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| This cleaver device is used by West Coast whitebaiters to strain debris from their catch as quickly as possible. It is seen here at the mouth of the Okarito River, Westland. This sort of device is quite typical on the West Coast but is rarely seen on the other side of the Southern Alps. If you have an assistant they can be left to sort the whitebait from the leaves and sticks while you head back with your pole net for another "drag." The best whitebaiting takes place in the hour or so as the new tide comes in bringing the little fish with it. When the rivers are in flood, discoloured, muddy and full of debris, the whitebaiting is often at its best. However in these conditions you could easily spend more time sorting your catch than you would actually fishing. |
West Coast Whitebait Pictures: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 |
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