Tauranga/Mt Maunganui Land based fishing

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    Posted: 11 Sep 2017 at 9:32pm
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Hey guys, first post here but have been keeping an eye on the forums for some time. 

I'm new up these ways (currently living in Rotorua) and was just after some advice to get a better experience for my girlfriend and I while out fishing here. Looking at hitting Tauranga and the Mount a bit.

I grew up in Foxton and fishing from the beaches down those ways, mainly landing Kahawai but the odd Eel, Snapper and a 1 off Stingray. 

I have now moved north for my new job and want to really get out and get some fishing done this coming summer. I have done a little trout fishing around Rotorua in Lake Okareka and the Utihina stream, only landed small guys though so I've started going back to my roots and getting a surfcaster out. I've so far landed a few Kahawai, Mackerals and a Conger of the Dive Cresent area of the harbour and just today tried out Moturiki island and got a few Wrasse and a rock fish. 

I'm wanting to know the best places to fish and what I will catch there but I am limited with access, I do not have a 4WD and I have girlfriend who moans if we have to walk to far haha. I don't have any specific target species, just something that can put up a fight. Would love to land a shark eventually or hook onto another stingray! but really I'm up for anything.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote kitno Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Sep 2017 at 10:47pm
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If its a stingy you want, your in the right place. Sometimes it's hard to avoid the bugger's. Try the flat's, Omokoroa, Plumbers Point, Omokoroa Bowling Club, Te Puna boat ramp, Tauapiro Point areas. All are easy access and hold a lot of stingrays. Can't see the point myself in targeting them, but each to their own I suppose.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote DilzMusic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Sep 2017 at 10:56pm
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Hey mate thank you for the fast reply! Will definitely have a look into these places, are they all easy access?

What else would I catch around these areas? and what set up would you recommend for a ray fishing?

I just enjoy the fight when it comes to fishing and the one time off Te Horo beach when I hooked the ray it was like I snagged on a boat to start with haha was definitely memorable.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote kitno Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Sep 2017 at 11:22pm
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They're all easy access. A stingray will take just about anything. I'd go with small squid or half a pilchard. Squid will handle the casting better, single 7/0 recurve and a 2-3oz ball sinker able to slide up n down the trace. Trace about 700mm long should do. Kingfish frequent these areas at low light, snapper after dark, and trevs maybe anytime. A big stingray will test you and your gear. Common size is about 8-15 kg.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Daniel K Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Sep 2017 at 12:18pm
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Stingrays in the BOP are everywhere. I don't know too many people that will give you their Spot X locations but here are a few places that everyone knows. 

1. Sailsbury Wharf - Kahawai, Snapper, Octopus. 
2. Leisure Island - Kahawai, Snapper. 
3. Tauranga Bridge Marina - Kahawai, Piper, Rat Kingfish. 
4. Papamoa Beach - Sharks, Rays, Kahawai, Snapper. 
5. Mount Maunganui - Kahawai, Snapper, Kingfish. 
6. Matakana Wharf (accessed by barge or boat) - Kingfish, Snapper, Trevally, Kahawai. 
7. Pilot Bay Wharf  - Kahawai, Trevally, Stingrays, juvenile snapper.
8. Kaituna Cut Wharf - Kahawai. 
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Daniel K Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Sep 2017 at 12:24pm
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Regarding Sharks - if you have access to a kayak or a even a surfboard, have buddy take your baited rig out past the breakers and just plop it along Papamoa. You should be onto one very shortly. Make sure you use a wire trace and have good enough gear to handle them. I can't imagine having a big ole hook in your face with a bunch of weight would be nice. Be prepared to handle it.  Also, be aware of other water users. 
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote DilzMusic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Sep 2017 at 4:11pm
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Thank you Daniel! I have tried Salisbury wharf but asides from a few bites haven't had to much luck. Octopus, that would be different haha. I'm looking for Pilot Bay wharf on google but just keeps coming up with pictures of Salisbury?

Are the rocks on the beach side of the Mount easy access? I heard fishing towards the statue was a bit of a hotspot for Trevs? 

With leisure island being on Papamoa beach would this mean sharks are an option fishing off here also? I don't think I am ready on the gear side of things yet to be chasing sharks but it's definitely a goal for the very near future. 

