Pro tips: How to catch more fish with soft baits

Trevally are one of the hardest fighting sport fish New Zealand has to offer and first-class sashimi, yet they are surprisingly under-rated by many fishos. It may sound mad to many, but a lot of fishermen still see trevally as nothing more than fresh bait.

Editor note: Pete Lamb operates Pete Lamb Fishing Charters, and runs a bait and tackle shop out of Wellington. He’s fished the Wellington region for most of his life and knows just about every place that holds fish in the region like the back of his hand. Pete is a land based and surf casting specialist, but also runs a charter operation that targets the main coastal areas on the south and west coast. He’s learned a hell of a lot over the years, and like all good fishermen is still learning every day. He is most always happy to share information to help you get a better fishing experience if you rock up to his shop in Rongotai. Here’s Pete’s top tips for targeting arguably NZ’s favourite fish, the good old snapper.

You are faced with hiking over a steep hill to reach a rock platform, but what gear should you carry? How do you work the berley and how do you catch bait for livies?

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…

Aaron's top spots for kingfish, plus techniques to help you reel in the crown

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.

There are many great jigging spots in the Auckland and Coromandel areas – and they’re easily accessible. Graeme Paterson tells us where to get started and how. Perhaps you’re like me. I like to get out and find my own fish to jig, it’s what defines me from the charter trip junkie who solely relies on someone else to put them onto fish.

The pulley rig is the ideal rig to use when you want more control of your cast, and want to be able to distance cast into deeper water, hopefully to where the bigger fish are holding. Here's a guide on how to tie from scratch