How to mechanical jig for kingfish

Here's a great look at all the key factors before planning a fishing trip courtesy of ol mate Briggsy from Aus. In this educational fishing series we look at time of day, tide, moon phase, current, and weather.

Check out the full classic episode of Ultimate Fishing's guide to targeting kings with that guy Matt Watson

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.

If your taste in fish is like mine, tarakihi are arguably the best quality eating fish you can catch in New Zealand virtually all year round, and a crumbed fillet at the Fish’n’Chip shop is commonly made from this species. They can be caught throughout the country but are more prevalent around the Cook Straight, east Cape and South Island, and Bay of Plenty regions than they are further north. Not only are they great eating, they also offer a pretty good tussle on the end of the line. You can catch them off the shore and in the boat anywhere from as shallow as five metres, right down to well over a hundred. Without doubt they are probably my favourite eating fish, so although they only grow to a limited size, they are always more than welcome on board.

How the Moon and Tides affect bite times for fish like snapper, trevally and kingfish.

Editor note: Pete Lamb operates Pete Lamb Fishing Charters, and runs a bait and tackle shop out of Wellington. He’s fished the Wellington region for most of his life and knows just about every place that holds fish in the region like the back of his hand. Pete is a land based and surf casting specialist, but also runs a charter operation that targets the main coastal areas on the south and west coast. He’s learned a hell of a lot over the years, and like all good fishermen is still learning every day. He is most always happy to share information to help you get a better fishing experience if you rock up to his shop in Rongotai. Here’s Pete’s top tips for targeting arguably NZ’s favourite fish, the good old snapper.

The boys find themselves in the right place at the right time. Gannets diving have given away a pack of hunting kingfish

Suzuki powered and fully loaded. Here's the latest on the Lateral Line boat build

The Catch Double Trouble is one of their very best jig patterns. We've caught everything from snapper and kingfish, to albacore tuna and exotic species overseas on this versatile slow pitch/mechanical crossover lure. Here's Espresso talking about a hot new colour out for this season, the Rainbow Warrior.

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.

Here's a great look at all the key factors before planning a fishing trip courtesy of ol mate Briggsy from Aus. In this educational fishing series we look at time of day, tide, moon phase, current, and weather.

In this video we take a look at an epic free diving spot North of Auckland in New Zealand. Goat Island is a marine reserve that has a unique biome and completely tame snapper. Snapper are very difficult to catch while spearfishing at the best of times, but the fish have become tame over decades of protection in the marine reserve. They will happily follow divers around and it makes for an excellent free diving location being that it is sheltered and often reasonably clean.