Fishing Reports

 

Well, what a week it has been! I’ll start at the beginning, as that is usually a good place to start. On the 25th of July we encountered a day like no other and as it unfolded, we would realise that it would be hard to forget. A few of our staunch regular clients and a few new clients (Marty Patel and his mates), left early for the Flat Rock area. After enduring a bit of a slow start and much to our surprise, a crayfish of around 5.5lb was brought to the boat and successfully landed. After making the necessary checks, it was put in the slurry along with the snapper and terahiki we were catching. Within the next hour or so another 3, really good, crayfish were landed on flasher rigs and running rigs, baited with squid and fresh bait! We had to release one of the crays as she was laden with a healthy bunch of eggs. This didn’t unduly phase us, as we were having a pretty good day. It was only a week before that Graham Truman caught one cray from the same spot (or not far from it) that weighed in at 6.5lb! To deep to dive the spot, but I may go back with the pot when time permits. Mr Chan enjoyed excellent fishing from the back of Tiri a day later and was so impressed he booked again for the very next day. This is not the first time he has done this and he really enjoys his fishing. The first day was great, with a bag limit of nice snapper, from some of the reefs out the back of the island. We had to move around for the fish, but every spot we dropped baits into, fished well. One spot near Shag Rock produced a fish a minute for the first 20 minutes, then the ‘couda turned up and forced the move. There is a ‘couda out there with some very attractive jewelry hanging around its’ neck. The next day was not be as good as the first and we only managed to pick up a few smaller snapper from the reefs at the back of the island and spent a good deal of time throwing back the juveniles. It was only in the last hour or so, we got onto much better fish on the inside of the island in the Tiri Passage. We used the tide to float baits back into some rubble on the bottom and we scored snapper to about 4lb. With about 40 snapper for the day, everybody went home with a feed and would you believe it – Mr Chan booked again for the next day! Yesterday we took his group and Peter (Earl) Gray, up to the Flat Rock area again. Sorry no crayfish and only one terahiki this time. We did however manage to get a boat limit of snapper to about 8lb and finished fishing at around lunch time. At one stage there were “double headers” of 4lb snapper coming up on the Flat Rock Specials and on the ledger rigs. With fish under about 36cm being returned the average size was excellent. Double headers of Kahawai started to cause a few tangles and the odd ‘couda thrown in for good measure, kept me busy on deck. The fishing slowed right down with the easing tide flow and the last few fish took a while to catch, especially as we were being so selective about the sizes. All around the area there were dolphins thrashing the surface, gannets dropping out of the sky, terns turning and shearwaters trying to get to whatever was left of the anchovy banquet. The kahawai were full of them, spitting them out as they hit the slurry bin. All across Whangaparaoa Bay on the way home, there was bird and surface activity from the dolphins. The sounder showed massive meatballs and the work ups were pretty impressive. I got on the phone to a mate of mine who was heading out for an evening fish off Army bay. He did very well! A limit of good snapper up to 10lb off the edge of the foul out there somewhere, is all I can tell you as I’m quite fond of being able to use my legs! If you want to get up to Flat Rock with us before the fish move on, just give us a call or email us for available dates. Contact details will follow this bit of housekeeping. Firstly, we have had to raise the price of our midweek day trip from $45pp to $50pp. We had hoped the fuel companies would stop putting up the price of fuel, but they haven’t. This is our first price rise and all the other prices remain the same. Our weekend and public holidays, day trip, is still $55pp and the afternoon trip is still $40pp. We do have a special going in our latest newsletter to help you overcome the shock of this price rise and if you would like to cash in on it, contact us for a copy. The casuals list is going strong and we still have plenty of spaces over the next month for you to get out for the day. Keep the weather in mind if you wish to fish the Flat Rock area, as it is pretty exposed and ravaged by tides. All the Saturdays, except the 10th, are full this month already, so be quick to book. We have casuals days every week, so it doesn’t matter if you are not part of a group. It is not long now till the schools of snapper arrive and prepare to spawn. It can be the best fishing of the year and typically starts around the beginning of October. The big male snapper move in first and check the place out for their girlfriends. We will be there to meet them. If you wish to join us call on (09)4240607 or (025)2446346 You can email us at deepsea@clear.net.nz Everybody should believe in something. I believe I’ll go fishing! PS. Have you checked out the “new” forum on this site. Get involved in your sport or have questions answered. We may even see you on the next Forum Users Trip. Damain THE CHARTER CONNECTION

 

From A Charter Connection...

Report type: Saltwater

Report date: 02 August 02