In recent years fishing tackle manufacturers have invested a considerable amount of research and development time into refining soft bait lures. Much of this work has revolved around adding chemical attractants to enhance their fish catching potential. While this may appear innocent enough, this change is very important, shifting the nature of the lure.
When a chemical attractant is added, it transforms a soft bait from a lure to a bait. Bait fishing for trout is prohibited throughout the Taupō Fishing District.
The ‘Anglers Notice for the Taupō Fishing District’ outlines the regulations anglers need to be familiar with when fishing for trout in any Taupō lakes or rivers. It states the following:
1. Interpretation
bait means natural bait, including any insect or spider, worm, crustacean, shellfish, fish or fish ova, bread or cheese, or any scented lure, soft bait or other artificial lure with chemical attractant properties.
3. Authorised tackle
(1) No person may use bait when fishing for trout in the Taupō District.
(3) No person when fishing for trout shall (i) use any lure treated with any fish attractant or chemical preparation
Therefore, it is important for anglers to understand implications of scented lures before going fishing. This applies to all fishing methods including, soft baiting, spinning, jigging, trolling or harling. Furthermore, it is also illegal in the Taupō Fishing District to dip or spray any lure or soft bait with a chemical attractant.
While using unscented soft baits is legal, unfortunately a large proportion of soft baits currently available for sale in New Zealand stores are scented or infused with attractants, making them illegal in the Taupō fishery.
How to stay on the right side of the regulations
When buying soft baits, always read the packet before buying. Words like bait, attractant, infused, scented, and other similar words, will render them illegal in Taupō so they cannot be used.
Tackle stores are fully entitled to sell scented soft baits, and they are sold widely in New Zealand for freshwater fishing. This is because they are legal in some regions managed by Fish & Game. This does not apply universally and varies from region to region, so it always pays to read the local regulations.
In summary, using unscented soft baits in the Taupō Fishing District is ok as long as you are fishing in waters not designated as fly fishing only. Scented soft baits or those infused with a chemical attractant are illegal throughout the fishery. A fine of $400 applies.
We don’t want anglers to get caught out, so please check the packaging before buying and contact us if you need further clarification.
Email: fishlicence@doc.govt.nz