Make mine a moki

Part 6 in an 18-part series. Next week: lemonfish

Terry W Hann, www.nzphotos.co.nz

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What an intriguing and challenging fish the blue moki is. Despite being relatively abundant, most anglers wouldn't even know they're a possibility - their very particular eating habits mean they must be specifically targeted.

And why wouldn't you? The blue moki not only looks very handsome (despite its Mick Jagger lips) in its banded blue-grey livery, sides flashing a chrome grey, but also reaches a good size (in excess of 9kg, but anything over 5kg is considered a big specimen). Even better, it fights strongly and provides firm yet slightly flaky flesh.

Blue moki occur right the way up to the Three Kings Islands, but are much more numerous in the cooler southern waters, with numbers, especially of juveniles, tapering off north of the Bay of Plenty.

Though occasionally found lurking in caves or under ledges, moki are more commonly found swimming over sand-floored canyons or schooling near reasonably shallow, reefy areas, especially the adults.

Moki mainly grub around in the sand and mud after crabs and other crustaceans, as well as shellfish and worms, so are rarely caught by accident.

Moki are an addictive species to fish for, and success is much more assured if exponents use the moki's preferred foods as baits and choose the places they fish with care. Though moki often hold near rocks and reefs, they mostly feed in the nearby sand, fine gravel or mud, so select areas that have these very different environments in close proximity to one another.

Steep, fine gravel beaches are a surfcaster favourite, and it pays to concentrate your efforts on the hours of darkness or around change-of-light periods.

Keep reminding yourself to keep casts short, as most moki are caught within 50 metres of the water's edge in such situations, but don't be afraid to experiment, using two rods to find the exact range and bait preference at the time.

Baits of cray tail and/or shellfish - mussel and tuatua - are placed on a ledger rig with sharp 2/0 to 3/0 hooks on short branching droppers. Tie these baits on to the hooks with cotton to help them resist the pickers and, after casting, place the rods into deeply and firmly imbedded rod holders, with the reel's drag on - but not set too hard. Sit nearby, wait for the rod to bend, then enjoy the ensuing fight.

Areas to try include (from Wairarapa south): Mataikona; Riversdale; Flat Point; Pencarrow; Baring Head; Wainuiomata Beach (through to Corner Creek); Ohau Bay; and Island Bay (in the channel).

Mark Kitteridge is the deputy editor of NZ Fishing News.

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