Auckland Coarse Fishing Club - Inc

We hosted a pair of charity matches that brought the coarse angling community together to honor the memories of club members who are no longer with us, while also supporting worthy causes with donations going to various charities.

Despite the weather being a bit of a challenge, everyone had a lot of fun.

While the fishing wasn't great, the camaraderie and enjoyment of the day made it still enjoyable and full of fun.

🎣 MATCH REPORT: Local match ace Gary Bourne dominates at The Cut with mixed-bag mastery! 🏆

Despite The Cut's reputation for being a tough match venue, Bourne's strategic approach and consistent catch rate throughout the day secured him top spot with a mixed bag of species.

The latest Auckland club match unfolded under perfect conditions, with several anglers even choosing to camp overnight at the picturesque venue. With water levels generally low across the region, The Cut provided a welcome relief with decent depth throughout.

The match proved to be a close-run affair, with most anglers connecting with fish - a positive sign for a venue that historically hasn't produced prolifically during competitions. The day's success largely hinged on bait choice, with maggot presentations proving particularly effective for targeting the venue's substantial eel population.

Winner Gary Bourne's approach showcased textbook tactics for challenging conditions. "I started by cupping in some groundbait and fishing over the top with maggot," Bourne explained. "The maggot approach was definitely my strongest tactic all day, bringing all my fish to the net."

Utilizing a delicate 1/2 gram top and bottom float setup, Bourne's groundbait strategy involved introducing approximately three litres of Master Baits Tournament groundbait throughout the session. His final catch sheet impressed with its variety: one catfish, two goldfish, three eels, and eight small carp.

The venue's resident eels proved particularly challenging for some competitors, with fellow angler Nigel experiencing a brutal encounter that resulted in lost tackle after a powerful specimen took his entire rig upstream.

"It was a really good day in a beautiful setting," Bourne reflected. "The first bite came after 40 minutes, and then they kept coming steadily throughout the match. Can't wait till next month."

The day's results further cement The Cut's growing reputation as a promising match venue, despite its challenging nature, with consistent sport available to those who approach it with the right tactics.

In a nail-biting finish to the 32nd Trans-Tasman Coarse Angling Championship, the Kiwis have clinched their seventh consecutive victory over Australia.

The prestigious match, held across three diverse venues in Christchurch, saw some of the finest anglers from both nations battle it out in what proved to be one of the closest contests in recent years.

With just decimal points separating the teams in the final tally, the three-day battle across Hutchinson Lake, Lake Karpoi, and North End Quarry Pit showcased the highest level of matchcraft, with both nations demonstrating exceptional angling.

The championship, which has become a cornerstone event in the international coarse angling calendar, saw anglers targeting quality tench across three distinctly different venues. Hutchinson Lake, renowned for its specimen tench; Lake Karpoi, a relatively new water showing promising form; and North End Quarry Pit, famous for its hefty bags of rudd, provided a true test of versatility.

Day one saw challenging conditions with the favoured pegs proving their worth. Several anglers who had hoped for 50 lb+ bags from Hutchinson Lake found themselves struggling to reach double figures, highlighting the tactical importance.

The competition intensified on day two, with the Kiwi squad taking a slight advantage, leading with an average section point score of 4.33 to Australia's 4.77. The margin was tight enough to ensure everything would be decided on the final day.

📊 Final Team Results:🏆
New Zealand: 4.36 average section points
Australia: 4.74 average section points

🏆 Top 5 Individual Performances:🏆
1. Dave Dixon (NZ) - 211.1lb (3 points)
2. Nathan Morley (NZ) - 120.9lb (8 points)
3. Steve Smith (AUS) - 72.9lb (7 points)
4. Alan Webb (NZ) - 60.3lb (9 points)
5. Dave Merrett (NZ) - 55.9lb (11 points)

The individual crown was claimed by Dave Dixon, whose masterclass in pole tactics across all three venues resulted in a phenomenal total weight of 211.1lb.

His approach, particularly on the noted flyer pegs, demonstrated why he's considered one of the finest all-rounders in the Southern Hemisphere.

The margin of victory, a mere 0.38 points in the team averages, highlights the incredible standard of angling displayed by both nations.

This victory marks New Zealand's seventh consecutive Trans-Tasman title, but the narrowing gap suggests the Aussies are closing in on breaking this dominant streak.

As the scales were packed away and the final handshakes exchanged, it was clear that both teams had contributed to what will be remembered as one of the most closely contested Trans-Tasman Championships in recent memory.

With the 2026 event scheduled to take place across the Tasman, the Australian team will be eager to turn the tables on their home waters.

The commitment to quality angling and tactical innovation shown by both nations suggests that coarse angling in the Southern Hemisphere continues to evolve, setting new standards for competitive match angling on the international stage.

