What’s all this buzz about Kayak Fishing?!
You’ve seen pictures of the mighty fish caught, of all types, some are astounding – and all from a kayak?! Maybe you’re one of the smart or lucky
Mary Walker with another epic kayak caught snapper!
ones who already enjoy the kayaking fishing adventures. Either way – what a way to play, and catch fish for the entire family. Changing times, improving methods, materials and new ideas, kayaking is one of the fastest growing sport and recreational pastimes in New Zealand and overseas, no wonder…read on!
Quick ‘n easy, stealthy, economical and you’ll fish all those amazing places normally just out of reach, whether exploring close to home, or far away, maybe simply on holiday or experiencing the thrills and world of a mothership trip (like on
Greg Potter (@GPFishingAdventures) with his stunning striped marlin…yes from his kayak!
the renowned Bounty Hunter ) to an island paradise like the Mokohinaus, the ‘other side of Gt Barrier’, Cuvier Island and places you’ve never dreamed of being in a kayak, safely, and there are so many more epic places to be fishing from a kayak. Inexpensive to run, men and women whether experienced or not (kayak and fishing), upgrades to electric motors even, and the fishing is perfect – free of smelly old bait and burley. Times have changed with massively improved
Mary Walker taming tuna!
fishing using lures, jigs and softbaits, along with the simplicity of things like self draining tackle box’s, and your rods and reels designed to work for the kayak angler making life even easier. Accessories like those from Berley Pro make your kayak even more enjoyable and adventure filled. Easily transportable with no need for ramps, WOF/Rego, trailers either. Viking Kayaks have a great reputation here and the Viking team are truly passionate and excited about what they do, also incredibly helpful, well worth checking out. There are always a bunch of good keen anglers ready to head out, safety in numbers and experience…add the exciting thrills and hook-ups it is simply an outstanding way to enjoy being out on the water. Simplicity, enjoyment, adventure, use your kayak a lot, or just on holidays – wherever that may be.
Smaller, lighter, always ready for the big hookup – thigh gimbal
Things like a nifty thigh gimbal, and acidwrap rods, purpose made safety straps, highly effective slow-troll lures like Squidwings, or monster 10” smelly liquid free softbaits – wonderful for fishing in close for those monster snapper lurking, all in the peace and quiet of fishing paradise – wherever you may be, or want to be!
Fit out your kayaking adventures from the start and you’ll never regret it, and you’ll maximise your fishing success from the get-go with made-for-purpose Catch Fishing tackle you open up a whole new world of fishing adventures creating amazing memories. Local knowledge goes a long way especially when starting, and there are good numbers of kayak enthusiasts all around the place, here’re just a few contacts, there’re so many good people keen to help you out, it’s truly amazing and a pleasure to experience the passion: @NewZealandkayakfishing group @Bountyhunterfishingcharternz @vikingkayaks @manawatukayakfishinggroup @manukauyaks @NZkayakfishingadventures @hawkesbaykayakfishing www.sealkayakkaikoura.com and many more, in your area.
What will ’22 bring for you? At the end of this year, no doubt many things will remain ho-hum like Groundhog Day simply repeating the well trodden path – but at this coming Christmas say, what will you be looking back on –
Grant Foster about to head out in the Far North kayak fishing paradise
some utterly epic experiences and fishing thrills on a kayak, competitions with mates (official or just out-fishing your friends, priceless for several BBQ’s). It’s an amazing world we live in, time to experience it and kayak fishing is a real gem, readily available to everyone.
O.K. so where’s the fish?
With 30-40kt winds around most of the N.I. this week, not a lot of fishing has been happening, not in boats anyway. Inshore drones, kayaks and surf casters have been out there among some good fish though. Several areas of anchovies have been hounded into the shallows by kingfish and kahawai (superb for kayak top water fishing!) whether Whangarei harbour environs, or dotted further down the coastline towards Auckland. I reckon with the forecast it’ll pay go online and suss out your fishin’ missions and what you’ll need to be successful, if there’re areas in the lee of land, close in, then shallow water softbaiting would be the go until the current blow, blows over. The swirling mixing nature of the water conditions lately has really stirred things up, so a great time to try different spots, not just your normal. That’s what some of those nice big red snapper will be doing – hunting the turbid waters and not just their usual hang-out. Try dropping down to a smaller softbait, 5” is good with a flick here, a flick there – snapper (and others) will be cruising the shallows looking for an opportunist feed from all the ‘material’ being swirled around. Give ‘em a taste! Shore based is well worth an evening or morning foray. You don’t need lots of gear, just a nice light rod/reel with a softbait already rigged and away you go, enjoying our great outdoors, and fishing.
