The Digital Fish Report

Ever wanted to try stickbaiting or topwater fishing for kingfish? I cover the gear you need to get into this exciting form of fishing, the number one target for the kiwi stickbait fisherman. This is part 1 and it is aimed at beginner to intermediate fishers. There will be a part 2 (how to swim the stickbait) part 3 (where to find kingfish) and maybe a part 4 (off the rocks).

How to target popular species from the rocks at night? Safety first up! Before heading out, check your location in the daylight. During the day some areas have good snapper food but are too shallow to fish but at night the fish come in close. Get a headlamp and don't shine your light on the water, a bait bucket is also a good tool to have.

Here's some tips and info for rock fishing Islands & rock stacks. The Hauraki Gulf is a great place for shore-based fishing and finding islands and rock stacks with deeper water or healthy ecosystems and better fishing. I like hunting for new spots that others may overlook and catching a feed. The same principles work the same for other parts of the country, just be safety conscious - fish with a mate, check the weather, don't take silly risks.

Scott Cushman presents a few hints and tips on landing BIG fish, including techniques on how to max out your gear safely so you get the most out of your rod / reel / tackle and land more big fish instead of getting smoked and disappointed. I talk about the 30% rule and how to break it, 100% knots, rod and reel ratings and how to choose gear that suit this style of fishing. This applies for any style of fishing - rock fishing, boat fishing, bait fishing, lure fishing.