6 FISHING IN GODZONE MAGAZINE Editorial O n a recent day trip out in late June on the Kaipara, the wild winter weather was about to hit after a great run of mild weather with light winds. Before the big front was about to arrive for most of Northland and down into the Bay of Plenty, there was a day to get out and hopefully onto the fish. We launched late around 10:30am after getting stuck in bad traffic driving through Auckland, and it was super still with thick fog on the harbour. The rising easterly wind was looking to pick up in the afternoon, but with calm conditions and nice overhead gloomy conditions it was ideal for harbour fishing. There were a lot of kahawai schools feeding on the surface with birds working on the short trip down to the spot, so we caught a couple on softbaits for fresh baits to use with our frozen squid and tuna. Arriving at the spot the tide had just turned to come in, so I knew it would take a while for the fish to turn up with the current running better. We deployed the berley and cast out baits on running rigs to leave in the rod holders and wait while enjoying a hot coffee. Just sitting there and chatting about all things while waiting for fish is a thoroughly underrated way to spend time. You are watching for the slightest twitch of your rod at the same time of course. We caught several big kahawai over the next couple of hours as the tide picked up with stronger current, but the snapper fishing was surprisingly slow, and we considered shifting when I got hit hard with line screaming from the Free Swimmer reel. It had taken a whole squid bait and as I set the hook the rod really bent over, and the fish took a lot more line as the hook registered. The tell-tale big head nods during the fight and strong runs, signalled it was a good snapper and then unfortunately the fish dropped the hook. That was tough luck—it was a good fish, and on a slow day you want those chances to count. We would have released it after a few photos, but it earned its freedom and gave us a brief taste of the action we had hoped for. Not every day is a catching day, but we would never have had a shot at a fish like that by staying at home. Good luck with your fishing and always take and wear your lifejackets. Mathew Hewetson Editor at large FISHING IN GODZONE Issue #75 COVER PHOTO 60cm+ trevally caught off Rangiputa. Photo by Scott Cushman The Kia Tasman ute and launching the Oceanpro 535 Photo by Mathew Hewetson EDITOR AT LARGE Mathew Hewetson WRITERS & CONTRIBUTORS LegaSea, Scott Cushman, DESIGN Blockstart www.blockstart.co.nz PUBLISHER Marlin Marketing Limited Mathew Hewetson 022 355 0588 mathew@marlinmarketing.co.nz Fishing In Godzone is subject to copyright in its entirety. The contents may not be reproduced in any form, in whole or in part, without the written permission of the publishers. All copy, photos or other material forwarded to the magazine will be assumed intended for publication unless clearly labelled "not for publication". Opinions expressed from such content are not necessarily those of the publisher. ISSN 2382 – 1655 fishingingodzone.co.nz /fishingingodzone Digital Issue #75 2026 Winter fishing in the fog with fresh baits out, waiting for the tide to run and fish to come on while enjoying a hot coffee.
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