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Tauranga Squid

Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Calamari Capers! Squid Jigging
Forum Description: Anything to do with squid fishing here
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=57677
Printed Date: 29 Mar 2024 at 9:44am


Topic: Tauranga Squid
Posted By: Marligator
Subject: Tauranga Squid
Date Posted: 18 Sep 2010 at 2:25pm
Has anybody heard of squid being caught in the tauranga harbour this winter. In 2003 & 2004 we caught alot but have not heard of any being caught in recent years in the harbour.



Replies:
Posted By: Uncle
Date Posted: 18 Sep 2010 at 2:51pm
I've tried on numerous occasions over the past year or so & have yet to catch one or indeed to see anyone else manage that.
One night at Pilot Bay we had a brief visit by 4-5 small versions & on another night saw a big mutha cruise in  but thats the sum total.
Most nights I've had mates with me & they didn't do any good either.
I've cruised all the likely spots on good nights looking to see if any of our Asian friends are quietly nailing them but have drawn a blank on that one too.

Salisbury Wharf has a mediocre light attached, perhaps you could pull some strings & get a proper squid catchin' 10,000 lumen monster sorted for us Lance?Wink 

I bumped into Carl a few days ago & he told me of the "good old days", fair had me blood pumpin' LOL
 I'm keen to catch even one landbased in Tga harbour so if anyone can "throw some light" on where & how, I'd be mighty gratefulBig smile


Posted By: Tagit
Date Posted: 18 Sep 2010 at 3:08pm
Originally posted by Uncle Uncle wrote:


I've cruised all the likely spots on good nights looking to see if any of our Asian friends are quietly nailing them but have drawn a blank on that one too.

Does Aunty know what you get up to Uncle??Wink


Posted By: Uncle
Date Posted: 18 Sep 2010 at 3:13pm
LOL LOL
yer, I asked for that, didn't IEmbarrassed
 
( must remember to read what I wrote before hitting the post reply button)


Posted By: Tagit
Date Posted: 18 Sep 2010 at 3:18pm
Not sure you exactly asked for it. But you got it anyway!!LOL


Posted By: Marligator
Date Posted: 18 Sep 2010 at 3:52pm
Bill, Pilot Bay jetty was the place to go before they got rid of the light which used to be there. It was a good spot. We have not even had any when we have been out fishing along papamoa beach in recent years. We used to get the odd one in the burley trail buit not for quite a few years now. Seems like they have all moved into the Hauraki Gulf and up whangarei way. Pity as there is nothing like fresh squid.


Posted By: Bazzman58
Date Posted: 18 Sep 2010 at 6:55pm
Would love to do some as well, if anyone can help either boat or land based. Would be interested in a similar idea to the one they did in Aucks. Have to find them first...... 

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We all have one that got away..


Posted By: Uncle
Date Posted: 18 Sep 2010 at 7:29pm
Well Bazzman, perhaps we could talk Marligator & his mate fitty to come outa retirement to show us tyro's how it's done.
I got it from the horses mouth that fitty nailed 16 one night, yes, landbased & yes, Tga harbour, but was back in the "olden days".
 
What say yous, Vance & Karl?
I know DIY & srx7 are keen.
Big smile


Posted By: DIY!
Date Posted: 18 Sep 2010 at 8:58pm
Good post boys... bloody elusive I think..

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http://www.actionstations.co.nz

Berkley 2009 and 2010 S/B champ


Posted By: Marligator
Date Posted: 19 Sep 2010 at 6:46am
Yeah I would be keen to give it another go, but is going to have to wait until the beginning of October as I am off up north for a week for the NZSFC AGM and a few days R&R mid this week and have got other commitments for the next few nights and also it is not much fun when there is a strong southwesterly blowing.


Posted By: Bazzman58
Date Posted: 19 Sep 2010 at 7:54am
[QUOTE=Uncle]Well Bazzman, perhaps we could talk Marligator & his mate fitty to come outa retirement to show us tyro's how it's done.
I got it from the horses mouth that fitty nailed 16 one night, yes, landbased & yes, Tga harbour, but was back in the "olden days".
 
Bet they was alot younger then an didn't need viagra either........OOOOOh your talkin' about squid, must be the weather......But yup would be more than keen to give it ago, broaden my horizons so to speak.
 
 


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We all have one that got away..


Posted By: strx7
Date Posted: 23 Sep 2010 at 10:39am
Probably more chance of seeing "nessie" out and about on the tauranga harbour.....


