Trumpeter - Hunting Tips

SPECIES ID AND FISHING RULES

Learn more about how to identify trumpeter, where to find them, and their feeding preferences here: SPECIES ID - TRUMPETER

Limit your catch, don't catch your limit. Please check the latest rules and catch limits in your area on the MPI website: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/fishing-aquaculture/recreational-fishing/fishing-rules/
 

HUNTING TECHNIQUES

Hunting trumpeter is similar to hunting blue moki and they are often found schooling together. Although they are found in a vast range of depths (15-250m), they are mainly seen amongst rocky structures as well as weed lines.  Make sure you look closely in deep gutters as they like to sit near deep water with heaps of current.  Current is key with trumpeter as they like the pressure points created on rocky outcrops. Trumpeter frequently appear in the fiords of New Zealand between narrow cliff channels.
If you can quietly put down a burley and create some feeding activity this will often bring them in. Like most species, once they know they are being targeted they do drift away. Finding them is the hard part, but if they feel safe enough they will begin to hang around.
Trumpeter move inshore during summer and move out to deeper water in the winter time where they can be caught in shallow waters of 15-20metres during this time.