New Zealand

[deckhand]

If you are thinking of going to New Zealand and wants some advise let me know! I've spent the last two seasons out there working the boats ;o)

[gusangus]

hi deckhand, welcome to the forum, often thought I would have liked to emigrate to NZ just never got round to it lol.

[Drew]

Hi Deckhand,

Welcome to the forum.

I spend 3 weeks in Tasmania every year but I've never been to New Zealand.

Maybe one year I'll make the effort.

Awrabest

Drew

[jetstream]

Nice offer Deckhand..thanks.
I hope to get back out there in a couple of years for another hol.
I've done a bit of fishing out of Manganui and dived in Queen Charlotte sound. Also dived aroundf Kaikoura, Hahei and Poor Knights. Magic counrty, I should have stayed there, fishing and diving paradise........

[wombat]

I`ve just arived in England from NZ (Dunedin) on savatical .....after being a public servant for the past 16 years there I would recomend the fishing there ........it`s second to none..............better than this country .........it`s diabolical here in the north eastof england..........
Not to worry I`ll be moving to the south in a week or so , lets hope the fishing is better.

[PanamaJack]

Hi Deckhand
And similarly, Welcome to the Forum. I'm sure your input will be invaluable.

So which ports have you been working out of? Up north, Bay of Islands?

And have you any background information on those huge Pacific Bluefins off of Greymouth - west coast, South Island? Reports just seem to be trickling out over the past year or so. I've heard of fish up to 280kgs (617lbs) coming from the Hokitika Trench.
Dave

[Jamie Donnelly]

hi deckmate im going to nz in august and im going to fish everyday i can im going to the bay of islands area do you have any tips of howe to fish where with what or what tackle i need?

cheers,

jamie donnelly

[jetstream]

Panama and Jamie,

This post was make in Jan 05, Not sure if Deckhand is still on the site so don't hold your breath for replies.

[PanamaJack]

Hi Jetstream
Whoops! Many Thanks for pointing that out.

and Hi Jamie
It's some years since any of our members fished the Bay of Islands and then, from memory, it was this time of year - Striped Marlin time. They did as well fish out past the Three Kings.

Over the years I fished in both the Azores and Ascension Island (South Atlantic) with a Kiwi, Marty Bates, who comes from the Bay of Islands area. Let me try and track him down. I'm sure also I have back issues of an Aussie publication - Bluewater Boats and Sportsfishing - that might yield some answers. And they're several antipodean forums identified on our Club's web site that might be useful starting points. Here's the url - http://www.scbi.org.uk/pages/Forums_LinksToOtherForums.Asp. (http://www.scbi.org.uk/pages/Forums_LinksToOtherForums.Asp)
Kindest regards
Dave

[Jamie Donnelly]

hi dave thanks for the help!!

cheers,

jamie donnelly

[PanamaJack]

Hi Jamie
Looking at a picture on a friend's web site it looks as if Marty's right in the middle of Ascension island's Blue Marlin season. So the chances of getting a reply for the next couple of months is questionable. Sorry!

But just looking around it looks as if the main species from the rocks will be Snapper with boatwise - on the reefs - Snapper, Grouper and the species they get very excited about - Yellowtail Kingfish. Looking through these sites might well be accessing.

http://www.fishnz.co.nz/. A reasonable Portal site.

http://www.fishing.net.nz/index.cfm. An excellent information site, complete with forums.

http://www.beachfishingnz.com/?CFID=16637107&CFTOKEN=36434364. Albeit slightly further south - Bay of Plenty area - this chap guides rock and kayak fishing trip. Well worth scanning through though for tips.

http://www.wildbill.co.nz/. A boat based in Bay of Islands which, during their winter months, our summer, organises reef trips for individuals targeting Snapper, Grouper and Kingfish (Yellowtail).

Hope, as a starting point, that's of some help.
Dave

[Big Bones jones the fish]

Went there last year! Fished White Island. you could try contacting Rick Pollack on pursuit chaters out of Whakkatane

[kiwib]

Anybody want any info on Land Based stuff just sing out.

[jay666]

Panama and Jamie,

This post was make in Jan 05, Not sure if Deckhand is still on the site so don't hold your breath for replies.

