6 FISHING IN GODZONE MAGAZINE Editorial W inter is almost over, with August marking the final month, and I’ve noticed how much lighter the days have become now that the sun is setting around 5:30pm. With daylight saving starting at the end of next month, we can look forward to even longer days on the water. The winter has been surprisingly mild for much of the North Island this year and we experienced a lot of extended pleasant weather for boating with light winds. This was much needed for keen fishos after the volatile summer we experienced, with so many weather events making it one of the worst summer seasons in years. Spring can bring those annoying equinox weather patterns, and we are currently experiencing warmer than average sub-surface ocean temperature anomalies which have continued to intensify throughout the tropical Pacific. This is due to a significant El Niño event which NIWA advises there is an 80% chance for El Niño to reach or exceed strong intensity over the late winter – early spring outlook period of July – September. Weather makes a significant impact on our ability to fish, and Murphys Law for fishing usually means harsh weather on the weekend when you are free and stunning, calm days during the middle of week when you are working! After winter and you find you need some mental health days on the water, make sure you have a few days leave up your sleeve and you can down tools to get out there at short notice. It’s a good idea to get ready now, get your boat sorted and motor serviced and any repairs needed, or your trailer’s bearings sorted now so you are ready to go. Servicing your reels should be top of your list or at the least, check over all your reels and replace old line and respool them with fresh braid and tie new leaders. Clean out the tackle box with new hooks, jigs and softbaits. I just had a big clean out of my gear, selling older unused combos on marketplace and even replaced the assist hooks on favourite jigs. Good luck with your fishing and take care on the water, always take and wear your lifejackets. Mathew Hewetson Editor at large FISHING IN GODZONE Issue #76 COVER PHOTO Hemi Johnson with a bluefin jigged aboard Aquarius Charters. EDITOR AT LARGE Mathew Hewetson WRITERS & CONTRIBUTORS LegaSea, Scott Cushman, Graeme Paterson. 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 #76 2026 Launching in winter on still, foggy days will soon be behind us with spring knocking on the door here in Godzone.
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