CONTENTS

7 From the Helm

Nick Jones questions the regulations for kingfish and shares some exciting news.

8 Thrills at the Three Kings

The NZ Fishing News crew ticks all the boxes at the promised land.

24 Destination: Bay of Plenty

Experienced fisher Ben Carey shares his wisdom about tarakihi, snapper and ‘puka in ‘The Bay’.

32 Milford Mission

Fiordland offers some of its bounty to James Flett.

40 News

Catch up on the latest from the angling arena, including the 2024 Hutchwilco NZ Boat Show Grand Prize boat.

54 Export Comp Update

We’re getting to the pointy end of the measure mat season.

58 Recipes

Ka pai kai!

62 LegaSea Update

Our good mates at LegaSea expose the sad reality of commercial fishing favouritism in a cost-ofliving crisis.

64 LegaSea Photo Competition

Check out the best entries and who NZ Fishing News has picked as the overall winner.

74 A Day to Remember 

Mark Kitteridge encounters great fish and a great white!

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82 Where Do Fish Bite Lures?

Intriguing insights from lure fishing master Grant ‘Espresso’ Bittle.

90 What a Day: East Coast Kayaking 

Blair Whiting recounts one helluva day fishing from a small, plastic thing.

98 Kayak Fishing Safety 

What to do (and what not to do) on a ‘yak, courtesy of veteran kayak angler Herb Spannagl.

106 Small Tuna (Part 2) 

Sam Mossman covers saltwater flyfishing, livebaiting, and cubing for skipjack and albacore tuna.

114 Fair Chase

Greg Morton battles low-water conditions down south.

116 Tackle Review: Shimano Beastmaster 12000

Nick Jones puts Shimano’s brand-new, big, and badass electric reel to the test.

122 New Toys

Go on, surely you deserve a treat?

124 Ministry Notebook 

Find out about changes to how packhorse crays are measured.

Richard Bowe grimaces as he hoists up his 50kg bass from the Far North. Photo: Grant Blair.