Geoff Thomas: Stay safe, snag fat fish with preparation

Photo / Thinkstock

Fishing at this time of year is all about working the weather. Rain is not a major problem apart from the discomfort, but wind is a killer.

It is not only cold but can create dangerous conditions and there have been reports lately of fishermen getting into trouble and spending many hours in the water.

A means of communication is as vital as warm clothing and lifejackets. As well as a VHF radio on the boat, a cellphone in a plastic bag and a hand-held VHF are recommended by Maritime NZ. "A cellphone is no good if it gets wet and a VHF in a boat which is half under water is useless," says Jim Lilley, Maritime NZ manager for recreational boating.

"You can get good plastic covers for cellphones which allow you to push all the buttons and a portable VHF should be connected to the person. It is no use to you if it is locked away in a cubbyhole."

It is also important to let someone know where you are planning to go and when you expect to return, and to also put in a trip report to coastguard.

"People think, 'It will never happen to me.' But, unfortunately, it can and it does. It is the skipper's legal responsibility to ensure there are lifejackets for every person on board, and that they fit," says Lilley.

"The skipper should also make sure somebody else knows how to operate the boat in the event of something happening to him. It is all about thinking ahead and being prepared." But much of the fishing at present does not require extensive travel, as snapper can be found close to shore in most areas.

These are fish which have elected to remain and feed on crabs and shellfish after most of their brethren have departed for deeper and warmer waters.

If unfamiliar with the territory being fished, a little homework can yield dividends. A check of the terrain at low tide will reveal guts, reefs and weed beds, which show up as dark patches in shallow water, for this is where the resident fish will be holed up over winter.

Our coasts are rich is such habitat - all the way from Wellington to North Cape there are endless stretches of reefs and rocks.

Around Auckland, the choice is also varied, from the foreshore along the East Coast Bays to North Head, Bean Rock, Browns Island, St Heliers Bay Reef, Meola Reef, Musick Point and all around the islands.

Current is also important and more fish will be found where there is a strong current flowing past a rocky point than in a nearby sheltered bay.

Depth is not so critical for you will hook fish in 1-2m of water, but proximity to deep channels does help.

Planning your outing so the wind and tide are running in the same direction is also important, and this will always apply for six hours of the day.

The ideal combination is a low tide at first light and getting a strong berley trail going helps immensely, for the snapper are not feeding as actively in cold water and bite times are short.

Some experienced anglers will start with two berley bombs going at once, and replenish them before they run out to ensure a steady flow. Thawing out the first bomb overnight also helps as it will disperse quickly.

As well as berley, small pieces of fish or groundbait can be tossed out in a semicircle to add to the temptation. This can be any old bait that has thawed and is too soft for using on the hook, but cut it into small pieces.

Because the fish are timid on the bite any weight on the line can deter them, so the hook or hooks can be tied directly to the main line with no trace, swivel or sinker.

The higher hook-up rate will more than compensate for the odd fish lost, and line needs to be no more than 8kg breaking strain.

A lot of experienced snapper fishermen use 6kg and they do well. A light line allows longer casts and has less resistance in the current and wind, so you have less belly in the line. The more direct your contact with the bait, the more effective your strike will be.

Baits should be small chunks of pilchard or half squid on 6/0 or 7/0 hooks with the point protruding.

The fish will nibble at the bait and they don't compete for a bait as they do in summer when a fish will rush in and grab the bait and race away, so what may seem like a small fish picking at the bait is probably a good fish that is just holding the bait in its mouth. Let the fish nibble at the bait and when the line starts to tighten lift the rod and wind at the same time to set the hook.

It is all about feel and the rod should be fished with the line pointing at the bait - not sitting on a rod holder with the rod at right angles.

The baits should be cast out to cover the water behind the boat at different angles and distances, for the berley will drift around rocks and into holes on the uneven seabed.

While this style of strayline fishing does not usually score large numbers of snapper, you will take home some fat fish in top condition.

More fishing action can be found on Rheem Outdoors with Geoff, 5.30pm on TV3, and on the new internet television channel FishnHunt.Tv.