Just looked on Deckhand's profile

Last Activity: 26-12-2006 17:01

[colhaze]

Hi I live in Whangarei where the fishing is only about 4 times better than anywhere in Australia (lol) and about 50 times better than most of the world.
The Bay of Islands is even better and if you go north to KariKari Peninsular somewhere like Whatuwhiwhi camping ground where it gets fished a lot less you can consistently catch 30lb snapper even in the months after spawning. December January (summer Time)
I am more into recreational than Game fishing but I catch Kahawai (sea trout) most trips in Whangarei but have not caught a Kingi here Although many People do on Jigs, bait,softbait,trolling,livebait etc., I have caught Kingi on live bait and poppers in Bay of Islands. My mate is trying to catch Kingi on fly to establish a new sport and make lotsa money from tourists.
If you are coming up north in NZ drop me an email at colhaze.@clear.net.nz we may be able to swap info, go fishing together (I have a boat and heaps of tackle) or even help with accommodation

[colhaze]

Went there last year! Fished White Island. you could try contacting Rick Pollack on pursuit chaters out of Whakkatane

Whakatane if you are doing a google search

[colhaze]

Hi Jamie
Looking at a picture on a friend's web site it looks as if Marty's right in the middle of Ascension island's Blue Marlin season. So the chances of getting a reply for the next couple of months is questionable. Sorry!

But just looking around it looks as if the main species from the rocks will be Snapper with boatwise - on the reefs - Snapper, Grouper and the species they get very excited about - Yellowtail Kingfish. Looking through these sites might well be accessing.

http://www.fishnz.co.nz/. A reasonable Portal site.

http://www.fishing.net.nz/index.cfm. An excellent information site, complete with forums.

http://www.beachfishingnz.com/?CFID=16637107&CFTOKEN=36434364. Albeit slightly further south - Bay of Plenty area - this chap guides rock and kayak fishing trip. Well worth scanning through though for tips.

http://www.wildbill.co.nz/. A boat based in Bay of Islands which, during their winter months, our summer, organises reef trips for individuals targeting Snapper, Grouper and Kingfish (Yellowtail).

Hope, as a starting point, that's of some help.
Dave
Also great eating is Terikihi, gurnard, Kahawai (sea trout), Mao Mao, shark (Lemon fish) and many reef fish such as parrot fish, leather jackets and john dory, if you dive crayfish (lobster) Scallops and mussels are not to hard to get and clams such as Pipi, Cockles, Tuatua are easy for the whole family to gather

[suggsey]

Ive done a bit around the north island...mainly from the beech...(loose turm) had fantastic times... their is nothing like a fresh meal straight from the sea onto a bbq... went out for a couple of trips on a boat out of the bay of islands... it was great......going back to the jaffas next month.. and hoping to get up to kiri-kiri in march... and if i dont get any fishing in... i WILL hang myself from the longest Yard-Arm.....:happy:

[dulldai]

wellcome to the forum mate

[LilBrit]

Ive done a bit around the north island...mainly from the beech...(loose turm) had fantastic times... their is nothing like a fresh meal straight from the sea onto a bbq... went out for a couple of trips on a boat out of the bay of islands... it was great......going back to the jaffas next month.. and hoping to get up to kiri-kiri in march... and if i dont get any fishing in... i WILL hang myself from the longest Yard-Arm.....:happy:

If you meant "kerikeri" I have a sister living there.

Anybody going out from Bay of Islands could do worse than looking up Steve Butler, top bloke for the old Kingies!!

Not sure what the seasons are? Anything doing in late April/May ?

[fredmoore]

my sister has just emigrated there and obviously the offer is there for a free hol.what is the fishing like there especially from the shore as I get a bit sea sick on anythink other than back country skiffs

[skippy]

luck bugger depends were u are north or south island and depends on what time of the year u go
some 1 will help u for shore been a while since i fished there:bounce:

[yeahnah]

Nelson is in the south island and the fishing around there is generaly good time of year dependant etc .

Have a look at http://www.fishingmag.co.nz/ its a mainly south island based fishing site theres a forum there you could ask a few questions.

