Small boat fishing, including kayak and dinghy setups, continues to gain popularity in coastal regions like New Zealand, thanks to its accessibility and surprising effectiveness. Whether targeting snapper, kingfish, or other inshore species, small crafts offer advantages that larger boats may not, especially when paired with the right techniques.
Small Crafts, Big Results
A recent spring expedition to the Coromandel highlighted how effective kayak fishing can be. Anglers fishing from kayaks in the same waters as boaters often find themselves out-catching their larger-vessel counterparts. This is due in part to the stealthy nature of kayaks and their ability to maneuver into shallow, structure-rich areas where fish congregate.
Key to success is understanding the behavior of target species. Fish generally seek locations where food is abundant and effort is minimal. This means areas with current, structure, and bait presence are ideal. Whether casting soft baits while drifting or setting up a stray-line rig with berley, the positioning relative to structure and current is critical.
Reading the Water
Drift fishing with soft baits is highly effective in shallow coastal waters. As the kayak or small boat drifts with the wind or current, it naturally moves over submerged structure where predatory fish lurk. On the other hand, anchoring near structure for stray-lining allows the angler to deploy a berley trail that draws fish to the bait. Both methods can yield excellent results when matched with the right tidal conditions.
Tide strength plays a major role. Predatory fish tend to feed most aggressively when the current is strong—typically around mid-tide during spring tides. Using the “Rule of Twelfths” to estimate tidal flow can help plan optimal fishing times. Some experienced anglers believe that moon phases influence catches primarily due to tidal movement rather than lunar light or gravitational factors.
Structure and Its Role
Reefs, drop-offs, and rock formations beneath the water often hold fish. In many cases, waves breaking or peaking on the surface can indicate underwater features even without a fishfinder. Along New Zealand’s rugged coastline, above-water rock formations often continue underwater, extending feeding grounds for species like snapper.
“Fishing the wash”—a term for working areas of white water near rocky shorelines—often produces fish not because of the turbulence alone, but due to the submerged structure below. These areas provide cover and ambush points for predators.
Berley and Natural Currents
Berley is not just a scent trail—it also attracts baitfish, which in turn draw in larger predators. Some anglers even take advantage of commercial cray pots, which act as de facto berley stations, using the current to track where scent may have drifted. While it’s illegal and unsafe to tie up to commercial buoys, fishing nearby can be productive.
Positioning is again essential. When stray-lining, anchor so that the berley trail flows naturally in the current, attracting fish up the funnel toward the bait. When drifting, position the drift to pass alongside structure, allowing lures or baits to enter ambush zones.
Baits and Lures That Work
For bait fishing, fresh is best. Dead baitfish that were recently alive—such as jack mackerel, kahawai, or anchovies—make excellent options for stray-lining. Nose-hooking these baits keeps them natural in the water column. In shallow waters less than 10 meters deep, adding weight is often unnecessary, allowing the bait to drift freely.
Live baits can be especially effective. There are accounts of large snapper being caught on live kahawai intended for kingfish. Even smaller baitfish like yellow-eyed mullet or anchovies can attract big strikes when nose-hooked in pairs.
Lure fishing, especially with soft baits, demands more technique. Movement is key—lures should mimic the erratic or injured motion of an easy meal. Predatory fish are opportunists and will strike at prey that appears weak or disoriented. The classic marketing principle of AIDA—Attention, Interest, Desire, Action—applies here. A lure must first be noticed, then trigger a predator’s curiosity and hunger, and finally provoke a strike.
Small boat fishing, when done right, can rival and even surpass results from larger boats. Understanding structure, tidal flow, and bait behavior gives anglers a significant edge. Whether drifting soft baits or anchoring with berley and fresh bait, small craft anglers have all the tools needed to succeed—no sonar or expensive gear required.
Stay tuned for more articles exploring specific soft-bait techniques, lure presentations, and how to fish active work-ups from a small vessel.
Image/Source: fishing
