b'Feature The softbait rig had worked well, I had designed it using a special VMC hook that has a red plastic rib especially designed for softbaits and the lure stayed on well, even after several fish.Our expectations were high as low tide was about 8:30am and the tide was a long way out due to the new moon phase and as we baited up our ledger rigs and waded out to cast our first baits, The writer with a solid 55cm fish.SPRINGTIME FIRES phase was still favourable for bigger Over the past five years the biggertides that I favour and getting out snapper have turned up close to theonto sand banks for better casting.beach in numbers for surfcastersLocal fisho Brian Snooks who had from September to November.Ifished that day, planned to return have caught many PBs during thiswith me to have another crack time and I always target this periodat the fish. I drove to his place at when I can get away from office work5:30am on a Tuesday morning to and family in the Bay, to fish there. jump into his ute and we drove from In early October, a few of mytown to Glinks Gully and down old school mates who still live inthe beach to Pouto in the dark.Dargaville headed down the beachConditions were perfect as we on a good sea to surfcast and theyarrived at our spot just inside couldnt believe how good thethe harbour with little swell and snapper fishing was.They filled awith a dropping norwest wind, large bin in under two hours andthe large sand dunes behind us released many good sized 7-9lbhelped shelter us.With good fish.Hearing of their good fishingcloudy overcast conditions, as trip, I quickly organised to get upthe rising sun tried to poke itself a few days later as the new moonaround on the eastern horizon.20FISHING IN GODZONE MAGAZINE'