[Timbonz]

I am an ex-pat pom now living in Whitianga on the Coromandel peninsular, NZ. Just found this great forum by accident when researching Avet reels.
I never did a great deal of sea fishing in the uk, mostly carp and general course. Since moving here 3 years ago I have really got the bug, and have just got my first boat. as some have already said, this place is pure heaven for anyone into fishing/diving/hunting.
Until you have caught a legal (minimum keeper size 75cm) yellowtail kingi...you aint lived.

[Capt Asparagus]

The certainly is plenty of fishing around. Every port you go to will have several options for various charter fishing trips, I would have to say the best marine fishing is generally north of Gisborne/Taranaki, heading out from Whakatane to White Island is fantastic fishing, either with Rick Pollock (Pursuit) or some of the otehr charter boats that work the area... finding a spot on one of Ricks trips would be pretty tough, he is a pretty internationally renowned skipper.
I would recommend perhaps seeing if you can get a spot on a multiday trip out of Gisborne on the vessel Pacific Invader, with Mike Richmond. These are great value trips, and the fishery there is if anything better than the Whakatane one.
If heading further north, well, as timbonz says Whitianga is good, but really, anywhere from there north has some great options... and yes, fishing of the rocks is pretty easy and relatively productive as well.
I would suggest you check out the www.fishing.net.nz site, it has a lot of folks on there who would be happy to help out with more and better advice than I am able to provide.
And what Timbonz saya about kingies is true....
http://www.senortuna.com/pics/data/500/Web_fixpenguin_0021.jpg

cheers,
Stu.

[Roller]

any mulloway/jewfish in NZ?

[Capt Asparagus]

No mate, only kingfish in that niche.
Have ot say they fight every bit as well as an mulloway though :-)
cheers,
Stu

[Cuba]

Nelson is in the south island and the fishing around there is generaly good time of year dependant etc .

Have a look at http://www.fishingmag.co.nz/ its a mainly south island based fishing site theres a forum there you could ask a few questions.

I live in Nelson. Surf casting several times a week (walking distance). I'm catching Kahawai (Ocean trout?) at the moment, the waters are cool. I'm fishing a blind channel, which is quite a 'super highway' for fish in and out of the bay. As the waters warm the Kahawai get bigger and the Snapper come in amongst others.
Fortunately, I have the privilege to fish a beach with private access, about 40min out of town. More Kahawai, Snapper, Gurnard, blue cod etc. But that's as the water warms too.
I guess the thing I like the most about fishing around here is the weather. Very settled with the highest sunshine hours in the country next to Blenheim and Marlborough sounds. If I decide to go fishing or go home, it's 15 minutes from line in the water, to beer in the hand.
As for the the sounds, another fishing adventure all together.

[Cuba]

This morning was outstanding. Between me and 3 Cambodian guys, we pulled in close to 60 Kahawai in 2 1/2 hrs. Pretty frantic running between rods. They kept plenty of smaller ones I would have released. Still, it was a pretty animated day at the beach! :laugh:

[Hairy Little Dwarf]

Anyone visiting the Far North of NZ, get in touch and I'll give you an update on what's fishing where. I go mad if I don't get to go fishing at least fortnightly...

[fishermanray]

Part of a decent catch of red cod in Wellington harbour .Made some great British Style Fishcakes .We also had a Kingfish that was on the BBQ that eve ,nice UUUMM
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t171/chez51/th_newcamera001.jpg (http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t171/chez51/newcamera001.jpg)

[coral]

Last March (2008) I fished at the Bay of Islands with 4 friends. Caught tons of king fish. Some Bronze Whalers made some king fishes that we were reeling in their meals

Next month will be fishing at 3 Kings

[johnas]

I fished at the three kings in may 2007, it's the fishiest place on earth!! we stayed on 'oracle' for a week as the kings is in the middle of nowhere and you don't touch land for 7 days but i absolutely loved it, we fished 14 hours a day and you catch everything. marlin, billfish, hapuka, bass, kingies, sharks, squid, snapper to name just a few, but the most exciting by far is the kingie fishing on a jig! some are so big and strong they were straightening our split rings on the jigs! i can't wait to go back. apart from that i lived in nz for a year and fished at least once a week mostly on the north island and you won't go far wrong with the bay of islands either.

