produce snapper, kahawai and trevally. The area between the islands and the cable at the entrance to Squally Cove is the main scallop bed.

North of the cable is a limited oyster bed. Good kayak fishing.

Catch me if you can!

26c

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39 Croisilles Harbour Banks Any of the banks sloping into the main channel produce great gurnard fishing in autumn and winter. Good kayak fishing.

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40 Squally Cove

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Blue cod all year round with snapper from spring through to late autumn. Kahawai and kingfish can also be found in spring and autumn. Good kayak fishing. Trolling from here to 30m mark in summer may pick up albacore tuna.

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32 Pier Cove

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38 Cape Soucis

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A popular kayak fishing area where in late summer through to autumn you can expect snapper and the occasional tarakihi. Boat fishing good with anchor and berley, strayline, flashers, softbaits and slow jigs cast close to rocks. Troll close for kingfish.

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straylines and slow jigs.

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MAIN SPRING/AUTUMN SNAPPER TERRITORY

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Surfcasting for snapper and kahawai, if you can get access to the shore.

Popular kayak spot – fish around Pepin Island or paddle out near Marine Reserve for snapper, kahawai and gurnard. Good setlining area. A number of large snapper taken by kayakers here.

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30 Cable Bay

31 Pepin Island

28 & 29 Radio Mast to The Glen

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6 Spat Farm A prime kingfish spot through spring and again from late summer into autumn. Snapper are also caught at these times. Year round species include kahawai, mackerel, mullet and gurnard.

Kingfish Hint – cruise outside of the farm and cast a subsurface lure or stick baits, then make a quick retrieve. Will also take Jitterbugs cast and retrieved.

After a while the fish may become lure shy so use the lure to tease them toward the boat, then switch to speed jigging.

Kingfish are very curious and an old paint tin with a few nuts and bolts, shaken beneath the water surface may also bring them over for a look.

snapper, kahawai, trevally, blue cod, kingfish, barracouta, spiny dogfish, thresher sharks and carpet sharks. Troll for kingies mid to late spring and early autumn. Popular spearfishing and kayak destination.

26B – Offshore from the Boulder Bank in deeper water around the 20 metre mark. Anchor up and use plenty of berley. Use stray lines, ledgers and soft baits targeting snapper and trevally. If spiny dogs become a problem move into shallower water or drift fish using Jitterbugs or other slow jigs. This is also a prime setline spot in early spring for large snapper. Rig are also common here. Good kayak fishing 300m from shore for gurnard and school snapper.

26C – Landbased from the Boulder Bank. Access from Boulder Bank Drive.

This is an extremely rocky bottom so be prepared to lose some gear. Try using

ALBACORE TUNA Albacore tuna often come into Tasman Bay over summer and early autumn when water temperatures are high and food is abundant. Look for current lines around 20m – 30m and troll albie lures at 6-8 knots.

Look for areas of baitfish, fish activity, birds working and blue water. Tuna tend to rise to surface feed with the sun, so mid-morning onwards can be productive.

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NELSON / TASMAN / GOLDEN BAY - fishing guide 2015

GOLDEN BAY 11

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8 Aorere River - for the trout fishing enthusiast

This has good quantities of brown trout. There are several places you can access the river by bridges, but don’t be afraid to ask a farmer. Most will let you cross their land.

9 Mussel Farms

Particularly good snapper fishing from December to March early morning and again in the evening.

Launch your boat at the Collingwood boat ramp.

Remember to pay your boat ramp fee. Tie up to the mussel farms, but keep out of the mussel farmers’ way when they are working. Collingwood boat ramp is very tidal, launching access is only for two and a half hours either side of high tide.

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10 Pakawau Beach 8

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1 Wainui Bay Good sized snapper and trevally in spring and again in late summer through until mid summer are regularly caught around the mussel farms. Paddle crabs and flounder are prolific in the estuary. Ledger rigs, flasher rigs, softbaits and slow jigs.

2 Port Tarakohe The breakwater for the marina allows you to cast into the bay.

There are one or two places on the rocks that allow you to get down to the water’s edge without too much difficulty, but most people go off the point.

Fish summer through to early autumn for snapper along with yellow-eyed mullet, black rays, dogfish, gurnard and kahawai.

It is best to fish the change of light either in the early morning or late evening.

On the mussel farms west of Tarakohe you’ll find snapper.

