I think soft-baiting is the future of recreational fishing. It’s more like a sport where you actively hunt for fish, rather than wait with a big old piece of mullet on the bottom, hoping a fish comes along and swallows it. You look for bombies, drop-offs, and sandy patches mixed in between the reefs while you drive around and cast – it’s a chase for that moocher! The Far North is the place to catch monster snapper on both natural baits and soft-baits, but the adrenaline of light line getting absolutely smoked through tough terrain is unbeatable – especially if you know it’s a monster snapper! The clear shallow waters of Northland are one of the best places in the country to flick soft-baits over the gnarly ground. Where I live in Houhora, it’s not unheard of to go out and catch a 15+ pounder on a soft-bait just out from the harbour entrance.

When flicking soft-baits around, especially in clear water under 15m, the earlier you get out the better. Early morning is prime time for a big old moocher to be hunting these shallow outcrops for an easy feed. And what better way to target these moochers than with soft-baits? Casting left, right and centre, you’ve got to prospect the shallows and drop a softie right on its head. Out of Houhora, from Farmer’s Point all the way to Paxton Point is solid reef and bombies – that’s around 10 miles long. Then you’ve got the shallows of Parengarenga and right up to North Cape to fish as well. Winter is the time – around July-November – when you won’t get the smaller 30cm fish. The bigger residents are hanging out and protecting their territory in the cold waters of winter. As the metabolisms of these fish slow down, they want an easy feed. A super light jig head (1/4 – 3/8 ounce) is best when soft-baiting the shallows. I use the Ocean Angler Light Bulb jig heads as they suit the Z-Man soft-baits, but the Berkley Nitros or any other brand of jig heads will also work. A light jig head gives the fish time to see the soft-bait slowly sinking. Buoyant soft-baits are good as they’ll decrease the descent time, so again, there’s more time for snapper to spot it! This is the total opposite to summer. The fish are aggressive and will eat anything you cast at them!
 
If you’re stalking super still shallow areas, using a trolling motor such as a MinnKota is the best way to stealthily travel along moocher country. This saves you having to start the engine, go back up the drift and reset your position. MinnKotas also have the advantage of moving you along quietly at a steady speed.

The things I’m looking for are current, baitfish (even if they’re busting up on the surface) and sandy patches. Casting distance is probably one of the most essential elements of soft-baiting – especially in the shallows! Snapper can get spooked by the boat, so the further the cast, the better. And cast, cast and cast! The best technique to use is the casting clock. Cast out at 12 o’clock, 1 o’clock, 2 o’clock and so forth, and if you’re drifting at speed, then only cast from 10 o’clock to 2 o’clock so you can still get your bait to the bottom. 

For leader, I use 25-30lb around this gnarly country. This just gives you a little bit more protection if that PB fish drags you into the rough and rugged territory! I also think that the 30lb leader stops you hooking those little critters as often. This is good, as I bet you are only targeting that moocher! 
If you do hook up, don’t forget to use your motor to chase the fish. If it’s peeling out and you can’t stop it, pull the sea anchor in and drive up the line. It can get challenging if you’re fishing solo, but that’s all part of the fun! I fish the areas around Henderson Bay and Rarawa solo on my 4.1-metre tiller steer Tsunami boat, and I’ve caught some outstanding fish up to 23lb.

The early morning starts in winter can mean freezing temperatures in the bloke boat, but the adrenaline of moochers spinning the soft-bait gear out of control is a buzz like no other!