Mistakes to avoid

Page  123 7>
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Ahab Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Mistakes to avoid
    Posted: 20 Feb 2012 at 8:00am
Ahab View Drop Down
Topic Moderator
Topic Moderator
Avatar

Joined: 19 Sep 2005
Location: Auckland
Status: Offline
Points: 3464
These are things I've learned from my own vast collection of disasters over 35years (started when I was 2yo): Lost fish, broken rods, wasted money, gear failure, knot failure, near death experiences and worst of all, fishless days. The solutions I've found aren't the only answers, just what has worked for me. These are opinions, not commandments. Any other ideas would be gratefully received by us all.

If boat fishing and you see a workup (fish in a feeding frenzy on the surface, often with birds and dolphins feeding too), never troll lures straight through the middle of it. This will scare the hell out of the fish, putting them down. Instead, watch for the direction the fish are moving, get ahead of them and cast lures back towards them. You'll see a lot of other fishos doing this, and they'll be extremely ticked off if you smash through the middle of the action. You might even get to hear some salty phrases or get shot at if you do it often enough!

Avoid telescopic rods. They are an inherently delicate construction, and tend to disintegrate under the pressure of constant casts etc. One of my first trout rods was a high end telescopic that I saved for for ages when I was 11-12. After a relatively short time the top section shot off the rod. I could never get it to stay in after that, and ended up having to glue it. I've seen a lot of similar breakages over the years.  

If you have one, take care of it by washing it after each trip to the salt and spraying it with protectant. If you have a genuine need for a rod that packs right down, buy a travel rod in a four piece model from a reputable brand.

Avoid the Warehouse, except for certain bulletproof items such as sinkers. You're much better to go to your local tackle shop. The advice you get there is of infinitely more value than the few bucks you'll save elsewhere. Also, you end up saving more from the local boys, as they'll work out deals for you, give you bits and pieces. Don't be afraid to ask them dumb questions, we all started as noobs. 

Braid fishing line is wonderful stuff, but it's expensive and can be tricky when you're starting out. It's only really essential for reasonably specialised techniques like softbaiting, jigging, poppering, and if you're only baitfishing off the shore or a boat, you're better to start with monofilament (nylon). You'll tend to get a lot of tangles and snags when you're new, but as you get more proficient, these should diminish. Then you're probably ready to invest in braid.


Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Ahab Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Feb 2012 at 6:26pm
Ahab View Drop Down
Topic Moderator
Topic Moderator
Avatar

Joined: 19 Sep 2005
Location: Auckland
Status: Offline
Points: 3464
Weight (sinkers) should be used on an "as little as possible" basis. Then if it's practical, you're best to have the line running through the sinker freely, so the fish can pick up the bait and run with it.

Treble hooks on lures are not always beneficial. They tend to make a mess of the fish's mouth, and don't always get a good purchase. You're often better to change to a very sharp single hook. Just make sure the single hook has a large eye so it swings freely on the split ring.

Catching a fish like kahawai on spinners, you'll generally lose them at two points in the fight: when they jump and shake their heads, or when you're about to land them and they thrash around on the surface. When you're fighting them, keep your rod tip lowered, as this seems to discourage them from leaping. Don't be in too much of a hurry to land them, wait till they're knackered. Then be decisive: draw them over the net and lift (don't chase them with the net), swing them smoothly up onto the rocks/boat, wash them up onto the rocks/beach.

Knots are never easy the first time. Or the fifth time. But you need to be able to tie them cold, in the wind, in the dark and be certain that they are strong. You also need to be able to tie them when there's a huge fish just off the end of the rod tip and you're "shaking like a sh tting dog". So when you're sitting in front of TV, get some line and practice until they become second nature. Youtube has a wealth of clips showing you how. The uni knot is a good place to start. This website is a bit clunky-looking, but good:




Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Ahab Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Feb 2012 at 8:42pm
Ahab View Drop Down
Topic Moderator
Topic Moderator
Avatar

Joined: 19 Sep 2005
Location: Auckland
Status: Offline
Points: 3464
Rags. Get a heap of these, you'll need them. Old teatowels, bath towels, t-shirts etc are good. If you have a regular supply, you can make them single use and biff them after every trip. They are indispensible for holding fish (especially for release or livebaiting: wet is best), cleaning your sunnies, wiping your hands after baiting up etc. Take a few each time you go out, they get pretty feral pretty fast. Op shops are a great place to get a heap of cheap rags.

