It’s up to the user to work out what the currents are doing and to launch the kontiki at an angle into the current to try and get it to go in the right direction. Baits need to be tough to survive the journey across the bottom. An incoming tide, or rising tide, is considered one of the best fishing tide times. Kontikis with autopilots appeared on the market in 2011 and now most models sold have an autopilot system. Sign up to receive the latest news and fishing reports. I mostly set on the change of light at day’s end. Fishing on the west coast or the South Island generally requires the larger 46 or 54lb thrust motor. That he is a GFM is well known in local fishing circles, which is why another fisherman seeking answers visited him recently. Over the years fishers have found different methods to get their baits out further. Mine is in the back of my 4WD while my longline fishes on alone. This article is reproduced with permission of    The first king fish landed on the boat is a good one. Snapper seem to be very fond of both the fresh mullet and the salted version and good catches attest to the success of these baits. $.ajax({ var montharray=new Array("Jan","Feb","Mar","Apr","May","Jun","Jul","Aug","Sep","Oct","Nov","Dec"); ... Find out where and when the fish are biting, best … $("#minor1").html(" " + data[0].minor1); Greenpeace dig up dirt on bottom trawler cover up, "The government is refusing to release details of an incident where a New Zealand bottom trawler pulled up protected species from a seamount, environmentalists said today. { Milan, Nathan and one of “the boy’s” Toby, are on board Savoy headed to great barrier island and they are going to use the tender on the front of Savoy to go land based fishing at Great Barrier Island. Now all that is needed is to haul the Kontiki ashore and ten minutes or so later it is safe and sound on the beach. A newly designed battery configration and timer makes this Powertiki have the best power to weight ratio, and the hull shape makes this Powertiki the most hydrodynamic kontiki on the market. $("#date1").html("

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"); But if it happens while the Kontiki is drifting about at the end of the line, then that Kontiki will be cut loose. Something went wrong while submitting the form. Kontiki fishing is essentially beach longlining, using a small raft or float to pull your hooks out to deeper water. Under those conditions, cast up-tide and reel back with the current to get action.” So the next time, after researching the best tides for fishing and wind conditions, just roll with it. var daym=mydate.getDate(); In general, a tide change usually dictates a change of venue, even if it’s to the other side of the rock, and sometimes a change in technique. $("#minor2").html(" " + data[0].minor2); In general, fish move into an estuary area as the tide flows in. Most manufacturers use compass-based systems, while one leading New Zealand manufacturer uses a GPS-based autopilot system. }); Firstly, stay clear of the hooks that are connected to the line as it is being pulled out to sea. As the water changes from high tide to low tide, the water slowly begins to push out. The southern water is more productive during the warmer summer months, while the northern waters are productive all year round. For the longline, I like to have the drag a bit firmer as I am often working alone. Packed full of the latest fishing news and tips on the best spots, the NZ Fishing World newsletter is delivered fresh to your inbox every week. $("#major2").html(" "+ data[0].major2); } $("#minor3").html(" " + data[1].minor1); $(function(){ Be careful of any drag-inducing fins, as they can leave a nasty bruise if you kick them while carrying the kontiki. success: function( data ){ If there are strong currents, try shorter sets and you won’t get as much sideways drift. This makes them more difficult to handle on the beach. Best fishing times are indicated by the four solunar periods of high feeding activity. Fortunately, New Zealand kontiki manufacturers have learnt what it takes to operate in this environment. Many winches are loaded with two kilometres of 300lb monofilament line and are constructed from lightweight aluminium or stainless steel. Having set up the longline, the retrieve lines and tied the retrieve line securely to the Kontiki, I lay out ten or more size 20 longline hooks with traces on the sand, alongside the longline (my GFM favours size 18s). Mine won’t though. When Is the Best Time to Go Fishing? Here are the fundamental principles of a successful kontiki fishing set. For example, fish tend to feed more at sunrise and sunset, and also during a full moon (when tides are higher than average). Fishing moon phases can affect when to fish saltwater areas in a few different ways. Please enable JavaScript to use this form. This spring-loaded pulse switch will automatically turn the winch off if the operator’s hand moves away from the switch. It can happen. Kontiki fishing works best when the surf is less than two meters, the current is not too strong and when deployed over clear sandy bottom types. dateFormat:"dd-M-yy", { June 2020 - Peter Scherer A 46lb thrust kontiki with batteries weighs around 19kg, while the larger 54lb motors can turn the scales to as much as 25kg. Trolleys should dismantle into smaller parts so they can fit into the car. The GPS-based autopilot system sets