Any help with trying to prepare a trip??
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Landbased & Surfcasting
Forum Description: From rocks or beaches, here's the place for the landbased fishos to share information
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=136811
Printed Date: 10 Feb 2025 at 4:28am
Topic: Any help with trying to prepare a trip??
Posted By: Pedrotms
Subject: Any help with trying to prepare a trip??
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2022 at 9:45pm
Hi guys!! I've been wanting to make this post for a while, but covid delayed it a lot...and nowadays I feel that I finally have a chance, so why not ask for some help... So, going to the point, I am trying to organize and land-based fishing trip to NZ to go after the big kingies. But being in Portugal, and having only been once to NZ, makes it hard to plan anything that could be remotely successful by myself in the sense that I might not even be able to get to the rocks if I plan it fully alone without knowing the place. I was wondering if someone could help me a bit in planning a trip? I don't need anyone's secret ledges, I know the game and how things work, same way I would not blindly give away my spots in the Azores. But just some general directions, regions to aim for, where not to go, or like places off limits, or even saying "don't think about that, its too risky" or "around that area would be good, you can try your luck and explore around" or "focus in this region and try to hit those rock ledges around". The plan would be to go sometime in December/January, would that be a good time? And to stay a minimum of 2 weeks and maximum of 3 weeks...I will be camping as in all my land-based trips! So anywhere where I can pitch a tent, being it wild camping (if allowed) or in specific locations, that is fine. Also walking many kilometers to get to a fishing spot is not an issue! I might rent a car to move around different areas, or decide to stick to a particular location and pepper it as much as I can. Back in 2014 when I went to NZ I managed to go to Cape Reinga and Cape Maria Van Diemen while staying camping in the Taputaputa camping area. Amazing spots but not always fishable as the weather and sea are rough there. Still I would like to hit those places again. Aside from that, I had some ideas to visit the Bay of Islands and maybe Coromandel. As you can see, there is zero to no plan yet... If anyone can/is whiling to help, it is much appreciated ;)
Cheers from Portugal, Pedro Tomás
|
Replies:
Posted By: MB
Date Posted: 23 Jun 2022 at 7:56am
Use MUCH heavier gear than you are used to in Europe. You probably know that already.
Think about safety when rock fishing. Ropes and PFDs etc.
You're on the right track with general locations.
Learn to use the weather forecasting sites. PredictWind is good.
NZ isn't as wild and free as it used to be, so freedom camping options are limited, but still possible if you don't piss anyone off and use a bit of common sense.
You need a car!
Watch every episode of the Lateral Line on YouTube.
Good luck!
|
Posted By: Shilo
Date Posted: 23 Jun 2022 at 8:47am
January is a good time for Kingi's, BUT it is also our main holiday season here so everyman and his dog will be at all the camping areas and fishing spots. If you can delay it until February then the kids would have gone back to school and parents back to work so it will be alot quieter and easier to find good spots that are not crowded out.
Kingi's can be caught all year around but the beginning of Dec until April-May see a large population close to shore. Personally I think Feb / March is the best time to get into them. December can be hit or miss some years.
Coromandel, Far North, West & East coast harbours, are all good and should give you some action.
