East coast South Island centers of Christchurch and Dunedin offer summer fishing for slender tuna, albacore and some big sharks. Southern YellowtaiI, known locally as kingfish, run to world record sizes around the coast of the North Island and the northern coast of the South Island. Livebait fishing using small mackerel is the best way to catch these tough fish. Speed jigging and popper fishing are other effective fishing methods for kingfish. These fish are usually found and fished for near deep rocky shores, offshore reefs and islands.
Average fish run ten kilos and can be found in big schools.
Larger fish up to fifty kilos are usually loners or travel in small groups. The whole of New Zealand's coast is suitable for surfcasting with species varying from one location to another. Include snapper, parore, trevally, kahawai, blue moki, salmon, cod and a variety of small species. Bait fishing is popular using squid. Baits are usually cast well out using a heavy sinker with a bait attached on a running rig.