From Princess Tantrums to Tight Lines

by Shanel Honore

So funny story, albeit a very common one. As the youngest daughter (therefore making me the Princess of the family) I absolutely hated fishing as a kid. If I wasn’t catching, I wasn’t about it. My hook had approximately 0.5 seconds to have a fish on it after hitting the sea floor, otherwise my bottom lip would be very soon to follow. Along with a pint-sized princess tantrum. I had absolutely no patience waiting for these magical creatures to come up from the depths, I was far more interested in SEEING THEM.

We were the quintessential kiwi family. My father, big brother - my whole family truth be told - are mad keen fishos. Except me. To me, fishing was gross. It smelt bad, it was boring af, and all I wanted was to be in the water. Everyone loved the whole “let’s go fishing” thing, little Nelly would much rather be snorkeling, building sandcastles, or chasing glass shrimps in the rock pools.

Fast-forward a decade and I’d logged plenty of underwater time, earning my Padi certification and science degree. I also picked up a husband, a few kids, and a boat. Followed almost immediately by a couple Tiagras, an upgraded transducer, and a membership at the Tauranga Sportfishing Club.

I learnt so much owning a boat and teaching my children about the ocean in real time. Once I had the sovereignty to choose my own adventures, above or below the water, fishing started to change for me.

What I didn’t realise was how empowering it felt learning to catch my own fish. I was already an accomplished diver, so crays were always on the menu, yet it wasn’t till I started gamefishing that I found a real love for being above the water.

I was, however, the typical wife on board. Winchman. Angler. No idea how to tie knots, set drags, or bait a hook properly. I did have an incredible crew, who were patient and generous with their knowledge when I was brave enough to ask the questions, but it still took years of learning the hard way. Feeling like I asked too many questions, made too many mistakes, I took every one so personally. Like many women, I was incredibly hard on myself, while a man in the same position likely wouldn’t have thought twice about it.

That lived experience is why Wild Chix is so close to my heart. Courses like Intro to Fishing, Wild Catches on Ratahi, Boating Bootcamp, Women’s Day on Water with Skipperi etc. are all so important. They create learning environments where women come along, ask the questions, make the mistakes, all alongside other like-minded ocean dwellers WITHOUT the judgement – from others or ourselves.

Last month, I had the absolute pleasure of launching our first Intro to Fishing Weekend with the wonderful (and talented!) Mandy Kupenga out of Orewa Campground. It was pure sunshine. The weekend saw women go from zero fishing knowledge to messages a week later saying, “I just bought myself a Daiwa Baitrunner!”. Honestly, it was a special moment, knowing these ladies simply had the confidence to take THEMSELVES into Burnsco and purchase all their own gear, and that they knew how to use it 💙

The next step is gathering a crew of women and entering them into fishing comps – Clubs across the country run ladies’ comps but you’re also allowed to fish in any competition not just ladies ones as long you’re happy to fish against the men. My local club - still TSFC after all these years! - is hosting the Fish n Chicks Comp over Waitangi weekend and I won’t lie – it’s very exciting! Not only does it give women the opportunity for a little lighthearted competition, but this year the major prize is a Stabicraft 1450!

Yes, you can actually win YOUR OWN BOAT 🤗 with fish that YOU catch!!

Wild Chix also has new courses popping up across the country all the time, and we are looking forward to March next year when we have a follow up Intro to Fishing back in Orewa – sign up to the newsletter so you get all the updates. I can’t wait to meet you!

And don’t knock it till you try it, cos like me you just might get hooked 😉