Kitchen scissors. a cheap pair of kitchen scissors is a handy set of tools to have around when you're fishing. Great for tidying or shaping baits, cutting line, cutting the spines off fish if you're packing them in your backpack for rock/beach fishing. 

Knives. As you'll find with everything about fishing, it's best to buy good quality. There are some excellent Kiwi knife manufacturers: Green River, Victory, Duel and others. They're not too expensive, start at about $40. Get a good one just for bait, one for filleting, and learn how to sharpen them. I have a diamond sharpener and a steel. Without being too much of a wonker about it, if it doesn't shave your arm hair the first time, it's not sharp, and if it's not sharp it's not a knife, it's a ruler! A bit of time in front of TV with a stone and steel on a cold winter evening will get you pretty good at sharpening. 

You'll find knife sets of 4 knives and a steel in a pack for about $30, plus a nylon board. They're fine for knocking around, but you're compromising on quality and longevity on every level. Better to buy one really good one that you'll have till the day you're deep in the cold hard ground.

Cold fish. Ideally, when you catch a fish to eat, you iki it (spike to the brain), then bleed if it's a kahawai/trevally/tuna, (maybe king too), then get it in ice. Flaky salt ice is the best, party ice is OK too. Freezing bottles of sea water is another way to go. Before you fillet your catch, a few hours in ice will make it set beautifully, so it is a lot firmer and easier to fillet. Overnight in the fridge has the same effect.

Eat the bait. When you start out, you'll often only be able to catch a lot of small baitfish. Don't be afraid to cook them. Sprats (yellow eye mullet), piper and pilchards are great eating. A lot more labour intensive than 20lb snapper, but very tasty and rewarding. I have cooked bait pillies more than once on the bbq, and I'm still around. They were delicious! 



Berley bag. Most of the commercially available berleys come with a yellow or red plastic mesh bag. These aren't very resilient, and you will often find your berley ripping out and floating away like a lost ogre turd. JK from the Walkabout forum put me onto cray bags from the diving world. They're tough as and pack down nicely. They cost about $20, but last for ages.

Vaseline. Put a layer of vaseline on the spool of your reel before you put line on it. Otherwise the salt builds up and corrodes it like this:


This one didn't get too bad, but I have seen it destroy spools completely. Replacement can be about one third the cost of the reel itself!


Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Ahab Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Feb 2012 at 10:17pm
Ahab View Drop Down
Topic Moderator
Topic Moderator
Avatar

Joined: 19 Sep 2005
Location: Auckland
Status: Offline
Points: 3464
Booze. If you're taking beers fishing, cans are better than bottles. They crush right down for easy disposal. A stubby cooler is a good idea, as it stops the can sliding around and reduces tipping. Especially on the rocks. Goes without saying that the skipper/driver should hold back, and if the sea is remotely dodgy everyone should take it easy.

Unwanted bycatch. We all get rays, occies, school sharks, eels etc which we don't want to keep. It's unacceptable to kill them or let them swim off trailing a lot of gear to die. Do your best to get the hook back without hurting the beast, or if you can't, cut the line as close as possible to the hook. If it's absolutely done for (eg bleeding profusely, upside down etc), kill it quickly and humanely. Then think if maybe you can eat it after all. All of the weirdo fish you're likely to encounter are edible. I'd draw the line at hagfish.

 Fish like rays are actually pretty docile once you get them in, especially when they turn upside down. 

Don't risk your life over a snag. A couple of fishos died a few years ago near Port Waikato because one of them got a snag and went down to retrieve it. He went in, and his mate followed to tried to save him, and drowned too. They should have had lifejackets if it was that hairy. But they probably died over $5 worth of tackle. If you're well and truly snagged, pull a few metres of line out from the end of the rod tip, wrap it around your arm (over the sleeve is a good idea to avoid cuts) and walk backwards until it either pings, frees or you pull up a lump of stone. There are ways of reducing snags, too. 
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote jaypeegee Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Feb 2012 at 10:24pm
jaypeegee View Drop Down
Platinum
Platinum
Avatar

Joined: 22 Aug 2010
Location: Neo Tea Roa
Status: Offline
Points: 1503
Epic brain dump
Mods. To the sticky I say ye go
 
