kahawai

FACT FILE
Name:	Arripis xylabion, also called Australian Salmon.
Size:	Small fry to 6kg, mostly 2-4kg.
Tackle:	8-10wt saltwater fly rods, reels with smooth drags, 100Metres minimum backing.
Season:	All year round.
Locations:	Estuaries, harbor channels and flats, coastal schooling fish.

Kahawai is one of New Zealand’s most exciting fly rods fish in saltwater.
Large schools of kahawai still abound around the upper half of New Zealand’s coastline. These schools can be mixed with deeper layers holding snapper and trevally allowing saltwater fly fishers opportunities at other species.
Kingfish too are often seen hunting in these schools. Occasionally a hooked kahawai will be lost to massive kingfish whilst fly fishing. This is something that often leaves anglers shaking!

Kahawai are targeted with fly in New Zealand’s estuaries, river mouths, bays and reefs. Either surface feeding schools are found and chased with our saltwater fly dedicated boat, Saltflyer, or schools can be attracted to us with burley.
Estuary fishing can involve walking the flats casting to fast cruising fish or into channels.

Most kahawai caught on saltwater fly tackle are between 2 and 4kg with occasional specimens reaching old fashioned double figures and over.
Kahawai are dramatic fighters frequently making a blistering run, huge leaps and then diving under the boat.
Most of our tackle is 8 to 10wt with intermediate, sink tip or fast sinking integrated head lines, Teeny TS and TST being ideal. Making your own heads from Rio’s T14 is also effective.
Flies are typically baitfish patterns and needent be large, size 1-2/0 Clousers, Gummy minnows and Surf candies are all excellent, poppers and krill patterns in certain situations are deadly.

At times it may seem that kahawai will attack any fly presented with each cast guaranteeing a hooked fish. They can however be highly selective requiring a range of flies and light tippets.

World records are still vacant in some line classes for women and most records are within relatively easy reach.
Fly fishing in New Zealand’s salt waters brings many opportunities, this could be your chance to set an IGFA world record!