From spring through to mid summer kingfish like to play around the mussel farms with live bait, trolling and surface lures all proving successful.

2 – 3 Between Tarakohe and Pohara Ths is a popular area for setlining, evening drift fishing and flounder netting from boats.

3 Pohara Beach At low tide it’s possible to walk

SUMMER ALBACORE TUNA. Troll albie lures along current lines: huge masses of big kahawai and rat kingies between 20m and 40m.

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out and survey the channels and pools for the small fish that get caught on the out going tide and toward high tide. The bay is deep enough for the snapper to come in and feed, making it a reasonable surfcasting spot.

4 Golden Bay Scallop Beds In decline and patchy.

5 Patons Rock Good fishing from boats, or fish off the rocks at both low and

“Sourced from Land Information New Zealand data. Crown Copyright Reserved.”

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high tides. Fishing the change of light and even after dark will reward you. Check out the rocks at low tide so you know where you can cast your lines without losing gear on rocks.

Good snapper fishing.

6 Onekaka (including near the old wharf) Snapper and other fish can be caught along this stretch.

A small boat ramp is available.

Fish can be caught quite close in, particularly in the late

Jet Boats

evening. Along the reef slightly offshore from here is a proven school snapper spot in early spring and fishes particularly well in early morning.

Further out on the 20 to 30 metre line set lining has been highly successful during early to late spring for large snapper. Check out this area for summer albacore.

7 Collingwood, Aorere River Mouth Always a good spot to catch kahawai or sea-run trout.

Use a lure or bait and fish the incoming tide at the back of the Collingwood Motor Camp.

Snapper can also be caught off this spot. This is also a good winter flounder spearing area

A good place for surfcasting.

Fishing during the day can bring results, but it is better fishing on dark or after dark.

Remember the paddle crabs take your bait during daylight hours. After dark they leave your bait alone. You can also set a crab pot here for a feed of paddle crabs.

11 Wharariki Beach

A spectacularly scenic surfcasting beach for big snapper and rig. Free diving for paua when conditions allow.

12 Fossil Point

A 20 minute walk from the base of Farewell Spit car park.

Surfcast off the beach or rocky outcrops. Kahawai, sharks and other fish can be caught.

Change of light and after dark is best. Beware of the large waves and dangerous undertow of the sea. A lovely place to watch the sunset.

13 Outside Farewell Spit

Early spring target snapper, trevally, gurnard and rig.

Further offshore beyond the 40 metre mark fish for albacore tuna and mako sharks.

THE FISHING PAPER & HUNTING NEWS

Westhaven Inlet

GOLDEN BAY WEST COAST

1 Snapper are prolific from early summer through until autumn.

9 See enlargement

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3 Flounder throughout the tidal sandflats but spear fishing only.

4 All bridges on the Westhaven Road are good spots for surfcasting from for snapper.

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Westhaven Inlet 1 2 4 3 “Sourced from Land Information New Zealand data.

Crown Copyright Reserved.”

2 Find the hole which drops to about 13 metres where snapper tend to lurk early summer through to late autumn.

FISHING PROHIBITED

Note: Be aware of the Westhaven Te Tai Tapu Marine Reserve.

The reserve covers 536 hectares and includes all the tidal sandflats and channels south of a straight line between Melbourne Point (Pah Point) and the closest headland of Westhaven Scenic Reserve. It also includes all the tidal areas upstream of causeways along Dry Road, southwest of and including the Wairoa River. An area around the Mangarakau wharf is not included in either reserve.

5 Western Coastline All beaches along this coast

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from the Patarau River south are good for snorkelling, with plenty of paua.

6 Patarau Shoals

This is a very exposed coastline and is often subject to some heavy weather from the north and west. These shoals produce good catches of snapper and blue cod and are a popular dive site for crayfish. Big tarakihi have been taken from here along with the occasional trumpeter and trevally.

7 Kahurangi Shoals

A diverse range of species is caught here including groper, blue cod, snapper and trumpeter with kingfish in summer.

Crayfish are plentiful for scuba divers.

8 Patarau Banks

Albacore tuna in autumn and early spring. Shoaling trevally and kahawai are also known to inhabit these waters. Blue cod can be found here year round with perch, snapper and a few groper.

9 The 102 Metre Line

A consistent groper spot when fishing the deeper margins.

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Our friendly campground boasts a scenic rural outlook, is located only 300 metres from Takaka town centre… (cafes, bars, restaurants, shops and supermarket) and a mere 7km’s to the beach.

