New Zealand Fishing Methods

When fishing in New Zealand, fly fishing is probably the most popular and productive method of fishing for trout. But there are plenty early of opportunities for spin fishing, especially when targeting salmon.

When fishing large still waters such as lakes, the preferred methods are trolling and harling, while jigging is a recent innovation.

New Zealand's legal fishing methods

The permitted methods of fishing for trout and salmon vary depending on where in New Zealand you are fishing and are shown in the regulations. New Zealand's legal fishing methods include:

• Fly fishing
• Spinning
• Bait fishing
• Boat fishing
  - Trolling
  - Harling
  - Jigging

Fly fishing

Fly fishing is fishing for sports fish, usually trout and salmon, with fly rod and fly reel and line and artificial fly. The flies are designed to represent insects that fish typically feed on.

In fly fishing the fly carries minimal weight so the means of propulsion comes from the weighted fly line. The fly fishing method depends on the insect life about at the time.

- Dry fly fishing

- Wet fly fishing

- Nymphing

See New Zealand fly fishing for more information including details of fishing tackle.

See New Zealand flyfishing fly box for examples of commonly used flies.

Spinning

Spin fishing is fishing with any artificial lure other than an artificial fly. The lure or spinner is usually designed to represent a small fish.

The equipment used is different as the spinning lures are heavier than an artificial fly and are cast with a threadline rod and reel.

See Spin Fishing in New Zealand for more information including details of the types of tackle and lures commonly used.

Bait fishing

Where bait fishing is allowed you may use any of the following as bait:

• Natural fly
• Natural insect
• Natural spider
• Natural worm or worms
• Natural crustacean
• Natural fish (excluding fish ova, or any portion of a fish, or shellfish
  (mollusc)
• Uncoloured bread dough

The equipment used in this method is similar to that used when spin fishing as this allows the bait to be cast out efficiently and easily.

Boat fishing

Boat fishing methods include:

- Trolling
- Harling
- Jigging