a waypoint three kilometres offshore that the unit will then steer towards. It is when this is happening that the steel ring drops off the spike deploying the fishing line to the bottom, and hopefully the fish. These smaller models are lighter and easier to operate as there is less power pulling your line out to sea and they will go slightly further on the same battery capacity. Kontiki fishing is done throughout New Zealand. A spring-loaded pulse switch will automatically turn the winch off if the operator's hand moves away. Later that day the wind drops out and the nearest island seems like it’s worth a visit. var timezone = jstz.determine(); Many people enjoy travelling to fish different locations and many view 90 Mile Beach as one of their bucket-list destinations. A lot of people find evening or night fishing will give better results than the middle of the day. I fillet a scaled fresh mullet and cut from it up into 45 or 50 baits. Trolleys range from simple two-wheel units through to motorised versions which will carry all your gear. With a new spot located the boys are off. LUNAR PHASES. "High tide isn't necessarily the best time to fish. I fish at the top end of a Lake & tides are read from the bottom of the Lake. They wake to beautiful weather and the fish are biting. Historically, it has been done with sail rafts, kites, or plastic bags filled with air. type: "post", In fishing each to their own is a fair catch cry but for those who follow my suggestions there will be substantial cost savings on bait and a likely increase in catch rates. Over the last 20 years, New Zealand kontiki manufacturers have continued to develop and improve the basic electric kontiki into a range of designs with differing features. There is one model that is powered by a lithium battery which weighs only eight kilograms. In New Zealand you are limited to 25 hooks on a recreational longline. var date=(daym+"-"+montharray[month]+"-"+year); After a couple years of no fishing, Nato wants to have a crack at catching a king fish on his fly rod. I like to pre-tie my baits with bait cotton before placing them on the hook. These all relied on the wind blowing in the right direction. They can also become your base camp, carrying beach chairs, tables, camp stoves and everything else you need for a comfortable day’s fishing. The effect of the tide varies from place to places with most locations fishing better on one tide or the other (incoming or outgoing). Larger motors also need more battery capacity, making the kontiki heavier to carry. This is a safety feature for when the hooks and fish are being removed from the line. They can have up to seven kilometres of range and this will allow you to get further along the beach away from other beach users if needed. But basically, if the fish are biting, then you will catch them. Surtees/Yamaha Grand Prize a great lure for 2021 Hutchwilco NZ Boat Show! }); All information © 2021 The Fishing Website, Proposed marine farm in the Firth of Thames, Guidelines for boaties using the Hauraki Gulf amidst yacht racing, Beginner's Guide to Kayak Fishing Part 9: Getting to the Water. This is where a beach trolley comes in handy to carry the kontiki and all the fish you will catch. It is best to have at least a 400-metre gap between you and other beach users. Â. } minDate:new Date(2007, 1 - 1, 1), $("#minor4").html(" " + data[1].minor2); The best way to find out when the best fishing tide times will be is by checking a daily tide chart or by asking for a chart at your local tackle shop. I separate the two beach reels by thirty metres, applying a light drag to both. Spending time at a beach when the wind is offshore, the weather mild and settled and the surf low, makes longlining a pleasant pastime and is a delightful way to catch fish for friends and family.The smell of wet sand, the rhythmic sound of the surf, the call of passing oystercatchers, all combine to make the experience something special. Get stuck on an incoming tide and things get serious very quickly. There are very good commercially-available salted and pre-tied baits turning up in stores. This allows more runtime (and greater distance) without increasing the overall weight of the kontiki, however, they are expensive. Apparently the hot water neutralises the pain causing toxins. Naturally, I am always ready for a freak accident, such as a stingray’s poisonous barb in a hand or foot. Larger fish, such as redfish, flounder, drum, and trout, will also follow that rising tide … Drop into your local fishing store or phone one of the New Zealand kontiki manufacturers; they are knowledgeable and will do their best to find the right kontiki system for you. Your longlining gear suddenly seems very cost effective. Or, you can check tide tables that show daily high and low tide predictions for a specific spot that you want to fish. Kite fishing is the cheapest way of getting a longline out and if you use a Kite Dropper Rig it is a very efficient way of fishing through the high surf and strong longshore currents on the west coast. This article discusses the risks and benefits of several kite and kontiki fishing systems in different areas, and in different conditions. Kontiki fishing allows fishers to tow 25 hook long lines or dropper fishing rigs up to 2000 meters offshore. Having a large delta fishing kite and kiteline in addition to your existing electric kontiki rig gear makes a lot