Report 011 Awesome conditions with the virgin soft baiter... 7th of September 2009

With the Spring weather here and the variable winds forecasted, we had an eager newbie wanting to enjoy the soft bait experience. Our newbie is a long time mate named Steve, not shy to adrenalin sports, so Jetskifishing would be a definite must for him. Steve who works in the PWC industry, needed no sales pitch from me of which is the best fishing kit hardware. He decided an “Ultimate Rod Holder” kit was required, transforming his ski for the day, to quickly become a fun fishing machine.

We departed Buckland’s Beach ramp mid morning, with The Haystack being our destination, this month’s hot spot. On arrival, a few quick tips were well received by Steve, the virgin soft baiter. The easiest way I normally explain the tips, is with a live demonstration of a cast, showing the drift and analyzing the motion of how the soft bait sinks through the water. The tips work exceptionally well when you hook up on a fish, as I did on this first drop…

It seems too good to be true, yet inspires the newbies to know the technique of soft baiting really does work. This had Steve’s full attention and not long he was trying the technique, he was a natural! After a few casts he was on to his first Snapper, with me expressing, hooking it is only half the job of Jetskifishing.

After a couple of minutes, he was a fully pledged Jetskifisho, the Snapper was at the ski and swiftly in his chilly bin.

Steve had a grin ear to ear, he was as excited as I get (over excited!), absolutely loving the buzz of Jetskifishing. Not long and we were both on to more Snapper, fish on the dinner menu. This fish was caught while testing the new jig head clip.

After the lesson was over we decided to enjoy the scenic conditions and went for a cruise out wide to 40 metres of water. There we were welcomed by a large pod of Dolphins, really adding to the great day on the water.

We stopped for a while for a casual fish and not long and Steve had his third Snapper in the bin.
We then decided to cruise down to Gannet Rock, to see the other Jetskifisho’s that we knew had headed out earlier in the morning. They were there, doing well with some nice sized Snapper in their chilly bins.

I also tried a few of my trusty Gannet spots, which gave reward of some more Snapper, half way between Gannet and Waiheke Island.
After the social catch up at Gannet, we all decided to head back, yet I was still keen for a half hour solo session. So, I went back to the Haystack and hooked another Snapper, on the 7” Gulp Nuclear Chicken.
Then I decided to have a quick test of the fishing at the Three Sisters, in Rakino Channel. This proved to be consistent with recent visits, as it wasn’t long and I had caught another Snapper.

Was time to call it a day, Steve had gone home with four Snapper in his chilly bin and was looking forward to his next Jetskifishing trip. I had a great day aswell, five Snapper and finally enjoying some nice conditions on the water.