Castle Point fishing
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=57206
Printed Date: 30 May 2026 at 6:00am
Topic: Castle Point fishing
Posted By: WellyDiver
Subject: Castle Point fishing
Date Posted: 06 Sep 2010 at 11:38pm
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We're heading out to Castle Point for a couple of days next week, and looking for any general tips for the area ... I realise this is kinda cheating, as we've been out there before and went fishing off the Lighthouse, about this time last year. The weather was nothing less than an amazing summers day ( except it was the middle of winter ) ... we weren't casting out that far, and all we were getting were spiny dogs, and as much fun as they are and its always great to try to catch the biggest fish, but 30 odd spinies in a 4 hour session goes beyond funny. We noticed a couple of guys further down the rock near ( if you have been there you will know what I'm about to say ) the tidal flow goes over the rocks into the little launching bay. But they didnt really have alot of luck either. This time I'm taking my dive gear, just incase there is some decent weather to get out and have a paddle at 10-20m down ... and might take a cray pot as according to the locals last time I was talking to them, theres usually a couple wandering here and there. but I'm also open to ideas on other spots if anyone has any little possies out of the way, PM me and I'll check them out and let you know how they're fishing Best of luck anyone else heading out in the next two weeks :) |
Replies:
Posted By: Stormbringer
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2010 at 10:39am
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We have always fished off the ledges by the tidal wash not with huge success but the get some big gurnard off there, I have caught crays just after dark off there on the rod, you can chuck a craypot off the ledge aswell. I have heard of the odd puka been caught off there aswell. Good luck and if ya fish the ledge be very weary of the swell -------------  |
Posted By: Timo
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2010 at 4:37pm
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I have fished the ledges nearer the lower points in the "reef" where the wash spills over into the lagoon.
Try a ledger rig with shortish loops, recurves with a bit of flash on the lower hook, and a spoon shaped sinker to help plane the gear up on the retrieve. A reasonably heavy trace will help with the abrasion from the rocks.
Caught my share of carrots using this rig of there. By far the best bait for me was fresh sprats caught in the lagoon next door believe it or not!
Don't be afraid to crank hard when you hook up as the Gurnard there have a tendency to run for cover, which is not something normally associated with the species!.
Cheers
Timo
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Posted By: WellyDiver
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2010 at 8:36am
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Thanks for the feedback guys, yeah i've lived and worked on the sea and know it can get messy out there. Last time I was out there I had a pretty good look around and watched the tide and saw the flows ... hopefully it'll be nice weather and we'll get some diving in cause I'd like to retrieve some sinkers that my friends left behind last time. :) |
Posted By: Dark Horse
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2010 at 9:22pm
| Hey mate when are you heading out? I live in Mastrton and do most of my fishing out their, Sadly my boat is getting new motors put on it currently otherwise I would have offered to take you out for a fish/dive but if you are keen to go for a dive and want company let me know and ill be keen to come along amazing diving off the reef as long as their isnt any swell. |
Posted By: WellyDiver
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2010 at 11:54pm
| Heading out Monday mid morning some time and going to stay at the camping ground, I'll PM you my cell and my partners cell ( cant remember whos works better out there ) and we can catch ( pun ) up out there during the week. I'm probly just going to take my suit, fins and not worry about the scuba gear. But the diving is completely weather dependant so also looking at setting a net off shore from the beach but again thats weather and warmth dependant. |
Posted By: Cobba12
Date Posted: 15 Dec 2015 at 1:22pm
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Hi Mate, I am heading to Castle Point for 7 nights from the 2nd of Jan. While doing some research on the area I found your post that you're a local. I will be bringing my dive gear and a bit of fishing gear. Just wondered if you have much information on the safety of diving the area from shore. I have done a bit of research on google maps and notice that it looks like condition dependent there would be a few headland dive options. What are the species that frequent the area? I would hope to find kings or snapper, crays and paua but I don't really know. Is it sharky, any no go areas? Also when fishing the beach is it only kawai that is the likely target in gutters? Any help appreciated. Thanks. Craig
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Posted By: Hoff7mm08
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2015 at 7:56pm
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No idea on diving but i hear matakona is not bad if conditions allow as vis is marginal alot of the time. Most people fish off the reef by the lagoon. If you dont mind lugging some gear you can fish off the hightop. walk up the light house track and halfway up it flatterns out on your right. Head off the path and you will find a ladder to climb down. Track heads long towards the point and you can fish off a number of ledges. Usual species Kawhai, Gurnard, Sharks and occational kingys. |
Posted By: Cobba12
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2015 at 9:14pm
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Thanks mate, I will print out these directions and have a gander. Do you is there a fishing tackle store in the area? I just picked up a hard case spearing case for my guns which also keeps the rods safe too. Air NZ make you pay for additional luggage even if the other pieces don't make the 23kg limit. It's always been a gripe of mine when flying Air NZ but last trip I did I borrowed a gun off the charter opperator and when I got in the water I was face to face with a school of 30 plus kings all over 15kg. I managed to attract the leader in on me and it was easy the biggest king I have ever seen. I don't know what a 40kg king looks like so I don't know if this one was but it was easy 30kg. Anyway lined him up for a solid stone shot (instant kill or so you hope) and the gun didn't fire. I had to unload and load the gun 4 times because it jammed while the fish swam around me. I managed to get a shot off eventually stoning one at 18kgs. Had 10 guys on the boat so went in for another and the same thing again, managed a n 18kg fish this time. Both good fish but I shoot these sized fish off Sydney so I was pretty spewing that I missed my chance of a beast. Long story short (believe it or not) Air NZ will get their $110 off me this trip. I wont let another dudes gear cost me a fish of a lifetime. If you or anyone is in the area over this time feel free to email me [email protected]. Thanks for the help. Craig |