Posted By: Caius
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2010 at 8:42pm
Try between number 1 berth and the tug wharf at night.Wink

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90% of people can handle adversity but only 10% can handle success


Posted By: Uncle
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2010 at 8:51pm
pm sent


Posted By: the_miksta1972
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2010 at 9:57pm
HI
 
The channel on the Matakana side of the Mount fires for squid fishing. I got 5 nices ones today during the middle of the day, pink jig, all good size squid. I stopped fishing after approx 20 mins. Just cast out past the wed beds, approx 10-15 meters if you can, sink to bottom then retrive etc. Quite a few people stopped and asked what I was up too, they had no idea that there are squid there. I think these areas will be holding a lot of squid, so get out there!!!
 
Cheers


Posted By: Kitemantim
Date Posted: 29 Sep 2010 at 4:57pm
Hi
 
Good catch, what tide did you fish at  & was froma boat or shore ?
 
Next time I am out will give it ago in that area
 
 
Cheers
 
 


Posted By: the_miksta1972
Date Posted: 29 Sep 2010 at 5:40pm
Hey Kitemantim
 
The tide was about 1 hour before hightide and it from from the rocks, casting past the weed etc. I think the further into the channel you can cast the better. My theory is that they hang in the deep in the day on the edge of reefs in deep water etc, There was a reef further out that I could just make out and that is where I hooked up etc. Use a 3.5 weighted jig.
 
Cheers
 
 


Posted By: Kitemantim
Date Posted: 30 Sep 2010 at 9:11am
If the weathers good this weekend I might take the boat out and just sit off shore and see what I can do. Marine forecast looks good and high tide mid afternoon. Now I just have to get a pass from the family to go out in the boat.
 
Cheers
 
 
Tim
 


Posted By: Cliff M-F
Date Posted: 29 May 2011 at 12:40am
So, what was the result?...


Posted By: Cliff M-F
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2011 at 9:28am
For anyone who is interested, I went down to Pilot Bay Monday night (Queen's BDay) leading up to full tide.
 
The good news is that there is a light there, in case you were under the impression it has been removed.
 
The bad news is (although this was my 1st night specifically targeting squid from a jetty) there was not a sign of a single squid about. I spent about an hr there then tried at the Salisbury wharf (I took a light with me) thinking that a bit of current may be a better option, but same result.
 
I am quite probably doing something wrong - I decided to use my smallest jig, as I have read that the bigger jigs can deter the smaller squid.
 
I am keen to try the spot between the no 1 berth and the tug wharf, but not sure how to get there.
 
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
Cliff


Posted By: Uncle
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2011 at 10:09am
If you spend enough time there Cliff you'll be sure to see one eventuallyLOL
'bout this time last year I tried my hand at catching them  & spent a fair bit of time at it.
Only ever hooked one  & saw one other big buggar ( + a squadron of 5-6 small versions)
There were a few guys fishing off Salisbury, dropping heavy waited squid jigs straight down & under the jetty & one night they got half a doz but I think it fizzed out after that.
Good luck, I might see you out thereBig smile


Posted By: home bouy
Date Posted: 26 May 2015 at 8:58am
has any one ever tried off the rock half way round the base of the mount parallel with the entrance of the channel on matakana there is a radio becon or something on it. was thinking about taking a big hunting spotlight down there?


Posted By: Uncle
Date Posted: 26 May 2015 at 9:24am
Greg if you turn back to page 1 of this topic, you'll find a couple of posts by the_miksta1972.
That's the exact same spot you are asking about.
I went out there with him & he caught a couple, I returned numerous times & never ever landed oneEmbarrassed
But they are there & I'm sure a bit of perseverance would pay dividends. 

Let us know how you get on.

ps. never fished that spot at night, was always daytime.



Posted By: home bouy
Date Posted: 26 May 2015 at 9:33am
yeah was walking around there the other day and thought it has got good potential( water depth, kelp cover, current flow) and then remembered I have a big spot light at work. so might just action a plan and see what comes of it.
haven't done a lot of squid fishing so can I catch them year round? 


