A Landbased 22 Free Swimmer BR Mission | The Ultimate Straylining Rig

Fishing in the middle of winter can be a tough challenge, but in the shallow waters of the Hauraki Gulf, and for those who know where to look and how to adapt, there’s a shining opportunity that makes the cold, wet month’s worth braving: land-based snapper fishing with a straylining rig. With a recent storm having stirred up the ocean, reports of good fishing trickling in from a few mates, and a promising weather window ahead, it was the perfect time to drop everything and head out for a day on the bricks.

THE PLAN

Having scouted some likely ledges on previous trips, we knew exactly where we wanted to be. As the sun began to rise, we packed our gear, loaded the Stabi, and made a beeline for the inner islands of the Hauraki Gulf. The swell was still running high from the recent storm, making access to our chosen rock ledges tricky. But with a bit of skill from Scotty on the helm, and some good timing (and maybe a little bit of luck) we safely navigated the gear drops - and once we were set up, the whole day just felt fishy.

THE STRAYLINING RIG

Fishing with the Daiwa Free Swimmer on VIP and Saltist Hyper rods made for great straylining rigs. The Bite’n’Run function on the reel allows for the fish to pick up the bait and swim off, ready for you to make the call when the time to strike feels right. This can take a bit of trial and error on the day depending on how the fish are feeding. Some days it pays to hit after short runs when the fish are a little more shy on the bite, other days, you’re best served to let them run as long and strong as you dare while the fish holds the bait in its mouth and heads for cover where it can safely consume its meal in peace.

Either way, there’s no denying the “mind’s eye” effect you get when the line starts ticking out and you can easily visualise what’s happening below the surface thanks to the Bite’n’Run sound and feel you get from a direct connection to the fish.

THE DAY

As the tide turned and the day progressed, we began to hook into some decent fish. The snapper were biting, and several nice fish made it to the net. However, despite the promising signs and the perfect setup, the big ones we were hoping for didn’t show up. It was one of those days where the anticipation hung in the air, but the real giants remained elusive.

THE DAIWA FREE SWIMMER RANGE

When targeting snapper using a straylining rig, having the right gear can make all the difference. We came prepared with our arsenal of Free Swimmer 10000 reels, designed to handle whatever the Gulf could throw at us. But there are a few size options in the Free Swimmer range worth considering that will suit different applications.

22 FREE SWIMMER BR 10000

This the big dog and go-to for the heaviest work, perfectly suited for a 10-15kg set. It was the reel we reached for when we thought we might tangle with a monster lurking in the shallows and needed to put the hurt on quickly. It’s also a great option for livebaiting for kingfish.

22 FREE SWIMMER BR 8000

A general-purpose 8kg setup, ideal for most of our fishing throughout the day. Reliable and versatile, it’s a solid all-rounder that can handle most fish you’re likely to encounter on your snapper trips.

22 FREE SWIMMER BR 5000

A medium-light set that’s quickly becoming a favourite of anglers wanting to have a foot on both the light and heavy tackle worlds. It’s perfect for those days when you want a good fight without being over or undergunned, can cast heavier lures if need be, but still be light in hand for a big day on the water.

22 FREE SWIMMER BR 3000

The light model that excels in finesse situations, it’s a great choice when the bite is finicky, and you need to present your bait with precision using light rods. It doubles as a great reel for medium softbaiting so if you’re after a light snapper set up that’s versatile enough for light lure work then look no further.

All these reels come with IPX6 water ingress protection, including side cover seals, tension knob, and handle cap O-rings, making them tough enough to withstand the harsh conditions we are likely to throw at them.

Designed in Japan but perfected in New Zealand, they’re built to perform and last in the challenging environments we fish in.

LOOKING AHEAD

Despite not landing the trophy fish we were after, the day was far from a disappointment. The action was steady, and we had a blast doing what we love. As we packed up our gear and began the tricky journey back across the rocks, thoughts were already turning to the coming months.

Spring is just around the corner, and with it comes the promise of warmer water, more active fish, and the chance that the next trip will be the one where the big snapper finally bite. For now, though, we’ll just have to be content with the memories of a solid winter session and the anticipation of what’s to come.