S
ome rock ledges around 
the country stand out 
for their ‘big fish’ vibe. 
Over the years writer 
Scott Cushman has 
managed to fish many 
of the legendary ones, 
like Spirits Bay and East 
Cape, as well as the Coromandel and 
the Far North, where big currents 
flow and big beasties call home. 
Some places, like Spirits Bay, are 
hike-in options, while some of the 
better locations necessitate a boat to 
reach an island or piece of mainland 
that can’t be accessed by foot.  The 
following are bucket list locations for 
super keen rock hoppers.
SPIRITS BAY
This was one of the early places 
that started the land-based game 
addiction, with mega kingfish 
being captured on rod and reel. 
Of course, it wasn’t just kingfish, 
with big reds, trophy trevally and 
sharks also turning up on the 
rocks. It still produces, and the 
current from the Pacific sweeps 
into Spirits Bay and pushes the 
food chain up against the rocks.
Pelagics cruise the bay and 
inevitably swim past the ledges 
here, making them easier to target 
with live baits. I can’t say I’ve ever 
seen small baitfish like mackerel 
or piper here. It is either kahawai 
or legal-sized trevally that you will 
catch and deploy for bigger game.
Bucks Ledge at Spirits Bay, a legendary 
spot for pelagics including XOS kingfish.
Fishing outer ledges brings you 
within range of large game like 
mako sharks, so bring the big guns 
with 37kg line on 50W reels.
Feature
22  FISHING IN GODZONE MAGAZINE

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