Fishing Reports
Eastern Bay of Plenty
Eastern Bay of Plenty
Well, we have had a change since the last report but it hasn't been the change I relish in documenting. After the brief positive flurry we experienced recently in the EBOP waters, we've sadly retreated back to the doldrums of the past few weeks. Fortunately most areas haven't fallen to their former depths but it's still not the news we wanted or expected. Seems like spring is still not with us quite yet.
Inshore
With improved snapper catches in many possies last week, things were looking promising. Unfortunately the crimson warriors have become elusive again with the exception of eastern waters. While the Whakatane region suffers from a snapper deficiency, the coast from Opotiki east have been productive of late. A local tournament last weekend (12-13) yielded a reasonable number of good snapper up to the contest winner of 9.7kgs. Otherwise it's been a steady diet of terakihi, the water between the coastline to nearly White Island with anything from green/brown to red colouration - not very appetising to look at. Dolphins have, like many species of fish, been conspicuous by their absence. Offshore
After delivering some decent sized kingis ten days ago, the situation has taken a retro grave step. Very difficult fishing again with only the occasional strike for a lot of effort. The fish are decent sized (14-20kg), just not enough of them. Deepwater fishing, at least for bluenose in 400 metres of water, has improved. All other depths remain hard to non-existent. Near shore reefs still offering the shallow water (30-50m) brigade namely terakihi, red snapper, pink mao mao, porae and some massive leatherjackets. Don't knock the latter - they don't call them "creamfish" for nothing. Despite some very nice and warming water, still no albacore on the trolling lures. Ranfurly Bank
The one recent trip there produced good kingis and small trumpeter in the shallows but the hapuka were in the depths. A few trevally and snapper rounded out the totals. Look for more trips here in the future. Summary
Although we've taken a step backward only view it as temporary. Like a southerly wind, it's hesitant to give in. Spring should overwhelm us soon and none too soon.
With improved snapper catches in many possies last week, things were looking promising. Unfortunately the crimson warriors have become elusive again with the exception of eastern waters. While the Whakatane region suffers from a snapper deficiency, the coast from Opotiki east have been productive of late. A local tournament last weekend (12-13) yielded a reasonable number of good snapper up to the contest winner of 9.7kgs. Otherwise it's been a steady diet of terakihi, the water between the coastline to nearly White Island with anything from green/brown to red colouration - not very appetising to look at. Dolphins have, like many species of fish, been conspicuous by their absence. Offshore
After delivering some decent sized kingis ten days ago, the situation has taken a retro grave step. Very difficult fishing again with only the occasional strike for a lot of effort. The fish are decent sized (14-20kg), just not enough of them. Deepwater fishing, at least for bluenose in 400 metres of water, has improved. All other depths remain hard to non-existent. Near shore reefs still offering the shallow water (30-50m) brigade namely terakihi, red snapper, pink mao mao, porae and some massive leatherjackets. Don't knock the latter - they don't call them "creamfish" for nothing. Despite some very nice and warming water, still no albacore on the trolling lures. Ranfurly Bank
The one recent trip there produced good kingis and small trumpeter in the shallows but the hapuka were in the depths. A few trevally and snapper rounded out the totals. Look for more trips here in the future. Summary
Although we've taken a step backward only view it as temporary. Like a southerly wind, it's hesitant to give in. Spring should overwhelm us soon and none too soon.
From 
Pursuit
PursuitReport type: Saltwater
Report date: 16 October 02
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