Many commercial fishers and their families have been fishing our waters for generations. Plenty of them are also passionate recreational fishers and that combination makes them a great source of knowledge. That’s why we’ve asked a few very experienced commercial fishers to share some handy fishing tips for summer.
Whether you’re a highly experienced recreational fisher or just getting started, we hope you’ll find something here that helps your fishing. As well, if you're searching for some fresh inspiration for ways to cook your catch, check out our mouthwatering recipes.
Wishing you safe and successful fishing this summer. See you out on the water.
Check out the video below and scroll down for a heap more tips.
Tips from one fisher to another
- You’ll have more success if you get up early or fish late into the dark. Fishing during the heat of the day often isn’t as productive as fish are less active. - Tom
- Fishing near a mussel farm can be a great way to find a tonne of fish, especially snapper and kingfish. But follow any instructions you see on signs and never anchor to the mussel lines. Learn more about fishing near a mussel farm. - Tom
- Fish like peace and quiet. If your sounder is half a kilowatt or more, use it to find your fish but then turn it off and try to minimise noise on board. Even on low power your sounder will scare fish away or unsettle them enough to reduce your success rate. - Phil
- Carry plenty of ice and look after your catch in insulated bags or bins. Keep the fish straight if you can. The better the fish is looked after, the better it will taste. - Josh
- Chill fish in slurry as soon as possible. Slurry, a mixture of ice and water/seawater (usually two parts ice to one part seawater), is the quickest way to cool your fish. It helps the meat rest and firm for fillet and processing. - Troy
- Lots of fish have value in cheeks, wings (throat and collar), and head. If this is not your thing, shout out online and no doubt someone will want to utilise these parts. - Troy
- It’s good to know where the fish hang out. Tarakihi are found almost everywhere, blue cod can typically be found at depths of 10–70 meters around reef structures, groper are usually found in 180–280 meters (though in summer, they can be shallower, around 30 meters), and you’ll find bluenose in deeper waters at 280–450 meters. - Richard
- Finding the right gear can be a challenge. Line thickness is crucial—the thinner, the better, as long as it's strong enough. I recommend using a line with a 15-16 kg breaking strain and a 20 kg trace. A whippy rod is also essential; it allows you to feel what's happening more easily and makes it simpler to cast accurately onto the edge of white water or areas where fish are likely to be lurking. - Phil
- After catching any decent fish, cut and retie your hook to ensure it's strong and ready for the next one. - Phil
- Find the feed and you find the fish - look for birdlife and marine mammals. Workups are a fantastic way to find your key species like snapper, kingfish, trevally and kahawai. - Pete
- Invest in a good landing net to safely land your catch and keep them in the best condition. Especially important if you intend to catch and release. - Pete
Our contributing fishers also shared tips around safety - including making sure you have a working VHF, that you check in upon departure and arrival, and are familiar with weather and sea conditions. Check out key safety messages for recreational boating on Maritime New Zealand's website.
You might also find the MPI/Fisheries New Zealand site useful for researching bag limits and other information.
Give them a wave
Be sure to give your local commercial fishers a wave if you pass them on the water this summer.
They are out there in all weathers providing fresh seafood, not only for Kiwis who aren't able to catch their own, but also for international markets, which help the New Zealand seafood sector support around 16,500 Kiwi jobs, both directly and indirectly.
Making sure there is enough fish for all marine users - now and for generations to come - is a top priority for New Zealand's commercial fishing sector. Fishers are constantly innovating and adopting new practices to fish with as little impact on the environment as possible.
We operate under strict limits. To learn more about how the Quota Management System works, check out the Ministry for Primary Industries website.
Many commercial fishing vessels have onboard cameras, the larger ones often have Government observers onboard. And all commercial vessels have location tracking and will be recording their catch electronically.
For a glimpse of a day in the life of a commercial fisher, check out Chase's video below.