Posted By: home bouy
Date Posted: 29 May 2015 at 8:36am

went down to the pilot bay warf last night heaps of bait aroun the warf light. 2nd cast and hooked up thought sweet this is it finally found them,only for it to turn out to be a small octapus had this happen again after about 40 mins so pulled pin and going to try another spot this weekend



Posted By: Squid brain
Date Posted: 25 Jun 2015 at 7:54pm
Plenty of squid round the base of the mount, best area is from north rock round to the entrance beach.
Plenty of weed and close to deep water/current. Don't think tide matters much there, more important is early /late in the day, and ensuring the water is not to murky. A little burley helps too.
Haven't seen squid for years off the wharves, no lights and not many bait fish maybe the reason?
Squid are in now though, poked a couple at the knoll on the spear gun last week.


Posted By: home bouy
Date Posted: 06 Jul 2015 at 8:40am
anyone else having any sucess around the mount or warfs at night?


Posted By: Squid brain
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2015 at 7:22pm
Still stuck in Oz workin... ill be chasing them when i'm back.
Also going to try around the west side of the Motiti knoll, some killer looking squid country there. Did a fair bit of squidding in Perth in years past, and that's the sort of ground you get good catches over. Get out there homebouy, post pics!


Posted By: home bouy
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2015 at 7:40pm
Cheers mate had a good Crack on Sunday But weather was a bit rough. Mate found a good spot to try this week. Look forward to bowling over our 1st one. Il try leave some left for you mate


Posted By: Squid brain
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2015 at 7:38pm
Ok, where are all the squid? 5 times round the mount and motiti, not even one take...Did have an orca swim into my line, luckily it came free, 4 kg fluro a bit light for those.


Posted By: home bouy
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2015 at 10:56am
mate i have basically given up on them. i went hard out for just over a month for nil resaults


Posted By: Stonefish
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2015 at 12:52pm
Anyone tried around Rabbit? Was thinking the shore/south side might be worth a crack, bit of weed etc there.


Posted By: ELEVAR
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2015 at 7:46pm
ive seen afew small schools at rabbit when spearfishing let us know how you go!


Posted By: Stonefish
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2015 at 8:36pm
Originally posted by ANGLER MANAGMENT ANGLER MANAGMENT wrote:

ive seen afew small schools at rabbit when spearfishing let us know how you go!

Awesome, cheers for that, when I finish my exams in a couple of weeks I might get out and have a crack.


Posted By: Boz19
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2015 at 8:57pm
For the rocks etc with no lights, try them at night when the moon is full or that period when it's really bright a week either side. Don't shine your torch on the water if you can help it either. Works up here so could be productive there too.

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http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow">


Posted By: Cliff M-F
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2015 at 8:07am
Thanks Boz19. Sounds like that's worth a try, alternatively Rabbit may be my next spot to try.
I tried casting back towards the rocks at the Mt, near North Rock on Saturday, both early in the morning and then in the afternoon, after a very unproductive day out fishing.
I did see a couple of Orcas swim past at 6.30am, which was a bonus. 
I am keen to find those squid, so any updates, both positive and negative, are greatly appreciated. 


Posted By: Squid brain
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2015 at 12:15pm
Another squidless squid session around motiti knoll, last night.....Maybe the waters too cold at 13.5 deg?


Posted By: Uncle
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2015 at 1:07pm
I'm pretty sure squid are caught in temps much lower than that Brendan.
The jvc boats fish down south of Stewart Island..


Posted By: Nomis
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2015 at 1:44pm
Sounds depressing... bloddy us jaffas head out at mission bay and fish from the car door and catch these things. Or at the devonport ferry terminal.

I would have guessed you BOP lot would have been cleaning up on the squid down there


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I'll act my age when im 69


Posted By: CBF-Whk
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2015 at 10:35am
Not quite Tauranga but Whale Island is in the Bay.
 
 
Caught on a blue over white Z-man middle of the day.
 
CBF
Whk
 
 


Posted By: home bouy
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2015 at 3:07pm
that thing is huge mate is it a squid or a cuttlefish


Posted By: DenimViper
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2015 at 3:14pm
thats a donkey kong. looks like broad squid to me Thumbs Up


Posted By: *stu*
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2015 at 4:44pm
I have caught a broad squid on softbait during the day the same as that but not as big.  Think it was off Motiti somewhere.  That is big.


Posted By: Drew123
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2016 at 3:09pm
Is anyone catching squid around the mount or pilots bay?


Posted By: KingySlayer
Date Posted: 09 May 2016 at 8:52am
Thought i would put a post up here as a few seem to be looking around the TGA area for squid over past years. Anyway we had good success at the southern end of Motiti in 15 of water. got 2 from around 10 casts. Straight onto the fry pan for the starter.






