 |
The methods
most commonly used when boat fishing on New Zealand
lakes are:
- Trolling
- Harling
- Jigging
Please be responsible when boating and:
- stay water safe
- follow
boat ramp etiquette. |
Trolling |
On
many lakes, trolling is the most popular and productive method of
fishing for trout and salmon, particularly for novices. When trolling,
a spinner-type lure or large fly is towed behind a moving boat at
depth. Getting the lure down deep is achieved using a lead-core
line, or a downrigger or similar device. Bibbed lures such as Rapalas
can also add depth when trolling.
Types of line used
To ensure the lure being trolled gets to the
correct depth where the fish are, a variety of types of line are
used. When the fish are close to the surface all that is needed
is monofilament or nylon line. When trout are deeper than two or
three metres, anglers often use a lead core line or an LED (lead
impregnated dacron) line to ensure the lure gets to the correct
depth. Lead core line usually comes in hundred metre lengths with
each 10 metres being a different colour. The general rule of thumb
that is that each colour or 10 metres of line gets the lure down
around 5 feet or just under 2 metres, so a fall 10 m of line out
the lure should be around 50 feet below the surface.
Downriggers
Many waters now allow the use of downriggers
when fishing. Down riggers are very heavy ball eights (usuall about
4.5kg or 10lbs) that are lowere to the desired depth. Lures are
clipped to these weights in such a way that when a trout strikes
it pulls the lure free so that the fish can be played on a normal
spinning type rod. Paravanes are sometimes used to get lures down
as welland use the same principal as a downrigger. They are more
cumbersome however and although a cheaper option not widely used
anymore. |
Harling |
Harling
refers to the method of boat fishing in which a large wet fly or
lure is towed behind a slow-moving boat - often rowed. The lure
is not allowed to sink far below the surface of the water. Harling
is a popular method on lakes at change of light when trout are close
into the shallows around a lake edge. |
Jigging |
Jigging
is a relatively new innovation in which lures are sunk to the depth
in a lake where fish are expected to be and "jigged" up
and down by the angler. The movement of the lures (or jigs) is usually
quite small. The boat may be anchored or can drift slowly over likely
areas. Takes are often very light and so any angler should stike
at any change of pressure they feel on the lures. It is best to
jig using very low stretch line such as fusion lines or braid to
ensure any touch by a fish is relayed up the line to the rod and
so felt by the angler. |
Staying water safe |
- Check the boat, engine and equipment before
leaving.
- Check the weather forecast and tides before
leaving.
- Tell someone what your plans are before heading
out on to the water
- Don't drink and boat
- Wear your lifejacket at all times
- Never overload the boat
- Have aboard: Anchor, bailer, spare fuel,
torch, warm gear.
- Guard against fire
- Know the: Collision Prevention Rule, Navigation
Safety Rule, local bylaws.
- Take two means of communication that work
even when wet: VHF radio, flares, EPIRB, cellphone in a plastic
bag.
For more information about recreational boating
safety, see the Maritime
New Zealand website |
Boat ramp etiquette |
When launching and retrieving your
boat at boat ramps, please follow standard boat
ramp etiquette as this help ensure a smooth traffic flow and avoids
causing unnecessary delays and irritation to other boat ramp users |
North Island lake fishing locations |
South Island lake fishing locations |
Northland/Auckland
Kai-Iwi
lakes
Lake
Tomarata
Lake
Ototoa (no motor boats allowed)
Lake
Pupuke (no motor boats allowed)
Lake Whatihua (Thomsons)
Lake Otamatearoa (Muirs)
Waikato hydro lakes
-
Lake Ohakuri
- Lake
Atiamuri
- Lake
Whakamaru
- Lake
Maraetai
- Lake
Waipapa
- Lake
Karapiro
Taupo/Turangi
Lake
Taupo
Lake
Kuratau
Lake
Rotoaira
Lake
Otamangakau
The Rotorua Lakes
- Lake
Rotorua
- Lake
Rotoiti
- Lake
Tarawera
- Lake
Okataina
- Lake
Rotoma
- Lake
Rerewhakaaitu
- Lake
Rotoehu
Hawke's Bay/East Coast
Lake
Aniwhenua
Lake
Waikaremoana
Lake
Tutira |
Nelson
Lake
Rotoroa
Lake
Rotoiti
West Coast
Lake
Brunner
Lake
Ianthe
Lake
Kaniere
Lake
Mahinapua
Lake
Mapourika
Lake
Paringa
Lake
Poerua
Lake
Wahapo
Canterbury
Lake
Coleridge
Lake
Ellesmere
Hurunui
lakes
Rakaia
lakes
Waimakariri
lakes
Rivers of the North
Canterbury region
Central South Island
Lake
Clearwater
Lake
Emma (from a moored boat only)
Lake
Heron
Lake
Benmore
Lake
Aviemore
Lake
Tekapo
Otago
Lake
Wanaka
Lake
Onslow
Lake
Dunstan
Lake
Hawea |