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The Complete Guide to Mullet & Kahawai Drag Nets in New Zealand
Which mesh size do you need? 85mm, 90mm, or 100mm — here's how to choose the right mullet and kahawai drag net for your area and target species.
👉 Browse our full range of mullet & kahawai drag nets →
Drag Netting for Mullet & Kahawai
Grey mullet (kanae) and kahawai are two of New Zealand's most abundant and popular net-fishing species. Both are found in harbours, estuaries, surf beaches, and river mouths right around the country — and both respond brilliantly to drag netting.
Drag netting (also called seine netting or beach hauling) is the active method of fishing with a net. Instead of setting a net and leaving it, you physically drag the net through the water with a person on each end. This means:
- You're always with your net — required by law for drag nets
- You can release bycatch immediately — better for the fishery
- Drag nets are legal in many areas where set nets are banned, particularly in dolphin protection zones
- It's an active, social way to fish — great with family and mates
Understanding Mesh Sizes — 85mm, 90mm & 100mm
This is where many fishers get confused. The mesh size you need depends on where you fish and what you're targeting. Get it wrong and your net could be illegal — so read this carefully.
85mm Mesh (3¼ inch) — North Island Drag Nets Only
The 85mm mullet drag net is legal for grey mullet and kahawai in the North Island when used as a drag net. This is the key point — 85mm mesh is not legal as a set net for these species. It must be actively dragged.
The smaller mesh size catches more fish because fewer mullet can gill through the mesh. If you're fishing North Island harbours and beaches for mullet and kahawai, this is often the most effective option.
- Legal for: Grey mullet, kahawai (North Island, drag net only)
- Also legal for: Piper, pilchards, yellow-eyed mullet, herring, sprats, anchovies — as both drag and set net
- Net specs: 0.50mm mono, 33 meshes deep, 40m long
- Price: $299
90mm Mesh (3½ inch) — The Versatile Choice
The 90mm mullet drag net sits right in the middle. It's legal for mullet and kahawai as a drag net in most areas, and catches well across a range of fish sizes.
If you're unsure which mesh to choose, the 90mm is a safe, versatile option that works well for both grey mullet and kahawai.
- Legal for: Kahawai, mullet (drag net)
- Net specs: 30 meshes deep (~2.2m height), heavy braided lead-core bottom rope, 6mm top rope with extra floats
- Available in: 20m ($145), 30m ($215), 40m ($299)
100mm Mesh (4 inch) — Legal Everywhere as Drag or Set Net
The 100mm mullet flounder drag-set net is the most versatile option. At 100mm mesh, this net is legal for both drag netting and set netting throughout New Zealand — North and South Island.
It's also legal for a wider range of species including snapper, flounder, trevally, gurnard, and John Dory in areas where 100mm mesh is the minimum.
- Legal for: Kahawai, mullet, snapper, flounder, trevally, gurnard, John Dory — as both drag net and set net
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Available in two depths:
- 25 meshes deep (~2m) — standard depth
- 36 meshes deep — extra deep for deeper water
- Net specs: 0.5mm mono, heavy braided lead-core bottom rope, 6mm top rope with floats
- Prices: 20m from $150, 30m from $225, 40m from $299
Which Mesh Size Should You Choose?
| Situation | Recommended Mesh | Why |
|---|---|---|
| North Island, targeting mullet only, drag net | 85mm | Catches more mullet, smaller mesh = fewer fish escape |
| North Island, mullet & kahawai, drag net | 90mm | Good all-rounder for both species |
| South Island, any species | 100mm | Minimum legal mesh for most South Island areas |
| Want to use as BOTH drag net and set net | 100mm | Only 100mm is legal as a set net for these species |
| Multi-species (snapper, flounder, trevally too) | 100mm | Legal for the widest range of species |
| Far North / Northland mullet fishing | 85mm or 90mm | Popular mullet drag netting region, smaller mesh is more effective |
How to Drag Net for Mullet & Kahawai
Where to Find Them
Grey mullet are found in harbours, estuaries, tidal rivers, and lagoons. They love brackish water where fresh meets salt. Top spots include Kaipara Harbour, Manukau Harbour, Hokianga, Raglan, Tauranga Harbour, and throughout the Far North.
Kahawai are found in surf zones, harbour entrances, and along beaches. They're more active than mullet and travel in schools. Look for birds diving — kahawai are often feeding underneath.
The Technique
- Pick your spot. Sandy or muddy beaches and harbour flats are ideal. Avoid rocky or heavily weeded areas.
- Two people minimum. One person stays on the beach holding one end. The other wades out in an arc, paying out the net.
- Form a U-shape. The person in the water walks parallel to the shore, then curves back toward the beach.
- Drag together. Walk along the beach keeping the net in a sweeping crescent. Keep the lead-core rope on the bottom — this is critical.
- Close and haul. After 20–50m, the wading person walks to shore, closing the net. Both haul onto the beach.
- Check and release. Keep legal fish, release everything else quickly.
Best Times
- Mullet: Incoming tide, early morning, and late afternoon. Mullet feed on the flats as the tide rises.
- Kahawai: Often best around dawn and dusk at harbour entrances and along surf beaches. They follow baitfish schools.
- Both: Summer and autumn are peak seasons, but both species are caught year-round in the North Island.
Our Mullet & Kahawai Drag Nets
All our drag nets are made in New Zealand at our Auckland factory. Key features that set our drag nets apart from standard set nets:
- ✔️ Heavy braided lead-core bottom rope — stays on the seabed while dragging
- ✔️ Extra floats on top rope — keeps the net upright under drag tension
- ✔️ Built stronger — designed to handle the forces of dragging across sand, mud, and shell
- ✔️ MPI-legal mesh sizes — 85mm, 90mm, and 100mm options
- ✔️ Multiple lengths — 20m, 30m, and 40m to suit any beach
Product Range
| Net | Mesh | Depth | Sizes | Price From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85mm Mullet Drag | 85mm (3¼") | 33MD | 40m | $299 |
| 90mm Mullet Drag | 90mm (3½") | 30MD | 20m, 30m, 40m | $145 |
| 100mm Drag-Set Net | 100mm (4") | 25MD or 36MD | 20m, 30m, 40m | $150 |
MPI Rules for Mullet & Kahawai Drag Nets
Always check the latest rules for your specific area at mpi.govt.nz before you go.
- Grey mullet: No minimum size. Daily limit typically 20 per person (varies by area).
- Kahawai: No minimum size for net-caught fish. Daily limit varies by area.
- Drag net rules: Must be actively attended at all times. Must be physically dragged — you cannot anchor it and leave.
- Mesh sizes: 85mm minimum for drag nets targeting mullet/kahawai in the North Island. 100mm for set nets. Check your area — some regions require 100mm minimum for all net types.
- Dolphin protection: Set net bans apply in some areas (west coast North Island, Banks Peninsula, etc). Drag nets are often still permitted in these zones.
Important: Rules vary between fisheries management areas. Always check the MPI fishing rules for your specific location.
Ready to Get Started?
👉 Shop our mullet & kahawai drag nets →
Made in Auckland, shipped NZ-wide. Custom lengths available — contact us for a quote.
📖 Read our Complete Guide to Grey Mullet (Kanae) for more on the species, life cycle, and where to find them.
Action Outdoors — New Zealand's largest fishing net manufacturer. Made in Auckland. 🎣
actionoutdoors.kiwi | sales@actionoutdoors.kiwi
Always check the latest fishing rules at mpi.govt.nz before heading out.
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