TIGHT LINES & NO LIES: Fishing with Hunts Sports of Milford
Our Channel Magazine fishing page is provided by Ian Hunt from Hunts Sports Store – that institution up the hill from Milford on East Coast Road. Hunts are big into fishing and also supply darts and accessories. ‘Hunty’ is a colourful character who has the answer for all your fishing requirements and he’s sure to have a story or two as well. Hunts have been part of the local community since 1963.
Fishing God’s
are on our side
At long last the fishing God’s are on our side with lots of reports of great fishing all over the gulf.
Got a chance to slip out with a couple of our customers after work with the promise of a fish up at Tiri but the wind was too strong and coming from the wrong direction. So it was change of plan, we dropped a few softbaits in close to Rangitoto but the drift was far too fast. We then decided to sneak round towards Home Bay on the way we came across some good sign. So it was down with the anchor and berley and get those smelly baits drifting down the berley trail and in no time at all they were on the bite, nothing large but really fat and in great condition.
There appears that some of the big boy’s – 9kg plus – are appearing on the scene even though they are great to catch they are an important part of our fisheries. But put them back. Simply take a photo – it lasts forever – and get the big boy back in the water as fast as possible.
The kayakers have been having good success drifting softbaits round the bays from Castor Bay to Waiake. A couple of Sundays ago there were three workups off Takapuna Beach less than 300 metres off shore with gannet’s on a serious feeding mission – that saves some gas. They are more than likely schools of Kahawai – what a great sporting fish for young and old and a very underrated table fish.
Out wide the story is still the same. Find the birds and work the school. Don’t just drive into the middle and ruin everyone’s fun as all you do is put the school down and who knows where they will appear if they do. There seems to be any method is working from ledger rig with pilchards, softbaits, lucanus or bottom ship jigs doing the business.
Sorry no good reports about the squid as the fishing is still a little slow compared to
previous years.
With the onset of summer, the best way to make use of your fishing time is to consult a bite-time book, such as the solunar times, and match these times up with best tide times for the spot you are likely to fish. We have found this technique very good in the last few weeks. The new Tide Times Calendar and books are in stock now – great Christmas gifts.
In fact we have a whole range of Christmas Gifts at Hunts (see facing page). Love to help you put a smile on your family members face this summer with a fishing gift. Or give them one of our Gift Vouchers – and let them choose.
Debbie Campbell’s grandson, Liam Staines, three years old showing off his catch. This was his first fishing experience off Devonport Naval Base Wharf earlier this year. Our proud little man.
CHANNEL FISHING
PHOTO OF THE MONTH
We are running this photo of the month competition each month in Channel Magazine.
The photo can be anything to do with fishing even old ones (black and white). This is not all about the biggest fish. What we are looking for are interesting photos that we can publish
in Channel Magazine and they will be of real interest to people.
If you wish to be in to win a Hunts Fishing voucher just email your photo(s) to... photo@hunts.co.nz
Entries must be in by the 15th of each month to be eligible to enter. The deadline for this month is September 15th.
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