Current Lines 8 December 2012

JUST WATCHING SOME 20/20 CRICKET LAST NIGHT AND I DO HOPE THE MARLIN HIT LIKEJessie Ryder did. WOW 75 off 25 balls! Theme song must be Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot, just fire away”

We are all waiting with baited breath for the first marlin of the season or if there will be a run of yellowfin tuna this year. Word has it that Rick Pollock may have encountered some large yellowfin at the back of Whale Island whilst kingy fishing, not landed or seen but described as large fast freight trains.

FISHING from Whitianga:  Not a lot of people out fishing this week but those who have been out have done OK on the sand. John Neighbours had a team out on Wednesday afternoon and managed to catch some good tarakihi and snapper in 14m just off Round. Just off the Kuaotunu Reef, out off Pink and on the sand on light foul between the Islands is a good place for a drift or set line. Plenty of crays along the Coastline with quite a few fish between 2 – 4lb being caught/potted in the Bay. The scallops have gained condition quickly but the fish in Home Bay reported as being in the best condition.  MUSEUM – HISTORY OF FISHING DISPLAY - This display was officially opened on Wednesday night and an invitation extended to Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club members to check the display out on Thursday night. A fantastic display and well worth the effort to pay the museum a visit.

IGFA – free I membership:this message from IGFA President “with global pressures on fisheries increasing, the conservation of game fish is more important than ever. NOW is the time for anglers to unite online and make our voices heard.” GET ON BOARD TODAY a free IGFA I-membership brings you closer to the news and issues that matter to you most. By joining IGFA as an I-member you will be closer to the best fishing and hottest bites around the world, all with a click of a button. Simply sign up with your name and e-mail address and no matter where you live or fish, you’ll have instant access to; More how to videos from the IGFA School of Sportfishing, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame and more, Photos online for All-Tackle world records, Catch details available for All-Tackle world records on the IGFA website, E-newsletters to keep you informed about the latest world record catches and breaking news in recreational fishing. VISIT http://membership.igfa.org/  also check out the IGFA apps for smart phones.

Crittercamis a camera tagging process where you can view what the recently released gamefish do via video recording in real time for the immediate time just after release. The Crittercam program is headed to Panama this weekend for a two week expedition chasing big blacks and blues.  Nat Geo (National Geographic) has decided to cover the expedition via their online Explorer's Journal.  There will be daily updates at http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/tag/billfish-2013/. 

NZSFC has come of age, the modern age that is. ‘Like’ us on Facebook and post your thoughts, comments and recent catches of significance. I am sure you all know how it works - go to ‘Search for people, places and things’ on your Facebook page and type in ’New Zealand Sport Fishing Council’ and don’t forget to ‘like’ or ‘friend request’. This has just happened and will grow with time to be all it can be. The more postings the better.

With the holiday seasonjust around the corner, schools are closing down week by week and the promise of a long hot dry summer. There are great discounts for members on fuel cards, and NZ Sport Fishing benefits as well which FLOWS back to the members. Your clubs have the forms and information from PL or you can phone them on 0800 42 83 83 or visit their website www.petroleumlogistics.co.nz .  If you have any feedback about  PL and / or service (good or bad), they would like to hear from you so please feel free to DROP THEM A LINE –admin@petroleumlogistics.co.nz.

With trophies and certificates up for grabsfor the first and heaviest of each species of gamefish we recognise, fishing should be of a high priority. Please remember to take what you need, limit your catch not catch your limit. Safety should always be to the fore with enjoyment and coming home the Christmas wish we wish to all.

Editor

NZSFC