|
Posted By: Turnright
Date Posted: 23 Jun 2022 at 10:27am
Agree Feb March a very good time to come, top of coromadel would be my go to area as you will have plenty of options depending on wind and swell direction, a vehicle would be very helpful just to be able to relocate if need be, you pretty much can't miss if up there putting in the effort. As above with the lateral line, Nathan and Milan will teach you everything you need off those videos
|
Posted By: scuzzymoto
Date Posted: 23 Jun 2022 at 4:06pm
East Cape - middle of winter big kings
------------- "It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled” Mark Twain
|
Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 23 Jun 2022 at 6:56pm
Thanks guys for helping out our friend from PM Pedro some specific advice. I'm not an LBG guy so don't have anything constructive to add. Let us know how you get on PedroTms
------------- Best gurnard fisherman in my street
|
Posted By: BananaBoat
Date Posted: 23 Jun 2022 at 8:20pm
Fished top of Coro heaps of times, stay at Fletchers bay campground, the walk to the grounds about an hr, time it right as you can get stuck at high tide on the way back or going there Feb onwards is best, you want new moon to full moon, best is first quarter or at any moon phase when a low comes thru Best tides last 2hrs of outgoing tide going into change of light Careful with any northerly or east wind as the ground swell can be unsafe Fishing at the top of Coro can be hot and very cold, very bloody cold You do not want calm sea conditions, west to sou west 15kt plus is good Read thru the entire land based forum, what you need to know about Coro is all there Good luck
|
Posted By: Pedrotms
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2022 at 1:16am
MB wrote:
Use MUCH heavier gear than you are used to in Europe. You probably know that already.
Think about safety when rock fishing. Ropes and PFDs etc.
You're on the right track with general locations.
Learn to use the weather forecasting sites. PredictWind is good.
NZ isn't as wild and free as it used to be, so freedom camping options are limited, but still possible if you don't piss anyone off and use a bit of common sense.
You need a car!
Watch every episode of the Lateral Line on YouTube.
Good luck! |
First of all, thanks so much for the answer. About the gear, no need to worry. People don't really know about some of the crazy fishing that can be done in europe for big fish because the few that know about it try to keep it hidden! I mostly target greater amberjack from the rocks, biggest I've landed (and properly weighted) was 31kg, but hooked much bigger ones that were simply wreck trains! AJs around 50kg have haunted me on my fishing spots, I'm yet to try to land one above 35kg or so. I mostly go with PE8 and PE10, so no need to worry. It's not my first time going after big fish from the rocks, be it kings, gts, AJs or tuna.
About safety gear, I always wear an helmet, floatation aid vest (50N), a PLB and have a 20m rope on a bag on me at all times.
Thanks for the tips!
|
Posted By: Pedrotms
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2022 at 1:22am
Shilo wrote:
January is a good time for Kingi's, BUT it is also our main holiday season here so everyman and his dog will be at all the camping areas and fishing spots. If you can delay it until February then the kids would have gone back to school and parents back to work so it will be alot quieter and easier to find good spots that are not crowded out.
Kingi's can be caught all year around but the beginning of Dec until April-May see a large population close to shore. Personally I think Feb / March is the best time to get into them. December can be hit or miss some years.
Coromandel, Far North, West & East coast harbours, are all good and should give you some action.
|
Thanks, February would also work for me I think!
|
Posted By: Pedrotms
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2022 at 1:23am
Turnright wrote:
Agree Feb March a very good time to come, top of coromadel would be my go to area as you will have plenty of options depending on wind and swell direction, a vehicle would be very helpful just to be able to relocate if need be, you pretty much can't miss if up there putting in the effort. As above with the lateral line, Nathan and Milan will teach you everything you need off those videos |
I'll use maps to explore top of Coro ;) And I'll put a better look into the lateral line! Thanks a lot!
|
Posted By: Pedrotms
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2022 at 1:25am
BananaBoat wrote:
Fished top of Coro heaps of times, stay at Fletchers bay campground, the walk to the grounds about an hr, time it right as you can get stuck at high tide on the way back or going there Feb onwards is best, you want new moon to full moon, best is first quarter or at any moon phase when a low comes thru Best tides last 2hrs of outgoing tide going into change of light Careful with any northerly or east wind as the ground swell can be unsafe Fishing at the top of Coro can be hot and very cold, very bloody cold You do not want calm sea conditions, west to sou west 15kt plus is good Read thru the entire land based forum, what you need to know about Coro is all there Good luck |
Overall, pretty similar conditions to the ones I search for when targeting the AJs in the Azores! I'll do as you say, thanks for the feedback!!!