Rudd Run Seals Victory for International Angler Nigel Beadle at Hamilton Lakes Match

In a testament to tactical prowess and patience, Auckland Coarse Angling Club's February match at Hamilton Lakes saw seasoned international Nigel Beadle claim victory with an impressive bag of quality Rudd.

Despite a reduced turnout due to international competitions in Christchurch, the Hamilton Lakes venue proved its worth once again as a premier coarse fishing destination.

The picturesque setting, though busy with public activity, delivered exceptional sport for all anglers.

With the traditional whistle blown by Gary at 9:30 AM, the match commenced with most anglers opting for the trusty feeder approach.

The venue's history of producing substantial catches of tench and Rudd had competitors optimistic, though the public footpath meant pole fishing was eschewed in favour of feeder and waggler tactics.

Speaking post-match, winner Nigel Beadle shared his winning approach.

"I kicked off with four large feeders fully loaded with Masterclass Baits Master Class groundbait at about 30 metres, introducing corn and maggot through the feeder," he explained.

"After a brief and relatively unproductive spell on the waggler, I noticed Gary catching consistently on the feeder and made the switch."

The decision proved pivotal, with Beadle's first cast producing an immediate result in the form of a small catfish. However, it was his impressive run of specimen Rudd that ultimately secured the win.

"We had Rudd up to a pound and a half, and when they really got going, the tip wouldn't even reach the 30-second mark before flying round," Beadle recalled.

The session demanded substantial feed, with Beadle working through a kilo and a half of groundbait, complemented by a pint of maggots and a tin of corn.

The consistent feeding pattern, refreshing the swim every five minutes or after each fish, maintained the quality stamp of fish throughout the match.

The victory was hard-earned, with Gary pushing Beadle close.

"I honestly thought Gary had pipped me, but I reckon my Rudd averaged slightly bigger," Beadle reflected.

The win not only secured club points but also, in Beadle's words, "a few beer" tokens"—making for a satisfying day's sport under the Hamilton Lakes sunshine.

With excellent sport enjoyed across the board, the venue has firmly cemented its place in the club's rotation, promising more quality sessions to come for Auckland's coarse angling community.

On a final note, we extend our best wishes to Tim Dave Garrett, who'll be flying the flag for Auckland Club, and to the entire New Zealand international side as they prepare to face Australia in this weekend's prestigious competition in the South Island.

Here's hoping those legendary South Island tench make an appearance and find their way into the nets of our Kiwi international anglers.

The entire coarse angling community will be eagerly awaiting the results of what promises to be an epic Trans-Tasman battle.

Happy New Year from us all here at Auckland Coarse Fishing Club - Inc !

We kicked off 2025 with a club match at the Mangawara Stream, but unfortunately, the water levels were too low to peg.

Gary, the pegger, had a tough time finding suitable spots. So, we made the call to switch to the Cut instead.

The Cut has a reputation for being a challenging venue, and the previous years matches there have been real tough. It seems that whenever we fish the Cut under match conditions, the fish just don't want to play ball.

But we were hopeful that this time would be different. We settled in for a 5-hour match, with most anglers fishing the pole, halfway across, with groundbait and corn.

The first hour was slow, with no one getting a bite. It was as if the fish were nowhere to be found.

But then Nigel, our New Zealand international Superstar angler, landed a substantial fish on peg 9, and Tim on peg 8 caught a small carp.

As the match progressed, Tim and Nigel started to catch a few small catfish, with everyone else still waiting for a bite. It was a real struggle. We were all scratching our heads, trying to figure out what to do next.

In the end, Nigel took the top spot with 14lb 9oz, mainly silvers. Tim came in second with 6lb, consisting of silvers, catfish, and small carp.

The Cut might have been tough, but it's a lovely venue, and we're hoping to fish it more often. Despite its reputation, we know there are lots fish there, and we're determined to crack the code. Maybe with more visits and baiting, we'll get the dinner bell ringing and start catching more!

Also be good to call in the big guns – we need some of the club international superstars to come up and help us work the Cut out! Maybe they can share some of their secrets and help us tame this tricky venue.

Until next month. Happy fishing.

What a cracking day on the bank! Auckland Fishing Club had a brilliant match at Lake Whangape, with nine of us turning out to fish.

It was a little quieter than usual, thanks to the holiday season chaos, but the action more than made up for it.

The weather was spot on, with light winds staying true to the forecast, and there were loads of bites to be had! Everyone bagged up, and the variety of tactics on display was really good to see.

Some anglers nailed it with the banjo feeder, pulling in some chunky fish, while others kept busy on the pole. A few opted for the trusty waggler and had a solid day too.

