West Coast - May 2010

Fish the river mouths

Junior angler, Gavin Lyall, with some kahawai caught from a river mouth on the West Coast. (Photo: Colin O'Donnell)

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Except for duck shooting opening weekend, low, clear river conditions make the lower reaches of many of the coast’s rivers worth a look in May.

Maiden sea-runners forage in the river mouths throughout the year. Dawn and dusk, accompanied with the fall-off from the high tide, offer the best conditions around river mouths. The odd kahawai can be caught in the surf, too.

Fish & Game has a small put-and-take rainbow trout fishery on the coast for kids. Lake Kaniere is a great place for a family holiday, as the lake has outstanding numbers of perch in it; bait fishing with a worm under a float is a great way to get kids into fishing.

In May target the areas around river mouths for trout, as the fish stack up in these locations prior to running up-river and spawning. Large black Marabou lures work well at dusk. In the daytime try a Pheasant Tail nymph or small Flash Back for trout cruising the lake edges. Lake Ianthe fishes well in at this time, but a boat is necessary due to little shore access.

Lake Paringa continues to fish well, with some large sea-run trout being taken in recent weeks. With the water temperatures cooling down, trout seem more responsive to spinners at this time of year.
Spin anglers have hooked into some large sea-run browns in the lower reaches of the Grey River, too.

Trolling lures from a dinghy on the high tide around dusk, when the river is low and clear, is a good way to catch some decent trout close to Greymouth over the winter months.

The settled weather in May allows good conditions for surfcasting. Beaches around the Mohikanui region are worth trying. Reports suggest that school snapper are still around. Woodpecker Bay near Westport is also a good surfcasting spot.

Catches of albacore are slowing, but the odd fish can still be taken. The fish have averaged 5-8kg. Large shoals of jack mackerel have been sighted offshore, and the odd mako shark has been seen near the Hokitika Trench. Some good-sized blue cod have been taken recently around the headland at Jacksons Bay.

For spear fisherman there are some good opportunities to target blue and copper moki, along with trumpeter, just offshore.

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