Many anglers showcase a lot of great fishing in New Zealand through social media, but most of this footage is taken on a boat, suggests Peter Hwang. So he asked himself, “Where have the simple times of wharf fishing gone?

With the evolution of technology, most people nowadays take advantage of the newest trends and try do the most extreme forms of angling, forgetting that you can still enjoy even the most basic fishing methods. Adventure can certainly be found in some of the more remote fishing destinations, but sometimes even a step outside to the local wharf can become an adventure in of itself.

The wharf is no doubt the best fishing spot for beginners. It’s more realistic for them as they only need to purchase the basic gear and it’s also a great way for the family to spend the day together. It’s also a realistic option for the many people who cannot afford a boat or top of the range gear. Even professionals will occasionally spend a day on the wharf when they want to get back to their roots or there’s bad weather. I certainly still come back to the wharf whenever I cannot find a spot to get out surfcasting.

What makes wharves great?

Wharves often attract small baitfish, which use the wharf both as shelter and as a food source. Sometimes the small baitfish attract the bigger predatory fish, which arrive looking for an easy meal. Most wharves also extend out into deeper water, so this means you are fishing where the fish are, but without having to go through the effort of casting long distances.

Baitfish often reside around wharves.

Since wharves usually attract a few fishermen, they’re also great places to see and learn how other fishermen do their fishing and quite often you’ll be able to obtain some new skills or secrets. However, since it can get crowded, make sure you’re always careful around other people and avoid tangles. It’s also good to be mindful of others who are just starting – give them a helping hand when you can.

The beginner’s methods

When I go to a wharf, I usually just take two rods – one is for the sabiki and the other is to target the big dinner fish. I typically rig my sabiki up without any bait to try and land some jack mackerel, but it can be baited to try and catch anything small. For the dinner fish rod, I try to use a medium sized rod and reel, with the reel size being around 6000 and the rod being between 7 to 10 feet long and rated from 4-8kg to 6-10kg. The length of the rod helps me to get that extra distance when I do wish to cast out my bait a bit further and the reel is able to handle any big predators that may take my bait. For hook size and style, I like to use 3/0-4/0 recurve hooks. The reason why I prefer to use recurve hooks is that (1) I don’t have to hold onto the rod while waiting for that appropriate moment to strike and (2) the fish will be hooked in the corner of the mouth 90% of the time. The fish around wharves are often small, and you don’t want undersized snapper to swallow the hook. For rigs, I like to mix it up with the running rig or the ledger rig, depending on what species I am targeting. Small cut baits are what I like to use, as big baits will just attract the unwanted species, like eagle rays. A bucket or ice box is handy, especially when you land a good fish, and you should also take a wet towel for when you are handling fish so you don’t do lasting damage. A measuring device of any kind is also required to make sure that your catch is legal.

It's always a great day when you land a legal snapper from the wharf.

When I want to increase my catch rate, I often put out a berley trail to attract the baitfish around the wharf. These, in turn, will attract the bigger fish to the area. By being prepared, you’ll be able to land that bigger fish when the opportunity presents itself.

Species you can encounter

Wharves typically have a vast ecosystem and you will land a surprising catch every now and then. The usual species you’ll encounter is snapper. The humble kahawai will also be present and are always exciting to hook in to. Occasionally, trevally and gurnard will make an appearance as well. One of the most unappreciated species is parore. They often linger around wharves, making for a great catch when kahawai and snapper aren’t around. If you’re lucky, you’ll see kingfish cruising around the shallows, looking for some baitfish to eat, and eagle rays will cruise around the shallows as well. On rare occasions, you can encounter small shark species that will snap up a free bait given the chance. Of course, when it comes to baitfish, almost everything could be there depending on the location: yellow-eyed mullet, pilchard, anchovies, jack mackerel, blue mackerel and piper, to name a few. You may also catch a john dory if you deploy a livebait.

A gurnard is a rare yet welcome addition to the catch bag.

I have made so many fond memories on wharves. One of my most memorable moments was when I fished the Devonport Wharf after it opened again in 2014. On my first cast, I hooked a 2kg trevally, and right after that, I pulled in a brand new rod and reel set that someone managed to lose. Years later, this trip was topped when I landed my first legal kingfish using an anchovy as livebait!

Who said that wharf fishing isn't 'real fishing'? The writer landed this 85cm kingfish using an anchovy as a livebait after years of trying.

Even after progressing from the wharf to surfcasting off the beach, I still love to head back to wharves. They offer a great way to destress after a hard day. It’s also a great feeling to be able to go somewhere so easy and on a good day, land enough fish for a feed. Always remember to keep the wharf you are fishing clean, tidy and follow the fisheries rules and guidelines. By preserving our wharves, the next generation will be able to start their own fishing adventures the same way most of us did.

October 2021 - Peter Hwang
New Zealand Fishing News Magazine.
Copyright: NZ Fishing Media Ltd.
Re-publishing elsewhere is prohibited