Hey Guys fair enough not to open to the public.I'm not a member of a club and I know my options available in Gisborne. First of all Im a mad keen surfcaster/rock fisher and love it cause my family get into it as well.
My choice so far not to join a club is purely because I enjoy the planning of trips and locations which I learn a lot from whether successful or unsuccesful.
My lifestyle is busy and when the opportunity and time is there to go fishing i choose to do it with my boys that I dont get to see everyday,I also want to be able to maximise my fishing options as opposed to being potentially on a beach with a club in the wrong sort of conditions because that is when the club day is set.
In terms of the subject i agree with Chad and Scuzzy set boundries that can allow for weather & condition options but make them public accessable spots.
This allows for people to enjoy the research aspect or use their knowledge, that as Chad has pointed out has been earned doing the hard yards. I understand the social side of clubs and learning off fellow club members but that could be achieved at any club day.
I'm sure i could learn a lot from someone like Chad who has an amazing ability to read conditions and has a great understanding of how to target specific species and where and when they are likely to be there.
I had never caught a legal snapper up until early this year now i have caught approximately 20 with the biggest one being 2kg, 18 of these have been caught at night, something I never used to do(knowledge learnt) at beaches I never used to know about(knowledge learnt) using lumo bling (knowledge learnt) species caught first time species caught this year eagle ray, snapper, Gurnard, lemonfish, wrasse, Red Cod, Trevally and Jack Mackrel. So what I've learnt this year in conditions that were not the best have me salavating for the year ahead with much improved conditions expected.
Firstly The Nats should be all about putting into place the knowledge that you have learnt.
Secondly the most fun comes from actually planning your locations/gear/baits etc
Thirdly it should be enjoyable if ya arent going to enjoy it dont go.

Possibly 2 sections those who want to adventure to unrestricted areas and those who want to be restricted (based in one spot). You can either have one overall title or one for each. Restricted Trophy Confined Area Trophy
Unrestricted Trophy Unconfined Area Trophy.

Good luck