No large whitebait catches

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33942, 8 September 1975, Page 14

No large whitebait catches

No really big catches have been reported in the first week of the whitebait season on the West Coast. One fisherman said that he had seen several shoals, but they were keeping well away from the nets.

Some people fishing in the Buller River last week netted up to 81b, and smaller catches were taken in other northern West Coast streams, writes the Westport reporter of “The Press.”

In most cases buyers are offering $2.50 per lb, but private sales have been at a higher price. A shortage of netting supplies in Buller shops has frustrated many people who want to replace old equipment.

Some minor catches of whitebait were reported on the Grey River at the weekend, according to the Greymouth reporter of “The Press.”

On Saturday morning, fishermen who arrived at the Blaketown breakwater early caught between two and three pints each on the incoming tide, and similar catches were reported further along the river yesterday. Whitebaiters were catching one or two pounds in HokiTika, but south Westland ! fisherman have had a slow Istart to the seasoh.