[PanamaJack]

I fished at the three kings in may 2007, it's the fishiest place on earth!! we stayed on 'oracle' for a week as the kings is in the middle of nowhere and you don't touch land for 7 days but i absolutely loved it, we fished 14 hours a day and you catch everything. marlin, billfish, hapuka, bass, kingies, sharks, squid, snapper to name just a few, but the most exciting by far is the kingie fishing on a jig! some are so big and strong they were straightening our split rings on the jigs! i can't wait to go back. apart from that i lived in nz for a year and fished at least once a week mostly on the north island and you won't go far wrong with the bay of islands either.

Oracle - http://cascade-fishing.co.nz/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx - looks a first rate operation. I notice as well they now also run down to Greymouth to fish for the Giant Bluefin Tuna.

[DaveIrving]

Oracle - http://cascade-fishing.co.nz/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx - looks a first rate operation. I notice as well they now also run down to Greymouth to fish for the Giant Bluefin Tuna.

I also fished with them in 2007 at the 3-Kings. The fishing was excellent but we did have a few problems....

We all flew from all around the world (US, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia) to Auckland.....drove up to the Bay of Islands only to find the boat wasn't there. It turns out they got their days mixed up and we basically lost a days fishing without compensation.

The other issue we had was that there was 12 anglers, yet the rule on the boat was that only 4 anglers could fish at one time to stop tangles, etc. I could understand their thinking but we spent a lot of time just watching and not fishing....very fustrating!

One of the fish I really wanted to catch was a Hapuka....yet because of the 4 people only fishing rule, the coolers on the boat were filled without a few of us even getting the chance to catch one. I can understand the stocks need to be conserved, but we had traveled a long way to catch this fish and to never even get the opportunity was again fustrating!

Apart from those issues we did have good fishing for Kingfish. The crew was very helpful and the food was great. I would use them again but limit the number of anglers to an absolute maximum of 8, so that you can fish a lot more! The other boat that went to the 3-Kings with us had 8 anglers who were allowed to fish all the time....they had a much more productive trip even though they lost a few fish with crossed lines.

I have friends who have fished on this boat in Greymouth and caught some huge Bluefin.....a trip I really have to do!

Cheers

Dave

[PanamaJack]

I also fished with them in 2007 at the 3-Kings. The fishing was excellent but we did have a few problems....

.......

The other issue we had was that there was 12 anglers, yet the rule on the boat was that only 4 anglers could fish at one time to stop tangles, etc. I could understand their thinking but we spent a lot of time just watching and not fishing....very fustrating!

.......

I have friends who have fished on this boat in Greymouth and caught some huge Bluefin.....a trip I really have to do!

Cheers

Dave

Thanks for pointing that out Dave.

Given the current weakness in the NZ $, it's devalued EVEN more against the Euro and US$ that the £ Sterling, and discounted air fares New Zealand appears more and more tempting.

Having seen some of the video footage of those Bluefin in the Hokitika Trench I must admit I'm also sorely tempted as are others of our Club members. (Fortunately it seems to be the Hoki the mega trawlers are targeting.) Weather conditions down there, and the problems with the bar off Greymouth, do seem to present real issues with the probability of cancelled days. Any idea what their policy will be with weather cancellations?

Back to the Three Kings, or more importantly the Kingfish, though I'm currently trying to convince my wife that we should visit New Zealand later in the year - perhaps November. But I suspect a trip up there's going to represent an over-nighter at the very minimum. Any thoughts on other spots where I could target big Kingies just on a day trip?

[DaveIrving]

Thanks for pointing that out Dave.

Given the current weakness in the NZ $, it's devalued EVEN more against the Euro and US$ that the £ Sterling, and discounted air fares New Zealand appears more and more tempting.

Having seen some of the video footage of those Bluefin in the Hokitika Trench I must admit I'm also sorely tempted as are others of our Club members. (Fortunately it seems to be the Hoki the mega trawlers are targeting.) Weather conditions down there, and the problems with the bar off Greymouth, do seem to present real issues with the probability of cancelled days. Any idea what their policy will be with weather cancellations?

Back to the Three Kings, or more importantly the Kingfish, though I'm currently trying to convince my wife that we should visit New Zealand later in the year - perhaps November. But I suspect a trip up there's going to represent an over-nighter at the very minimum. Any thoughts on other spots where I could target big Kingies just on a day trip?

