Like any whitebaiter, Matt Fuller doesn't let out too many secrets, other than it's in his blood and his kids' blood as well.
Yesterday, he was at the Ngaruroro River mouth at Awatoto, along with eight-year-old Isaac and Lukas, 6, the next generation, with dad a seasoned whitebaiter who's been at it least 15 years, after being introduced by his own father.
Despite Department of Conservation concerns for a depleting stock, he says last year was his best, but his lips are sealed on how much, and from where.
A scaffolder by trade, he's seen a gap in the market and makes "Pops" nets and screens - the name recognising the vintage of many of the users.
The whitebait season began last Monday, and DoC and police say monitoring and surveillance is being stepped up to make sure there is no repeat of the widespread offending uncovered during the whitebaiting season last year, when 48 nets were seized in the east coast region.