b'KAYAK FISHING T he 3 Species Softbait Challenge in the Coromandel has become one of the quickest growing social kayak competitions in the country. The premise is simple: catch a snapper, kahawai, and a trevally all on a softbait. Longest combined length wins. This might sound simpleThis image on the Raymarine Element HV shows dropping the softbait until that tricky trev is all that standsright into the bait fish to get the snappers attention.between you and the podium. I headed up over the first weekend of April to test out my lure fishing skills against some of the best. Sandy Bay has a few key locationsSoftbait choice is a major decision. The competition is hosted on an epicnearby. Lion Rock, the mussel farm, theFor kahawai, the smaller lures are little paddock near the town, wherenorthern coastline towards Stony Baybest, as I have learnt over autumn that everyone can share stories, measureand the eastern coastline which makesCoromandel fish are often feeding on fish, and enjoy the beautiful weather theits way down to Rauporoa Bay. With atiny anchovies or krill. A 3-inch white peninsula puts on. I set up my tent and10 knot northerly pushing in, the wateror silver softbait is the maximum size got prepared for the massive weekend ofwas just manageable enough to maketo use, as they are often very keyed in fishing ahead. it out to Lion Rock. The group split intoon small bait. The tricky trevally were three different directions and the huntrelatively easy to come by in 2021 DAY 1 Day one starts off withbegan for the first species. during the competition, being caught an even playing field. AllFor my gear I have two 4000 size spinon a variety of lures around Sandy Bay. kayakers launch in the same locationreels on 7ft 48kg rods, these areThis year was very much the opposite, from Sandy Bay on the northeast sidethe perfect weight to handle the largerand it was deadly important to fish with of the Coromandel. From here you maysnapper that lurk around the rocks alonga small 4-inch grub to have a chance paddle off in whichever direction youthis coastline. Being noticeably light, itof getting one to bite. I fished using a wish. With 80 kayakers setting up andenables me to fish all day without extraZ-Man Bruised Banana or New Penny as paddling off the beach all at once is afatigue on my arms, important when Ithe natural colours imitate the shellfish very surreal sight! am paddling for over 6 hours. trevs eat.Competitors with their kayaks are set up at dawn on Sandy Bays beach.50FISHING IN GODZONE MAY/JUNE 2022'