With the lake being quite shallow, the fish seemed to gather in specific areas, and those who kept them there reaped the rewards.

Groundbait laced with sweetcorn was the go-to feed for most, and it clearly did the trick!

Here’s how the results shaped up, with Tim absolutely smashing it to claim the top spot:

1. Tim Garrett- 69-07

2. Nigel beadle- 54-04

3. Gary Bourne- 41-14

4. Dave Champman - 35-08

5. Paul Harris - 28-13

6. Paul Smith - 27-06

7. Graham Harrison - 7-14

8. Tony - DNW

9. Marius - DNW

From all of us at Auckland Fishing Club, Merry Christmas! And remember—fishing on Christmas Day is not only acceptable in New Zealand, but it might just be the perfect way to spend it. Grab a tin of corn, a loaf of bread, and head to your local lake or river. You might even bag a few rudd and make it a Christmas to remember.

Tight lines, everyone!

Have you ever thought about your personal brand as an angler?

It's not just for tackle companies with famous professional anglers—it's crucial for all of us who love angling!

So here's the misconception: many anglers have faulty beliefs about personal branding, thinking it's about logos, colours, or sharing their life in angling. But that's not it!

Your personal brand is about being known for something specific, like being the go-to person for slider float fishing or carp rig expertise.

It's your association with a specific category in angling—that's personal branding.

Why should you care? A strong personal brand can help you stand out, boost your credibility, and open up exciting opportunities in angling.

It's your ticket to getting ahead, and I see so many anglers neglect this part of their angling journey.

I've gone into depth on why a personal brand is important for anglers.

If it sounds like something you're interested in, check it out here: https://ghosty.direct/article/the-power-of-personal-branding-for-anglers

Want to know how to build your personal brand as an angler? Drop a "yes" in the comments below!

My FREE fortnightly newsletter, 'The Saturday Session' 🐠 feedback has been fantastic, and signups are rolling in.

There's a real interest from both anglers and fishing businesses I have spoken to in improving their digital presence.

You see, this newsletter isn't about teaching you how to fish. There are already plenty of amazing videos out there from big tackle brands and top-notch anglers. And they are far more skilled than me, and fishing techniques aren't my expertise here. Plus, if you're reading this, you're likely already a great angler yourself!

It's all about helping you with the tricky waters (pun intended here, by the way!) of social media and online presence.

You might be wondering, 'Why is TD doing this?' Well, I've noticed that in today's angling industry, success isn't just about what happens on the bank next to your buzzers or while you're holding your new 16-metre high-end super-lightweight pole.

There's so much more to it, and I've been told by so many anglers how much they really struggle with things like:

✏️Building a strong online presence
✏️Creating engaging content for social media (think match reports and session write-ups)
✏️Managing your brand (whether personal or business)
✏️Navigating the world of digital marketing to achieve your goals

That's why I started The Saturday Session to help anglers navigate the digital world. It's designed for:

✅ Individual anglers looking to grow their online following
✅ Tackle businesses and bait brands struggling with online content and wanting to scale
✅ Angling clubs wanting to attract more members
✅ Brands trying to connect with their audience and more

Whether you're an angler wanting to share your catches with a wider audience or a small tackle brand looking to compete with the big players, this newsletter is packed with practical tips to help you out.

If it sounds like something you're interested in,? your welcome to subscribe. Here ➡️ https://ghosty.direct/articles

Also feel free to leave a comment below ⬇️ as always. I'm always interested in topics to discuss in my newsletter, particularly about the future of coarse fishing; regardless of the type of coarse fishing you engage in.

Dave Russell Wins Winter League Opener on Mangawara River, Huntley, NZ

The first match of the Winter League on the Mangawara River saw experienced angler Dave Russell win with a total weight of 30 lb 5 oz. The event brought together competitors from West Auckland Coarse Fishing Club - Inc, North Harbour, and Auckland coarse fishing clubs. Despite tough conditions, Dave's smart fishing helped him come out on top.

A Brilliant Angler
Dave, who has been fishing NZ match scene since the early 2000s, drew peg 14, a spot he really likes for whip fishing. His years of experience showed as he handled the changing river conditions to secure his win.

A Tough Start
Talking about the match, Dave Russell his early problems: "I started using the feeder in the first hour, but it got stuck and broke off. After that, I put the feeder down and didn't use it again."

This early problem didn't stop him. Instead, he switched to his favorite method the whip at six meters and started feeding at 13 meters.

Steady Progress
Even though he had a slow start, Dave kept going: "I didn't fish for the first half-hour because I wasn't ready," he admitted.

But once he got into his groove, he started catching fish steadily throughout the match: "They didn't come in big numbers, but they came steadily," he noted.

