Summer Fishing in Marlborough
By Don Hansen - Marlborough H&F NZ | 7 December 2011
Marlborough comes alive at this time of year with the hot weather and Wine and Food Festival - it's a great district to spend the summer in.
On the outdoors front – there are plenty of safe camping grounds and sites spread throughout the area especially in and around the Marlborough Sounds.
If you're venturing to the region you will enjoy the clean beautiful beaches and bays with warm safe swimming and of course the great fishery.
Whether it's a few cod for the BBQ or Kahawai for the smoker there is no shortage of fun to be had here for all the family.
Every river and creek mouth spills with Kalawao during the summer months and best time is on the incoming to high tide in the evening as the light changes, they are caught using most types of hi-viz silver lures and the 8 foot 4-6 kg spin set ups are by far the most common arrangements to use.
This is by no means the only way to have some fun and over the last few years we have noticed a swing in numbers of fishos using fly set ups to switch a grey/silver imitation smelt with great success – now that's fun on 6 to 8 wt lines as some of these fish are around the 8lb mark and absolutely love to trash gear so hold on tight and enjoy the ride.
The Sounds are also home to a world class kingfish population and like the far north the new styles of enticement are showing great results. Boats are regularly catching 20-40 fish per day and the sizes on some are in the horse range of 60-80 lbs. But even at 20-30lbs that's great fun sport fishing, with snapper to fish for in the same areas as the tides change and the kingfish go off the bite.
The most popular style to fish has been the mechanical jigging and as I write the advancement that this has shown has also opened up to slow jigging and many of the new styles of jigs and lures – Lucanus, wax wings, short baits and now the slashbait phenomenon.
For those that enjoy a more leisurely style of sport fishing the inner sounds provides a top snapper fishery and soft baiting or stray lining is still the preferred method.
The snapper have been late in turning up in numbers this year but we are getting some great reports of plenty of 40 cm school fish and a few large (20lb plus) fish just starting to be caught.
The rule of thumb is a sporting agreement to put fish back and take only enough for a fresh feed across the full range of species in the sounds – leave some for the future of the fishery.
If your plans aren't set in concrete or you live in the area come in see the staff at our local friendly store and get the run down on what's happening and where it's happening as this only touches on the vast opportunities Marlborough has to offer to everybody.
Pictured above: Don Hansen (left), Owner of Marlborough H&F NZ helps a customer in store.
Whether you're a serious fisho or a laidback camper who wants to swim in the fresh rivers that are abundant throughout the region, the guys here can share your expectations and help you save time by pointing you to the best spots we have then you can enjoy your summer.
The Marlborough Hunting & Fishing Store is centrally located in the town and across the road from a variety of cafes and bars so it's a good store to visit socially. It is not only full of great must have items but boasts the largest collection of antique fishing gear in the South Island with many old rods and reels from the 1900s. The store is a great place to while away some time and enjoy an atmosphere of the outdoor dream with a number of mounted fish and trophy heads from both today and yesteryear decorating the walls – it's certainly matched by the keen staff who have years of expertise in most outdoor activities from white baiting to game fishing.
Marlborough has it all – yes - wine, sun, fishing, hunting, clean rivers and beaches and most of all friendly locals who invite you to this jewel in the south.
33 Scott Street, Blenheim
Ph 03 5791 600
Fax 03 5791 608
Store Hours:
Mon-Fri: 9am -5.30pm
Sat: 9am - 2pm
Sun: Out there doing it!
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