Wanting to tick the Elephant fish off the list
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Destinations
Forum Name: Wellington - Central North island
Forum Description: Wellington destination info, advice, fishing spots, hints and tips here
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=117795
Printed Date: 29 Jan 2026 at 2:38pm
Topic: Wanting to tick the Elephant fish off the list
Posted By: cmac
Subject: Wanting to tick the Elephant fish off the list
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2016 at 9:10pm
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Hi Guys, just moved to Wellington from Sydney, Australia. The Mrs and I are super keen to tick off an elephant fish off the bucket list. I've done a little bit of research on here and the web and It tells me its not the best time for them without a boat. That said, I love a challenge. Can anyone steer me in the right direction as where I could tangle with one of these ugly ******* land based? I'd prefer to stay away from the busy wharves. Thanks heaps! Col |
Replies:
Posted By: Big H
Date Posted: 05 Jun 2016 at 8:20am
| Seatoun beach in a southerly is pretty good option. I've also caught them in Balena bay. Prawn bait. |
Posted By: cmac
Date Posted: 07 Jun 2016 at 12:01pm
| awesome, thanks for that. Will give it a go there. cheers! |
Posted By: NomadAngler
Date Posted: 20 Feb 2018 at 9:12pm
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I'm looking to do the same as you cmac. I'm trying to get one from shore to knock off my bucket list. Getting a bit distracted trying to get a King on lure from shore though! Let us know how you go. |
Posted By: flyfisher
Date Posted: 21 Feb 2018 at 8:09pm
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Dead easy to catch guys, a boat helps though, fresh squid on a ledger rig and 2/0 hooks fished on the side of the main shipping channels and you will land some, they fight like demons! Make sure you're on the sand/mud. Some days you can catch half a dozen with ease and they grow to about 7kg in the harbour. ------------- https://www.youtube.com/user/troutboynz |
Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 21 Feb 2018 at 8:24pm
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Cool, would love to catch one too but can't see myself fishing down there anytime soon. How big do they grow? 7kg sounds impressive. I had some at a fish and chippy down the south island a couple of years ago. Was very nice ------------- Best gurnard fisherman in my street |
Posted By: The Tamure Kid
Date Posted: 21 Feb 2018 at 9:45pm
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Can't you just spray paint one of your monster Manukau gurnard silver, Smudge?
They grow some pretty big 'carrots' down that way, too. Even I got one over 2kg off the shore down there. You'll have to plan an elephant fish and gurnard mission, Smudge.
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Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 21 Feb 2018 at 10:21pm
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Yeah TTK, I have heard it's the home of the monster gurnard
------------- Best gurnard fisherman in my street |
Posted By: flyfisher
Date Posted: 22 Feb 2018 at 9:55am
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Skip to 1:55 on this Nomad Angler, this is about average size around 3-4kg. I often mistake them for small kings on their first run, only ever use 10lb braid on them. Some say they are great eating, but the ones I have tried have been pretty "rubbery" despite being handled and processed correctly. They can take VERY VERY softly, strike at the slightest feeling or nudge, they don't really "bite" as such. Fresh fish like Mackerel is also another great bait. The spine is an absolute weapon!... you really have to watch it. ------------- https://www.youtube.com/user/troutboynz |
Posted By: NomadAngler
Date Posted: 22 Feb 2018 at 1:13pm
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Thanks for the info flyfisher, really appreciated. Access to a boat is my biggest issue, but I may have an option there for a while. Otherwise I may try surfcasting from around the Eastbourne area to hopefully get near the channels. I fish for the photos, and release virtually everything. Pretty keen to add a photo of an Elephant fish to the collection. Also keen on getting a small Hammerhead Shark up north. I saw you spotted Gary's one on FB the other day too. Always enjoy watching your videos, though it makes me pretty jealous!
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Posted By: flyfisher
Date Posted: 22 Feb 2018 at 7:40pm
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Should not be too hard from the shore mate, I believe they often get them round Seatoun beach. I have often seen the egg cases washed up there, so they do frequent the area. The harbour ones are mostly around 10-12m deep, so not at all impossible from the shore, just need sand.They are soooo photogenic, such a cool looking fish! Only ever killed one, could never bring myself to kill them again after that, their skin is like tin foil! ------------- https://www.youtube.com/user/troutboynz |