WITH MEATY SNAPPER LURKING A FEW HUNDRED YARDS OFF THE BEACH, WHO WOULDN’T STOP BY


BAY OF PLENTY TO CATCH DINNER AFTER WORK? PHOTOS: TIM TAYLOR


Tim Taylor


EASY ACCESS


Fishing is good all year, but late autumn is the best time to target snapper that are fattening up before winter. The beach is only 10 miles from my house. This is one of my most reliable spots to take clients, and I like to nip out in the evening and fish three or four hours until dark. Paddle two miles to the reef or anchor in shallower water close to shore and use chum to draw fish.


TARGET SPECIES Snapper


TACKLE BOX


Heavy action conventional rod/reel with 50-pound braid- ed line and a bait rig holding a live pilchard or bullet tuna.


GEAR BAG Viking Profish Reload, anchor, oily burley (chum) and navigational light after dark.


TIME SAVERS


Stay organized. Keep tackle and gear in stacking bins. I can rush into the house, grab my gear and get out before anyone realizes I’ve been home.


Home Base: Tauranga, New Zealand Local Hole: Bay of Plenty


On advice from local surf anglers, I headed out of my favorite launch at sunset to target snapper. I paddled just past the breakers and dropped my anchor in 10 feet of water. I pumped the burley and threw out cubes of pilchards, while lobbing unweighted baits out the back of the kayak. As the night got darker, the snapper became more brave, following the burly trail up to my kayak. It only took a couple hours for me to catch a limit and paddle 200 yards back to the beach. I was fishing so close to shore that I could see my pickup glinting under the streetlights.


Catch up with Tim at www.nzkayaker.co.nz. 58…KAYAK ANGLER


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