b'FRESH IS BESTFeature We prefer to use fresh baits such as mullet we have netted, or kahawai caught earlier on a lure.Fresh baits send out more juice and scent to help bring the fish in close and wake them from their winter slumber.Cut the baits smaller and as strips, with the hook though just once so the barb is well exposed and enables a quick hook set when the fish moves off with it in their mouth.Good sized snapper over 50cm will still take these smaller cut baits and in the shallows the fights are epic as the fish have no deep water nearby to retreat to, so they pull line fast!The same approach for fresh baits applies for surfcasting on the west coast.I will look for tuatua to cast out which is always wrapped well in elastic cotton and trevally, or snapper will eagerly hit these.Trevally although a top fish for turning into fresh sashimi, is also Fresh piper cast out willa top big snapper bait and using get hit by snapper orfresh strips of trev has accounted for kingfish patrolling nearby. many PB snapper on the surfcasters.If using pilchards, cut in half with one hook through to help the juices flow.38FISHING IN GODZONE MAGAZINE'