Coromandel Bay Snapper




While on a trip to New Zealand, we stopped at Coromandel Bay, where we were taken fishing by the Mussel Barge Snapper Safaris. We left in a group of around 15 and travelled out into the mussel farms where we bottom fished using baits like squid and cubed pillies.



My first Snapper



Within about 10 seconds of our baits hitting the bottom, we were pulling up snapper like there was no tomorrow. My first snapper, being the biggest of the trip ate the tinnies chunk of pilchard, but then again elephants do eat peanuts. 



Dad's Snapper



After about half an hour the fishing had settled down a little, so I threw out a whole squid which hooked up onto a beast of a fish. The skipper called it for a kingfish, but in no time the fish pulled me into the mussel farm and broke off my 15kg line. Other than snapper, we managed to catch plenty of little yellowtail, Aussie salmon, a couple rat kings and small shark.

The tackle usually associated with snapper fishing is a spin combo, like the Okuma Trio or V-System spins, but with snags 7 meters on either side of us, we had to beef up our gear in order to land the fish.

Dusk at the mussel farms





All in all, the day was packed exceptional fishing. The fish weren’t necessarily huge, but they were great fun. Next time you’re in New Zealand, drop into, Mussel Barge Snapper Safaris; it is as cheap as $50 for a fishing adventure of a lifetime. 

Rapala Clackin Series Review

When hardbody fishing, there are four factors that influence the success of your lure. These are the size, colour, action and sound of the lure.  No lure range has displayed each of these features like the Rapala Clackin Series.



The Clackin Series



After the successful introduction of the Rapala Clackin Rap in 2009, Rapala released the Clackin Crank and the Clackin Minnow early this year. These unique lures feature metal disk side plates on either side of a single steel ball in their rattle chambers which make a loud cadence rattle. This is because metal on metal travels much further underwater then metal on plastic. Other features across the range are the textured translucent bodies with an internal holographic foil, VMC black nickel and Sureset Hooks and 3D holographic eyes.

The Clackin Rap

The Clackin Rap comes in a 6cm and an 8cm model, the Clackin minnow comes in a 7cm and an 11cm model while the Clackin Crank comes in a 5cm model. The lures are featured in the majority of the colours as the X-Rap slash baits.

The Clackin Crank

The Clackin minnow and crank both feature a square bibbed design, which gives the lure a seductive body roll and also deflects snags. The Clackin Rap is a bibles crankbait which tends to be more snag resistant then standard sinking, bibless hardbodies.

Kayak Fishing for Barra with my Clackin Minnow

These lures are great for a whole range of salt and freshwater species from murry cod and yellow belly in dams and river, to flathead and barramundi in the estuaries. I recommend getting a couple for your tackle box, so next time you have a cast for that fish of a lifetime, you have 100% confidence in your lure. 

A nice Flathead that ate my Clackin Rap