It is always a great laugh when you are attacked by hordes of paddle crabs like these. I am sure glad I'm wearing a wet suit at the time because they have a real go at you. I love my paddle crabs.
This time of year, once you get past the paddle crabs, is the terrifying sight of hundreds of huge stinging jellyfish. Of course, I was badly stung the other day and nearly lost my whole top lip.
The tarakihi numbers are looking good again. Check out the size of that monster in the middle. 44cm! I had to look twice because I thought it was a big porae!
I often just hunt for crays and leave my gun behind. I take my camera instead. It seems this is the best time to come across decent fish, like these amazing john dory.
The other day I did manage to land a nice Johny for my dinner. It appears that this jd also fancied fish for his supper. I nice whole wee snapper.
As you can see there is a lot of small snapper in the water and this big johny did his best to get amongst them.
The snapper fishing has been up and down recently. The day I landed these good fish the water was the colour of milky tea. It was hard going. I was forced to hunt in real shallow water just so I could see the bottom. Every now and again I would venture out to the reef edge and poke my nose into a deep dark kelpy recess. For once I got it right and saw this big snapper.
Here is all I remember in that split second before pulling the trigger.
Cheers.
Proud member of the Glen Inness Spearfishing club.