"You don't have to be smart to laugh at a fart, but you have to be stupid not to."
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Dutchy_fisher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Feb 2012 at 10:38pm
Dutchy_fisher View Drop Down
Gold
Gold
Avatar

Joined: 20 Oct 2011
Location: Waimarama
Status: Offline
Points: 623
Originally posted by jaypeegee jaypeegee wrote:

Epic brain dump
Mods. To the sticky I say ye go
 

+1 

Awesome write up Thumbs Up
always keen for a fish! 0220901730

http://www.theworldwidefishingclub.com
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote smudge Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Feb 2012 at 11:11pm
smudge View Drop Down
Moderator - Ninja
Moderator - Ninja
Avatar

Joined: 17 Jul 2002
Location: Te Toro
Status: Offline
Points: 33664
OK it's stuck now! Great idea Ahab thanks.

A few donts from me:

When your spinning reel is losing line because the drag is slipping and doing its job DONT wind the handle otherwise you will get bad bad bad line twist

When fishing a ledger rig or dropper rig DONT just chuck it in the water, let the droppers hang out in the current so you can see if the bait is going to spin and make sure the droppers arent wrapped around the trace before you lower it

When you're hooked up to a fish always keep a bend in the rod and DONT let it straighten

When you tie your hooks on always put the line through from the gape ( oint side) of the hook.


Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Kenshin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Feb 2012 at 12:06am
Kenshin View Drop Down
Platinum
Platinum
Avatar

Joined: 01 Feb 2008
Location: JAFA Land
Status: Offline
Points: 2972
on a work up, its true dont dont run on the middle of them.. bit its NOT always TRUE to ge ahead of the, or else the work up will go back in front of you. ALWAYS TRY to fish on back and side EDGES. Big Predators will stay on side and back (basing on the experience).

Telescopic ROds are all not that BAD. ITs not a Mistake. Caught some good fish on one. I can testify.

I caught my best fish when I was starting on the rocks 8+ yrs ago on a  gear I got from the Wareshouse as thats the only thing I can afford after visiting from the local tacke shops. MISTAKE? NO.. its was the only gear I can afford. YOu just have to learn how to maintain it. As I had learned on the forum.. always wash it right after.

SO PLEASE dont generalise the shop that is a NO NO to go labeling it as a mistake. If average ppl cant go to a local tackle shop dont tell them its  a MISTAKE?!. I've see some descent fish caught on WAREHOUSE brand gear compared to the others first hand. Even from ppl reporting here.

Thrashing/Jumping fish while on a fight and lower ur rod tip? KEEP ur lines tight man, as a general rule. Putting up ur rod is the fastest way to keep line tight and then reel-in the slack. Lowering ur rod tip will slack and the hook get get off. A lot of factors get fish off the hook on the spinners(treble hooks mostly?).

Trebles ? DId you ever think why MOST lures are being packaged/sold on trebles and why?

You telling noobs to eat by-bait bycatch or you say 'small bait fish' or in precise 'you'll often only be able to catch a lot of small baitfish. Don't be afraid to cook them' .. but at the earlier post release by catch? So  whats a keepable/eatable fish to you?

Sorrry Bro.. but Youre write -up  is too persuasive, having on the 'Newbies corner' and a 'Mistakes to Avoid' doesn't seem to cut it for me. IMO!


Be patient and calm – for no one can catch fish in anger. –Herbert Hoover
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote laidbackdood Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Feb 2012 at 12:35am
laidbackdood View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium
Avatar

Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Location: Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 4998
Good stuff Ahab....Wrap your pillies up in newspaper....will stay great down to the last one...the newspaper absorbs all the water as they thaw and prevents them going mushy...great on a block of pillies in particular. 
Once the idiots turn up..Im outta here...No time for Drama Queens.
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Ahab Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Feb 2012 at 7:18am
Ahab View Drop Down
Topic Moderator
Topic Moderator
Avatar

Joined: 19 Sep 2005
Location: Auckland
Status: Offline
Points: 3464
Thanks fellers! Brain dump it be. Plenty more sluicing around up there, as I'm sure is the case for all of us. I reckon bold the subject of each tip to make it easier to locate.

Hooks: They should always be super sharp. Also the best quality you can afford. Most brands are sharp straight from the packet. However you should check your points every so often and give them a touch up with a stone or diamond file, or bin them. A small rectangular stone is cheap and does the job. You'll get pretty good at touching up the point so it's viciously sharp. When buying hooks, go for major, reputable brands. The best you can afford. My brand of choice is Owner, but I also like Gamakatsu, VMC, Youvella and Black Magic. 

