Houseplant Posted September 20, 2021 Report Share Posted September 20, 2021 (edited) As we move in to spring, the weather is improving allowing us to go offshore for some more adventurous fishing. The style of fishing we employed is called “deep drop”. It’s essentially fishing big baits down deep, anywhere from 200 to 600 metres. Electric reels are used. It may seem unsporting, but after you winch a big fish up from 300 metres, their utility becomes obvious! Early start and we motored off towards the sun. After a couple of hours motoring, we got to our spot, 60 km offshore and over 200 metres deep. No land in sight in any direction. There's a shark fin in the middle of the second picture! Electric reel doing the hard work. Bites were forthcoming straight away. The most exciting part of deep drop fishing is watching your catch come to the surface. First fish was a type of wreckfish called bass locally. This one was small, but they are highly favoured for their eating qualities. Catch and release is not an option at these depths due barotrauma. Sharks are nearly always a problem and can be quite difficult to handle. Luckily, they release nicely as they don't have a swim bladder and are therefore unaffected by depth changes. We didn't hook any monsters, just many tope to around 20lb. Many other species followed including cusk eels which are erroneously called ling locally. Ugly, but good eating; another type of wreckfish called hapuka; gemfish, an aggressive deepwater predator with huge teeth and kingfish which were unexpected surprise. Kingfish are similar to tuna from a culinary point of view and great for sashimi. The fishing was so good, we hedged our bets and stayed out longer than we should have done. This meant a bumpy ride back, but it was worth it! Safely back in the harbour with well over 100 pounds of high quality eating fish on ice. Edited September 20, 2021 by Houseplant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Merkel Posted September 20, 2021 Report Share Posted September 20, 2021 That looked a great day out with some very interesting fish, well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WalkedUp Posted September 20, 2021 Report Share Posted September 20, 2021 Wow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted September 20, 2021 Report Share Posted September 20, 2021 A great write up with excellent photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toxo Posted September 20, 2021 Report Share Posted September 20, 2021 Good to read about something different. Thanks for sharing. Those reels must've cost a penny or two, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickeydredd Posted September 20, 2021 Report Share Posted September 20, 2021 Excellent! Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
butchdickason Posted September 20, 2021 Report Share Posted September 20, 2021 Excellent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old man Posted September 20, 2021 Report Share Posted September 20, 2021 Lucky, lucky, lucky. Please keep posting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted September 21, 2021 Report Share Posted September 21, 2021 Thanks for sharing. Once the world get back to some sort of normal NZ is a place I am going to spend some time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houseplant Posted September 22, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2021 On 21/09/2021 at 20:15, rimfire4969 said: Thanks for sharing. Once the world get back to some sort of normal NZ is a place I am going to spend some time. I think anyone with an interest in fishing or hunting would enjoy a visit. Don't hesitate to get in contact if you need any information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old man Posted September 23, 2021 Report Share Posted September 23, 2021 16 hours ago, Houseplant said: I think anyone with an interest in fishing or hunting would enjoy a visit. Don't hesitate to get in contact if you need any information. Come on then HP how much are the reels? Japanese? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houseplant Posted September 23, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2021 Around $NZ2k, so about GBP1k. https://www.smartmarine.co.nz/product/23711/beastmaster-9000-status-bluewater-ddm-56-bent-butt-combo-pe5-8-with-braid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerry78 Posted September 27, 2021 Report Share Posted September 27, 2021 Fantastic photos 👍👍cheers From Ireland 🇮🇪 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old man Posted September 29, 2021 Report Share Posted September 29, 2021 On 23/09/2021 at 20:30, Houseplant said: Around $NZ2k, so about GBP1k. https://www.smartmarine.co.nz/product/23711/beastmaster-9000-status-bluewater-ddm-56-bent-butt-combo-pe5-8-with-braid Thanks HP, a bit pricey and over engineered for gudgeon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chezney Posted October 1, 2021 Report Share Posted October 1, 2021 Great pictures and description! As a point of interest for you, when deep drop fishing, a form of catch and release can be practiced using a deep water release device. It sounds like all you caught was