Fishing Reports
Eastern Bay of Plenty
Well, it's taken a long time and been a painful experience but we've finally seen some improvement in the EBOP. While the fishing is better right across the board (or nearly so) it's all-relative since it doesn't take much to rise from rock bottom! In spite of some bitterly cold days, the signs of spring are finally evident in various areas.
Inshore
Still anything but vibrant, most anglers are getting "a feed" while some are doing considerably better. The most consistent fishing still centres around terakihi with often limit type action. Although the water inshore remains cold (13-14 degrees C) and, in some places disgustingly dirty, the snapper have made a definite move. While mostly pan sized along the beaches (1-2kg), the foul has produced some substantially better fish. The Rurima Rocks, after months of being in the doldrums, has kicked out some nice fish of late. Although not many, these "kelpies" have been between 4-7 kilos with the odd one bigger. For those willing to berley and put in the time a "trophy" fish lie in the offing. Plenty of gurnard on the sand with increasingly more pannies to join them. Offshore
Marked improvement here but not everywhere. Water temp and colour has finally come around from its winter/spring lows. About half way out to White Island the colour improves from the greenish brown of the inshore algal bloom to a near bluish tinge. With the temp up over 15 degrees it has engendered some skippies to troll for albacore but, so far, to no avail. Despite several reports of decent sized albies seen feeding no landings have taken place. Blue mao moa and some trevally can be seen surface feeding on krill is a sure tell tale sign of spring near White and the Volkner Rocks. Yellowtail kingfish, conspicuous by their absence over the past two months, are finally coming to the party. While still in the deeper environs (140-200m) prior the their spawning period, the predominately 15-20 kilo fish have been a welcome addition to a previously sad story. They should soon move up into their shallower possies. So far the class fish of the young season belongs to young Andrew Hope of Auckland with his magnificent 36 ½ kilo specimen. Well done Andy! While true hapuka remain nearly non-existent, there have been a few bass and gemfish in the moderately deep (150-250m) water. By far the best fishing continues to be reserved for those who will fish early and deep. Bluenose of mixed sizes in depths of 320-400 metres is the domain of the superbraid brigade. If you want a catch, this is what you currently have to resort to. The shallows (30-60m) around the island continue to kick out respectable catches of oversized pink mao mao, terakihi, red snapper and the occasional porae top 9kgs as a bonus. Hopefully we've turned the corner and won't have to return to the pathetic situation we endured for so many weeks - it would appear so from this vantage point. Ranfurly Bank
Although little traffic within limited weather windows the Bank has made those intrepid visitors very happy in general. Yellowtail kingfish have been especially active, rewarding their captors with the typical bruising fights only they can dish up. With most fish in the teens, several over 20 and up to 26 k's have succumbed lately. Getting away from the top of the Bank, the depths have delivered the goods as well. Trumpeter, true hapuka and some bass have made for good action. Most of the hapuka have been on the smallish (6-12k) side but a few beauties over 30kgs have made it all worthwhile. No albies despite trolling to and from. Also some night fishing for broadbill has drawn blanks but top marks for trying. A few snapper from East Cape area rounds out a very rewarding picture. Summary
Lets hope the improvement we've noted is just the start of much better things to come as we edge ever closer to summer. Hard to believe we're nearly half way through spring when waking up to near frosts at sea! This will also change but none too soon. Hopefully this report will verify more expected betterment next time around.
Still anything but vibrant, most anglers are getting "a feed" while some are doing considerably better. The most consistent fishing still centres around terakihi with often limit type action. Although the water inshore remains cold (13-14 degrees C) and, in some places disgustingly dirty, the snapper have made a definite move. While mostly pan sized along the beaches (1-2kg), the foul has produced some substantially better fish. The Rurima Rocks, after months of being in the doldrums, has kicked out some nice fish of late. Although not many, these "kelpies" have been between 4-7 kilos with the odd one bigger. For those willing to berley and put in the time a "trophy" fish lie in the offing. Plenty of gurnard on the sand with increasingly more pannies to join them. Offshore
Marked improvement here but not everywhere. Water temp and colour has finally come around from its winter/spring lows. About half way out to White Island the colour improves from the greenish brown of the inshore algal bloom to a near bluish tinge. With the temp up over 15 degrees it has engendered some skippies to troll for albacore but, so far, to no avail. Despite several reports of decent sized albies seen feeding no landings have taken place. Blue mao moa and some trevally can be seen surface feeding on krill is a sure tell tale sign of spring near White and the Volkner Rocks. Yellowtail kingfish, conspicuous by their absence over the past two months, are finally coming to the party. While still in the deeper environs (140-200m) prior the their spawning period, the predominately 15-20 kilo fish have been a welcome addition to a previously sad story. They should soon move up into their shallower possies. So far the class fish of the young season belongs to young Andrew Hope of Auckland with his magnificent 36 ½ kilo specimen. Well done Andy! While true hapuka remain nearly non-existent, there have been a few bass and gemfish in the moderately deep (150-250m) water. By far the best fishing continues to be reserved for those who will fish early and deep. Bluenose of mixed sizes in depths of 320-400 metres is the domain of the superbraid brigade. If you want a catch, this is what you currently have to resort to. The shallows (30-60m) around the island continue to kick out respectable catches of oversized pink mao mao, terakihi, red snapper and the occasional porae top 9kgs as a bonus. Hopefully we've turned the corner and won't have to return to the pathetic situation we endured for so many weeks - it would appear so from this vantage point. Ranfurly Bank
Although little traffic within limited weather windows the Bank has made those intrepid visitors very happy in general. Yellowtail kingfish have been especially active, rewarding their captors with the typical bruising fights only they can dish up. With most fish in the teens, several over 20 and up to 26 k's have succumbed lately. Getting away from the top of the Bank, the depths have delivered the goods as well. Trumpeter, true hapuka and some bass have made for good action. Most of the hapuka have been on the smallish (6-12k) side but a few beauties over 30kgs have made it all worthwhile. No albies despite trolling to and from. Also some night fishing for broadbill has drawn blanks but top marks for trying. A few snapper from East Cape area rounds out a very rewarding picture. Summary
Lets hope the improvement we've noted is just the start of much better things to come as we edge ever closer to summer. Hard to believe we're nearly half way through spring when waking up to near frosts at sea! This will also change but none too soon. Hopefully this report will verify more expected betterment next time around.
From 
Pursuit
PursuitReport type: Saltwater
Report date: 11 October 02
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