|
Posted By: Pedrotms
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2022 at 1:38am
Is Cape Brett fishable, or way to complicated for someone that does not know the spot? Can one cross to Otuwhanga Island? Or should I get it out of my head?
|
Posted By: Coastbusters
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2022 at 11:46am
I had never heard of amberjacks, so I did some searching on Youtube. Found a cool vid where a fisho takes a world champ weightlifter, NFL Linebacker and Worlds strongest man out to fish them on full drag. They are a lot like kingies. It just goes to show that technique and stamina beats strength. World's strongest man couldn't land it.
https://youtu.be/XBsTUqZx8kg?t=634" rel="nofollow - https://youtu.be/XBsTUqZx8kg?t=634
This one was grouper and it is hilarious
https://youtu.be/uw-0WatWko4" rel="nofollow - https://youtu.be/uw-0WatWko4
|
Posted By: MB
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2022 at 11:53am
Pedrotms wrote:
First of all, thanks so much for the answer. About the gear, no need to worry. People don't really know about some of the crazy fishing that can be done in europe for big fish because the few that know about it try to keep it hidden! I mostly target greater amberjack from the rocks, biggest I've landed (and properly weighted) was 31kg, but hooked much bigger ones that were simply wreck trains! AJs around 50kg have haunted me on my fishing spots, I'm yet to try to land one above 35kg or so. I mostly go with PE8 and PE10, so no need to worry. It's not my first time going after big fish from the rocks, be it kings, gts, AJs or tuna. |
That's cool and certainly not typical of my experience in the Mediterranean, but I see you mentioned the Azores, so that makes sense. As you probably know, kingfish are a type of amberjack, so you should be fine.
|
Posted By: Pedrotms
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2022 at 8:32pm
MB wrote:
Pedrotms wrote:
First of all, thanks so much for the answer. About the gear, no need to worry. People don't really know about some of the crazy fishing that can be done in europe for big fish because the few that know about it try to keep it hidden! I mostly target greater amberjack from the rocks, biggest I've landed (and properly weighted) was 31kg, but hooked much bigger ones that were simply wreck trains! AJs around 50kg have haunted me on my fishing spots, I'm yet to try to land one above 35kg or so. I mostly go with PE8 and PE10, so no need to worry. It's not my first time going after big fish from the rocks, be it kings, gts, AJs or tuna. |
That's cool and certainly not typical of my experience in the Mediterranean, but I see you mentioned the Azores, so that makes sense. As you probably know, kingfish are a type of amberjack, so you should be fine. |
The sad part is seeing the Azores archipelago being destroyed by overfishing over the years. Some spots used to be a safe heaven for big big greater amberjacks and other atlantic pelagic species, with specimens of AJs being caught over 80kg. Nowadays even fish over 30/40kg are getting harder and harder to find by boat with the proper marks, let alone from the rocks...and only on a few islands and few hidden spots can one still target those with lures from the rocks. Regarding kingies, it is not my first time going after them! I landed some nice ones in Japan in 2016, but I really wanted to go to NZ (first of all I love NZ, so it is always nice going there) and fish there! Plus since the season matches "my" winter season here in Portugal, it is a perfect match because I don't need to change my summer trip to the Azores ahahahahah
|
Posted By: Pedrotms
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2022 at 8:11am
Guys, again with the trip planning... I've been savagely going through posts and posts of LBG spots and reports, trying to absorb as much info as possible to build my trip plans on! But from all the reading two things clearly stand out. To go after kingis with lures, two main regions seem to be almost like epicenters, the Far North region (Maria Van Diemen, Cape Reinga, Spirits Bay, Tapotupotu, Sandy Bay, and so on...); and Coromandel! For me, coming from Portugal is guaranteed that I can have 2 full weeks for a trip (without counting with days spent flying to NZ and back to PT), but maybe I can get 3 weeks. In the case I can only get 2 weeks, would you recommend me sticking to one region only? If yes, which region would you advise me to stick to (no need to be just the far north or coromandel)? Or should I try to rotate around and hit different spots as the weather changes? The thing with trying many spots in land-based trips is that it can be a major error, in the sense that one does not know the place, how to get to the spots, and actually fish them...all of that takes time, plus going from place to place...my experience of traveling abroad to go LBG fishing is that a lot of times, it pays off to stick to a couple of different spots in one particular area. Even when fishing homelands (Portugal) it works better like that too. But if possible I would like to hear what you guys have to say!
