Fishing: More checks on kahawai catches

The recreational kahawai quota will not be cut in the immediate future as the Ministry of Fisheries awaits the results of further survey work on the size of the amateur catch.

A contract has been awarded to the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research for aerial and boat-ramp surveys in the North Island. As many as four planes will count boats and data-collectors will check catches at boat ramps.

Representations from recreational fishing groups convinced Minister of Fisheries David Benson-Pope that no immediate reduction was necessary - amateurs haven't lately been able to find and catch 20 kahawai, as allowed under the all-up daily limit.

The Government will spend about $1.5 million gathering more evidence on the size of the amateur catch before deciding on bags.

Meantime, the Recreational Fishing Council is "selling" booklets of coupons that ask for a donation towards the legal fighting fund they will use to challenge Benson-Pope's decision on quota allocation.

The aim is to have the fishing industry restricted to what it takes as by-catch when trawling for more expensive species, putting an end to targeting by purse-seiners.

Kahawai is selling for $3.95 as whole fish in shops in Auckland - take out tax, retailer mark-up and distribution costs and it must hardly be worth landing.

The fishing has been hard and water temperatures are going backwards. Those in close have a better chance than those going wide.

Round Auckland and from the Bay of Plenty to Whangaroa, temperatures that were as high as 20C have fallen as low as 14C.

The Whakatane club postponed its Christmas Ham tournament last weekend and the early forecast was not good for the 400-odd competitors this weekend either.

Only one billfish has been taken, a 119kg striped marlin caught on Te Ariki Nui, 500m out from the Bay of Islands.

Boats have been getting into deep water despite the high winds but the snapper fishing has been best over a sandy bottom where water is not too deep and some warming has encouraged spawning.

Technique is still needed to nail fish. Berley is a must to hold them - the bite will go off as soon as the pot is emptied.

It is better to have the berley lifted off the bottom so as to disperse it over a wide area. And it pays to keep shaking the pot.

In the Hauraki Gulf, encouraging feeding has not been easy. If the wind is light, try drift-fishing, with baits or jigs bouncing on the bottom.

Evening remains the best time but the wind has been howling most afternoons so it's tricky.

Trout fishing seminars

The Department of Conservation is running two free seminars on how to catch Lake Taupo trout.

The seminars will be held at the Omori Reserve on the western side of the lake at 10am on December 30 and at the Kinloch Marina Reserve on December 31.

Practical information on rigs for boat fishing will be given, as well as details on the life-cycle of trout, where they are most likely to be found, how seasonal changes affect them and how to release them so they have the best chance of survival.

The lessons run for about two hours. Bring a hat and a seat, no fishing gear. Phone the DoC Turangi office on (07) 386-8607 or the fisheries duty officer on 027-290-7758 for more details.