b'Test DriveMazda BT-50TOP TECHOur Limited test vehicle comes with a remote engine start (only on Limited models) so you can start the engine remotely, a good idea on those cold early mornings to warm the cabin up before climbing in to head off fishing!The heated front seats were welcomed after a few hours of surfcasting and when it started to rain around midday, so I had my lunch and regained some warmth sitting in the drivers seat with the heat on while listening to the radio with the quality 8-speaker audio.The BT-50 comes with connectivity that includes Android Auto and Wireless Apple CarPlay via a 7 or 9-inch touch screen. With its LCD Multi-information Display that projects key information The fishing during the test drive was firing on Ripiro Beach, with several snapper to 9lb (60cm).This road to Dargaville isgot fishing supplies andease using the button selector, bumpy with large potholesheaded out to the bach atthe full moon was dropping and slips, and desperately inBaylys Beach.The plan wason the horizon as the sun need of some much-neededto stay the night and get upwas coming up behind me repairs, but the ute was veryearly to spend the day onabove the high beach cliffs.adept travelling at 100km/hr Ripiro Beach surfcasting.TheDriving north on the hard across all the ruts andeasterly winds had calmedsand looking for a good hole holes.Again, the suspensionthe Tasman and it was a fullto fish the incoming tide and impressed and the ride wasmoon, so the tides were bigthe firm sand wasnt much of a extremely comfortable. which usually brings goodchallenge for the ute.The BT-50 offers as good afishing.This would also testI soon found a deep hole to ride as any SUV or sedan thatthe off-road ability of the newset up and cast my lines. The I have been in hundreds ofute on Godzones longestfish were hungry and over times over this stretch of roaddriveable beach. the next few hours I was busyThe BT-50 gets the nod of to my hometown over theEarly Tuesday morningfighting fish and constantlyapproval, with excellent on years, if not better. as I drove onto the beachrebaiting, I even got busted offroad driving, top suspension, and plush interior for a good I arrived in Dargaville andselecting High Range 4x4 withon a shark. driving experience.72FISHING IN GODZONE MAY/JUN 2021'