If you’re new to game fishing but keen to get amongst the action, check out our guide for safe, comfortable and successful game fishing.
Game fishing requires you to ‘go-wide’ in deep and often rough water, so safety is paramount. That means setting your boat up for safe fishing to prevent issues as well as carrying safety equipment on board in case anything does go wrong.
Safety first
We recommend you keep the following safety equipment on board to keep you and your crew safe.
A VHF radio is a must and make sure you have at least one mobile phone as a back-up, although bear in mind you may be travelling outside of cellphone coverage areas.
With that in mind it’s also a good idea to have an EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon) on board. This give you peace of mind that you can be located if the worst happens. Plus, make sure you register your EPIRB at www.beacons.org.nz.
Flares are a great tool for indicating your position if you get in trouble on the water. Make sure you keep them in a watertight container and check and replace them regularly, as they’ll expire.
A first aid kit is a must-have to deal with those smaller injuries or illnesses – that could be the difference between staying out on the water or coming home early.
Finally, a Coastguard membership is a great idea for peace of mind.
Boat equipment
Before you head out game fishing it may be time to consider those upgrades you’ve been mulling over. Here’s what to check:
Outboard motor
Consider whether your outboard will meet the minimum HP to carry the weight of your fully loaded boat (including your catch!) in big seas. Keep your outboard running well and reliable with regular servicing.
Sounder/GPS chartplotter
A GPS/Plotter/sounder or combination will help you not only locate game fish but help you mark a start point that you can run controlled grid patterns around so that you don’t cover the same area twice.
For deep water game fishing you’ll need a high power 1kW transducer that will allow you to mark fish clearly. You’ll also need a sounder with CHIRP technology for clear, high-definition target separation, helping you easily tell bait apart from target fish like tuna and marlin.
For game fishing a lower frequency 80Hz wide angle beam will help you locate fish in deep sea over 200m. In contrast a higher frequency 150 – 240 kHz or 80 – 160 kHz is more suitable for shallow conditions.
Twin batteries
A twin battery set up to give you the confidence that you have ample power stores for starting your outboard and running your electronics. This is especially important as you’ll be out on the water a long time.
Autopilot
While not a necessity, autopilot will make game fishing much more enjoyable and probably more successful too. That’s because you’ll effectively have another crew member on board, especially if you don’t have a large crew. It also makes trolling a breeze and keeps the boat in a steady, straight line to keep lines for more effective, safer trolling and reducing the risk of tangled lines.
Bilge pump and auto bilge
A good operating bilge pump is a must for game fishing – where you could be taking on water from rough seas and while you’re bringing your big catch on board. An auto bilge is one step better especially if you don’t have a big crew on board to help you operate your electrics.
Boat lights
If you’re planning on leaving before dawn or coming home after dark, then nav lights are a must. It’s worth throwing them on the boat to give you that flexibility.
You could also consider deep sea fishing lights, like LED strobe lights that are designed to attract fish when you’re out deep or fishing at night.
Live bait tank
Again, this is not a necessity, but luring game fish like Marlin require healthy, alive looking bait, not half dead ones. A live bait tank keeps a constant supply of oxygen rich water to keep bait healthy.
Boat set-up and fishing equipment
Wherever possible keep your deck clear from clutter to avoid any accidents on board. Game fishing can be full on once you’re underway, so you don’t want to risk tripping over anything during rough sea or once you’ve hooked the big one.
There’s plenty to consider with fishing equipment or rod holders.
Rod holders
Need space for more rod holders? Before your first game fishing mission it’s a good idea to consider rod holder placement and strength. Because the rod holders need to withstand heavy game fishing gear and heavy game fishing drag rod holders that are flush with the gunnel are a good idea.
Outriggers
Not a must-have, but glass composite outriggers are a great addition for the serious game fisher. That’s because they let you run lures or baits wider apart to cover more water and reduce tangles while trolling. It also keeps lures out of the prop wash, which is a bonus.
Boat checks before you launch
It’s always a good idea to check your boat over every time you take it out, but even more so when you’re going wide, game fishing:
- Make sure your batteries are fully charged (as mentioned above we recommend a twin battery set up)
- Check all your electronics but in particular make sure your bilge pump and VHF are operating
- Top up your fuel tank and check your fuel gauge is working correctly. Take extra fuel to be safe.
- Make sure you have enough life jackets for the crew
Want some advice? We can help guide you on setting your boat up for game fishing no matter your budget – just get in touch with your GT Marine crew.