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www.assassinsportsfishing.com
www.facebook.com/assassinjigteam


Posted By: Daniel K
Date Posted: 27 May 2016 at 9:09pm
Hey guys, 

I'm pretty keen to try and score some squid in Tauranga and I think I'll have a go at bringing them in with a custom light of some sort. After I've finished making it, I'll test it out and let you know how I get on. If it does work, it'd be good to have organize a few squid sessions with fellow members. 


Posted By: jonocoogee
Date Posted: 29 May 2016 at 8:18am
Sounds Good Daniel, 

Had a try last Monday under the protection of the mount to keep out of the 20 knot winds. Took a giant spotlight hooked up to a heavy battery pack. Worked well in bringing round the piper and jack macs, but no sign of squid for us. They must be somewhere


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TAS - Its a real disease


Posted By: Daniel K
Date Posted: 29 May 2016 at 8:39pm
Argh, I was going to try around the Mount as well. I've got myself one of those green underwater LED lights and I think I'll go around Sailsbury once it arrives and try around there again. When that light used to be there, it would go absolutely nuts. A lot better than down at Tamaki Drive or Mission Bay(in my experience). I remember when catching 4 or 5 every half hour at Sailsbury was the norm. Although, that was when you could catch Kingies, and John Dory every now and again.


Posted By: jonocoogee
Date Posted: 30 May 2016 at 5:45pm
Yeah we tried sailsbury wharf but was blowing 20 knots of 'fresh' wind. Had to take a bit of cover. I would love to have access to under the harbour wharf lights. There must be some Squid somewhere. 

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TAS - Its a real disease


Posted By: Daniel K
Date Posted: 30 May 2016 at 6:54pm
Yeah i think you're onto something. The rocks that surround the edges of the bridge stretch out quite a bit and are covered in a lot of weed. I think it's well worth a try there. 


Posted By: Squid brain
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2016 at 5:21pm
I would wait till the harbour dredging is done. Should be finished in a couple of weeks. Squids seem to like clear water. Ill be down there trying once it clears up a bit.

Off to Papa Aroha for a landbased sesh this weekend, shoul be some squid action there.....


Posted By: Daniel K
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2016 at 7:48pm
Will be giving it a crack this evening. Will report later with our results. 


Posted By: Uncle
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2016 at 7:52pm
..good luck Daniel, will be awaiting a positive report Big smile


Posted By: Daniel K
Date Posted: 07 Jun 2016 at 1:44am
Well just got back. Started at 9pm. Used the new underwater green LED light and that worked superbly. Unfortunately, not a singe squid seen. We fished Pilot Wharf. Next spot to try will be Sailsbury then Leisure. 


Posted By: Uncle
Date Posted: 07 Jun 2016 at 8:51am
Perhaps try some berley in conjunction with the light?
Keep at it Daniel~~there must be one somewhere lol


Posted By: Failbait
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2016 at 5:42am
Tried it out couple of months ago around the mount, caught pretty decent sized one, been out bout 4 times after that with no luck.


Posted By: Daniel K
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2016 at 6:48pm
Well there are no squid in Tauranga that I can find. Lots of octopuses but nil on the squid front. I'm going to give it a couple of more tried then I think I'll call it quits. I have to say that the light that I got is the bees knees. Attracts every bloody critter in, except for the squid haha. I'm sure if I took it to some weed beds out of the harbour I'd have more luck. Will keep everyone posted. 


Posted By: Uncle
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2016 at 7:09pm
Well, that just reinforces my findings Daniel.
I gave it my best shot about 5 years ago & came to the same conclusion, along with 2-3 other f.net members.
Maybe they don't like nitrogen or something/ whatever might be in the harbour, dunno.
But we did try pretty hard for a nil result.

Outside the harbour, no probs so there's got to be some sort of explanation.

Who knows?


Posted By: strx7
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2016 at 9:22pm
i dont think they like the amount of current we get in our harbour and especially trying to get in or out the entrance.  Places like auckland etc where people are catching squid are more 'open' ocean so to speak without the crazy tidal flow we get around here.  


Posted By: Daniel K
Date Posted: 29 Jun 2016 at 12:14am
Yeah I think a lot has changed. I still remember when you could catch them by the truck loads at Sailsbury. I'm going to keep trying to bring them in. 


