Fishing Reports

 

Although still not consistent, the snapper bite has improved with a slight rise in water temperature over the last couple of weeks. This has been especially evident around the Capstan area between Longbeach and Roberton Island, which has been producing some good fish in the evenings. Best results have been with straylines, using pilchards or split mackerel as bait. Kingfish have been a reward for the persistent, rather than an easy catch, but some good fish up to 15kg seem to have moved in to the Hansens Reef/ Rocky Point area. Cape Brett has also been holding some good fish, but these seem to be easier prey for divers than anglers. Some good catches of hapuka have come from the Main rock, and other grounds out at the 200M mark. It may be worth having a dabble at makos those areas, as some half fish on our last trip indicate. We did hook up on the culprit, a stroppy fish around 120kg, but the hooks pulled at the boat. Dave Arrell, on his new boat Double Strike, took a trip out wide, and found water up to 18C, but only managed to tangle with a large skipjack, but albacore and the first yellowfin should be an option as we move in to November. As always, drop me a line at MAJOR.TOM@xtra.co.nz if you have any queries.

 

From Major Tom II

Report type: Saltwater

Report date: 24 October 02