Winter fishing motivation waning? Bitingly cold squally showers, hail, minimal daylight hours with a very sleepy snapper bite, doom and gloom…hang ON! Blinkered thinking (unlike fish) that fishing means snapper, a common trap. Snapper are but one of many fantastic fish out there ready and waiting. It’s rude to ignore apparently – so best we don’t disregard the delights of dory, squid, kahawai, kingfish, gurnard, trevally and deeper water fish like ‘puka, bass and bluenose! So how about avoiding the trap of just thinking of snapper, which can turn a stunning day with plenty of fish, fun and some sun into a ‘fail’ or even a no-go. Target other fish, and have something delightfully different for a meal or three. Give the home healthy budget a boost, make it fun with an island night – bright big bold and beautiful hibiscus flowered shirts (OK maybe over a sweatshirt to keep warm) around an evening BBQ, a big bowl of ‘raw’ kahawai in mouth-watering coconut and lime, crumbed gurnard fillets hot off the skillet, so many ways to enjoy a delicious variety of flavours with fish. Or how about a curry to remember!? Vindaloo even? Big fresh meaty chunks of fish in rich spicey sauce on white rice with a side of fresh warm naan, ciabatta, or leftover loaf rejuvenated with garlic warmed in tinfoil.
Full moon – tuna are on the prowl around the NZ coastline, and many anglers are also in hunting mode, pending weather, for big fish missions out from Waihau Bay – yes the first few tuna have just been landed recreationally. No doubt many anglers are spending many hours in preparation for the big winter tuna trip, night lights burning in sheds and the land of garage, getting the right gear together that can tame these mighty beasts.
This week’s waning gibbous moon as a result of the big bright night-light of a super-full-moon on Tuesday, and what a spectacular one it has been! Add in an incredible planet alignment that’s happening in our skies, and who knows what the bite could be, only way to find out – grab your bag of favourite and
most trusted lures and experience your next fishin’ mission.
What’s your favourite fish to eat? Some deep water species are top of the pops and here’s a NEW BIG-FISH RIG that really stands out from the crowd, made by Greg Tucker ( www.fish4tucker.co.nz ) . WATCH today’s Facebook video on Catch Fishing Facebook page showing in detail the deep water rigs and it’ll really spark things up…check it out.
Enjoy your fresh fish, whatever varieties grace your fish bin.
Espresso.
