Thread: Catching Rig around Welly

Any pointers on where to look for rig/smooth hound around Wellington at this time of the year? Am reading about them in fishing mag they like rough conditions and night time is best. Do they still come in during day time if its overcast? Do you use berley to attract them?
Wainuiomata was mentioned for summer fishing, its only 45min from us and looks like a quiet spot but not sure if its a place where they hang out atm.

Am an absolute beginner surfcaster with 0 experience so any help would be much appreciated .

Cheers
BF

Originally Posted by Boar Freak

Any pointers on where to look for rig/smooth hound around Wellington at this time of the year? Am reading about them in fishing mag they like rough conditions and night time is best. Do they still come in during day time if its overcast? Do you use berley to attract them?
Wainuiomata was mentioned for summer fishing, its only 45min from us and looks like a quiet spot but not sure if its a place where they hang out atm.

Am an absolute beginner surfcaster with 0 experience so any help would be much appreciated .

Cheers
BF

Be sure to flick the bail arm over prior to casting

Originally Posted by Gibo

Be sure to flick the bail arm over prior to casting

Thanks useful as ever

Mostly Catch mine using Vietnamese Prawn tails , they somehow seem to out fish Paddle crab .

Hey BF,

You"ll get them during the day, but better numbers around in the evening or morning (change of light). About .5m-1m swell is ideal at Wainui. The bigger beaches over the Wairarapa will generally productive.

1 hook ledger rigs with a 3-5/0 hook and 4-6 oz sand grip sinker.

Bait
Paddle crab cut in half, remove legs and top shell and a 4/0 hook through the belly and back out the same side. Bind on with bait elastic.
Craytail thumb sized piece, bind on with bait elastic.
Prawns, ok bait, never done that well with it but as above prep for cray tail.
Smaller rig do eat small fish baits from time to time, but you really want shellfish.

Set your drag firm and stay close to your rod. Spotted smooth-hounds take your bait quite hard mostly, enough to pull a weakly set rod holder over.

Cheers and tight lines.

Cliff has posted some good info. Ocean beach from lake ferry back towards Wainui or whangamoana and even West Coast have them. Mainly caught them on paddle crab but caught smaller ones on pillies.

Thanks for all the info guys, will get my rod setup than give it a go.

Originally Posted by Cliff

Hey BF,

You"ll get them during the day, but better numbers around in the evening or morning (change of light). About .5m-1m swell is ideal at Wainui. The bigger beaches over the Wairarapa will generally productive.

1 hook ledger rigs with a 3-5/0 hook and 4-6 oz sand grip sinker.

Bait
Paddle crab cut in half, remove legs and top shell and a 4/0 hook through the belly and back out the same side. Bind on with bait elastic.
Craytail thumb sized piece, bind on with bait elastic.
Prawns, ok bait, never done that well with it but as above prep for cray tail.
Smaller rig do eat small fish baits from time to time, but you really want shellfish.

Set your drag firm and stay close to your rod. Spotted smooth-hounds take your bait quite hard mostly, enough to pull a weakly set rod holder over.

Cheers and tight lines.

Hey @Cliff ,

thanks for the info. DO you see them in Lyall or Island Bay? Will be down that way one afternoon this week so I thought I might stay for the evening and soak the line for a few hours.

Cheers BF

Sorry just caught this BF

Lyall bay yes worth fishing, you may snare a Moke if using shellfish bait as a by catch.

Island Bay= Marine Reserve

Cheers,