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Illegal baits or berleys?

Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Newbies Corner
Forum Description: If you're new to fishing this is the place to ask any questions about getting started ...
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=132704
Printed Date: 03 Feb 2026 at 6:54am


Topic: Illegal baits or berleys?
Posted By: Brutha_E
Subject: Illegal baits or berleys?
Date Posted: 15 Jan 2020 at 1:42pm
New to fishing, wondering if there are any illegal baits or berleys in NZ sea waters. 

Saw an article online saying they mix cat food with berley pellets, got me thinking , are you sweet to use anything as bait or berley?

Can't find any info on govt. or mpi sites

Cheers


Replies:
Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 15 Jan 2020 at 3:04pm
Yes you can use anything that is not from a protected fish species (great white shark, spotted groper) or other protected animal. Pretty unlikely any of those creatures would be used. You may hear that aniseed is illegal - it isn't that is a myth that's been around for years.
Freshwater fishing does have restrictions though.

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Best gurnard fisherman in my street

Posted By: Brutha_E
Date Posted: 15 Jan 2020 at 3:13pm
thanks mate!

Posted By: krow
Date Posted: 15 Jan 2020 at 9:00pm
IGFA => no meat products. 

Posted By: JPNZ
Date Posted: 15 Jan 2020 at 9:50pm
I've seen guys using pig pellets for berley, while not illegal (i don't think) i can't see it being much good for the fish. Pig pellets are mostly made up of grain or corn with a bit of fish meal thrown in for some nutrients, i wouldn't have thought the predatory fish we target would have the digestive system to deal very well with grain.
....maybe its just like us humans having a hard night on the booze, we feel a bit rough, puke some of it out then go on our merry way...... but maybe its not.

Posted By: The Tamure Kid
Date Posted: 15 Jan 2020 at 10:19pm
It's illegal to use an under-sized fish as bait.

For example, if you want to use a live trevally to try for a kingfish, it has to be longer than the legal take size for trevally.

I've seen new New Zealanders using under-sized snapper (about 10cm) as live baits off wharves. I remonstrated with one person until they (reluctantly) took the snapper off the hook and threw it back.

Check the size limits in your area. There are no limits for kahawai or mackerel.

Also, there are some restrictions on methods you may consider for catching bait. If you intend to use a net, check the regulations regarding mesh size for particular fish. For example, only a small number of species can be caught using a throw net (which has very small mesh size).

And check on regulations where you fish regarding taking of shellfish you may intend to use as bait - at certain times and in certain places, you can't just help yourself to cockles (for example) to use as bait.

Posted By: pjc
Date Posted: 15 Jan 2020 at 11:13pm
old thread but yep pig pellets

https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/pig-pellets-berley_topic94268.html" rel="nofollow - https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/pig-pellets-berley_topic94268.html


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Sex at 58.Lucky I live at 56

Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 16 Jan 2020 at 6:18am
Good point on undersized live baits. IGFA rules do state no meat products or words to that effect but IGFA only applies to club comps and stuff and doesn't make it illegal to use.

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Best gurnard fisherman in my street


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