Fishing in New Zealand

Del Marsh of Calstar, and Tom Ward of Longfin Tackle and I, Jack Nilsen of Accurate; have spent 3 weeks fishing and touring New Zealand. Great country for Kingfish ( yellowtail ), marlin, snapper, grouper, tuna, trout, lobster, and more are available to catch.

We were targeting kingfish on this trip. Fishing with deep water knife type jigs and bait. The technique for fishing the knife type jigs is very interesting and effective. Lots of exercise.

We are fishing for the kingfish over deep water pinnacles that come up to about 250 feet. The jigging is worked from the panicles to about 50 feet up.
When the bit comes it is sudden and very strong. The challenge is to turn the fish and keep it out of the rocks. We have been catching kingies up to
45 pounds, they probably average around 30 to 35 pounds. These are very strong fish, especially during the initial fight.

The included picture of the young lady angler is of Nicola Ellwood. Nicola had the largest kingfish this day and showed us old salts how it should be done.

We have also been fishing for snapper while pulling lobster pots. I had an estimated 22 pound snapper, outdoing Dels’ snapper fish by several pounds, sorry Del.

Del Marsh was in heaven when he landed a trophy rainbow trout that amazed our guide and local tackle shops. An 11 pound, 10 ounce trout that is the largest rainbow trout known to be taken from this Lake Rotoiti in many years. The lake is located in central North Island and is noted for excellent trout fishing. Tom Ward is having it mounted to be displayed at his Longfin tackle shop.

We have to compliment the New Zealand sportfishing community for their catch and release attitude. One day we had approximately 40 kingfish and kept four fish to eat. Everyone is very aware that taking more fish than you need is just a waste and disrespect of the fishery resource.

New Zealand is an amazingly beautiful country. The people are the friendliest I have encountered anywhere. Driving down the highway in our motor-home people along the countryside will wave to say hello. We have made many friends here who have made us feel very welcome in New Zealand. If you ever get a chance to fish there I really would recommend going.