So, Finaly I caught something decent on the new rod

so after owning my new rod for 3 weeks I finaily caught something that wasn't a spotty yay!!

Last weekend we went out to Miramar wharf and first cast I caught a Gurnard Chelidonichthys kumu which was 27cm long and just over legal size 25cm, It's important to make sure your fish are the right size as it is very common on the weekend for MAF officers to come round the fishing spots and check
this is the fish at first light as it was dark when I caught it, note the red colour,this indicates that the fish is stressed as their normal colour is more brown like the following photo shows

then later on in the day I caught a Red cod Pseudophycis bachus, which are very common in Wellington waters during the winter months, again the legal size for red cod is 25cm ,

sadly mine was no where near as big as the one dad caught on the Thursday

I find it quite sad that many people who catch red cod don't actually like eating them, to make them the best for eating you need to freeze them for about an hour or leave in the fridge overnight just to firm up the flesh then you can use them for anything smoking, fish-cakes, fried or even battered. the only downside for me is that if I have to prepare the fish for dinner I then don't enjoy eating it.

A bit of history

COD - BLUE (NZ Records - maximum Line Class 10kg)
All Tackle L.McKay Wellington 4.309kg
COD - ROCK (NZ Records - maximum Line Class 10kg)
01/05/80 All Tackle L.McKay Wellington 2.722kg
WRASSE - BANDED (NZ Records - maximum Line Class 10kg)
01/12/69 All Tackle L.McKay Wellington 2.268kg
http://www.nzaca.co.nz/records

My equipment

I usually use 2 rods one 12ft and one 9ft
my 12ft is as follows
Red Bone 12', Surf, 3.70m long, 2/Parts, 5-10kg breaking strain, 15lb/320yd of nylon fit on the reel, 4.1:1 gear ratio and can take up to just under a 4oz sinker.
from Jarvis walker I brought it at rebel sports and Dad is quite happy with it and I'm sure he enjoys using it when I'm not there

the 2nd 9ft rock hopper combo don't know the facts about it will have to go look at it later

I also have a home built stand for my rods so they don't lie on the ground and get damaged as there are not always rod holders where we go fishing

its made from one of these light stand http://www.mitre10mega.co.nz/shop/garden_centre/exterior_lighting/warrior_halogen_work_light_103547/ with two U shaped foam rests on the top for the rods

Dad has a proper one for his huge rods he got his while back home in Scotland for a holiday https://www.tackleuk.co.uk/tripodsrod-rests-c-67_72.html#Ian-Golds-Standard-Tripod-5ft/sp/3477

if its dark when we are out we use lights onthe ends of the rods to see the bites http://www.discountfishingsupplies.co.nz/shop/tide-rite-light-p-4227.html

so where do i fish?

I live in Wellington, New Zealand and My dad and I do most of our fishing at Miramar wharf or at gretta Point behind the NIWA building, sometimes we'll try oriental bay, lyall bay or even petone wharf, and one in a while we'll go away to places like lake ferry or boom rock depends on how we feel.

We usually go out real early or Sparrow's fart as one of my old friends used to say and depending on the wind we'll either park at gretta point or get our awesome trolley and head out on to Miarmar wharf
getting up at sparrow fart isn't hard as I work overnights to am usually awake from about 830pm till midday. and some of the awesome sunrises I've seen make up for it to
check out these ones
this is looking from Miramar wharf towards shelly bay road.




and this one is from gretta point looking back towards Miarmar wharf

Welcome

So Hi, thanks for coming and hanging around,
I'm Kath and I decided to write about my time spent fishing and stuff I like related to fishing as well as posting my photos from the times I've actually caught fish and some of the amazing sights I've seen.

I used to go fishing with my dad when I was little and also when we were part of the local clubs here WSAC( Wellington surfcasting and Angling club) and The Port Nicholson Sport-fishing club which no longer exists

then in my teenage years i got sort of bored by it, and then life happened you know job, friends the internet etc.. .... then last year Dad lost his job and started having more time to do stuff so he got back in to fishing, then I started tagging along as a away to relax after work and then found myself buying my first rod,

so onwards and up wards i say and lets see where this goes

kath