tasty, but they’re incredibly inexpensive and survival rates are good for fish returned to the depths. Something to consider perhaps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houseplant Posted October 2, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2021 19 hours ago, Chezney said: Great pictures and description! As a point of interest for you, when deep drop fishing, a form of catch and release can be practiced using a deep water release device. It sounds like all you caught was tasty, but they’re incredibly inexpensive and survival rates are good for fish returned to the depths. Something to consider perhaps! It's an interesting topic. Some fish release better than others and I know that deepwater release devices are used a lot in Australia. The wreckfish we caught had ruptured bowels, stomachs and swim bladders, and eyes popping out their heads. The are literally dead by the time they hit the surface. In this instance, sending them back down would just be feeding the sharks. I do see a role for deepwater release devices in our inshore fishery, particularly with snapper (Pagrus auratus) as some people are determined to practice catch and release despite the species being very susceptible to barotrauma. Personally, I have settled on catching what I need and then stopping fishing. I don't get a lot of enjoyment from sticking hooks in fish these days just to release them. It doesn't sit right with me, but definitely not judging anyone else. I was a catch and release coarse fisherman for 30+ years! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chezney Posted October 4, 2021 Report Share Posted October 4, 2021 It’s a good topic to discuss, clearly you’re very aware of it, perhaps then more of interest to those thinking of doing it. Ruptured anything clearly is game over, interestingly eyes popping out in fish is actually reversible. I’m very much the same thinking as you, I eat what I catch and stop when I’ve got enough. I’ve learned the technique from areas in the world where it’s mandatory (Alaska with Yelloweye for example), farcical when the fish is dead, but nonetheless mandatory!! Looks great, and I very much look forward to getting over to NZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted October 15, 2021 Report Share Posted October 15, 2021 A superb thread and photos to match , a lot of members would like to go to N Z to sample the country and it's fishing , so would Houseplant like to come to the UK for our salt and fresh water fishing ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houseplant Posted October 18, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2021 On 16/10/2021 at 08:34, marsh man said: A superb thread and photos to match , a lot of members would like to go to N Z to sample the country and it's fishing , so would Houseplant like to come to the UK for our salt and fresh water fishing ? I have sampled UK fishing 😉 Coarse fishing was a time and place for me. I don't think I could go back to it now for various reasons. Sea fishing, yeah/nah. I wasn't very successful to be honest. Knowing what I know now about lure fishing, I dare say those bass would be in trouble! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old man Posted October 21, 2021 Report Share Posted October 21, 2021 On 15/10/2021 at 20:34, marsh man said: A superb thread and photos to match , a lot of members would like to go to N Z to sample the country and it's fishing , so would Houseplant like to come to the UK for our salt and fresh water fishing ? I seem to remember Houseplant being lucky enough to quit this sceptered isle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houseplant Posted October 21, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2021 6 hours ago, old man said: I seem to remember Houseplant being lucky enough to quit this sceptered isle? That is correct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old man Posted October 22, 2021 Report Share Posted October 22, 2021 13 hours ago, Houseplant said: That is correct. Lucky, lucky you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houseplant Posted October 22, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2021 I wasn't unhappy in the UK, enjoyed my trout and kayak fishing and living in Devon. Just went on an adventure and didn't come back. NZ certainly suits those with an interest in outdoor activities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old man Posted October 22, 2021 Report Share Posted October 22, 2021 1 hour ago, Houseplant said: I wasn't unhappy in the UK, enjoyed my trout and kayak fishing and living in Devon. Just went on an adventure and didn't come back. NZ certainly suits those with an interest in outdoor activities. I wanted to become lost forever in Skippers Canyon, Fiordland or Otago. Stuck for choice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houseplant Posted October 22, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2021 6 hours ago, old man said: I wanted to become lost forever in Skippers Canyon, Fiordland or Otago. Stuck for choice? Nice spots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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