of sense and means you can truly enjoy the best of both worlds while reducing the risk of losing your electric kontiki, and wear and tear on … Other considerations If I were to go against my fishing instincts and do a daytime set on a bright day, I would certainly make a tow of fifteen or twenty minutes duration, seeking deeper water, but, as we all know if it’s a good day for a picnic, it is no good for fishing. The best time to take advantage of a falling tide is two hours before low tide. If you are setting a kontiki, be aware of your proximity to other beach users (surfers, swimmers, wildlife and other longliners). Get stuck on an incoming tide and things get serious very quickly. Click here to see Sunshine Skyway Bridge's tide chart for today Kites, Rafts or Electric Kontikis, which is best? If something goes wrong, New Zealand-based manufacturers are only a phone call away and they will be able to repair your equipment promptly to get you fishing again. Of course, you need to be able to get your kontikis to the beach, so make sure it will fit into your vehicle. $("#caldata").submit(function(e){ Winches should have multiple speeds – slow, medium and fast – and should have an on/off and pulse function. This includes using polyethylene plastic with high UV protection for the bodies, and encasing the electronic control units in epoxy resin to protect them from salt, sand and water. Three times I have lost traces and stoppers to sharks and, to be realistic, that is probably par for the course on some beaches. I say, respect the sea, and the sea will respect you. New Zealand has lots of long sandy beaches with good access, allowing kontiki fishers to target snapper, gurnard, kahawai and the odd kingfish (if you’re lucky). So how do I get my expensive Kontiki ashore after separating it from the longline? ).datepicker("getDate"); var year=mydate.getYear(); The fishing is (sometimes) amazing, and the scenery is always spectacular. In the past, people would use logs and even balloons – anything that the wind would blow offshore. If you are interested, go down to the beach and find someone kontiki fishing and talk to them. Some fishers use the shark clip which removes the need for stoppers, but the trace cannot slide along the line, meaning the fish will feel the weight of the line the moment they pick up the bait. $('#date_time').datepicker( The problem with these basic setups is that you’re at the mercy of … During this window, the two conditions are satisfied : the tide is high and the water is moving. Michael Walkley shows some EGI techniques and tips as we have an epic land based squid session throughout the night. Kontiki fishing is an exciting, economic and incredibly effective way of regularly catching fresh fish for the table. Tide tables and solunar charts for fishing: high tides and low tides; sun and moon rising and setting times, lunar phase, fish activity, weather conditions... Tides4fishing cookies are used to personalise content and ads, save your recent fishing sites and remember your display settings. They use heavy-duty marine-grade cabling and marine 316-grade stainless steel fittings. $('#loadingmessage').hide(); // hide the loading message }); } The rules for the West coast differ significantly - a longline on the West coast should be retrieved after only twenty to thirty minutes, as sharks are far more troublesome there. Graham Clifford ... How the moon and tides affect fishing How the moon and tides affect fishing. Covering takes only seconds but is an essential seagull deterrent. A long, narrow, streamlined body will perform best in the water and is also easier to carry, as the weight is carried close into your body. The Tide lag at the top end is (according to my very rough estimate based on SmartPhone Tide information & watermark on a wharf pylon) 2.5 hours. I owe him a debt of gratitude each time I stow my electric Kontiki away in my beach wagon, while my now set longline loads up with fish. The boys find themselves in the right place at the right time. Tight lines REEL KIWI Fishing … When the first snapper begins to slide over the sand towards you, even more so. With the baits are covered and the mystified seagulls are standing about watching and wondering, I walk out into the water carrying the Kontiki with its steel ring attached to the towing spike and both reels unwinding as I go. The walk in was a bit tricky, but dinner was acquired. Fishing tides. $('#loadingmessage').show(); // show the loading message. The best time to go kontiki fishing is whenever you can. This video shows how to bait up and clip the traces onto the kontiki fishing line as it goes out. The first … Traditionally, kontikis had a manually-operated rudder that was set before launching but could not alter course to allow for side currents and drifts – learning to account for these factors was part of the skill-set of a good kontiki fisherman. Egiing for squid NZ off the rocks. After a hard day on the rocks it’s decided that going back to a spot that Milan lost three kingfish in one day is the best chance of success. Kon Tiki Fishing Raft in the Bay of Plenty with Denis Moresby . Puheke, just south of the harbour, is a top spot for consistently producing a feed of snapper in the 40-50cm range. And longevity kontiki in the shallows reel or powered winch notes he shares his how-to secrets… baits! 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