Dude Hacks

Catch of the Season by Fishing and Adventure's Scott Parry

When you want some top fishing tips, you go to the experts. We asked Scott Parry from Fishing and Adventure (yep, the TV show) for some advice and to tell us the common mistakes people make, so you guys get the inside line.

Scott says, “Hauraki Gulf is a fishing mecca. It’s the best in the country all year round. And like most things, you get out what you put in.”

DON’T GET TOO SET IN YOUR WAYS

Don’t try sitting in the same spot just because it’s worked before or someone said it was a good spot. Time of year, different species, bait, tides, time of day, the boat, the rig… so many factors and they all have a part to play. Don’t be afraid to mix it up and use different techniques.

GET ON BOARD WITH GADGETS

Get a sounder you can use and rely on. Top of the line can be complicated so pick one you can work with. All you need is one that shows the bottom, the depth and the fish. Pretty much all of them come with charts so you can track where you are.

BE WILLING TO PUT IN THE HOURS

10am to 3pm is traditionally the hardest time of the day to fish. Get up early and plan to be there ‘til dusk. Get in the zone that the goal for the day is fishing and the rest sorts itself out.

USE LURES. SERIOUSLY

When you’re dealing with predatory fish, lures can be great. They pretty much look like a wounded fish, so even if the fish aren’t hungry, their instinct takes over. It’s pretty much their duty to go for the lure.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO DRIFT

Landmarks can be difficult to identify, and the current and wind can make you drift in an unpredictable way. Use your finder to track your drift so you can reposition and drift that same line to where the fish are biting.

PUT IN THE PREPARATION

We don’t drink before a day out because it makes getting up that much harder. Get the bait and your gear sorted the night before (bait shops aren’t usually open in the early morning). Get a good night’s sleep and you’re set up for the day.

SEASONAL SNAPPER FISHING GUIDE

LATE SPRING TO LATE SUMMER - Fish are a little closer to home. Waitemata Harbour, Rangitoto, Motuihe and Waiheke are great spots.

AUTUMN TO WINTER - Fish spread further out. Bottom end of Waiheke, around the Whangaparaoa Peninsula and Kawau are great. Or go deeper; water that’s 40-50 metres.

EARLY SPRING - Pretty much a suicide zone for fish. Follow the birds, dolphins and whales and use lures to tap into that predatory instinct.

ALL YEAR ROUND - Whangaparaoa Peninsula and Kawau are pretty reliable all year round. Pretty much guaranteed something. Well, nine times out of ten. 

Catch the Boys at 3:30pm Saturday’s on Prime