PWCs are increasingly used for recreational fishing in saltwater and freshwater.
PWC (personal watercraft) fishing has become increasingly popular over the last few years, with anglers recognising the benefits PWCs provide. PWCs allow access to new waterways, are easy to launch and operate, and are more cost-effective than owning a boat. Not to mention the thrill of the ride for those more adventurous fishing enthusiasts.
Andrew Hill, a pioneer of PWC fishing and founder of Adventure Fishing, has a wealth of experience and advice when it comes to PWC fishing, having spent years fishing in New Zealand’s diverse waterways. He also played a pivotal role in developing the market-leading Sea-Doo FishPro.
Here are a few of Andrew Hill’s top tips
Check the conditions
Always learn the local navigation rules and be aware of weather, tides, and hidden hazards in your riding area.
Stealth manoeuvring
Avoid racing around at high speed when hunting for fish. When approaching a fishing spot, Hill recommends moving slowly and quietly to minimise any disturbance.
Gear selection and setup
Ensure you have the correct gear for the fishing trip you are undertaking. The Sea-Doo FishPro comes with a Garmin fish finder and GPS. The Garmin system offers real-time insights into underwater terrain, fish location, and structure. This empowers you to make informed decisions and maximise your chances of a successful catch.
Safety equipment is vital, including a PFD, personal locator beacon, VHF radio and phone in a waterproof container.
Other necessary fishing equipment may include a knife, a landing net, a short gaff, spare leader, braid scissors, and a compact tackle bag with various jig heads and lures.
Lure and bait choices
Hill’s go-to soft bait for big snapper is the Gulp 7-inch King Shrimp, which he finds most attractive to fish due to its action and likeness to what larger snapper enjoy feeding on.
For jig heads, he prefers longer hooks (such as 7/0 Berkley Nitro jig heads) to ensure better hook-ups, especially with larger baits. He typically uses 1 to 3-ounce jig heads to match the drift and current conditions.
He also highlights the effectiveness of lures and soft-baits for PWC fishing, as they are simple, effective, and create less mess compared to bait fishing.
Clothing and sun protection
Sun protection is critical year-round. Hill advises wearing a hat, footwear, fingerless gloves, a buff, sunglasses, long-sleeve shirts, sunscreen and neoprene shorts. In colder conditions, thermals and waterproof outer layers are recommended. BNZ
Andrew Hill is a Sea-Doo ambassador.
- For information on Andrew Hill’s Adventure Fishing tours visit https://jetskifishing.co.nz
- For more information on the Sea-Doo FishPro range visit https://sea-doo.brp.com
- To see Andrew Hill’s story visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvCnwuE6NM0&t=6s
