Angler's Planet Author

Gurnard are a gastronomic delight and fun to catch. Michael Parker shares his gems of wisdom gathered from 25yrs of chasing this fascinating fish.

An expert's view on rigging droppers, runners and flashers

Smoked seafood is a delicacy to be shared. While commercial smokers have a place, do-it-yourself models can produce excellent results for those that put in the effort. Want to learn how to put one together? Here’s how…

Ask Auckland fishermen for an opinion of the Manukau harbour and its adjacent west coast fishery and most will suggest it’s a dangerous place, full of sharks and tiny snapper.

Winter isn’t always considered the best time for fishing, but it is a long haul between autumn and spring and I spend as much time winter fishing as I do fishing at any other time of the year. It can require a different approach though and there are many more obstacles in the way.

Many fishos are too quick to discount the muddy Manukau Harbour as a land-based option but, Michael Parker explains, there’s quality fishing to be enjoyed if you pick the right spot at the right time.

The West Coast of the Auckland region can be an intimidating place to fish but with the right knowledge, preparation and a bit of luck, it can also deliver explosive results.

I believe fishing is a process of continuous learning and improvement. Many things I do now would have been considered unnecessary and inefficient when I started out.

Many are quick to dismiss Auckland’s West Coast and the Manukau Harbour but, as Mike Parker explains, there’s hot action to be found. Most fishers opt for the warmer months to go fishing and spring is when many start to think about fishing again.

The ins and outs of tackle procurement and how to manage the war office. How much fishing gear do you really need?

Scallops are a true delicacy of the sea, and one many people consider hard to access direct so instead settling for clean, hassle free, only several days old, supermarket fare. Why not ditch your EFTPOS card in favour of a day on the water instead?

Anyone can slap a bait on a dropper rig and catch a fish, but there is absolutely no question that some anglers have a lot more success than others. How do they do it? I believe the most important aspect of bait fishing is choosing the right rig for the conditions. How you tie a rig, how you present the bait, the size and quality of your hooks and your choice of sinker size all have an important bearing on the outcome.

A great rod and reel can become a lifelong friend, but only if you look after it…

It might be easy to buy yourself a bag of bait from your local store but catching baits can yield much better results in deep water

Whatever your experience and circumstances, chartering is always a good alternative.

Taking care of your catch is all about keeping your hard caught bounty in perfect condition for eating. While most articles you’ll read outline how to catch fish, this article aims to deal with how to keep your fish in the best possible condition for eating.

Don’t let wind and weather scare you – with the right gear and a bit of patience, the West Coast delivers big time. Big snapper, kingfish, tuna, marlin, swordfish, and even tropical species such as mahi mahi can be readily found out in the 'wild wild west'.