The angler doesn't seem impressed with this octopus caught surfcasting across the road from the main camping ground at Goose Bay, Kaikoura. Although it would have made good bait it was released back into the surf to be caught another day!
There are many excellent surfcasting spots on the Kaikoura coast. On the more open beaches along the Kekerengu coast large rig sharks can be caught along with elephant fish, kahawai, moki and even snapper.
Near Goose Bay it is possible to catch barracouta for bait on salmon ticers while fishing from rocky outcrops. You have to use a foot of wire at the ticer or they will bite you off instantly. Although some of them must be swimming along with their mouth's open because they seem to like biting through monofilament. This is great fun all the same!
Spinning for kahawai at the mouths of the Hapuku, Kahutara, and Conway Rivers is an absolute must over the summer months. cast out as far as you can and then wind flat-out. Heaps of them get off but who cares!
An excellent spot to spin for kahawai is from the rocks straight in front of the boat ramp at Boat Harbour, Goose Bay. Only fish here when the sea is calm. The odd dangerous wave can come straight over the rocks. Stay off here if there is a bit of a roll on ore you will get soaked. You also have to keep an eye out for seals. This is a good bait fishing spot also with large wrasse regularly swallowing the bait.
You often find when surfcasting on the Kaikoura coast that some spots are excellent while others seem dead. My advice is that if the fish aren't biting move further along the coast and try again. You will be surprised what a difference it can make. When surfcasting try to pick a spot clear of kelp with the beach dropping away steeply. Kekerengu is the best surfcasting area but is some 40 kilometres or more north of Kaikoura Peninsula. The great thing is that you are certain to have the whole beach to yourself as far as you can see in either direction. This is also an excellent area for kite fishing - as is the mouth of the Conway River.
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| Wrasse from the rocks Goose Bay, Kaikoura. |
The scenery is excellent at Kaikoura. The rugged Seaward Kaikoura Ranges are snow capped for much of the year and the coastal drive is one of the best in the world and includes many tunnels and tremendous sea views. The train runs next to the road along much of the shore line. There is
always plenty happening for you to watch while surfcasting with whales, dolphins, sea birds, seals, Orca (killer whales) and seemingly an endless number of schools of kahawai and barracouta going up and down for your enjoyment!
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