In the Nelson region, we’ve got some great surfcasting options on our doorstep, and the quality of the fishery seems to be getting better each season. A quick evening session after work doesn’t get much easier or scenic than a trip to the Tahunanui back beach. Without many waves and not needing a long cast to get to the channel, it’s a great place to learn about surfcasting or to get the family and kids into the action.
Just before Christmas, the Dawnbreakers Fishing Club had a get together at Back beach, encouraging members to try surfcasting, and it didn’t disappoint. Species landed on the day included snapper, kahawai, trevally, rig and eagle rays. Members have kept going back since with reports of decent size snapper, kahawai and rig being common with the odd kingfish thrown in the mix as well.
Other good spots to try close to Nelson include the wharves along Rocks road, the end of Akersten Street, Rabbit Island, the Mapua rock wall, anywhere along the Ruby Bay and Kina coastline and anywhere in the vicinity of river mouths generally hold fish as well. Tides have a big influence on the productivity of shore fishing spots. Look to fish accessible channels and deeper holes on a low tide, the fish will come into sandy areas and estuaries on the high tide to feed if conditions are right. You could target the edge of channels or shellfish beds on the high tides. Before and after sunset are always best when surfcasting, so if you can get your choice of tide aligning with low light, you could be in for a good bite!
There are loads of different rigs and traces you could use for surfcasting. My go to for fishing the sandy areas around Nelson is a sliding rig with a grapnel/ breakaway sinker and a 5/0 circle hook which covers most bases. For bait, I like to keep things small and neat to allow for longer casts, a well exposed hook and good presentation – bait cotton is essential. If targeting rig, or trying to avoid the rays, banana prawn is a great bait option. Otherwise, you can’t go wrong with good fish baits like kahawai, trevally and pilchard, the fresher the better.
Next time the weather forecast isn’t looking too great for getting out on the boat, you feel like making the most of the long days after work, or getting the kids out for some fun, head down to the beach and give surfcasting a crack.
Make sure to pop into Hunting and Fishing Nelson for a chat with the team – they know their stuff and are sure to point you in the right direction around what gear, baits and rigs are working best and where.
Tight lines!
