Longline Rules
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=138226
Printed Date: 29 Jan 2026 at 9:55pm
Topic: Longline Rules
Posted By: Bdawg
Subject: Longline Rules
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2024 at 11:12am
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Hello Can you do anything about people using long lines without marker bouys? Is there an organisation to make a complaint to? Yesterday I was returning to a popular bay where we've been camping for a week or so, there's boats moored in the bay. We were going about 4 knots heading to the beach & ran over a guys longline who'd set it right in front of the boat ramp from a drone. Didn't see the line until too late and it got caught in the prop. Luckily could drift onto the beach. Had about 20m of nylon & braid wrapped around. Had to put boat on trailer and take the prop off to remove it all. Not impressed all and the guy was a bit narky when I said I could've got onto trouble. He said what about my trouble with his mangled line & braid. Not against Longlines at all as use one myself occasionally and would never set one without bouys or anywhere remotely near a high traffic area or by a boat ramp. Pretty pissed off with his attitude, didn't even help my wife holding the boat as a bit of a swell when trying to free the prop. He only came over when I'd removed what I thought was all the line. He said didn't you see the line & said you don't need buoys with a drone? We were both on lookout approaching the beach at 3-4knots & impossible to see the line. Thanks for any feedback. |
Replies:
Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2024 at 12:46pm
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I'd have to read the Recreational fishing regulations but I think it is ok to use a longline without named marker buoys as long as you remain with the line. If you set it and move somewhere else laving the line unattended I'm pretty sure it needs to have floats with a name on them. Really stupid place to set it but I'm afraid there are lots of stupid things that us recreational fishers do. That guy deserved to get his line cut but you didn't need to be put at risk. It is commonplace at our local surf beach for fishers to send their longlines out right by the patrolled area flags and have the line come into the flagged area as they retrieve them. Even if you have proof, I doubt you'd get anywhere with getting action taken against him. Maybe someone knows better? ------------- Best gurnard fisherman in my street |
Posted By: Phantom Menace
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2024 at 12:56pm
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That's frustrating to say the least! I don't think there are specific requirements for buoys on a kontiki (whether it's set by drone, electric kontiki or wind - likely as it isn't left "unattended" in the way that a longline set from a boat is). I did have a quick look at the MPI website but couldn't see anything. I haven't set a kontiki for years but would avoid high traffic areas and places with snags (moorings etc.). It comes down to beach / ramp / fishing etiquette and it sounds like this guy failed on several fronts Side note: at a local beach we have a ramp and many folks using tractors, utes etc. to launch. The number of parents that let their kids swim at the foot of the ramp and the sand either side always astounds me (there is a sign at the top). There is also a marked "high speed access" lane (aka Ski lane) down the beach and often people will be swimming in it - oblivious to the danger (and the regulations). |
Posted By: Phantom Menace
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2024 at 1:17pm
 sorry Smudge - my reply is similar to yours ... I had mostly written it then went and had a cup of tea, came back and hit post so hadn't read yours
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Posted By: Mc Tool
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2024 at 5:34pm
I once sat bout 100m away in my boat ( at Okiwi bay )and watched as someone else lifted my long line and took the fish .... ....he wont do it again  yep , there are some arseholes out there
------------- I wish I was young again .... Id be heaps smarter than this time |
Posted By: Kandrew
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2024 at 6:17pm
| I was fishing in my little tinny one tinny one time drifting along the beach and this d head with a drone dropped a longline across my boat. I was only about 200 metres of the beach. |
Posted By: Mc Tool
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2024 at 6:22pm
Did you firmly attach it to your boat and nail the throttle  ------------- I wish I was young again .... Id be heaps smarter than this time |
Kandrew wrote:Posted By: Pcj
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2024 at 6:29pm
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.sunlive.co.nz/news/333367-restrictions-on-longline-fishing-this-summer.html#:~:text=Longline%20and%20kontiki%20fishing%20devices,of%20any%20flagged%20lifeguard%20area.
Longline and kontiki fishing devices can be used anywhere along the beach, as long as they aren't within 300m of any flagged lifeguard area. https://dronefishing.co.nz/news/what-are-the-rules-around-drone-fishing-in-nz/" rel="nofollow - https://dronefishing.co.nz/news/what-are-the-rules-around-drone-fishing-in-nz/ One of the big questions we are often asked, is can i carry a full longline (25x baited hooks) with my drone? The short answer is YES you can, however the rig is then treated as a beach launched longline, which then means that you are required by NZ law to attach a floating bouy (named with the owners details) to the outer end of the backbone. My opion would be,unmarked. Remove it. Which I have done to several nets in the weymouth area.Milk bottle floats,no name.Yep dragged ashore and left by bin ------------- "Times up" |
Posted By: Kandrew
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2024 at 7:17pm
What did you do to the ****a that picked up your longline |
Posted By: waynorth
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2024 at 7:42pm
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No disrespect BD & beach fisher, but the things we stress about. They cost about $20. Milk bottles are cheaper & also work. Get a couple.
------------- treat fish like fish |
Posted By: salty69
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2024 at 8:30pm
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I guess this thread highlights a lack of respect and common sense. Welcome to modern day NZ. FYI. I think you also need to put your phone number on the longline buoy. |
Posted By: Bdawg
Date Posted: 11 Feb 2024 at 8:44am
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Thanks Everyone If it's NZ Law/regulations does anyone know who enforced it? MPI? Thanks |
Posted By: Pcj
Date Posted: 11 Feb 2024 at 10:32am
------------- "Times up" |
Posted By: Mc Tool
Date Posted: 11 Feb 2024 at 4:23pm
Well as it was about 20 years ago I guess theres no come back now ..... I T boned his boat ..... damn near swamped it . I hasten to add that I have matured and mellowed since then . Probly wouldnt have the balls to do it now ( having lost a leg and not really capable of lookin out for myself probly got something to do with it too ) ------------- I wish I was young again .... Id be heaps smarter than this time |
Posted By: Kandrew
Date Posted: 11 Feb 2024 at 4:38pm
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Posted By: cirrus
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2024 at 10:10pm
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name and contact number on each buoy as i understand it and only so many hooks.. But can have all the rules you like. But what about the commonsense and respect and safety to others rules.. Seem to be sadly lacking these days. When science finally discovers the centre of the universe,there will be a lot of dissapointed people out there who thought it was them.
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Posted By: Mc Tool
Date Posted: 20 Feb 2024 at 8:33am
Nah , they will tell the rest of the universe that its wrong  ------------- I wish I was young again .... Id be heaps smarter than this time |
Posted By: Mc Tool
Date Posted: 11 Mar 2024 at 8:57am
Smudge .......
------------- I wish I was young again .... Id be heaps smarter than this time |
Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 11 Mar 2024 at 1:35pm
My work is done hehe ------------- Best gurnard fisherman in my street |