I have just taken up fishing for Elephant Fish this year. Just wondering about what rig to use. Also how they "take" the bait. Does the rod bend and go nuts? Should I have little tension on the reel? Strike hard or just be gentle? I have the right locations and the right bait, as far as I can tell from the forums I have been reading.

It is just what to do as they "take" the bait. Had a couple of really big benders on Sunday night just south of Makikihi at Hook. Grabbed the rod and struck but whatever it was let go in a hurry.

Any help would be great.

Hi
I fish at the same spot. Leave your reel with only a little tension so they can take line with a bent rod, then strike and tension as required during the play. Best bait for Elephant fish Squid one tentacle & one cut strip or crab leg. Dropping could be your hook choice, my choice size 3 Kahle hooks. With a cast just beyond the scum change of colour line. Have heard of some good fish taken. There a few good anglers fishing this spot out of Waimate
All the best, tight lines
Ken

Heading back down there today if the swell is not too big. Will let you know how many I catch, fingers crossed. Thanks so much for the advice.

Hi thegnome

Don't forget to take a picture. First time I hear about elephant fish.
Sounds very interesting. Good luck mate.

Way too rough yesterday. All the stars are lining up to make Saturday evening a good one I hope.

good luck for saturday

I'm planning to out with my kayak on saturday as well.
Hope the water is not gonna be too choppy.

Hi

Plenty of weed still coming through with southerly tidal push, hope it settles for Saturday, should see you there. If you come from Timaru try & get some fresh squid from Sandfords wharf, much better than packets. The Rig should be coming through as well, they all travel up the coast to breed near Birdlings Flat. Ever tried the Makos & Blues near Kaikoura from the beach.
All the best
Ken

Fingers crossed for tomorrow. Might be a bit damp but the swell should be 1 metre. A lot better than Wed. Was probably fishable but would have drowned trying to get a fish out of the water..

Will have a few hours just before xmas to try along the kaikora coast as I have to pop to Nelson for a couple of days.

Should get to the beach about 2pm on Sat and can fish till 730pm. Will be bringing the director chairs for comfort. Hope to see you there and catch some monsters.

Les

1 Skate, 2 School Shark, 2 Carpet Shark. While there were 4 Elephant fish caught about 20 paces away. Might have a slight change of gear next time. Got some good tips and had a good chat with Ken Baker, who offered some advice on this post.

Thanks Ken. Might see you out there again soon.

Hi Les

Good to have a fish, 4 elephant fish, 1 skate & 1 big fish lost (likely a Rig). Will go down again on Wednesday evening. At present with the weed & strong winds can't guarantee, but the river & trout option with sea run trout pushing up stream.

Wednesdays outlook is okish. Very low swells, well under 1 metre. Winds will be the beastly easterly though. Might have to finish the repairs to my kite reel for another day. Had it for years and never used it. Need a good offshore wind and lots of room to set it.

Might have a go closer to home today as the wind seems to have gone from here. Will get some Kahle hooks to us as they might have been the big difference between catching and missing I think.

Might see you down there wednesday yet.

Went to Beach Road Monday arvo. 3 Rig. all good size. Not monsters but great eating size. Might head out there again tomorrow arvo for some more action.

Ken. Found an auction on Trade Me for 50 x 4/0 Kahle hooks. Buy now is $7. Let me know if you want the auction number.

Les

Hi Les
I am fine for hooks at present. Two more Elephant fish today but a lot of weed
Tight lines
All the best
Ken

Finally got my first Ele for the season on Thursday at Pareora. Thanks for your advice. I use wide gape kahle hooks all the time. They tend to catch a lot more than any other hooks I use.

Tight Lines
Les