Having lived in the Bay of Plenty, I must agree with what you have written. The bait I purchased there was always fresh, and it presented beautifully. I was looking at some bonito in a shop yesterday, it had more freezer burn than a penguins backside. The skin was a patchwork of brown with virtually nothing of the lovely silver belly flaps that make it such good bait. I might also add the quality has had no impact on the cost.

On the positive side, I visited to Pack and Save supermarket and discovered some really nice fresh trevally. Many years ago this was a good bait for surfcasters but I am not so sure I would use it now, unless a standby. However, on the positive side, it makes an excellent bait for a long line, especially a torpedo.