Team Tristram’s Conor Dunn doesn’t do bait. For him, it’s soft-baits only — clean, simple, and effective. If you want to catch fish, he’ll tell you, learn the technique and trust the gear.
Late in summer, Conor and his partner Rachel joined Tris and Harry aboard the Tristram 821 Offshore Diesel. They pushed out from Whitianga and ran to the southern tip of the Ohinau Islands — prime reef country and a favourite spot for drift fishing.
Conditions were perfect. A gentle swell, clear water, and enough breeze to keep the drifts moving. The 821’s diesel torque had made light work of the run across, and now it sat steady as rods were rigged and lures tied on.
The method was simple but sharp. Long drifts over broken ground, baits fluttering down into the strike zone. Conor called the cues from the cockpit: “Pause it longer here. Work it faster there. Keep it moving — no dead bait today.” Within minutes, the results came. Conor’s rod bent first, then Rachel’s, then Tris and Harry.
Fish kept coming. Some went in the bin, most went back. The action was steady, with laughs and banter filling the cockpit. Arguments over lure colours. Cheers when reels screamed. Groans when a fish spat the hook at the rail. The rhythm of fishing at its best.
Most of the day was spent drifting, but when the sounder lit up or the reef edge looked too good to ignore, Conor dropped the Minn Kota. The 821 locked into position, silent and steady, letting the crew work baits right into the strike zone. Each time, it delivered.
By midday, the sun was high, the coffee flask was making the rounds, and the ice bin carried a couple of solid snapper. The catch mattered, but it wasn’t the main story. The real win was the day itself — a summer run with the right people, the right boat, and a style of fishing that rewards skill over shortcuts.
For Conor, it was another chance to prove that soft-baits aren’t just effective, they’re the most rewarding way to fish. For Rachel, Tris, and Harry, it was a reminder of why time on the water matters — fresh air, bent rods, and memories made just off the Ohinaus.
That’s Tristram ownership. The 821 Offshore Diesel gives you the range to chase your spots, the comfort to stay out there, and the platform to fish the way you want. No fuss, no bait, no compromises — just adventure done right.
