Softbaiting in the Manukau Harbour

Explore innovative techniques for soft bait fishing and take advantage of quieter weather to refine your skills, as suggested by the latest updates and fishing conditions in the Hauraki Gulf.

Does light leader catch more fish? Catch Fishing thinks it does. Here's a few reason why Espresso thinks they are right...

For those tired of snags when softbaiting, especially in kelpy, weedy areas, the solution is a weedless rig. The Catch LIVIES, for example, have a design feature that helps them glide through such terrain, minimizing snags. The narrow top-slot on the Livies is specifically moulded for this rig, ideal for land-based fishing or in snag-prone areas.

Espresso highlights the Catch Curly Tails as a versatile softbait, emphasising its unique design that attracts fish, ensures a secure fit on the jig head, and comes in various colors and textures to suit different fishing conditions.

The soft bait revolution changed inshore fishing forever, and as it is still an experience most fishermen apply an individual approach. For one Auckland fisherman it opened up a whole new world.

Hauraki Gulf fisheries closure: 2-year ban on seaweed and invertebrate harvesting begins March 2026 across Ōmaha Bay, Kawau Bay, and Whangaparāoa Peninsula.

An amateur fishing charter company that illegally caught crayfish for customers and served it as a meal has been fined $60,000.

Taupō trout fishery sees 4x spike in violations. DOC Rangers issue warning as 40 offences detected, with $400 fines for unlicensed fishing and rule-breaking.

Major changes to NZ's environmental laws could affect fishing access, water quality and coastal areas. Submissions close 13 Feb 2026. Make your voice heard.

Two-year fishing closure off Port Napier aims to restore taonga species and grow a thriving reef ecosystem through community-led conservation.