Salt: When you get back from fishing, pretty much EVERYTHING with salt on it really needs to be rinsed/soaked. This is especially true for metals, but also shoes, which will disintegrate quickly if left salty. Soak them in a bucket of water overnight and then dry in the shade. Never put hooks back into your tacklebox straight from the water. Soak all your hooks in a basin of fresh water, then dry on newspaper and ideally spray with a protectant such as inox. 
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote MrWildabeast Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Feb 2012 at 11:46am
MrWildabeast View Drop Down
Silver
Silver
Avatar

Joined: 31 May 2011
Location: Tauranga
Status: Offline
Points: 453
Awesum brain dump bro!
Here fishy..fishy....
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Capt Asparagus Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Feb 2012 at 1:01pm
Capt Asparagus View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium
Avatar

Joined: 18 Sep 2002
Location: New Zealand
Status: Offline
Points: 13168
Get a can of lanox to spray over new reels before you spool them up, it is a natural, lanolin based aerosol grease and makes an awesome anti-corrosion barrier on spools etc.
The Warehouse does have some good gear, they have the lower end ABU gear, which is quite adequate. Just don't go targeting your trophy fish with that grade of gear. A lot of their other gear, soft plastics etc, is exactly the same as you will find in any other tackle shop.
When fighting a jumping fish like kahawai, keeping your tip at waterlevel does prevent jumps.... this is an old trick used by barramundi fishermen in aussie. As for jumping fish, say trout, then during the fight you keep your rod tip high, but when the fish jumps you drop your rod-tip. If you keep too tight in touch with a jumping fish, you can pull the fish towards you very easily (without water pressure holding it away from you, you see), and if you do pull the fish over towards you, it will land with slack line and WILL throw the hook.
So, if fighting a kahawai and you really really want to keep it, then lower your rod-tip when it is jumping. At all other times, always keep your rod tip up with a slight curve in it.
Treble hooks do catch fish. They also totally wreck many fishes faces, making release pointless. They are also a peril if a fish hits the deck and goes berserk, like a rat kingie, the barbs not buried in the fish can and often do easily impale fishermens legs and feet. The safer, smarter option is to go for a single hook. Single hooks also offer a fish less chance to lever themselves off the hook. If a fish has a single barb of a treble in its jaw, it can use the leverage of one of the other barbs outside the mouth to pop the hook out of itself. This happens quite often. A single hook, once in the fish, is a lot harder for them to prize out. This is one reason why you never see treble hooks in gamefishing lures....single hooks give better penetration and hook-holding than trebles usually. And make release of fish so very much easier.

Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote letsgetem Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Feb 2012 at 7:40pm
letsgetem View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium
Avatar

Joined: 09 Oct 2008
Location: Whangaparaoa
Status: Offline
Points: 3318
And treble hooks often catch on things - like the net - so the fish can then yank the hook out and escape. Why do lures keep coming out with trebles????????????????.
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote smudge Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Feb 2012 at 8:29pm
smudge View Drop Down
Moderator - Ninja
Moderator - Ninja
Avatar

Joined: 17 Jul 2002
Location: Te Toro
Status: Offline
Points: 33664
It's because they sell. Trebles have their place. Like many things there are choices rather than hard and fast rules. New fishermen need to understand that too. i certainly don't agree with all of the things here but they are good opinions and this is a value adding post so keep the Mistakes to Avoid coming!
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote PJay Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Feb 2012 at 9:21pm
PJay View Drop Down
Moderator - Black Belt
Moderator - Black Belt


Joined: 11 Jun 2009
Location: Russell
Status: Offline
Points: 2447
This is not entirely levity: don't believe everything you read on this forum.
 
Compare what anyone says with what others say.
 
We all have different experiences, but some of us draw rules out of them, which is not quite how it works.
PJ
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Capt Asparagus Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Feb 2012 at 10:01pm
Capt Asparagus View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium
Avatar

Joined: 18 Sep 2002
Location: New Zealand
Status: Offline
Points: 13168
Yup, the main rule in fishing is:- There are no rules.
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Ahab Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Feb 2012 at 10:19pm
Ahab View Drop Down
Topic Moderator
Topic Moderator
Avatar

Joined: 19 Sep 2005
Location: Auckland
Status: Offline
Points: 3464
Use the net: I've found these websites very useful:

For basic knots: http://www.netknots.com/ 

For walking access: http://wams.org.nz/wams/index.aspx 

For finding basic water depth and contour lines: http://marine.geogarage.com/routes 


I'm sure there are plenty of others that people here could add.

