b'KAYAK FISHING a few kahawai to still be close to shore, happy to feed on whatever I am offering and even if thats in brown coloured water. When sitting at anchor I often see red marks cruising past very high in the water column, these are kahawai that are in active hunting mode. A quick reel up to their level with a jig or softbait gets their attention, especially if I let the lure drop down after I reach the fishs position. Watching the Raymarine Element screen almost becomes like a video game when the kahawai mark follows the lure all the way to the bottom, before the first Carrots have a very tough jaw tosmall upward movement is pounced on. penetrate, use sharp 4/0 circle hooks. Kahawai are strong fighters and make up for the lack of other large predatory fish present during our cold winters, Although gurnard have a particularhookup rate, out of the common speciespeeling off line against strong drag and preference to crustaceans, they loveI target, carrots have the toughest jawleaping out of the water like miniature any oily bait placed close to the bottom.to penetrate. While the skin around themarlin. They take all kinds of rigs, but While I catch most fish on the bottommouth is soft and easily hooked, the topmy favourite is a small, white softbait hook on a ledger rig, occasionally gurnardjaw is like setting a hook through a rock.worked erratically imitating a whitebait are intrigued enough to swim a fewSharp, high quality circle hooks are aor anchovy.metres off the bottom to grab baits muchrequirement in my gurnard fishing. Winter tests all my fishing skills to higher. Proportional to the fishs size,The humble kahawai round outtarget specific species, the challenge to carrots have an exceptionally large mouththe winter species with excellentlyavoid less desirable species can often and can wolf down big baits, so I tendconditioned fish that are often feedingbe frustrating, however catching a fresh to use a larger hook size, 4/0 as a rule.on baitfish throughout the season. Evengurnard dinner on a cold winter day is just Where fishers often run into trouble isafter a big southerly storm, I can rely onthat little bit more rewarding.FIGZFull fingered gloves are perfect for combating those icy morning fingers, the water is always warmer so a quick dunk will help keep some feeling in them.The humble kahawai are a winter staple in the Hawkes Bay over the colder months.42FISHING IN GODZONE JULY/AUGUST 2022'