Dave mainly used the whip to catch most of his fish, while the pole feeder he had set up was used just for feeding: "I just wanted to keep the bait out there in the flow where I had placed it, making sure it stayed on the bottom," he explained.

Handling the Conditions
The river's rising condition made it hard for many anglers, but Dave's smart approach and bait choice worked well. He used Masterclass Baits' PRO CARP, which helped him catch four important carp throughout the day: "Most of my fish were caught on the whip," he said, showing how important his method was.

Dave's setup included a Preston Reflow 0.14 line and a Preston N 30 Hook size 14, which he said helped him catch the fish.

Looking Ahead
Dave's success in the Winter League has solidified his reputation as a skilled angler, and he is looking forward to maintaining his winning streak in the upcoming matches. His dedication to the sport and strategic approach to fishing make him a formidable opponent for the other competitors.

Match Results

Peg - Angler - Weight
14 - Dave Russell - 30 lb 5 oz
3 - Johan Marx - 20 lb 13 oz
16 - Nigel Beadle - 17 lb 2 oz
1 - Steve Brown - 15 lb 10 oz
15 - Tim Garrett - 14 lb 6 oz
11 - Nigel Meek - 14 lb 2 oz
2 - Peter Williams- 9 lb 9 oz
8 - Matt Williams - 8 lb 8 oz
10 - Dave Chapman - 5 lb 11 oz
12 - Jamie Cox - 5 lb 7 oz
6 - Paul Sutherland- 4 lb 8 oz
5 - Stephene - 4 lb 6 oz
13 - Paul Harris - 1 lb 11 oz
4 - Paul Smith - 1 lb 8 oz
9 - Bryan Duke - -

We are fishing with West Auckland this weekend. It's going to be a good one!

A Change of Feeder Created a Match Win for the Auckland Underdog.

Date: Sunday, May 19
Venue: Mangawara River

Anglers gathered for the final Auckland Coarse Fishing Club summer league match at the crack of dawn, with the draw taking place at 8 a.m. sharp. The recent cold snap left everyone uncertain about the fishing conditions and expecting a challenging day by the river


Tim Dave Garrett, who was on peg 5, gives us a breakdown of his eventful day fishing. "My approach today was to fish 13 metres on the pole and fish the feeder if fishing was bad. I felt that with the recent cold snap, it would fish hard," he explained


Tim began the match by cupping a tiny ball of ground bait at thirteen metres. The initial results were less than promising. "I started off at the 13-metre line and managed a half-ounce rudd in the first half hour. It was clear from the start that things were not going according to Tim's fishing plan," he admitted


Tim fed a small top-up ball but only managed a couple more bites. Even with a size 18 hook and a single white pinky, the bites were elusive. "I realised it was going to be hard, but I did not realise it was going to be this hard," he said


Tim adopted a more aggressive approach, feeding the far bank with corn and tiny balls of ground bait. "It's funny that I was only a few pegs away from where I was pegged in the New Zealand Federation Of Coarse Anglers - NZFOCA silvers competition. During that match, I hooked ten carp, lost eight, and successfully landed only two of them," he recalled. This time, he was prepared with stronger hook lengths to handle any carp that he hooked


After two and a half hours, Tim had still not received a single bite on the far bank. A change was necessary. Switching from a method feeder to a cage feeder proved to be a game-changer. "Literally within the first 5 minutes of casting it across, the tip flew around, and I landed a nice 5-pound ghosty," he recounted


In the next 40 minutes, Tim experienced a couple of liners. Another strong pull round came after that, and it resulted in the netting of a stunning orange Koi carp. Then, with an hour to go, Tim intensified his feeding, making quicker casts every five minutes. This aggressive tactic paid off, as he ended up landing six carp, totaling 20 lb. 12 oz


As Tim reflected on the day's events, he expressed his amazement at how a slight change in feeder pattern could drastically impact the catch. "It really blows my mind how just such a tiny little change in a feeder pattern can make that much difference in what you catch. CRAZY! It's definitely a lesson learned for me," he remarked


While puzzled by the mechanics behind the fish's behavioural shift, Tim will definitely employ the successful tactic more frequently in future matches


His winning bait consisted of sweet corn on the hook, with a groundbait mix of Pro Carp, Super Rudd, white crumb, and Bagger Strawberry from Masterclass Baits. The wet mix, coupled with frequent feeder casts, proved to be the game-changer


The final results of the match were as follows:
Tim (Peg 5): 20 lb., 12 oz.
Paul Smith (Peg 1): 17 lb., 4 oz.
Nigel Beadle (Peg 2): 11 lb. 12 oz.
Gary Bourne (Peg 4): 3 lb 12 oz
Paul Harris (Peg 3): 3 lb 8 oz