b'Editorial Digital Issue #62 - 2025FISHING IN GODZONE Issue #62COVER PHOTO A 76cm snapper caught softbaiting at Slipper Island which was released.EDITOR AT LARGE Mathew HewetsonWRITERS & CONTRIBUTORS Scott Cushman, Nick PatrickDESIGN Blockstart www.blockstart.co.nzPUBLISHER Marlin Marketing Limited Mathew Hewetson 022 355 0588 mathew@marlinmarketing.co.nzThe editor with a 76cm caught on a Crush City 5 softbaitFishing In Godzone is subject and released fishing at Slipperto copyright in its entirety.Island off the Coromandel. The contents may not be reproduced in any form, in whole M ost Kiwi anglers want tothey are the best breeders and eating theor in part, without the written permission of the publishers. All copy, photos or other material catch big fish, this is just thepannies is fine, a bit like on a farm whereforwarded to the magazine norm for any angler in theyou eat the young livestock (steers) andwill be assumed intended world.It is the fight on theyou leave the old bull alone for servicingfor publication unless clearly labelled not for publication.line that you remember aboutthe cows.Remember, those big snapperOpinions expressed from such a good fish, the big runs it went on, yourare old too, some more than 30 yearscontent are not necessarily those of the publisher.rod bent and reel screaming, the battleand letting them live is a good call.you endured to finally land it.That fightHowever, it is totally the right of everyISSN 23821655lives on in your memory, long after theangler to keep a big fish they land, I havefishingingodzone.co.nzday you caught it and you then retell theno problem with that.I can recall how we/fishingingodzonestory of that fish to your mates or family,used to kill every fish, including 20lbers often many times to their annoyance. and bigger back in the 90s and we would There is always a bigger fish out onusually smoke these big fish.As you get the ocean to catch, you will lose manyolder and see changes out on the water, and it is why we keep returning to fishwith less fish or human pollution, it makes again and again.It is why I love fishing,you think more about the resource.We I dont catch fish as food first, yes, Istill have some outstanding fishing here enjoy some fresh fish, but I would ratherin Godzone but by releasing fish that eat a steak.I want to catch fish for funare in good condition, we are doing a and eating it is secondary.So, for me,small part to help our stocks and ensure letting big fish go after landing themthere is something left to catch for our isnt a problem and with large snapperkids.Keep this in mind when you land over 70cm, I think it is a great feelingthat big dog on your next fishing trip.to watch them swim off after you haveBe safe when out on the water in the captured the moment on the camera. boat, take and wear your life jackets.We understand that killing all the biggestMathew Hewetson Editor at largesnapper wont help the future stocks, 6FISHING IN GODZONE MAGAZINE'