Deep Sea Fishing in New Zealand

New Zealand is surrounded by wide expanse of ocean. Its continental shelf is large and what you get is a country with rich natural resources for deep sea fishing. Over a thousand types of fish are found in New Zealand waters, but less than a ten percent of these are exploited by the commercial fish industry.

New Zealand is a meeting place for cool and warm ocean currents – a natural playground for a large variety of fishes. Cold currents from the Antarctic bring in hake and; blue and red cod, while in warmer currents, tuna, sharks, snapper, marlin, kahawai and trevally are often found.

If you come to New Zealand to fish, you can bring your own fishing gears into the country. This includes reels, rods, clothing and most tackle. Your equipments must be clean and officially declared in the New Zealand customs service upon arrival. Homemade trout flies aren’t allowed into New Zealand. To get more information, you may want to contact the New Zealand’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Anglers wanting to fly fish and trout in New Zealand from October to March will find it easier and more comfortable to have a pair of soft soled boots or sports shoes, T-shirts and shorts. Waders are usually bulky, clumsy, and hot in the humidity and heat of a New Zealand summer. However, during evening fishing or unseasonably cold weather, fishers may consider wearing waders. In early spring, winter, and autumn, most good fishing spots are cold and require waders, regardless of the time and weather. You should wear polarized glasses; ultraviolet exposure in New Zealand is among the most dangerous in the world. You should consider these health precautions as indispensable no matter what the season is. These should be viewed as part of your standard kit or pack during deep sea fishing around New Zealand. A hat or cap is a must, while sunscreen is essential during summertime or at midday.

You may think that fishing is acceptable in any weather, but you should take the weather forecast into consideration before going out far in the middle of ocean. Get free weather information from New Zealand Meteorological (Met) Service, the forecast includes marine weather forecasts, temperature and tidal reports. New Zealand weather patterns are sometimes unpredictable and erratic, especially through the periods of autumn and spring.

No matter what, safety measures should always be your earliest consideration. Fishers need to have thoughtful safety precautions, and be particularly vigilant during deep sea fishing. When venturing the deep seas of New Zealand, It pays to have an experienced fisher who understands the area or get a few expert advices during fishing. Drowning at sea is the 3rd highest cause of accidental deaths in New Zealand, after traffic accidents and unintentional falls. Many of those drowning victims are new people or visitors who don’t know the local conditions or area. Call the Water Safety Council of New Zealand to get more information on fishing safety.