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The
mainstay of bottom fishing around the East Cape is the Hapuku
or New Zealand Grouper (Polyprion oxygeneios).
These fish which grow to over 50kg are caught in water depths
from 50 metres to over 200 metres, the larger fish being in deeper
water.
They are an excellent eating fish which are caught year round
on fish or squid baits, they will also take a jig fished near
the bottom.
Big Hapuku put up a good fight, strongly resisting being pulled
from the deep reefs which are their home. |
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A large
(to 100kg) deepwater cousin of the Hapuku, the Bass (polyprion
americanus), called Wreakfish in some countries, is caught regularly
in water over 120 metres. |
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Bluenose
warehou (to 30kg) are also caught regularly in water over 120
metres |
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Trumpeter up to 20kg, they are usually caught over reefs in depths
of more than 100m. Thay are a top eating fish. |
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As
are their smaller relative the Terakihi (to 4kg) which can at
times be caught in large numbers. |
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Snapper
are not usually targeted in this area , but are often caught
on the same reefs as Hapuku particularly in autumn or winter.
Other common catches are, Trevally, Kahawai and John dory. |
