Southern Bluefin Tuna Pre-Season Seminar Series - Hamilton (Waikato Sport Fishing Club)

Chasing Bluefin This Winter? We Can Help

Winter fishing for Southern Bluefin Tuna in New Zealand adds another layer of risk to an already challenging offshore activity. The weather windows can be short, and many crews are heading well offshore in colder, less forgiving conditions.

In recent years, too many of our mates have lost their lives on the water while chasing big fish. That’s why the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council and Coastguard have teamed up with local fishing communities and experienced Southern Bluefin Tuna anglers to deliver a free, relaxed seminar ahead of the season. With support from local experts, fishos and Coastguard crews, the seminar will share practical knowledge, local experience and real-world lessons to help boaties better understand the risks, plan their trips, and make good calls before heading offshore.

Join the crew at the for a great night. You’ll hear from people who know the fishery and understand what it takes to target Southern Bluefin Tuna in winter. Alongside the safety advice, there will be local fishing tips, practical offshore preparation advice, lessons learned from close calls, and guidance to help you get more out of your day on the water.

It’s interactive too, so bring your questions, share your own experiences, and have a yarn with others in the fishing and boating community. Bring your mates along as well, whether they’re new to bluefin fishing or have years of offshore experience. There will be something in here that could help everyone make a better call before the next trip.