Thanks already for the help and advice given! Best from Portugal! Pedro Tomás
|
Posted By: MB
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2022 at 9:41am
I can't help much further because I don't do land based fishing, but I would recommend using FATMAP (free web app) to help with trip planning. It shows 3D topography which is so much better than 2D when trying to find spots. I use it for hunting and it's proven very useful.
|
Posted By: Pedrotms
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2022 at 10:15am
MB, great tip, thanks so much! Cool app, that will be handy!
Best, Pedro
|
Posted By: Shilo
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2022 at 10:17am
Where you go could be very weather dependant so I would recommend leaving your options open until you arrive in the country. But if you have 2 weeks (14 days) then you could easily do both the Coromandel and the Far North if you wanted to. With travel time taken into account you could end up with 5 days in each area (assuming you have a rental car). Personally I would do what you are doing: Research and make a list of all the likely spots in both areas, then when you arrive here look at the weather forecasts and plan it from there. It is a long drive but it is possibe to travel from the top of the Coromandel to the top of the Far North in a day (9hrs)
It is correct that trying to fish as many spots as possible in a limited time is a mistake, it takes time to learn a spot and one may fish well at a certain tide etc and there is a chance you can get it wrong at every spot. With fishing the grass is not always greener somewhere else. But by having a list of spots and not planning to fish Spot A on a certain day then moving to Spot B the next one will keep your options open.
|
Posted By: Pedrotms
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2022 at 10:33am
Shilo wrote:
Where you go could be very weather dependant so I would recommend leaving your options open until you arrive in the country. But if you have 2 weeks (14 days) then you could easily do both the Coromandel and the Far North if you wanted to. With travel time taken into account you could end up with 5 days in each area (assuming you have a rental car). Personally I would do what you are doing: Research and make a list of all the likely spots in both areas, then when you arrive here look at the weather forecasts and plan it from there. It is a long drive but it is possibe to travel from the top of the Coromandel to the top of the Far North in a day (9hrs)
It is correct that trying to fish as many spots as possible in a limited time is a mistake, it takes time to learn a spot and one may fish well at a certain tide etc and there is a chance you can get it wrong at every spot. With fishing the grass is not always greener somewhere else. But by having a list of spots and not planning to fish Spot A on a certain day then moving to Spot B the next one will keep your options open.
| I do agree with you man. Maybe I'll do just that. Mixing things up adds the "extra" uncertainty on chances of getting the fish, but honestly, being a crazy LBG lure angler, forever casting for elusive fish with high chances of not catching anything is already part of the deal...but man that one strike on the surface is all the counts!
|
Posted By: Shilo
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2022 at 11:30am
Pedrotms wrote:
I do agree with you man. Maybe I'll do just that. Mixing things up adds the "extra" uncertainty on chances of getting the fish, but honestly, being a crazy LBG lure angler, forever casting for elusive fish with high chances of not catching anything is already part of the deal...but man that one strike on the surface is all the counts! |
If lure hunting, don't forget to cheat while you are here. Using Berley (chumming) will increase your chances enourmously. It is not the smell of the burley that attracts the kingi's but the commotion of million+ bait fish in a feeding frenzy. By casting up and down the coastline and around the berley area I would be very suprised if you don't hook up. Without berley it is just a slom chance that A) you come across a fish & B) that Kingi is currently in an eating mood. The commotion of the bait fish around the berley turns the Kingi "on" and they won't hesitate to take a lure.
