Our page sees Jetskifishing fans from all around the world, with a large amount of them also fishing the same regions as me in New Zealand. There are no secrets on our page, we simply like to see other Jetskifishos catching fish like us, so here is some more info for you to SHARE with friends of our page I have compiled some basic info of a strategy I use before going fishing, hopefully this helps other fishos to make their sessions more about catching. First of all, this trip was scheduled for Sunday been, for the New Zealand Jetskifishing Club Snapper Cup, where like minded Jetskifishos are entered in the challenge for catching the heaviest Snapper on the morning. Most of us have experienced the skis can handle some pretty bad seas and with the weather forecast being mixed and somewhat not promising, I planned a strategy to play it safe and fish away from the weather. To plan, the weather I mainly use a couple of sites 1. Swellpmap.co.nz for a preview at the area I am heading, which also tells me tide and swell, to get a short range and long range of what is to be expected. 2. Next I use to Northern Coastguard Region APP, this also has an update marine forecast and live Nowcasting as if you were listening to live weather forecasts on the VHF. With this, I will cross reference Swellmap predictions and make a sensible decision on where to fish away from the weather. Fortunately for our Sundays session, the wind was forecasted to drop and I confirmed it was easing at my 6:00am departure. With a wind direction of North West, I chose to fish an area in shelter of the Hauraki Gulf (in North West direction, there isnt many nice choices) which made sense at the back end of Waiheke Island. Rather than riding in the disturbed sea conditions with the recent strong winds, I towed the ski on a 40 minute road trip to Kawakawa Bay (ramp fees are a much appreciated $10) where the ramp facility is great, with a 5 mile ride to my destination at the area of Shag Rock. I dont fish this area often, but used the Navionics Charts a couple of days before to prepare for some fishy looking spots for Snapper. Pre-loaded in my Raymarine sounder, I marked my go-to position, so I wouldnt waste to much time looking for spots in the short fishing window. On the way there I slowed for a couple of brief stops where I had spotted to sample some fish sign on the sounder. Not catching anything special at these stops on the softbaits, I continued to my destination hopeful of a contending prize winning fish. On arrival at my recently added Spot X (pictured on the image in RED) was promising with fish sign and it didnt take long to produce some fish. My first goal when fishing these fun comps, is to catch a legitimate comp fish first, helps the mojo and you never know how hard the fishing can be for everyone else on the day. I started using our newest release and now, best selling soft bait available at the Jetskifishing Store. This is the Squid Vicious - Red Green Sparkle, also available in the well reviewed Chocolate colour. As consistent as ever, getting good interest from the fish with a few hook ups in succession. I was only fishing 15 to 20 metres depth, not far from some foul ground. With plenty of tide, I was using a 1oz 3/0 jig head and having to cast well ahead of the ski to get my bait to sink lower enough in the water column to where I had viewed the fish under my ski. Once having a few in the chilly bin and resetting my drift over the patch of fish I had located, I increased my hook size to the 5/0 1oz to use a larger soft bait effectively. Going with my tested theory of big soft bait size increasing the catch size was my mission, with the next bait choice the Gulp - Nemisis White Glow (this choice bait holds record for my biggest ever Snapper caught on a jet-ski 10.70kg) This is why I love Jetskifishing, casting with my Caldia series Daiwa spinning reel, within 5 metres depth of the bit sinking through the water column I feel via the sensitivity of the braid the soft bait get smashed! Even more exciting trying to lock the bail arm over while the fish is still peeling the braid off the spool, eventually once clicked over I got to feel the weight of the fish. Another tip I have learnt, there is a fine line between to much drag and not enough, I like to let the the fish run a little, but not so much that the fish can bust you on foul ground. The fish was soon under control and swiftly netted and put safely in the chilly bin (still fresh in my mind after a recent fish lost overboard) Content with one respectable Snapper for weigh-in, I opted to head back in the calming seas. I always keep in mind, play it safe rather than sorry and also respect the standard required for fish care at comps to maintain the expected condition for weigh-in. Hope some of these tips can give you an insight to how and why I enjoy this sport so much. For trusted and experienced advise, come see me to supply and set you up with gear I use for Jetskifishing and you can be living the dream to. Cheers, Andrew Hill PH 021 864 560 P.S. Against our respected group of seasoned Jetskifishos I appreciated my 4.3kg Snapper was enough to take out the Snapper Cup # 4, thanks again to the crew who braved the intimidating weather forecast, look forward to the next one.
Posted on: Sun, 25 May 2014 22:56:37 +0000