Following his "best catch ever" last year, Invercargill resident Cameron Brown returned to his lucky spot by the Waihopai River at the weekend, when the whitebaiting season opened.
He first fished when he was 13 years old.
"After eight years of bad luck, I had my best catch ever last year. I caught ... something like four kilos in a day. It was the best season ever."
Along with his friend Thomas Ashwell, Mr Brown threw his net on the river in the early hours yesterday, hoping for a good catch.
"I have not had much luck yet. But I think towards the end of the season, when the river is higher, it will be better.
"At least it is a beautiful day outside and we can enjoy it."
Mr Brown was among thousands of New Zealanders heading to rivers throughout the country to catch the delicacy.
Southland Recreational Whitebaiters Association president Roger McNaughton described the beginning of the whitebaiting season in the region as "average".
"It was about what we expected for the river conditions. Some of the rivers were high and dirty ... Most people got a few whitebait — not many."
Mr McNaughton usually fished at Titiroa Creek and said despite the conditions over the weekend, the good weather provided a great social occasion for the fishermen.
"It is a time to see old friends, to catch up and relax. There was not much whitebait caught, but this is whitebaiting and it is part of it."
The Department of Conservation’s whitebaiting regulations stayed the same for this season but could change next year.
Environment Southland’s compliance officers will be carrying out whitebait stand inspections across the region later in the season to check compliance with its resource consents.
A spokeswoman confirmed whitebaiting was permitted under Covid-19 Alert Level 2 but physical distancing was required.
The season ends on November 30 across New Zealand, with the exception of the West Coast, where the season is shorter, running from September 1 until November 14.
