MB wrote: Tonight's homework: research "cock in a sock"

I was planning on getting some squid on the way to Westhaven tomorrow morning so I guess I'll give it a try over there

If the live bait dies, it's dead bait. It will still catch snapper. Nose hooked might keep them alive longer. Repeated casting and retrieving of live baits will finish them off quickly, as will big, heavy hooks. You have to be organised when live baiting, bucket of water to keep the fish in while you get ready is useful. Next level would be slide baiting (Google!). 

Morning gents,
The live bait and the dead bait both didn't attract any bites. I was using a 5/0 circle hook on my running rig so it was most likely too big for the tiny fish, and I probably shouldn't have had a sinker on. I'm about to look up slide baiting on youtube for a tutorial now.
There were around 6 people all up on the wharf, 2 brought burley which mainly attracted sprats. There was something big chasing the sprats for a few minutes but I'm guessing I spooked it by casting towards it.
1 guy who had his line in the deeper end of the water caught a 40cm snapper at about 10am, and someone else caught something that looked like a pilchard, but besides that it was only sprats until I left at about 12.30. I returned at 5pm and stayed until 9 but only caught 2 baby snapper the entire time without any nibbles or bites after them.
I read that wharves attract fish at night because of the lights that surround it, Wairangi wharf doesn't have any. Should I be using lights to shine into the water or should I have been at a different wharf?

try the end of queens wharf where the cloud is,plenty people fish of there so no issue fishing

I doubt you would find that info on depth of wharves. But the tide depths will be on tide tables.

Gaz1 wrote: I read that wharves attract fish at night because of the lights that surround it, Wairangi wharf doesn't have any. Should I be using lights to shine into the water or should I have been at a different wharf?

Thanks for all the advice guys! Finally caught me a keeper over at Westhaven today. I got some 7/0 circle hooks before I went out and made a running rig with a pilchard tail baited with some elastic holding it on. First cast and I caught a 37cm trevally, bled it and left for home before the rain got worse. Veeeeery happy with my fish and it will be going in the oven for dinner tonight!

Whoo hoo , Looks good man . Next time take an umbrella and stick around for a few more