going this afternoon "Bazza'catching the incoming tide

Personally Bazza I have pretty much got rid of zilch days. Simply by not targeting snapper all year, in saying that this is the best time of the year for snapper. 

Know what you mean on the snapper front Bazza--but-a nice trevelly.a big JD,and a snapper would please me. Would rate JD and Trevelly ahead of snapper,plus a few jack macks for Sashimi. Yum
But my logic ,possibly flawed regard snapper would be this. Say last season that 6000 ton of snapper were removed for recreational and commercial take,and that most would be in the sought after 25-30cm range. That would equate to around 9 million mature snapper that wont be turning up for this seasons spawn. Over the years this must equate to less fish.And given figures (probably dated by now) that we have 20% left in H.G and about 6 % left in BOP would indicate they have been removed at a faster rate than they replenish. arrgh here i go again.
But going West to the Manukau ,this winter past would be my worst ever on the Gurnard ,trevelly front by far..
Even failed to catch a rig ,which is unheard of.But Kahawai were up a little on past years.
So enjoy what you can while you can out there on the wide waters.
The next 8 weeks will give a good indication of how the snapper season is looking.

Certainly sounds like hard work for you Bazza.
You ended up with a nice little mixed bag tho, so good on ya. .
Been poor for me too ..things conspiring to prevent me getting out bugger all!
Makes you really appreciate what you can put on the table that much more aye.
I have been changing tactics and utilising more species thats for sure.
Im wondering if the undersize 285mm snap would taste ok..? It looked like a chubby little bugger

bazza wrote: Muppet wrote: Personally Bazza I have pretty much got rid of zilch days. Simply by not targeting snapper all year, in saying that this is the best time of the year for snapper.  You should have learned from yesterday to drop a livie to the bottom every trip. Look what it got you if you did it every trip I bet you would nail a JD or two everytime and probably a kingie or even snapper now and then. With you boat I would always have a livie out.       At the risk of appearing pedantic wonder what the legal situation regarding deliberatedly using an undersize fish as a livebait & yes have noted you do not specify using a snapper or any other species subject to size limits. Seem to remember the regs read something to the effect that any undersize fish hooked must be treated in such a manner as to ensure the best chance of survival.   Another thing that intrigues me is how is it that such a slow moving fish as a jd can creep up on a fish in deepish water with a sandy bottom that does not provide any weed or rock cover ?

JDs bazza are as cunning as mate,

Well "bazza" we went out around the corner,mellons bay and spent 1hr fishing,6 kahawai and 2  x 32cm snapper,all on anchovies,squid did not get a nudge,all over in 20 minutes

Well written Bazza, in anyones book coming home  with a Johny like that is a good day. Liked! With the amount of pressure the Gulf gets your bound to have the odd bad Snapper day. Maybe have more variety on board boat. So if they not taking bait, try softbaits, jigs etc or good old fashioned Straylining.

Bazza take a deep breath ,calm down ,have a drink. Do you really need a Pink barbie fishing pole.

One thing leads to another. Next you will be launching your boat in black fish net stockings,and pink stilettos just  to match the pink barbie fishing pole. Nooo.Dont do it. See what lack of fish has the potential to do to all the red blooded ,red neck kiwi blokes out there Trust me it must improve.

OH. NO. Suggest you ring Uncle for councelling ASAP. Meanwhile stay calm,shuffle the deck chairs,get the orchestra playing and watch out for Miley Cyrus.