Fishing Reports

 

So sorry for missing reports over the past fortnight, especially when the most significant news of the young season is upon us. I’ve got a good excuse – was on Norfolk Island, enduring the effects of Tropical cyclone Zoë! Anyway back on the bridge now and ready for the season more than ever. At long last it looks like we’ve got a bonafide season on our hands. The events over the past few weeks would indicate things could get very much more exciting in the days/weeks and months to come. It better, we’re all banking on it! Inshore
Generally speaking, it’s pretty good fishing right along the coast. Snapper is the main attraction with “everyone’s favourite” producing the goods quite consistently. They don’t bite with abandon everyday but, more than not, it’s worth baiting your hook. Terakihi still obliging even though we’re well into the summer but less pressure on them all the while. Even though there’s been some great fishing right throughout the day, the change of light (early and late) has been by far the best times. With a late season in progress the snapper are only now spawning while normally this would have occurred a month ago or more. Lots of great fishing to come over a wide area – everyone’s dream. Offshore
White Island and nearby Volkner Rocks are producing some very nice fishing at the moment, and have been for weeks now. Across the board, it’s well worth being there. Bottomfishing very consistent if not red hot. Deep (150-300m) and shallow (30-60m) are both productive, take your pick. Deep anglers have the full spectrum to choose from. While most are on the smallish size, the variety and numbers make up for a lack of size. Gemfish, bluenose, bass and hapuka seem to abound in near equal numbers to make things interesting. The shallows are yielding terakihi, golden snapper, porae and three species of mao mao for starters but there’s plenty more. Kingfish appear to have reached their spawning crescendo. Over half seem to have already spawned judging by their lean appearance. Some great fishing is in progress, sometimes for hours on end. The Volkner Rocks are by far the most consistent although there are other areas producing as well. Most of the fish are “average” in size (14-18kgs) with most being returned to the sea after a robust fight. Not all are small however with several over 30 kilos just lately topped by a massive 44 kilo beauty – just missed the magic 100 pound mark. This great fishing is being enjoyed by all visitors but those are dwindling by the day – lured by the call of yellowfin. That’s right, tuna, and big ones. There hasn’t been many landed to date but the size has more than compensated. While they have been showing in a number of areas, the very best seems to be of Waikawa Point between Te Kaha and Waihou Bay. Everything is close to if not over 50 kilos thus far, a very pleasing size. Today (3 Jan) two great fish were landed. Lyn Griffiths, fishing off her husbands boat “Pure Magic” scored the YFT of the season of the season at 57.4k’s – well done Lyn. Not to be outdone, Adrian Stokes off his boat “Matilda” landed a rarity and a good one at that – 72k bigeye. Awesome catch, Adrian. Seems we’re on the right track here, now to get into high gear. Multiple strikes here we come! Ranfurly Bank
<\b> Big currents, despite pristine weather, have made things difficult on the Bank. Fishing is still pretty decent regardless of near three knot currents. While no single species is shining, they are all combining to give a well rounded catch. The deep (140-200+) has given up hapuka, bass and bluenose while the shallower environs have kicked out a multiplicity of species. Kingfish, large trevally, snapper terakihi, hapuka and trumpeter are just a few that are calling the shallows (30-70m) home currently. Between moon phases will see the current become less an issue. Trolling should never be dismissed as a productive pastime here, starting now. Summary
<\b>Here we go, hang onto your hats. While the chances are good you’ll be supporting the fuel companies without success, if you nail a tuna it will be a trophy fish. Everything seems, and is, very exciting now – long may it improve and last. Will update things soon – a privilege to do so at the moment.