Posted By: bite
Date Posted: 02 Aug 2016 at 4:16pm
keep it up guys , i have caught a few at mayor fun to catch  and im now fully squid armed well as far as im going to go on squid gear   Thumbs Up untill i find the mother load LOL  i have never really tried the harbour


Posted By: GSPOT
Date Posted: 02 Aug 2016 at 4:28pm
Hi Bite,  Where around Mayor have you had success.  Ive tried a few times in and around SE Bay but get to catch them there. 


Posted By: bite
Date Posted: 02 Aug 2016 at 7:47pm
pm sent


Posted By: strx7
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2016 at 11:16am
I was beginning to be a non believer of tauranga harbour squids having tried a few times unsucessfully, however an event this morning changed my mind.




Posted By: Stripstrike
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2016 at 12:12pm
Care to elaborate on that event? Smile


Posted By: home bouy
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2016 at 12:17pm
epic mate. I had given up after a very long time trying.you have obviously hit the honey hole this morning


Posted By: DenimViper
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2016 at 12:24pm
Those look like arrow squid? if you plan on eating them beware they can carry parasites. Broad squid that we get up in auckland dont seem to 


Posted By: strx7
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2016 at 1:32pm
Originally posted by Stripstrike Stripstrike wrote:

Care to elaborate on that event? Smile

straight out of the believe it or not file.....  

I chased them to shore with my stick bait then grabbed them by hand without even getting my feet wet. LOLLOLLOLLOLLOL


Posted By: Daniel K
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2016 at 1:44pm
Far out. I have spent countless hours chasing those slimly fu*kers and I have spent well over $500 in gear trying to target them and I have absolutely nothing to show for my results. If I were you, I would buy a lotto ticket, or a 100. 


Posted By: Drew123
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2017 at 9:51pm
I caught my first squid this morning at Salisbury wharf with my castnet. I just saw it sitting in the shallows and threw the net over it and caught it


Posted By: strx7
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2017 at 9:34pm
nabbed another this morning, larger than last times ones, hand in pic for scale and its also what is used for catching them LOLLOL


Posted By: Daniel K
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2017 at 4:14pm
WHERE?!?! Cry


Posted By: strx7
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2017 at 10:06am
same place as last time. Spot X


Posted By: Daniel K
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2017 at 3:34pm
Originally posted by strx7 strx7 wrote:

same place as last time. Spot X

Haha excellent, well I'm glad you found a good spot. I'm also glad that they're actually out there! I hope that's a sign of better things to come. I'll keep trying now. 


Posted By: Daniel K
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2017 at 7:02pm
Found them. 


Posted By: Uncle
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2017 at 7:28pm
Originally posted by Daniel K Daniel K wrote:

Found them. 

Did you catch one/some, Daniel?
In the harbour? landbased?



Posted By: Mirio
Date Posted: 01 Sep 2017 at 12:35pm
Anyone else had any luck in recent months? 


Posted By: bite
Date Posted: 10 Jan 2018 at 7:04pm
nailed up 3 out of south east bay mayor , last night  not big beastlys but the last one bent the rod and had to tighten up the drag just a touch 


Posted By: Daniel K
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2020 at 9:12pm
Just in case anyone is interested, quite a few squid around right now. Caught 6 before the lock down, all within an hour. They're here!


Posted By: Duffman38
Date Posted: 24 May 2020 at 10:44am
Hey mate, where about a we’re you catching them? I’ve been keen on giving it a go for a while but wasn’t sure where to start?


Posted By: Roblobker
Date Posted: 24 May 2020 at 6:45pm
Hi, want to get back into it myself again to so keen to know where the good spots are. I read much about Salisbury jetty, any other spots around?


Posted By: semisonic
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2021 at 11:53pm
I've caught a couple in Tauranga harbour at 2 different locations. However, this was coming up 21 years ago now....1st one was at Bobbys Fish market (also heaps of jack mackerel at night too on small jigs) there is a little storage shed thing there on the right as you walk onto the wharf and was a really bright light there, used to go down there late at night after jack mackerel and ended up getting one in the winter there - sorry can't remember if the light is there anymore as don't live there anymore, nor have fished there since 2001. I think it's fenced off now to that wharf, but might be able to have a go from the strand carpark side.

2nd place I got one was at the Harbourside restaurant (under the railway bridge) was on that wooden jetty and was right up by the restaurant, was well after closing but used to be lit up a little there. 

Neither time was I targeting them, just a random bycatch but I've just pulled out my old records from back then and both were caught in early July 2000 11pm sort of time on both occasions. Used to night fish the harbour a heck of a lot back then, had some fun times!



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