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Finally Out Again! Wet But Worth It....Mokau.

Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Fishing Reports
Forum Description: Share information about your latest fishing trip
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=140034
Printed Date: 30 Jan 2026 at 2:41am


Topic: Finally Out Again! Wet But Worth It....Mokau.
Posted By: Snappa Geoff
Subject: Finally Out Again! Wet But Worth It....Mokau.
Date Posted: 04 Oct 2025 at 5:12am
Hi all, Was great getting out again after six weeks on the sidelines due to rough seas and weather. Although a little bit big for my trusty little Mac boat i had to bite the bullet and go over the bar in a freinds six meter Mclay..First time in a few years over bar! Brent owner of the boat was introduced to freshbait straylining by Hinga who Ive taught this year. like many fisho's he aspired to catch his first 20lb Snap. Fished all his life with the usual methods, softbait, sliders, flashers etc. Hinga showed him and on there second trip fishing tegether he hooked his first one! a 9.4 kg fish.  Now he's purchased the right gear and is loving the new methods and challenge. 
On to the day... Brent, Hinga and myself set off in wet and overcast conditions in light winds with a 1.2meter sea. I must admit to being a bit nervous going over as there were a few decent waves but Brent handled it with ease. We headed straight down to where i fish, a good fifteen minutes away... Hinga had set the net in the river outside her house over the last two days and caught over twenty Kahawai so bait wasnt an isue. We anchored up on high tide so i predicted a two hour quiet time until current started on the outgoing before the good snaps turned up.  Thats how it panned out like hundreds of other trips there over the years. I always prefer waiting for good fish rather than plugging away with smaller gear and baits catching pannies. Sharks were a bit of a nuisance and we lost a bit of gear before the Snaps turned up. That is common in winter though. 
I was first to get a nice snap on our straylines, went around 7kg so we were on the board! Brent followed shortly after with one similar.. Quiet again for quite a while until our next ones, then they came on a bit better. A few 5's and a couple more 7 kg fish. During this time the rain was heavy on and off for most of the day. I had a big continuous run hit one of my rods of which we had two straylines out each person. Here we go this will be a goodie I said! It turned out to be and played in a nice 10.4 kg Snap, the best of the day. A very fat shorter model..The weather started packing in worse shortly after so we pulled anchor and cruised back in on a sloppy sea. A great day all round with plenty of fish for everyone. couple of photo's Hinga and Brent back on land before cleanup and one of me holding best of the day at sea, although not good quality as i had to screenshot off messenger. 
Cheers..



Replies:
Posted By: SaltyC
Date Posted: 04 Oct 2025 at 10:50am
The master at it again, perseverance in less than optimal conditions, great stuff


Posted By: krow
Date Posted: 04 Oct 2025 at 7:53pm
Another great read. Well done. Thanks for sharing. Sea does look a little untidy too. 


Posted By: Pcj
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2025 at 2:51am
solid fish for sure there Geoff, Weather just not playing ball for me.

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"Times up"


Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 06 Oct 2025 at 6:36pm
Nice work Geoff. That sea looks a little too boisterous for me to stay on my feet though, I have to pick my days. Great fishing!

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Best gurnard fisherman in my street


Posted By: Snappa Geoff
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2025 at 5:31am
Thanks for replies Guys much appreciated. Although it was a bit sloppy during periods when a rain shower and light wind came through, but between them it was alright. The balancing took a bit to get use to! and once back on land I had that sway on feeling right up to when i went to bed! All in all though rapt to get out and the long range sea and weather looking crap for a few more weeks yet. Bit of a bugger as this month and next the best time out West to target a real big Snap as they come in close to spawn..Beer


Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2025 at 6:15pm
Wow, so different to how I fish the west coast. We do strayline big kahawai baits in close when fishing The Nationals and that pays off but at this time of the year our go to is 60m. As you say, we have shark problems at this time of year with big baits & with our light gear that is a major issue that puts us off. I hate using broomstick gear but maybe that is the answer with so many tope and spiny dogs around

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Best gurnard fisherman in my street


Posted By: brmbrm
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2025 at 8:01pm
Good stuff!  Thanks for the post




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