Any problems with taking Berkley Gulps to NZ?

[Jason Killen]

Hi all,
I was just wondering if anybody has had any problems taking lures like berkley gulps to other countries like NZ. I am heading over there in february and I will be fishing for Snapper, Salmon, Kingfish etc in the Marlborough Sounds. I plan on taking Gulps like 7inch jerk shads and I have heard that there are sometimes problems with importing Gulps from overseas so I was wondering if there would be any problems with customers taking them to NZ. I don't know what gear will be in the tackle stores where I am going so I want to be prepared but I don't want any hassles with customs. Anyone had any problems? Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Cheers
Jase

[sambino]

in all honesty i wouldnt bother taking gulps you can get them everywhere there. perhaps you could take a couple of packs if you dont mind loosing them increase your chances by only taking unopened packets. ***make sure to declare them***
But my guess is they will be confiscated
the best bet would be to search the customs website or even give them a call.
The gulps are actually a protien based product thats why they dry out so fast and why you often have problems with importing them as they are basically an uncontrolled standard protien/food product
here is the link to prohibited import items http://www.customs.govt.nz/features/prohibited/imports/Pages/default.aspx
allthough gulps may fall into more than one category here

[pipifin]

They are available all over NZ and from memory, will be a lot cheaper over there too. Check a couple of shop websites in Nelson or Marlborough.. or any of the bigger cities you may be travelling through.
Have you been to the sounds before? Probably the most exceptional place I have ever experienced. Truly unbelievable. Fantastic fishing too. Should have no probs hitting the snaps. Salmon (Kahawai) are abundant too, and you can almost guarantee a few cod too. Last time I was there, was about 5 yrs ago, I got a 80cm kingfish off a jetty right beside a little boat ramp. I am very very jealous.

[Crunchy]

You got it around the wrong way Jason, I used to travel there for work a lot and used to buy them there and bring them back! Cheaper due to the exchange rate and often a better range. That's where I found my fav placcie! However, if you are travelling straight to the sounds and wont have a chance to go into a decent sized township then you should take them, I would't declare them personally, you only have to declare "food" and it aint food for you an me. When they require declaring "Sporting goods" they are interested in dirty golf clubs etc. They are not going to take something off you when they sell the same thing in their own shops. Don't take any food though....

[sambino]

I just found out that Customs is unable to answer any questions that relate to agricultural or biosecurity items, For this information you must contact the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) i have just sent them an email to see what they say i will let you know when i get a reply.
As for not declaring items;
Travellers who fill out the Biosecurity/Quarantine section of the passenger arrival card incorrectly risk an instant fine of $400.
More than that, you could be fined up to $100,000, or get a prison term of up to five years, for serious breaches of New Zealand's biosecurity laws (such as fraudulently completing an arrival card).
biosecurity is not as relaxed as it was a few years ago its laws are now very strict and heavily enforced, if you do not declare them they will see them on the xray machine anyway as they are PROTIEN based, organic material is highly visable on the xray machine. If in doubt always declare don't listen to what others tell you they are not going to be the ones that pay your fine.

just because they are sold there too does not mean its ok to take them in from another country

[Crunchy]

I spent the last 12 years travelling to NZ 8-10 times per year marketing food products....failure to declare gulps wont be an issue, they will not fine you for that as it is not on the prohibited import list, but declare them anyway so you don't have to panic. They wont take them off you...end of story

[Jason Killen]

Thanks for all the replies! Looks like there are mixed opinions about taking gulps into NZ. Sounds like it should be ok to bring them if I declare them but I might just buy some over in NZ because the first 2 days will be in Christchurch so I will buy them there if they are cheaper with our exchange rate. Then off to the Sounds for 2 1/2 weeks! I am more excited about going now after what Pipifin said about the sounds. I have never been there, to be honest I have never been outside of Australia so I am really looking forward to it. I will be staying with my girlfriend's family and they have a boat and a few kayaks as well and the house is right on the water with its own jetty. Can't wait! I'll let you know how I go! Just one more question any thought on the best colours to buy for snapper? Thanks once again for all the advice.
Cheers
Jase

[Crunchy]

Go the lumo varieties (such as nuke chick from memory) the sounds are deep & dark

[Jason Killen]

Cheers Crunchy will grab some.

[aharding]

I travel between Wellington and Brisbane often with loads of Gulps in my kit and never had an issue - always declare them as fishing gear. Tackle shops out of Picton are limited - it's an amazing area and very different to fishing plastics in aussie, but also very effective. Our range of Gulps is limited here compared to there, but there are some large tackle shops in Chch that will suffice.

[Jason Killen]

Thanks aharding,
How is it different to fishing plastics in oz? What techniques are different in nz compared to aus? I fish plastics a lot for reef fish such as trout, reds, spangled emperor and sweetlip with good success. How would your technique differ and why do these different techniques work on nz snapper in the sounds?
Your advice would be appreciated
Cheers
Jase

[aharding]

Quite different to be honest, we have ton's of pickers in the sounds, namely Blue Cod and Spotties (not the Mackerl type! - they are more like a small bass) which destroy plastics, the water is generally deeper compared to estuary fishing in aus.

Wew don't get the tropical species in numbers, but if you are fishing in the kenepuru Sound which I recommend for Snapper, the Snapper fishing can be amazing, last year a typical day would see 100+ Snapper round the Mussel Farms, but mostly small 25-35cm - there are however much larger ones and these are commonly caught on plastics, a few years ago I landed an 8kg and a 9kg one after the other!! the Mussell farms are definatley the place to target them, especially if the harvesters are working, they don't mind if you butt up very close to them - it's the biggest burley slick in the world and the Snapper will come right to the surface. there is also a healthy number of medium (5-10kg) Kingfish in the sounds this time of the year. Definatley fish Kenepuru Sound over Queen Charlotte Sound if possible.

[Jason Killen]

Will be staying at Te Mahia so it seems like it should be close to some good fishing grounds from what you said. Cheers for the advice mate! Getting more excited everyday!
Cheers
Jase

[sambino]

just got a reply from bio security

Thank you for your enquiry. You may need to provide us with sufficient information as to what the gulp lures are made from. If they are indeed protein based this should not be a problem. Upon arrival and inspection, a Quarantine Inspector will need to see the item to establish what they are made from.

If you require any further assistance please contact us again.

Regards
Debbie Quick
Quarantine Inspector

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand

looks like there is no issues

[sambino]

should go for a trout sesh while your there man and be sure to catch a ride in the shotover jet it will knock your fricken socks off,

[Jason Killen]

Thanks Sambino,
I plan on having a go for trout as well. My biggest Rainbow ever is 45cm so hopefully I should be able beat that and I have never caught a brown cause we didn't have any where I grew up. Guess I'll have to get some fly gear. Will probably be pretty rusty at casting though have fished with fly for at least 8 years!
Once again thanks for making an enquiry for me.
Cheers
Jase