Gary, with no disrespect I will not answer your question directly. My reasoning is simple: we seem to have a totally different understanding and enjoyment of surfcasting.

I am pleased with every fish I land, the size, make or quality is of no concern, what is important is I have achieved what I set out to do ... catch fish. I have a strong interest in cooking and there are few foods better than fresh fish.

Many species that members of this board decry as rubbish fish (especially Hawkes' Bay anglers) are in fact excellent eating. However, only if the angler cares to take a little time and trouble over the catch, this especially so at the time the fish is landed. A recent thread showed a picture of a prime red cod, one member asked how far would he have to travel not to catch one? This is a classic comment, one of many that concern spiney backs, tope and other non prime species.

Red cod are a commercial proposition and they retail in local supermarkets. That particular fish in the picture would make a meal to feed a family, if treated properly people would find it difficult to tell the difference between red and blue cod.

The next time you catch a decent red cod, spend one minute on the beach and remove the fillets. Now drop these into a bucket of sea water and in a short while the meat will be firm because salt water marinades the meat. It loses all the sloppy meat texture you find when this job is left until you get home.

The tope I mentioned were gutted, trunked and skinned on the beach, then washed in sea water. The only job left for me when at home was was remove the cartilage backbone, then cut into acceptable sized pieces for cooking. We had the tope for our dinner last night, fish as it should be, truly tasty and very moreish.

I have watched anglers put their catch in a polythene bag (the best way to ruin any fresh fish) then wait until they are home before preparing the catch for the table. On lesser known species there is no better way of spoiling the fish and this before the catch has left the shore where it was landed.

So how do I define good? My answer would probably run along the lines of fish that is given the respect it deserves, from YEM's up to, and including, rays ... and all others in between.

We hit the beach again yesterday afternoon and once again returned home with a meal (three fish) to keep my wife and I very happy. Good fish, good weather, good enjoyment and a good meal ... and that is what surfcasting is all about.