BLOG: The Cup runneth over

THERE'S lots more going on in NZ at the moment than the Rugby World Cup, although you would never know it! The flight I flew over on last week was chock-a-block full of mad Frenchmen, Kiwis and Wallaby supporting Australians - I think I must be the only Aussie in NZ at the moment that's not here to watch rugby. I must admit I have watched a few games on TV, but it's been through very tired eyes after long days spent fishing the water of the North Island's Hauraki Gulf.

Early this week I fished in a Berkley lure-only snapper tournament that was run out of the magnificently scenic Kawau Island. Twenty teams of anglers braved 13 degrees C water and air temps in the quest of catching, measuring and releasing the five biggest snapper they could.

With the water temps so low the bite was pretty slow. Our team managed to catch around eight fish with the biggest being 72cm, which was a personal best for our only female team member Angie, who by the way, did very well on the day and gave most of us on board a sound fishing lesson. Well done Ange!

The biggest fish caught during the tournament measured 79cm and the the winning team, Came To Kill, managed to catch a respectable 3325mm of prime Kiwi snapper after three years of trying to win the tournament. Well done boys!

With the tournament over, it was time to catch up with my old mate Brett Rathe who owns and operates Assassin charters on the fish rich waters of the Gulf. Our mission was test the effectiveness of Sebile lures on the Kiwi snapper population. To be honest I thought we were in for a tough couple of days with the water temps being so low and the fish having been very soft on the bite over the previous couple of days.

With perfect weather and a glassy calm Hauraki Gulf we headed of to the outer gulf where the fish start to congregate before moving into the Gulf proper to spawn once the water temp hits 18 degrees. Within minutes of putting Flatt Shads into the water, rods were bent, drags were screaming, and there was no shortage of big smiles from all on board - I love it when a plan comes together.

It was a day of amazing scenery, perfect weather and fishing that most anglers would give their left nacker for. If you have never fished New Zealand, it's one place you have to get to, you won't regret it.

This is my 10th trip to NZ and there's no doubt I will be back again. The fishing is just too good. With the way our dollar is at the moment it's also more affordable than ever.

Any way I have to run, we have some scallops to shuck and fish to fillet, dinner will be good tonight. I just hope the Wallabies win their next match or I'm in for an ear bashing from my Kiwi mates.

Stay tuned for the full story in Fishing World in coming months.

Captain