Good waters for saltwater fishermen

Press, 7 July 1977, Page 27

Good waters for saltwater fishermen

By BEN HOPE Saltwater fishermen are indeed fortunate to have the Marlborough Sounds. In the waters of the Sounds are many species of fish. Cod can be bought by simple methods or a refined sporting approach can be used for snapper, terakihi or kingfish. To anyone used to the rolling of the swell in the ocean, the sounds are completely different. It is

like fishing an inland lake, except that, it is saltwater. Launch companies from Picton offer fishing excursions and in the Pelorus Sound, you can get the mail launch to drop you off at a likely snapper spot and throw a surfcaster out for a few hours, until the launch returns in the afternoon to pick you up. Youngsters can have hours of fun on the Picton wharves catching spotties and herrings,

and occasionally a bigger fish such as a kahawai or cod gives an extra thrill to some budding angler. In the Sounds itself, large bags of blue cod, snapper, terakihi, stingray, barracouda, groper, king fish, kahawai. gurnard and others can be taken by varying methods. Each fish occupies its own niche in the ecosystem of the Sounds so you adapt your style of fishing, bait and locality according to the species you are pursuing.

Dinghies and runabouts can be hired 1 also. Skin divers can find good sport in the clear waters.

Whichever way you fish, practise conservation. Concern is being expressed at the inroads commercial and amateur fishing is making into fish populations, and recently the Marlborough Maritime Park Board convened a public meeting to examine the problem. Limit your catch to your immediate needs and leave some for tomorrow. Return undersized fish to the water.

Blue cod can usually be caught near any submerged rocky outcrops. Gurnard are an inhabitant of mud and sand areas, and terakihi are often to be found near kelp and a varying bottom of rock and sand. Terakihi like snapper are shoal fish, often cruising the shoreline so ground baiting may well encourage a group to the area of your baited lines. Snapper are extremely

wary and for them, a running rig is advisable. Groper are deep water fish and it is necessary to pick a still morning at high or low tide so the boat can sit over a groper hole. Frequently birds will be seen fluttering above the surface and this is a sure indication of predatory fish feeding.

Often, a spanner trolled behind the boat will get a ready response from a kahawai or two.

Kahawai are superb sport on light tackle, and if they are bled and gutted instantly they provide good fish for a fish pie. If you do want kahawai sport, probably the best place to go is to Cloudy Bay where the Wairau River enteres the sea. With spinning gear, grand sport can be round.

Cloudy Bay is worth a visit from the surfcaster too. Red Cod and snapper can be caught, as well as the usual kahawai and shark.

However, if you crave for beauty mixed with your fishing, the Marlborough Sounds will attract you. Often the bush falls right to the water’s edge, and fishing in an area like Tennyson Inlet, is like fishing in heaven. The call of bellbirds or tuis will ring out from the bush and in the sheltered inlets there is tranquility and rod sport. Nevertheless care is still needed with boating. Wear life jackets and keep a wary eye on weather changes. Especially in dinghies there should be strict code of behaviour to prevent some person's thoughtlessness upsetting the boat.

Do remember your ethics with the sport too. Fish only for your needs and never be greedy. Leave some for your trip next time.