Kia ora all,

While I am generally pretty anti-set-net (having seen how indiscriminating they can be when I used a snapper set net as a youngster - too many stingrays and other collateral damage!) I was wondering about getting a mullet net and trying it out either around Sandspit (away from the moorings of course!), towards the Matakana river or perhaps at Baddileys or Campbell bay as both are very tidal. I launch from Buckleton's Bay.

I just wondered if anyone has any experience catching mullet with a net on the East coast? A lot of people talk about setting nets in the Hokianga harbour but I am less sure what the situation is on the Eastern side of the island. If there were any tips about where/how to set the net I would be most grateful. I am worried of course about catching stingrays even in the Matakana river as I am sure they head up there too but am tempted to see if I can catch some mullet for bait or to try out smoked.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated and I apologise to the set-net averse crowd! I am definitely not planning on using it in the open sea or near reefs as I know all too well how much destruction they can cause in those places.

Thanks in advance,

John

Agreed but the experience and satisfaction of catching your own bait vs the paknsave experience is some what preferable.
plus fresh is best especially when it comes to eating it.

Go for it dude don't fuss the stingrays, generally the new nets you buy now are thin nylon an the stingrays will usually tear a whole through the net, and try not to leave it set for 24hrs kind of thing.
check the net at each tide, easier to retrieve without current an most by catch is still alive to be released.

not gospel, just what ive experienced with my own netting.

Go for it, catching your own bait is fun. Make sure you read up on the set netting rules first though.

Another place you could try is the Mahurangi Harbour. Plenty of shallow tidal flats so there should be mullet there too.

nah mate i thought he was on about bait, not eating mullet,
if its for eating then fine your better off catching your own...
i for one are not about to go pay $50 kg for crayfish either,
but because you can buy them alive that makes it more like fresh as you can catch,
then ive worked out at the present capture rate i would be better off buy them...

Hey mate best to set near the mangroves try half tide muddy water is best cruise around slowly as they spook easily go up the creek and gently row down in as close to shore as you can if the fish are there you will see the swirls as they move off what i do is try to judge the distance to the mangroves as to where i drop the net then row in to shore feeding the net out run the boat up on to the mud as the tide comes in keep feeding the net out untill no net left if judged properly you should end up in the mangroves as you are feeding out try and have a slight angle on it if you just row straight in they see the net back up and swim around it if it is on the angle when they see it they will turn and run into the outside of the net i love doing this with me mate sit there all day with a cuppa and food talkin **** laughing our heads off if the net starts getting hit just leave them there just in case you spook the others the out going tide is just done in reverse net hard in to the mangroves gently row up steam and out slightly would not woory to much about stingrays most of the  time the just roll over it in time you will get to know what areas fish better with a incoming or outgoing tide oh dont have a anchor on the mangrove end just something heavy some old car jacks is what i use that way you are able to pull the net away from the mangroves when its time to pick up and go PS nothing like it when theystart hitting the net taste good smoked too

Thank you very much John and everyone else for your fantastic advice I really appreciate you taking the time to respond. It does sound like it will be a question of trial and error and just seeing what works best. I shall be sure to give you an update once I give it a go!

Cool, great to get the update.

That's cool John.

pak n sav mullet papakura today $4.75 per kg,brought 5 for freezer,total cost $11.20.nice small grey mullet.