How to Catch Whitebait for Fun and a Feed Important Note: Fishing season dates for 2026 updated (the rules remain unchanged from last year) All of New Zealand except the Chatham Islands: 1 September to 30 October 2026 inclusive. Chatham Islands: 1 December to the last day of February (inclusive). Whitebaiting is allowed from…
Brent LeBherz with a 13.5-pound Marlborough Sounds Snapper. Snapper - Pagrus auratus - Fishing Guide NZ: Best Rigs, Baits & Seasons Snapper are found in the North Island and upper South Island, with a few stragglers caught further south By Allan Burgess Snapper is by far New Zealand's most popular fish. It is the premium fish…
NZ Pilchard Guide: Sardinops sagax Bait Fish Facts Pilchard is also called Mohimohi, Sardine, and Picton herring By Allan Burgess Looking for the ultimate New Zealand baitfish that consistently brings home snapper and kingfish? The New Zealand pilchard Sardinops sagax, locally known as mohimohi or Picton herring, is a powerhouse in our coastal waters. Whether you…
Jack Hepburn's Fighting Spirit By Lyn McKinnon Eyes honed to spot a Messerschmitt fighter in the skies over Europe make Jack Hepburn of Hammner Springs a formidable enemy of the fish in hiding. For the last fifty years, since returning to live in North Canterbury after four years in the Air Force after World War…
Rangitata River Salmon Fishing Allan Burgess talks about salmon fishing at the Rangitata River mouth Sadly, the once mighty Rangitata River no longer produces salmon like it once did. The photo above is courtesy of Sam Herring. It shows the south side of the Rangitata River mouth during the height of the salmon season, about…
Luminous Trout Flies for Night Fishing Luminous Trout Flies. Fishing at night with luminous flies and lures allows you to get the most from a full day of fishing. There is certainly no doubt that…
Twizel Canals Winter Fishing Tips By Allan Burgess Winter in the Twizel canals offers prime opportunities to land monster 30lb trout by targeting spawning fish with egg-rolling techniques, soft baits, and proper cold-weather gear. This guide provides essential, expert-driven strategies to maximise success during the challenging, freezing conditions. Twizels Canals Winter Fishing Tips. The canals…
Hapuka Estuary Walkway Westland: Whitebait & Bird Watching Guide The Hapuka Estuary Walk is located approximately 17 km south-west of Haast on the main highway. The loop track is 1 km long and takes about 20 minutes to walk around. You can spend a lot more time spotting fish and whitebait in the tidal estuary,…
New Permanent Public Access to the Whakapapa River Celebrated Source: Fish and Game NZ A significant milestone in protecting public access to New Zealand's outdoors was celebrated on Wednesday, 22 July 2026. Minister for Hunting and Fishing, Hon James Meager, joined project partners for the opening of a newly created public access point to the internationally…
Harling Lake Dunstan - Expert Advice so you Can Catch More Trout Harling on this Famous Otago Fishing Lake by Peter Lemin The main angling methods in Lake Dunstan have been trolling, fly fishing and thread-lining from the shore. During January, the fishing slowed down considerably, no doubt partly due to the angling pressure the…
