Hook Beach Fishing: Surfcasting for Elephant Fish and Rig

Last updated October 2026

Hook Beach is a stretch of steep gravel coastline in the Waimate District, reached at the end of Hook Beach Road off SH1 between Makikihi and Waimate. Waimate District Council lists it as a popular surfcasting beach for elephant fish and rig, with sharks and skate also caught along this coast.

The beach shelves steeply, so deep water is only a short cast out. There are no facilities at the road end, and the council warns that the shifting gravels can be dangerous.

At a Glance

Location

End of Hook Beach Road, off Hook Swamp Road and SH1, Waimate District

Water

Open sea (Pacific coast of South Canterbury)

Main species

Elephant fish and rig; sharks and skate

Best time

October to December for elephant fish; dusk to dark for rig

Suits

Experienced surfcasters; the gravel shelves steeply

Getting there

SH1 to Hook Swamp Road (near Butlers Berry Barn), then right onto Hook Beach Road to the end

Facilities

None at the road end

Tide port

Timaru (LINZ standard port)

Rules

MPI South-East; no licence needed for sea fishing

Cost

Free

More About Hook Beach

Hook Beach Road runs straight east across flat farmland and ends at a small turning area at the top of the beach. Behind the beach there is a farm drain and paddocks, and the Wainono Lagoon Conservation Area starts just south of the road end.

The beach itself is a narrow strip of grey gravel with no rocks or headlands nearby. It drops away steeply, and the water turns dark close to the shore, which is what makes it good for surfcasting: a moderate cast puts a bait into deep water.

Waimate District Council says seals use the beaches along this coast and dolphins are often seen offshore. The council suggests going with a local if you have not fished here before.

How to Fish Hook Beach

Where and when

Fish from the top of the beach near the road end, where the gravel is steep and deep water is close in.

Waimate District Council says October to December is the prime time for elephant fish, and that rig are best in the evening, from dusk to dark. Moving water around the tide changes usually fishes better on open beaches like this one.

What to catch and what to use

• Elephant fish: the main target in spring and early summer, from October to December, fished with bait on the bottom.
• Rig: best from dusk into dark, also on bait fished on the bottom.
• Sharks and skate: also caught along this coast.

What to bring

A surf rod that can hold a sinker in the surge off a steep beach, a rod stand that will stay up in gravel, a headlamp for the evening rig fishing and warm clothing. Ask at a tackle shop in Timaru which rigs and baits have been working.

Getting There and Facilities

• Driving: take SH1 south from Timaru toward Makikihi and Waimate. Turn onto Hook Swamp Road near Butlers Berry Barn, then turn right onto Hook Beach Road and follow it to the end.
• Parking: there is a small turning area at the top of the beach. Do not block it or the farm gateways.
• Facilities: there are no toilets, shelter or water at the road end. Makikihi and Waimate are the nearest settlements.
• Nearby: the Wainono Lagoon Conservation Area starts just south of the road end. Respect the wildlife and keep to the beach.

Rules and Safety

• Sea fishing at Hook Beach follows MPI’s South-East rules. You do not need a licence to fish in the sea. Check the MPI rules or the NZ Fishing Rules app for current limits before you go.
• A Fish & Game licence is only needed for freshwater sports fish such as trout and salmon, for example in the nearby rivers and lagoons. The sea fishing off the beach does not need one.
• The Waihao Mātaitai, a customary fishing area, covers Wainono Lagoon to the south and the parts of the Waihao River, Waituna Stream and Hook River east of State Highway 1. The open beach is not among the waters it lists. Recreational fishing in the mātaitai carries on under the normal rules, but any bylaws apply to everyone, so check MPI if you fish the lagoon or the streams.
• Waimate District Council warns that the shifting gravels can be dangerous. The beach is steep, waves can surge a long way up the gravel, and it is hard to climb back up when the stones move underfoot. Stay well back from the water’s edge, never turn your back on the sea, and do not fish here in a big swell.
• Give seals plenty of room if you meet one on the beach.

Tackle and Bait Nearby

• Davo’s Fishing Hunting & Sport, 186 Hilton Highway, Washdyke, Timaru: rods, reels, terminal tackle and bait.

There is nowhere to buy bait at the beach, so stock up in Timaru before you leave.

Find Out More

Common Questions

Where is Hook Beach?
On the coast of the Waimate District, at the end of Hook Beach Road. Turn off SH1 onto Hook Swamp Road near Butlers Berry Barn, then right onto Hook Beach Road.

What can you catch at Hook Beach?
Elephant fish and rig are the main targets. Sharks and skate are also caught along this coast.

When is the best time to fish Hook Beach?
October to December for elephant fish. Rig are best in the evening, from dusk to dark.

Do I need a fishing licence at Hook Beach?
No. Sea fishing does not need a licence, but MPI’s South-East rules apply. A Fish & Game licence is only needed for trout and salmon in fresh water.

Is Hook Beach good for beginners?
It suits experienced surfcasters better. The gravel is steep and shifting, and the council suggests going with a local the first time.

Are there toilets at Hook Beach?
No. There are no facilities at the road end, so plan ahead.

Is Hook Beach inside a mātaitai?
The open beach is not among the waters listed for the Waihao Mātaitai, which covers Wainono Lagoon and the lower Waihao River, Waituna Stream and Hook River east of State Highway 1.

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