A bit like the old trick when a Kingi is around but ignoring the lures / live bait, throw rocks in the water near it and it will get excited and start to eat.
|
Posted By: jac
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2022 at 2:43pm
“A bit like the old trick when a Kingi is around but ignoring the lures / live bait, throw rocks in the water near it and it will get excited and start to eat” Great tip 👍🏼
|
Posted By: Pedrotms
Date Posted: 03 Jul 2022 at 8:23am
I'll do my best, with or without burley, that is for sure
|
Posted By: Pedrotms
Date Posted: 03 Jul 2022 at 8:32am
Guys, thanks for all the help so far, but I'll keep some questions coming if you don't mind.
I've been reading quite a lot about private land and public land in NZ, and it is not so clear to me how one finds out if it is trespassing private land or not, or if I can go through some land without annoying the owners and incurring into legal issues. The last thing I want to do is get into unnecessary trouble and annoy the landowners, it's not their fault that an uninformed "alien" fisherman like me goesthrough their property. Is there a way to figure out if I can go through a particular path or follow a particular road, or if I can't?? Or to figure out in advance where is the public and private land? Like, the road through Coromandel to reach Port Jackson and go further to Fletchers Bay, I can see it on many maps, but is it public or part of it is private? This sort of stuff worries me, especially if I'm to go to the Far North and wander around.
On a different note, can you guys point me to, or recommend to me, good fishing stores in Coromandel/Auckland, and in the Far North? I always like to visit local stores and talk with the people there.
|
Posted By: Shilo
Date Posted: 03 Jul 2022 at 8:48am
You shouldn't have much problem as most public / private land is fairly obvious. Department of Conservation (DOC) and council reserves are all OK as well as the coastline if you can get round it without climbing over fences etc. There is the odd exception that might catch you out like the large hill beside Spirits Bay camping ground in the Far North. Around the rocks is fine (and great fishing for Kingi's) but don't climb the hill.
Here is a website that should help as it shows all NZ public outdoor access: http://maps.walkingaccess.govt.nz/OurMaps/" rel="nofollow - https://maps.walkingaccess.govt.nz/OurMaps/
|
Posted By: Pedrotms
Date Posted: 03 Jul 2022 at 9:43am
Shilo wrote:
You shouldn't have much problem as most public / private land is fairly obvious. Department of Conservation (DOC) and council reserves are all OK as well as the coastline if you can get round it without climbing over fences etc. There is the odd exception that might catch you out like the large hill beside Spirits Bay camping ground in the Far North. Around the rocks is fine (and great fishing for Kingi's) but don't climb the hill.
Here is a website that should help as it shows all NZ public outdoor access: http://maps.walkingaccess.govt.nz/OurMaps/" rel="nofollow - https://maps.walkingaccess.govt.nz/OurMaps/ |
Thanks Shilo, much appreciated!!!! ;) Here in Portugal nothing is really that obvious, and there are some rules that actually allow you to go through some private land in some particular conditions to reach water fronts and so on...but without knowing that, one can get easily into trouble. That's why I was asking. Thanks again!
|
Posted By: JK
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2022 at 8:57am
Hey Pedro
Like others, I'd recommend Feb, or even March, for your trip here.
I'd be looking to spend a bit of time in 2-3 key locations/areas that give you a number of fishing options. So coro for a week, far north, mid north etc. That gives you a bit of time to try different spots, tides, etc and allows for when the weather doesn't play ball.
Presume you will hire a vehicle or something for your time here? That will be key.
I am usually based in Coro most of Dec-Feb so happy to catch up for a fish and hit some of the lessor well known spots in that area.
------------- LedgeNZ LBG
|
Posted By: Pedrotms
Date Posted: 06 Jul 2022 at 1:46am
JK wrote:
Hey Pedro
Like others, I'd recommend Feb, or even March, for your trip here.