Pets by arrangement.

Stock up Power Up Rest Up Clean Up

56 Motupipi St, Takaka Ph (03) 525 7300

www.takakacampingandcabins.co.nz

Every Tuesday night in September.

wild game

nights

&

on Choice of 4 mains at $28 each (standard menu still available) • Wild fallow (deer) pie • Wild goat curry • Venison osso bucco • Wild NZ Tahr burger BOOK NOW.

6 POINT ROAD, MONACO, NELSON PHONE 03 547 0792

www.tmk.co.nz

3

8

NELSON / TASMAN / GOLDEN BAY - fishing guide 2015

Harbour Views A frightened man with a bucket There are many chores you have to complete before you get the boat out on the water this spring.

Change the fuel from last summer. This is recommended, as Coastguard tow many breakdowns in as a result of old or dirty fuel. Have the engine properly serviced by a registered or qualified technician. Nowhere near as expensive as a lost life or burnt out motor.

Have you checked the secondary form of propulsion still works? Make sure the rowlocks aren’t seized in the blocks, the sail is in good condition and the halyards not weakened from the sun and weather. Check the second engine is in good condition. It’s embarrassing, if nothing else, if both don’t work; it could also be fatal.

Is your chart up to date? For those who don’t know, the white area is for sailing or fishing. The blue area is for ‘parking,’ the green area is for when you stop for a drink.

Have you got the right size and type of anchor? Is your safety equipment in good condition and ready for use? When was the last time you checked the gas bottle or your inflatable lifejacket? Is your child’s lifejacket the right size this season?

Avoid the infringement notice, which is greater than the cost of a replacement and show your child you care - buy the right size.

Are your flares up to date? Too often I demonstrate with an older flare just to learn it doesn’t operate properly. If you are up ‘the creek’ it’s a tough time to find out they don’t work. I have never had one in service fail. Have you read the instructions?

Don’t forget the second form of communication. The old cell phone doesn’t cut it. Get a marine radio, so in an emergency you can call for help and get lots of attention. There is no better pump than a frightened man with a bucket. Don’t forget the boyfriend’s bucket or bailer.

F stands for fire extinguisher, not the four letter expletive when you see the smoke. Make sure you have one on your boat, easy to reach from outside, the right one for the purpose and you know how to use it.

So there it is skipper, the minimum six essential items. A PFD for each person on board of the right size, an anchor, signalling devices, secondary propulsion, a bailer and a fire extinguisher.

Boat safely this summer.

Proudly brought to you by

Fish Profile – Monkfish Stargazer

Dave Duncan

By Dave Duncan

This generic name probably came about

catching small fish as they pass. For this

due to the fact thatthe eyes look skyward

reason it is seldom caught by recreational

from atop an ugly bullish head. This species

anglers.

camouflages itself by burying into silt,

While they are occasionally taken when

with the eyes protruding. Six species are

dragging nets, they are more commonly

present around New Zealand, the most

picked up in flounder set nets in estuaries.

popular being the monkfish.

OVER 40 species instore for FRESH FISH OVERNIGHT

Spearing at night for flounder can also

It has a mottled olive brown colouration above, fading to white underneath. The body tapers from a

NATIONWIDE

deliver the occasional one to the table.

CALL

Limits

0800 GUYTONS

Southern - Combined daily finfish bag limit

thick flattish head

(489866)

30, no size limit. Minimum set net mesh

and a prominent

100mm. Other areas -

spine points backwards from

No bag or size limits.

the base of the pectoral spines.

They average 30-50cm and grow

Minimum set net

as large as 60cm. The mouth

mesh 100mm.

points upward from the

4 GREAT LOCATIONS Nelson Stoke Richmond Blenheim

Food Qualities

front of the head.

Names like flathead,

Distribution

bulldog and boof suggest

Stargazers are common

they are held in low

throughout our coastal waters, but most

regard and discarded as a

prolific about the lower South Island. Their

table fish. This is a serious misconception,

range includes

because the monkfish is also referred to as

shallow water and estuaries down to around

poor man’s crayfish and for good reason.

600m along the shelf.

The flesh is pearly white, firm textured and

Targeting Stargazers

moist, producing thick fillets that deliver

This species has perfected the art of

a delicate crayfish flavour when cooked;

ambush, burying itself in the sediment and

suitable for all cooking methods.

www.guytons.co.nz

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