Guides
Fishing guides, gear advice and regional reports for New Zealand anglers, written by people who fish here.
Where to Target Snapper Off the Rocks in Northland
The best snapper water off Northland rocks is often close in, not far out. Snapper hold around reef edges, kelp, gutters and wash within easy casting range, sometimes inside ten metres. Spots like Karikari Peninsula and Tapeka Point near Russell are known for this kind of land-based fishing.
what questions should I ask when buying a second hand fishing reel?
Before buying a used fishing reel, ask how old it is, how often and where it was used, whether it has been serviced, and if anything has been repaired. You should also ask directly about drag, bail, handle or corrosion issues, and why the seller is moving it on.
The Spring Switch: Why NZ Fish Suddenly Start Feeding Again
Fish start feeding harder in spring because longer daylight and slowly warming water shift bait movement and trigger pre-spawn behaviour in species like snapper. This pushes bait and predators such as snapper, trevally and kahawai closer to shore, kicking off a noticeably better bite than winter fis
Spring Kayak Fishing Guide: New Plymouth & Taranaki
Spring kayak fishing around New Plymouth and Taranaki targets snapper, trevally and gurnard, with gurnard the most reliable early on. Fish slowly near the bottom with bait, kaburas and soft baits, and watch the weather closely, since El Niño is expected to bring more westerly and windy spells this s
how to cook trevally
Trevally is best handled by bleeding it straight after catch, then serving it raw as sashimi, frying it, or hot or cold smoking it. The meat is naturally firm, so how you bleed and cook it makes a big difference to texture. Sashimi has a taste similar to kingfish, while smoking suits the firmer text
Deep jigging
Deep water jigging pays off.