Various methods yield success on all fronts

The first public holiday of 2025 is upon us, and the chat around the shop shows that a lot of people have taken Friday as a holiday and are planning on a four-day weekend, with fishing on the agenda! The past weekend highlighted that once the conditions are right, fishing will be great. The weather for anglers was almost perfect last weekend, and from all accounts the opportunity wasn’t missed! Reports of very busy boat ramps, beaches, lakes and rivers are pleasing to hear, and success was also had.

Freshwater

Freshwater enjoyed the settled weather over the weekend. I took the chance and got up to Lake Coleridge on Saturday, and it was awesome to see so many others out there too, both by boat and shore based. The conditions were near perfect, possibly too calm early but a gentle breeze arrived soon enough, conditions that I’m told were replicated on Sunday. All three species were landed, rainbow and brown trout and salmon, and various methods were deployed, and all had success.

Axel, visiting from France, looking very happy with his beautiful catch.

Trolling, casting lures and softbaits, and something new for me was jigging for trout. Jigging is something that the team in store have been working on, and this was my first attempt. Not having a sounder was a disadvantage, but I still managed to hook four and land two, so I considered this a great result, and something that could be applied to most of our lakes. If this is a method you would like to try, please come instore and have a chat with the team about how we are setting up and fishing this way.

Salmon - still not what I would love to see in a salmon run, but a little more positive in recent days, and some slightly larger fish than previously seen, fingers crossed!

Saltwater

In the salt, the surfcasters were happy with calm and clear surf leading to rig, elephant fish, gurnard and the usual shark species on Saturday. Unfortunately, a southerly change late morning on Sunday seemed to slow the action. 

The kahawai continue to provide great sport around our local river mouths and should be a good option for some family fun over the weekend. Plenty of boats got out off Banks Peninsula; I’m hearing that boats were arriving at the Lyttleton ramp as early as 4.30am to get out before the crowds! But the effort was rewarded - some tough fishing at times, and extra gas searching areas, and there were catches of kingfish, hapuku, cod, gurnard, trumpeter and for those that got in the water, butterfish and crayfish. 

As in my last report, the bluefin action remains slower than we would like, but the enthusiasm is still high, and if the rumour is true of a marlin taken at the top of the South Island (yet to be confirmed but has our attention!), then the gamefishing chat and hype will only increase!

A long weekend (for some) ahead, and plenty of positives to get you out on the water, so good luck and tight lines.

We have a very active team of keen anglers in our fishing department, so please fire any questions our way and we will point you in the right direction to keep you on the fish. Please check out our Facebook page for more info on what we are up to in Canterbury.

Simon McMillan

Christchurch Hunting and Fishing New Zealand

75 Clarence Street, Addington, Christchurch

03 3430212

https://www.facebook.com/ballingershf.co.nz

www.huntingandfishing.co.nz