It’s no secret NZ waters don’t have the luxury of variety when it comes to fish that pull line. Inshore species, we have very few. If there were one species I wish grew larger and more abundant in NZ waters, it would be the trevally. Pound for pound, it’s arguably more brutal than kingfish, and its sashimi grade is sensational. Take away the tunas; I believe it’s the best NZ can offer.
Trevally grows to a maximum size of about 10kg. The most significant registered record in NZ was 9.5kg fish caught by a G Gower in 1991 on the Hauraki Gulf and is the 10kg NZ record. Another big fish of 8.91kg was caught at Kawau Island and is the NZ 8kg record. The bulk of the other line class records sits in the 4-7kg range—all beautiful fish in their own right. So no question, trevally over 20lb did or do exist, but it would be rare to encounter one these days. And it’s encouraging to write that six current NZ records were caught inside the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. The lion’s share of other big fish comes from the Three Kings or White Island.
Trevally, in recent years in the Hauraki Gulf, is making a comeback in size and numbers, and we’ve never caught so many nice trevally in the gulf as we have in the last couple of years. People argue that it’s because we are Lure fishing and catching more. But my feeling is trevally respond better to bait n burly than they do Lures. They are suckers for a burly trail & cut baits.
Sadly for the trevally, they are a ‘sitter’ for commercial purse seiners, they don’t spook easily and shoal on the surface, just begging to be scooped up, and once upon a time, sold as low-grade fish at a low-grade price. It seems like there is less commercial pressure on them in the Hauraki Gulf now, and trevally is bouncing back as a result. It’s never been a species with a high take-home for recreational anglers.
However, I would be cool with some additional recreational restrictions brought into the HG to assist in their comeback. If you give a species half a chance, it will thrive.
Trevally is typically caught in shallow water or hooked on or near the surface around offshore islands. So assuming they are not mortally wounded, the survival rate of released fish will be near perfect. A reduced daily bag limit and, most importantly, a max take-home size would help encourage the growth of trevally in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.
Targeting trevally is pretty simple; they like current and structure.
They abound in large numbers all-around offshore islands in the clean water, shoaling and foaming; they are beautiful fish. In the wintertime, they take up residence over low foul and structure throughout the gulf and right up into the Waitemata Harbour. A bit like snapper. We’ve recently been targeting trevally in the Hauraki Gulf over winter, although I won’t tell you specifically where we have been fishing. It would seem there are plenty around.
Trevally are easily turned on by burley in current over foul, with small cut baits sent down on a simple dropper or stray line rig. We strongly encourage using circle hooks, so you hook them on the mouth and do not gut hook the fish. If you prefer lures, they are the easiest to catch in spring or summertime when they are shoaling in large numbers. Sometimes they are fixated on tiny krill and aren’t interested in your offerings; other times, they will smash a well-presented small soft bait at will.
We have found soft plastics that imitate whitebait to be the best and most effective, but they will hit anything on the day, and 20gm micro jigs also work exceptionally well. My favourite way is to cast to the big shoaling schools on ultra-light gear and then hold on for the ride. You will never get busted off due to the depth, and the current will only take you deeper. It’s great fun, and they are an outstanding adversary.
If we can keep the commercial targeting of trevally or any fish out of the gulf, then our destiny is really in our own hands. We are desperate for more variety, and a healthy fishery of trevally in the 5-7kg range would suit me just fine! Amazing to catch, beautiful to eat and cool to photograph.
What more could you want?
