Surfcasting in Taranaki

Aaron Styles attended the Taranaki Open Surfcasting Challenge (TOSC)...

There is something special about the Taranaki Open Surfcasting Challenge (TOSC). I’m not sure if it’s the rugged coastline, beautiful sunsets, salty characters, or the far-out missions driving along the beach. The objective is always to find that perfect green west coast water holding a snapper over the magic 20lb mark. And I tell you, they catch more trophy snapper from the surf there than anywhere else in New Zealand. Just ask Willis Luttrell: his 30lb fish was featured in the news section of the November 2022 issue of NZ Fishing News.

I have been lucky enough to fish this competition with local legends Willis and Sean Luttrell for the last few years, exploring spots from Opunake north to Awakino River. With this style of fishing, you are often travelling, trying to scope out the best spot while battling the incessant swells and wind. The scenery is dominated by earthy tones: foaming green water, dark iron sand, and a backdrop of scrubby green hills.

Set over five days, the fishing is governed by the tide, wind and swell. Although you’re battling the elements, it’s a raw and satisfying fishing experience. Plus, the very real chance of hooking that fish of a lifetime tends to sustain morale.

The 2022 competition dates graced us with the best conditions I have ever seen in the ‘naki, and we were lucky to fish some pretty incredible water north of the Awakino river mouth. Using the quad bike to access remote beaches and rocky outcrops, we caught some stunning fish to 4kg. We even enjoyed multiple double hook-ups when the surfcasting stars aligned and the fish came to feed in the shallows behind the breakers.

For the latest comp edition, I flew into New Plymouth and was collected by good mate Liam Gerring before heading north to meet with Willis Luttrell at our accommodation at Awakino. The fishing start time was 6pm, so we wasted no time packing the quad and rumbling over the station to the coast. We hunted down some likely-looking holes north of the beach but were pushed off by the tide, forcing us to retreat to the beach and regroup for the following day. Although we landed no fish that evening, the signs looked promising.

The next morning, we were up early and had our sights set on a high tide spot where we could fish for the entire day if we wished. Upon arrival, we released how remote such locations are; there were massive stag prints in the sand by a stream run-off from the hills above. I’m not much of a hunter, yet even I knew this was a serious animal!

We fished the incoming tide, resulting in a few nice snapper to 2.5kg – not the trophies we were after, but enjoyable all the same. We also landed some smoothhounds, a common bycatch along the west coast. We reassessed our options for the evening, deciding to fish the low on the beach, where there was a nice drop-off behind the breakers. We hoped the fish would be patrolling this zone, and our instincts were proved right when we scored a couple of nice fish that evening to 3kg. This session had us rearing to go for the following low the next morning.

As planned, we rolled ourselves out of bed the next day and returned to the same spot on the beach for the low tide. The bite seemed to be a bit slower in the morning, with only a few pan-sized snapper for our efforts. After a group powwow, we decided that hitting the same spot that evening was the best play – it had fished well the night before, and the lads were keen to put in another decent effort.

This was to be my last night fishing as I was due to fly back to Auckland for a 40th birthday shindig. Although we faced some wind and rain that evening, the lads were all happy in their waders and wetsuits. The first hour was a touch slow, but as the light dropped, the fish came into feed, and we enjoyed constant hook-ups. We pulled some lovely snapper up the beach – the biggest going 4.3kg. I was gutted to call the trip short because I love this part of the country, and the organisers put on an awesome prizegiving at the extremely social Cape Egmont Boat Club. After my departure, Willis and Liam fished the same area catching some great fish, with surf maestro Willis nabbing a stunning 4.7kg specimen.

Thanks to all the organisers for running the Taranaki Open Surfcasting Challenge, and a shout-out to the weighmasters spread along the coast and sponsors that make it possible. The ‘naki coast is such a ruggedly beautiful part of New Zealand, and if you’re a die-hard surfcaster this is a comp you must check out. It will be sure to test you, but you’ll come away feeling very humbled.

April 2023 - Aaron Styles
New Zealand Fishing News Magazine.
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