b"FeatureBOAT BERLEY TACTICS or near the bottom. In places likewithin sight just to see if you have When boat fishing, a wobbly potharbour entrances, where thereany bait fish or eating sized fish is a good way to go as it helps fishis strong current, you will havethat are hanging around.If you are in the zones of stronger current.to sit it hard on the bottom. fishing a reef for the first time, look The rule of thumb is to sit theIn shallow water I usually keepfor a drop off to anchor over and berley higher up the water columnthe berley near the surfaceposition yourself with the current in relation to the current strength.even if it takes a while to sinkso the berley drifts down over the If you are fishing where there isbecause it is spreading throughlip and into the deeper water.little to no current, the berley pota larger section of the waterI often take a spare large thick is best on the surface (for depthscolumn and can attract fish likeplastic bag to store the berley pot of 1-20m). It helps if you start bykahawai, trevally, and kingfish. in if I am changing locations, so it throwing a few small pieces ofJack mackerel are a common fishdoesn't mess up the boat or fish bin cut bait into the water to checkattracted, and they will swarm thetoo much. One of my last boat tips the current speed and direction. berley snapping up morsels of food.here is to be careful on how you tie Try to visualise the berley slowlyWhen they are feeding, larger fishoff you berley bomb rope, as sharks sinking and imagine where it willarrive and want in on the action.can turn up and will take them and hit the bottom. You want yourJack mackerel are great baits andso if you are in a small boat you baits to be hitting the bottom incan be easily caught and either usedwill maybe want to tie a slip knot the same location, so try and hangfor fresh bait or live bait for Johnthat can quickly untied so the line the berley pot where the sinkingdory, kingfish, or large snapper. It iscan be handled and the boat isnt berley will intercept the bait on,worth gently pulling the berley updamaged where you secure rope.The current is strong at the entrance to Rangaunu Harbour so placing the berley near the bottom is the best strategy even though it is shallow. 26FISHING IN GODZONE MAGAZINE"