To be honest Dave I am not sure of their policy regarding cancellations. I was informed that you should aim at staying at least one week and hopefully during that one week you may be lucky and get to fish for one day!

I have only fished the 3 Kings (a days traveling just to get there from Mangonui)but I have a few good friends over there who will be able to sort out a day trip for you in other areas. Off the top of my head some of the well known Kingfish grounds are Ranfurly Banks and White Island.

Cheers

Dave

[Hairy Little Dwarf]

White Island is an easy daytrip for the big kings, (slightly) smaller specimens become more numerous as you head north. Pretty much any of the charters will be able to oblige if you tell them you want to target kingies.

[PanamaJack]

White Island is an easy daytrip for the big kings, (slightly) smaller specimens become more numerous as you head north. Pretty much any of the charters will be able to oblige if you tell them you want to target kingies.

Many Thanks. My Thanks also to Dave.

Just need to convince my wife, otherwise it will be a 'boys trip' and the Three Kings then becomes a real possibility.

[johnas]

Apart from those issues we did have good fishing for Kingfish. The crew was very helpful and the food was great. I would use them again but limit the number of anglers to an absolute maximum of 8, so that you can fish a lot more! The other boat that went to the 3-Kings with us had 8 anglers who were allowed to fish all the time....they had a much more productive trip even though they lost a few fish with crossed lines.

I agree, we only had 6 of us and 4 crew on the oracle for the week, it worked out more expensive but if you're going for the week it's well worth it.

as for somewhere to catch kingies on a day trip it doesn't get much easier than a trip from the bay of islands. great place to target them and with certain skippers like steve butler or captain bucko they put you on them almost every time, it's up to you them to get them on the boat quicker than the bronzie sharks get them in their mouth!:laugh:

[DaveIrving]

Yep 6 on that boat would be ideal....Definitely don't do 12 like we did.....so fustrating watching other people catching fish!!! ;)

While waiting to get on this boat, there was a few anglers fishing the jetty at Mangonui and they were catching a lot of fish....mainly what the Australians call salmon (which look like a Bluefish to me), quite a few John Dory's and they were getting bitten off quite regularly by Bronze Whalers. Great fishing just from the local jetty!

Cheers

Dave

[tomlusc]

Hi guys

Having spent a lot of years as a kid and adult fishing in my native Cornwall my family (wife & 13 year old daughter) have decided that the weather is just too hot and settled down here and are emigrating to NZ in January.
My wife has a job offer as a nurse in Whakatane which I gather is somewhat of a fishing heaven?
So currently I am stripping down, cleaning, etc all my sea fishing kit ready for the move.
Any members who are in NZ then please get in touch - it would be good to meet up with some likeminded bods. tom@mortilusc.plus.com
Our long term plans are to find a place with enough land to have a holiday rental or two so once we are settled I'll post on here for those members who want to get away from our english summers for awhile!!

[Norm B]

Hi guys

Having spent a lot of years as a kid and adult fishing in my native Cornwall my family (wife & 13 year old daughter) have decided that the weather is just too hot and settled down here and are emigrating to NZ in January.
My wife has a job offer as a nurse in Whakatane which I gather is somewhat of a fishing heaven?
So currently I am stripping down, cleaning, etc all my sea fishing kit ready for the move.
Any members who are in NZ then please get in touch - it would be good to meet up with some likeminded bods. tom@mortilusc.plus.com
Our long term plans are to find a place with enough land to have a holiday rental or two so once we are settled I'll post on here for those members who want to get away from our english summers for awhile!!

:roll1:I lived in NZ for 2.5 years and still have family there, I can confirm that the fishing is very good, although it has deteriorated due to the NZ government selling fishing licences to the japanese. I meant to have a month there last Christmas, having a trip out from the South Island on a charter boat but medical problems meant I couldn't get insurance so didn't go. I'd like to live there and do the same sort of thing as you but Mrs B won't leave "our girls" age 27 + 30 so I'm stuck here for ever. Good luck and I may be your first customer.:roll1:

[tomlusc]

We are leaving elder brothers (25 and 28) to our daughter but they are independant now and they are looking forward to their free holidays. One is a submariner so we rarely see him as it is and the other lives in the States which is as far from NZ as it is UK

Very welcome as our first customer Norm