I'd be looking to spend a bit of time in 2-3 key locations/areas that give you a number of fishing options. So coro for a week, far north, mid north etc. That gives you a bit of time to try different spots, tides, etc and allows for when the weather doesn't play ball.
Presume you will hire a vehicle or something for your time here? That will be key.
I am usually based in Coro most of Dec-Feb so happy to catch up for a fish and hit some of the lessor well known spots in that area.
|
Thanks so much for the reply JK! Yeah, the plan is to go mid February until beginning of January. I think I have already more or less a basic idea of the Far North and Coro, at least about places to try and go and where to stay. Now like you mention, I need to look into spots in the Mid North! That part is a bit "greyer" for me. But I still have some time to figure it out. The car will be a must for the whole trip, guaranteed! Lastly, I would really appreciate a chance to meet up and go fishing, as well as to offer a beer or so for the help! Thanks again. Best, Pedro Tomás
|
Posted By: Pedrotms
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2022 at 1:37am
Hi once again guys. Thank you all so far for all the help, it really seems that this trip is going to happen!! Stoked about that!!
So my main plan is to stay some time in Coro and in the Far North...but aside from that, I need to have more or less a "contingency plan" in the "Mid-North" area. Can anyone help me out with some general directions between Whangarei Heads and Mangonui or even Karikari peninsula?
Also, around the North Cape, are most of those ravines unfishable or there are some spots that can be accessed? Would it be worth spending some time there finding the ways to those spots?
Best, Pedro Tomás
|
Posted By: Pedrotms
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2022 at 10:26pm
Hell yeahhhhhh this is hapenning!!!!!!!Got my flights, got the car, all the fishing gear, and the will to explore
Until the time comes, much more planning will be necessary, but for sure, no matter the outcome, it will be one amazing trip! ;)
|
Posted By: Coastbusters
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2022 at 7:56am
There's an app called Rankers, that lists all of the camping areas in NZ (paid, free and Department of conservation). It shows them on a live map with gps, has comments and photos next to each one too, and links to phone numbers and Google maps directions.. Having travelled to the cape and the coromandel, I can tell you you won't find many freedom camping spots that allow tents (mobile homes / vans only). There are some DoC sites - more so along the coast to the cape than coro, but look on Rankers. I use it all the time. And it's free.
|
Posted By: Pedrotms
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2022 at 12:51pm
Coastbusters wrote:
There's an app called Rankers, that lists all of the camping areas in NZ (paid, free and Department of conservation). It shows them on a live map with gps, has comments and photos next to each one too, and links to phone numbers and Google maps directions.. Having travelled to the cape and the coromandel, I can tell you you won't find many freedom camping spots that allow tents (mobile homes / vans only). There are some DoC sites - more so along the coast to the cape than coro, but look on Rankers. I use it all the time. And it's free. |
Man thanks for the tip!!! I'll look into it properly, for sure it will be a big help!! Thanks again. Best from Portugal, Pedro
|
Posted By: Pedrotms
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2023 at 2:58am
Hello to everyone from Portugal!! First of all, it's been a while since I actually came here...but I wanted to say that I managed to go to NZ and fish! The trip happened, and it was a massive success. New Zealand waters were kind to me, and I caught plenty of good fish.Couldn't be more stocked with it. I met great people, visited amazing spots, and caught awesome fish. What a trip it was. I would like to thank JK for all the help that he provided me.
To JK: Dude, in 2025 hopefully we'll go for a proper fishing session! Let's make it happen ;)
To everyone else that helped with tips and advice, thank you so much, thanks to all the help given I managed to put together a cool trip, go all the way from the literal other side of the world (Portugal) to NZ to fish.
I would like to post a pic, but for some reason I can't seem to upload any...it always says "upload successful" and then says cancelled/forbidden on the pic...
Cheers from Portugal to all of you. Pedro
|
|