Words & Images by NZ Fishing News
Straylining is a classic Kiwi fishing technique, perfect for catching big snapper. It stands apart from other fishing methods by allowing your bait to drift naturally with the current, creating a lifelike presentation that entices snapper to strike.
When and where
Snapper love structure, so reefs, rocky coastlines, and coastal outcrops are prime spots for straylining. The goal is to anchor and create a steady berley trail that draws fish in. Position your vessel so that wind and tide align, so you can fish baits astern. Prominent headlands, reef gaps, or dropoffs where currents funnel food are ideal – snapper hang out around such areas, conserving energy while waiting for easy meals. Straylining can also be effective on ‘grazing’ snapper over the sand in harbours, behind surf beaches, and in areas like Tasman Bay and the Hauraki Gulf.
As straylining employs unweighted or lightly weighted rigs, the technique lends itself well to shallow water and landbased anglers. Although straylining is an effective method for any season because snapper congregate around reefs and shorelines year-round, it is particularly productive in many areas over the cooler months when big fish tuck up in the shallows as their metabolism slows. Targeting the change of light periods and bite times should increase chances of success.
Gear setup
A medium-to-heavy rod and a quality spinning or overhead reel spooled with 10–15kg line (braid or monofilament) paired with 1-2m of fluorocarbon leader is a good starting point for straylining. Keep sinkers to a minimum – ideally none. But if current or depth demands it, a small ball sinker (¼–1oz) helps. Hook setups vary; some prefer a single hook, others a double. Many anglers prefer circle hooks over J-shaped hooks as they are less likely to gut hook fish.
Berley, chum and bait
Good berley is essential; it attracts baitfish and snapper alike. Use a surface dispenser or weighted pot to get it where it’s needed. Boost the effect with chum – chunks of pilchard or other baitfish – which helps pique the interest of bigger fish.
Fresh bait is best: mackerel, piper, kahawai, koheru, mullet, or trevally. Failing that, oily frozen baits like pilchards or skipjack tuna are solid alternatives. Make sure your bait is securely hooked to survive the cast and small nibbles. Don’t rush to move spots if things start slow – let the berley do its work.
Fishing technique
Cast your bait along the berley trail and let it drift down towards the bottom naturally. Maintain light contact with your line – freeline it or use baitrunner-style reels for control. Be patient. Some bites are aggressive, others are subtle. In cooler weather, large snapper can be surprisingly subtle on the bite. Let the fish run with the bait before setting the hook, especially with bigger baits. When using circle hooks, remember not to strike; instead, simply apply steady pressure to set the hook.
Find out more from NZ Fishing News here