NzAtAGlance

A few years ago, three of my mates and I went fishing in New Zealand. After a big night in the local pub in Matamata, we got together the next morning, felt sorry for ourselves for a little while, then decided to get our crap together and go fishing for the day.  We hooked up my mates boat,got a chilli bin full of water, and beer, chucked in a few filled rolls and chips, and got a few steak and cheese pies for breakfast. Off we went, to the Tauranga harbour. It’s pretty cool in the boat leaving the harbour, because you have to cruise past the ocean liners and cargo ships to get out. Then go past the small beach at the harbour, which is more for families, and people who are not to keen to swim amongst the surf, which is on the other side of the Mount. Mount Maunganui, that is. After you get through the harbour, you go around the Mount to the open water of the Pacific Ocean.

You have to be careful when fishing in New Zealand. Especially out in the open water. Make sure you check the weather, this can’t be stressed enough. Even if the forecast is good, and the sky dosen’t have a cloud in it, be prepared for the worst.

Anyway, our hungover asses headed out towards Motiti Island. We caught a few little fish for live bait, then carried on. We saw the birds working up ahead, so we got our crap together. But we had no floaters to hook the fish to. We found anything that would float. So there were empty beer cans, plastic bags, and condoms floating around the boat. Next thing, all hell broke loose. Kingfish were hitting everything. They nailed all the live bait, and you could even hear them banging up against the boat. We had four fishing lines going crazy, and while trying to control this mess, we couldn’t stop laughing. We managed to bring the four lines in and successfully landing a kingy, and three good size kawhai.

That was one of those days where fishing in New Zealand couldn’t have been any better. Clear skies, calm water, and a high of about 25oC (77oF), and with a boat load of fish. 

Photo fom www.westbayrovers.com