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Big, fat fish that are awesome to eat! Deepwater species make up a staple target for fishermen all over New Zealand, particularly in the colder months when snapper and game fish take a winter break. The catch is often made up of fish that are large in size, where sometimes just one fish can fill the freezer and provide food for a month. It can be very rewarding, exciting, and certainly provides a solid work session if you are not using electric reels. It also means that these giants of the deep will be making a one-way trip, there is no returning fish that are pulled up from that depth, as they are ‘blown’ from the massive change in water pressure and usually float to the surface for the last 50 metres once you have them up that far. Here’s where sensible catch management is required for the respect of the fishery and the protection of your own spot X’s for next time. ‘Deep’ water, means anything over 100 metres, and commonly down to 350 metres or even more. This means specialist tackle and techniques are required. Pete Lamb operates long term Wellington store Pete Lamb Fishing, and has been operating charters that prospect the deep for many years. Here’s a really comprehensive article on deep water fishing with specific focus on some of the Wellington region areas, but all the other information is relevant to fishing these species all around the coastlines of New Zealand.

English subtitles: Watch and learn the subtleties and actions, and the reasoning behind them in this instructional video. There's a lot to be applied here to slow pitch jigging for snapper and kingfish here in NZ.

Well here's something to really occupy the bored fisho in lockdown or when the weather is driving you crazy. Environmentally, aesthetically pleasing, super-camo fishing sinkers made from river stones.

Check out some amazing Milford Sound scenery with the crew from Limitless Fishing NZ.

Check out a little video log we made a few years ago featuring Edward Uhai Lee landing his first sword. Drop number 1 on a picture perfect day out off the mighty Manukau a few clicks. These are definitely strong beasts, and took a bit of grunting to get this one on deck.

Assist rigs and your choice of hook can often make a big difference when you do connect with a decent fish. Here's Tony Orton showing us how to make your own rigs allowing a tailored hook size and assist length.

Albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) or 'the chicken of the sea', are one of the best eating fish we can catch in NZ waters, and unlike their more desirable bigger cousins, the yellowfin and bluefin, albacore inhabit cooler waters and are able to be targeted just about anywhere in NZ. They are also brilliant sport on light tackle, even though most are winched aboard with heavier tuna gear or on bungees. Check out the smile on Catch sponsored angler Flyn Jack with an albacore he caught on a kingfish jig in the Coromandel to see that they can be great fun.

Master fisho Matt Watson has some great tips here for identifying and targeting bluenose, a very tasty deep water species that melt in the pan.

Watch now: Grant 'Espresso' Bittle and Catch pro angler Edward Uhai Lee share some expert knowledge with hints, tips and technique advice to help you with your artificial bait game. Recorded live at the 2019 Hutchwilco Boat Show. Enjoy.