South Island

Welcome to the projectlocal south island spearfishing target species page.This is for anyone who is new to spearfishing or just wants to find the species pages related to spearfishing in the south island.

Blue Cod
A great eating fish that can be easily approached and responds extremely well to burley.

 

Blue Moki
A great fish to eat smoked and also an easy fish to approach, often found schooling around a rock or weed line.

Butterfish
A great fish to eat with very soft flesh. The best method to hunt butterfish is to sit still on the bottom of the kelp and wait for the fish to rise.

Crayfish
The best areas to hunt crayfish are rocky areas with a bit of kelp around.

Kingfish
Targeted during the warmer months by diving points and pinnacles, A great fighter kingfish are the main target species during the summer.

Snapper
Sometimes speared during the warmer months in Tasman Bay and Marlborough. The best method is to burley in a likely area.

Tarakihi
Found on weed lines these fish provide a good challenge for experienced spearos. Tarakihi respond very well to burley.

Trumpeter
Found mainly from banks peninsula south, they are normally either found in schools or schooling with blue moki.

Paua
The best places to find paua are areas where people don't dive often as well as lots of rock and kelp cover.

 

Scallop
Found on sandy and muddy areas. Make sure you only harvest them during the season.

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