Thread: Has anyone caught a salmon this season yet?

I was just wondering if anyone has caught a salmon this season, I was thinking of starting to go out on the waitaki but just interested to know if anyone has had success on any river really as the numbers have decreased over the years.

I know of half a dozen caught here on the coast. 3 different rivers. Mainly people targeting trout. Very early for us.
I normally start having a go mid Feb but might have to try a bit earlier.
I was recently staying with a mate that has caught a few on the east coast. One was over 20lbs. Hasn't fished for a while due to the rivers not being fish able.


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Cheers that's awesome, good to know there are still some about. One guy told me he heard of a couple being caught up the Waitaki early as well so I hope things are looking up. It will be my first go at the salmon for about 15 years and I'm getting keen. Good luck @R93

Heard there were a few getting caught in the surf at the Wairau mouth by those fishing for Kahawai.

Originally Posted by Bos

Heard there were a few getting caught in the surf at the Wairau mouth by those fishing for Kahawai.

That's a good sign

My folks got 2 each last week up Rakaia gorge area only little though about 8-9lb each

Originally Posted by mikee

My folks got 2 each last week up Rakaia gorge area only little though about 8-9lb each

8-9 lbs has been the average here right up and down the coast for the last few seasons.
Last big one around 16lbs I know of, was caught by a forum member 3 yrs ago right out front of my house.
At least in Canterbury you still have a chance at a 20lb fish.
Was told of one over 30lbs caught before Xmas in the Rangi above the gorge.


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I did hear that they released some salmon young up the Waitaki and they were due to come in this year, the person said if you don't catch any this year then you will never catch any.

Be a bit early yet for the waitaki. Historically when things were going well there was a small run of big fish just around xmas that were known to barrel through to Kurow pretty quick e.g https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/north-...merv-and-mates followed by the main run which kicked in late Feb March April, In a good year a few salmon would show up in the surf around waitangi weekend. Some years the big run was pretty much entirely within April. When the season was shortened to the end of March locals tried unsuccessfully to campaign FnG to extend the season. Last year the fish were small < 10lb in most cases. While there have been dips and hollows east coast Salmon numbers have been trending down overall for a long time (bring back the 90's!). Something has changed out at sea, as returns to places like Otago harbour, which is not reliant on spawning are also down. The numbers of hours needed to catch a few fish on the waitaki now are big, locals with jet boats, skills, and time will still pick up a few sadly the canals despite their artificial nature are a better bet............

Funny. I believe the numbers of wild stock are declining as well yet I have had better luck the last 3 seasons than I have since the 90s.

Maybe just just putting the effort in when the salmon are in peak numbers I don't know.

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Originally Posted by yerimaginaryM8

Be a bit early yet for the waitaki. Historically when things were going well there was a small run of big fish just around xmas that were known to barrel through to Kurow pretty quick e.g https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/north-...merv-and-mates followed by the main run which kicked in late Feb March April, In a good year a few salmon would show up in the surf around waitangi weekend. Some years the big run was pretty much entirely within April. When the season was shortened to the end of March locals tried unsuccessfully to campaign FnG to extend the season. Last year the fish were small < 10lb in most cases. While there have been dips and hollows east coast Salmon numbers have been trending down overall for a long time (bring back the 90's!). Something has changed out at sea, as returns to places like Otago harbour, which is not reliant on spawning are also down. The numbers of hours needed to catch a few fish on the waitaki now are big, locals with jet boats, skills, and time will still pick up a few sadly the canals despite their artificial nature are a better bet............

That's a good read, never knew of any fish of that size caught for years. It just goes to show you need to go out and have a go as you won't get any sitting at home

Originally Posted by R93

Funny. I believe the numbers of wild stock are declining as well yet I have had better luck the last 3 seasons than I have since the 90s.

Maybe just just putting the effort in when the salmon are in peak numbers I don't know.

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You may just be getting better at it. There is no doubt about it 90% of the fish get caught by a few who know what they are doing

Apart from @mikee comment about the Rakaia, I heard of one fisherman doing 20hrs in his jet boat for 3 salmon....so far.

Originally Posted by Mathias

Apart from @mikee comment about the Rakaia, I heard of one fisherman doing 20hrs in his jet boat for 3 salmon....so far.

That's still pretty good, I would be happy with that

Originally Posted by Mathias

Apart from @mikee comment about the Rakaia, I heard of one fisherman doing 20hrs in his jet boat for 3 salmon....so far.

Expensive salmon