Thread: Catching something thats not wrasse or spotties off the rocks on Stewart Island

As above. I am not much of a fisherman but do a but when I go down for my annual hunting trip. I have no problem catching fish but struggle to catch the better eating fish.

The bay I am normally fishing in is a small cove with volcanic rocks and a kelp bed. Many snags.

How can I target something other than wrasse and spotties? The blue cod are there but further out than I can normally cast. Would using bigger hooks help? Is there a particular soft bait that is more attractive to cod and monkfish than the reef fish.

Any help appreciated.