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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Daniel K Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Sep 2017 at 8:45pm
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Hey Dilz,

Pilot Bay Wharf is just a little jetty type structure jutting out from the left hand side of the Mount. There's a bit of foul out there, about 20-30m out that almost everyone gets hooked onto. 

Regarding the statue - it can be a bit of a hit and miss, but general species include Snapper, Kahawai, and the odd King. You'll have to do a bit of rock hopping to get onto a good platform to cast from. 

Leisure Island can produce sharks, however in my opinion it is not as consistent as Papamoa. If you get to the top of Leisure Island, you can find a way down to a little rock shelf on your right. From here, you can stickbait for kingfish with good results during change of light. Alternatively, if you do a little bit of rock hopping and make your way to the tip of the island, a little surfcasting will increase your chances of good snapper. A friend of mine recently picked up 3 with two of them being 40cm+ and one just under 60cm. 

I also think that an important thing to mention is the type of bait used. In my personal experience, these landbased fish seem to be a but on and off with your everyday pilchards, squid and bonito. What I've found is that they much prefer baits that would naturally be present there like Tuatua and even Crabs. I'm sure everyone has had different experiences, and this is mine. 

Here is a video showing Pilot Bay Wharf:

Here is a video of the Marina: 
(I was trying to go as light weight as possible - thus using an egi rod and 4lb line. I didn't expect the bigger ocean kahawai to show up). 

Here are a few snapper from Leisure I got last week:


And here is another landbased King:(Just a wee fella at 12kg but good enough for only 3mins drive from home...and I live in the city)


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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Daniel K Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Sep 2017 at 9:04pm
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If you catch the Matakana barge and fish off the Matakana Wharf, the kings are in the 20+ range. My biggest off that wharf is 25+ but there are so many 10-15 models swimming around it's crazy. Our success rate there at one point was just so damn high that I stopped going because was getting silly. Also, if you want to catch a shark, there's no better place than Matakana. 
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote DilzMusic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Sep 2017 at 10:28pm
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This Matakana wharf sounds very intriguing.. What luck would I have off there at this time of the year? Using Tuatua and crabs for bait are you going out and getting these yourself or is there somewhere around here that sells them? Haha sorry man new to this area so not sure how everything works yet. 

I'm actually jealous of your leisure island catch haha, I only got some rock cod thing and a few Wrasse, I was using squid. Lost a decent Kahawai also that I hooked up onto while spinning. I seen someone as I was leaving fishing off a rock at the tip with a small soft bait and land a decent Kahawai. 

Is that kingi off Papamoa?

I'm thinking I will definitely try leisure island again and I'm really looking forward to trying out all of these new places suggested. 

Where do I get on the Matakana barge? Do they allow rods on board?

Just wanna say a quick thanks, didn't think this forum was going to be as helpful as it has been. 
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Daniel K Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 2017 at 12:03pm
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Hey Dilz, 

The Matakana wharf is a great place that holds kingfish year round, but it is primarily a spring/summer location. If I were to guess, I would say that you would most likely encounter rats during this time. Tuatua can be gathered from almost any beach location, although I find Papamoa to be the best. Likewise, crabs can be found almost anywhere too. 

Nah, that Kingfish is from somewhere else :) 

The Matakana barge takes off at specific times from Sanfords retail outlet. You can take your vehicle on board if you want, but you require a permit which can be bought from the guys on the boat I believe for $15. They leave at certain times of the day so you have to be there for the ride out or you'll be stranded. Be careful of some of the locals who will try and trick you, stating that you need a fishing permit or a wharf permit to be there. They usually say its $20 to fish off the wharf and will try and intimidate you. You should be able to spot them from a mile away because they drive around in a 1970s Corolla and reek of weed and lynx. Yup, they allow rods on board. The barge itself is yellow. You can just walk across from where they berth. It's about 200m or something.

This forum is a great place to share your experiences. When I first joined, I was welcomed and taught a lot of great things. You should write up a report, even if you aren't successful. There are a lot of experts from different areas on here that specialise in different forms of fishing. You should check out the BOP Kayak Fishing scene, as well as the Spearfishing scene. Tauranga holds some pretty good spearfishing locations. The tip of Leisure is good for John Dory and Kingfish, and Rabbit Island holds all sorts including butterfish, odd snapper, john dory, kingfish, crays, odd paua and kina. It's a pretty magical place. 
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