The coastline is constantly battered by waves washing crustaceans and shellfish into the water, attracting all kinds of activity including baitfish, which means the larger predators are not far behind.
Whenever trying a new location take note of what is on offer for the fish to eat. I always make the most if there is shellfish on offer. Mussels and kina will make a great snack, but also throwing a few out into the water will make an amazing berley trail.
Over the years I've witnessed some amazing sights from the rocks, including packs of 20kg-plus kingfish a metre from my feet, big sharks and snapper coming up through the berley trail picking at the scraps.
After my rod and reel, the greatest tool I use for fishing is Google Earth. I've used it countless times to find favourable locations.
It allows me to zoom in on encouraging spots, and take note of the steeper gradient in certain spots. It's also useful for finding access to get to them. Along with a trusty old map's contour lines, Google Earth is invaluable.
GPS and fish finders took off in the 1990s, changing fishing for ever. Lining up landmarks was no longer needed. Just one touch of the button to mark a promising spot or an already proven one. It's a useful tool for fishing for kingfish, too, as you can find the pinnacles where they lurk and also what depth they are.
Seeing the topography of the ocean floor and where the fish are is an amazing way to further your knowledge of how they act and at what time.
During this time of the year snapper can be found just about anywhere with spawning season kicking into gear. Catching a trophy with not much skill can be achieved, as they are found out on the sand doing their business, meaning they're less likely to bust you off.
Also during this time of year work-ups are more common as baitfish are moving in closer.
It's a surreal feeling fishing while gannets are falling from the sky, piercing through the water all around the boat. Gannets and kahawai create a mass berley trail of baitfish when these work-ups take place; snapper are usually beneath them picking up the left-overs and also maybe some kingfish picking off the odd kahawai.
Some of the biggest work-ups I have fished have been in the Hauraki Gulf which also had dolphins and whales getting in on the action.
Seeing nature take its course out and near the water is amazing.
Some of the sights I have seen would make David Attenborough weak at the knees, including an incident where I witnessed two orcas attacking a whale while we were chasing work-ups.
It's these sights and locations, as well as the excitement and uncertainty of fishing that makes every trip unique.
