Spearfishing Boarfish

Boarfish are a striking species on most spearo’s catch lists, but they’re not always easily accessible, explains Darren Shields. Here, he provides an overview of the species, before discussing some of the places to start looking for them.

Summertime for northern divers means an influx of boarfish coming into shallower water.

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From April through to November, they spend the bulk of their time living on the edge of deep reefs and wandering out on the open sand flats between islands hunting worms and whatever else they feed on.

Boarfish are one of the more talked about species on spearo’s catch lists. We have such a small window of time to get one, which makes them that much more desirable.

They have beautiful white flesh and are usually superb eating. Every now and then you get one that is awful – I’m not sure why but maybe it’s a spent fish speared after breeding has finished.

There is quite a difference between males and females, as is clearly evident in the photos. The most distinctive features males have is their bright spots and the fact they appear to be covered in battle scars. Females have a plain brown pattern with lighter stripes. Often the female is the bigger of a pair when you find them.

Griffin Shields was over the moon to get his second ever boarfish.

Griffin Shields was over the moon to get his second ever boarfish.

On many occasions I have had both single males and females show real interest in me. I think when they are mating, their instincts override their fear of humans. I recently had a male come from my blind spot right up to the frame of my mask, giving me a real fright.

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The best spots to find boarfish are on weed edges. They also sit on top of the weed and in sandy bowls inside the weed edge. It’s very easy to swim past them – you need a keen eye as you scan. Look for a broken outline or a fish shape that sometimes can be mistaken for a red moki on the sand.

Don’t approach them from the side if possible; coming straight down on top of them is best.

Boar fish will come in to very shallow water – don’t be surprised to find one in under ten metres, and I have even shot them in four metres of water. I have also found them sitting in current up on the side of pinnacles in spots you normally find snapper.

As a rule, the ten to thirty metre weed edge gets the best results. They are not attracted by berley, so try lying dead still on the bottom. They sometimes will approach within range, especially solo fish.

On the spear they give a pretty good fight if they’re not mortally hit. Make sure you are using a solid gun and spear if hunting them.

It’s important you only take only enough for a feed. At times I have seen huge schools of them with over a hundred fish. It can be easy to take big numbers when you find them like this but one or two is ample.

   This article is reproduced with permission of   
New Zealand Fishing News

March 2021 - Darren Shields
Re-publishing elsewhere is prohibited

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