Send one out as a live bait. You might get something surprising.
I suspect the wharf area would be heavily fished at all times of year. I once went down there middle of winter and there was 3-4 people fishing there…. Residential fish would not last for long but the number of Moki is still quite impressive. Probably due to the light and maybe the concentration of burley.
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Whitebait Season starts 1 September 2026 and ends 30 October (inclusive). Chatham Islands: 1 December to the last day of February (inclusive)