Pre-filled tackle boxes: Black Magic seem to do good ones, but there are some pretty awful ones out there too. The sort of thing advertised as having "517 pieces", and "all you'll need". They're usually made for overseas fishing and are generally full of inferior gear, half of which isn't useful for our conditions. You're better to build up what you need as you need it. Have received this kind of thing for Christmas/birthdays more than once.

Sunglasses: Polarised glasses to cut the glare are invaluable. You'll see a lot more of what's going on under the water. If you use them for a while and then for some reason forget them, the water will suddenly seem to have an oily impenetrable sheen to it. As for everything, get the best you can afford. Glass lenses are preferable to plastic, as they are a hell of a lot more scratch resistant.



Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Ahab Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Feb 2012 at 10:42pm
Ahab View Drop Down
Topic Moderator
Topic Moderator
Avatar

Joined: 19 Sep 2005
Location: Auckland
Status: Offline
Points: 3464
Read these writers:

Sam Mossman (Serious about Sportfishing especially) 
Mark Kitteridge
Gary Kemsley
John Eichelsheim
Herman Melville
Craig Worthington
Josh Worthington
Herb Spannagl
Bruce Basher
Stephen Tapp
There are probably some others people could add.

Most of their books come up on Trade Me if they're no longer in print, and they all write in fishing mags. Except Melville.

Never hold a fish by the eye sockets or put your hands in its gills if you're going to release it. Common sense really: the gills are delicate oxygen exchange organs and won't benefit from being handled. Any more than someone sticking their hands in your lungs. Cradle the fish under the stomach, ideally with a wet rag.

Avoid forming normal human relationships: These tend to cut into fishing time. To prevent relationships from developing, don't wash yourself or your clothes after fishing. Learn to swear more. Grow hair over every part of your body, except your head, where you should let it fall out in drifts. Live under a bridge. 
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote laidbackdood Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Feb 2012 at 11:01pm
laidbackdood View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium
Avatar

Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Location: Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 4998
Just scored one of those crayfish bags...had to sniff around to find it but delivered for 20 bucks...nice one doodWink
Once the idiots turn up..Im outta here...No time for Drama Queens.
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Ahab Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Feb 2012 at 6:23am
Ahab View Drop Down
Topic Moderator
Topic Moderator
Avatar

Joined: 19 Sep 2005
Location: Auckland
Status: Offline
Points: 3464
Originally posted by Capt Asparagus Capt Asparagus wrote:

Get a can of lanox to spray over new reels before you spool them up, it is a natural, lanolin based aerosol grease and makes an awesome anti-corrosion barrier on spools etc.


Any idea where to get this stuff mate? Have heard good things about it but haven't been able to find any.
Back to Top
Page  123 7>
Forum Jump
Forum Permissions View Drop Down


This page was generated in 0.344 seconds.

Fishing Reports Visit Reports

Saltwater Fishing Reports
Tauranga Fishing Report - 28/05/26

Tarakihi on the bite Trips are few and far between at this time of year,... Read More >

28 May 2026
Freshwater Fishing Reports
Canterbury Fishing Report - 28/05/26

Fresh and salt turning it on! It is not very often I get to say... Read More >

28 May 2026
Saltwater Fishing Reports
Bay of Islands Fishing Report - 28/05/26

Lures paying dividends We finally had a break in the SE winds that have been... Read More >

28 May 2026
Saltwater Fishing Reports
Manukau/West Coast Fishing Report - 28/05/26

Snapper and gurnard in the harbour The weather has finally taken a turn for the... Read More >

28 May 2026
Saltwater Fishing Reports
Top of the South Fishing Report - 28/05/26

Snapper still in Tasman Bay Well, we are now at the end of May and... Read More >

28 May 2026
Saltwater Fishing Reports
Gisborne Fishing Report - 28/05/26

The bluefin are here The talk of the town is that the annual run of... Read More >

28 May 2026
Fishing bite times Fishing bite times

Major Bites

Minor Bites

Major Bites

Minor Bites