Fishing Reports
Eastern Bay of Plenty
Lots of fishing and catching being done in this part of the world. Holiday makers are still very prevalent and continue to rub shoulders with locals for their share of the booty.
Inshore fishing is quite vibrant with snapper pleasing most everyone in that endeavour. The further offshore one goes, especially trolling for the illusive YFT, is where the difficulty begins. Read on………..
Inshore
This heavily visited band of coastal water has made a lot of anglers and their families very happy lately. Snapper is still one everyone’s lips (and palate!) with good reason – they’re biting. Seemingly regardless of where you choose to fish, its all good news – there’s just plenty of obliging snapper and it’s only the size which is in question. While most are from pan size to three kilos, there have been some big moochers apprehended. Several hogs up to 11 ½ k’s have come in from nearby Whale Island, victims of evening stray lining. Elsewhere, there has been no shortage of big slugs either. Te Kaha, in traditional fashion, has also yielded a number of fish over the 20 pound mark. Terakihi are still willing for those few fishing them. In a nice addition kahawai have made themselves seen after a long absence. Schools of fish have been witnessed actively feeding just off the Whakatane entrance for days now. While most are on the small side some have eclipsed 3 and even approached 4 kilos. The heart of this important fishery is in good health. Offshore
Kingfish remain the focal point of many White Island excursions. Obtaining bait is tough but, if you get over this hurdle, getting kingis to accept your offerings is a much easier task. Landing them, however, is another issue. These “street fighters” will try every trick in the book on their would be captors, often successfully. Only a few are still plump and in prime condition as most have completed the all important task of spawning and showing it. Most are less than 18 kilos; some over 30 if you’re lucky. Bottomfishing is productive but the emphasis has shifted from the deep (200-300+m) to the shallower (140-160m) environs. True hapuka of modest (4-10kgs) size has been the majority of the catch. Ranfurly Bank
Not a lot of pressure here of late, partially due to south and east winds which are far from being favourable at this outpost. The bulk of the effort has fallen upon the bottom grabbers, hapuka and bass with good results on both. Sharks, mainly makos of some monumental sizes, have made life difficult here of late. May abbreviated fish have arrived boat side. Kingis, while plentiful, have been disappointing with respect to size for no apparent reason. Pelagic Gamefish
After so much promise this season has spluttered to a virtual halt the last week. Despite many lures being trolled in every area of the BOP, no marlin or tuna have even been hooked, let alone landed, over the past week in a real disappointment. As we rapidly approach the eve of the Whakatane Tuna Tournament, the fervour increases as competitors arrive to “test the waters”. No secrets will remain after the four day tourney. While tuna have become nonexistent lately, marlin sightings have been quite the opposite. Numerous billfish (presumably all stripeys) have been seen free jumping in various areas but mainly around White Island. Despite the sightings none have reportedly taken a liking to any of the many trolled lures around the Bay at present. Summary
While we always knew it would be a late season; we didn’t bank on more frustration. In true rollercoaster fashion, things looked better in the middle of December than it did at Christmas; better around the New Year than now –how’s that for a couple of reversals? We appear to be at a crossroads now with this season, where it leads is anybodies guess.
This heavily visited band of coastal water has made a lot of anglers and their families very happy lately. Snapper is still one everyone’s lips (and palate!) with good reason – they’re biting. Seemingly regardless of where you choose to fish, its all good news – there’s just plenty of obliging snapper and it’s only the size which is in question. While most are from pan size to three kilos, there have been some big moochers apprehended. Several hogs up to 11 ½ k’s have come in from nearby Whale Island, victims of evening stray lining. Elsewhere, there has been no shortage of big slugs either. Te Kaha, in traditional fashion, has also yielded a number of fish over the 20 pound mark. Terakihi are still willing for those few fishing them. In a nice addition kahawai have made themselves seen after a long absence. Schools of fish have been witnessed actively feeding just off the Whakatane entrance for days now. While most are on the small side some have eclipsed 3 and even approached 4 kilos. The heart of this important fishery is in good health. Offshore
Kingfish remain the focal point of many White Island excursions. Obtaining bait is tough but, if you get over this hurdle, getting kingis to accept your offerings is a much easier task. Landing them, however, is another issue. These “street fighters” will try every trick in the book on their would be captors, often successfully. Only a few are still plump and in prime condition as most have completed the all important task of spawning and showing it. Most are less than 18 kilos; some over 30 if you’re lucky. Bottomfishing is productive but the emphasis has shifted from the deep (200-300+m) to the shallower (140-160m) environs. True hapuka of modest (4-10kgs) size has been the majority of the catch. Ranfurly Bank
Not a lot of pressure here of late, partially due to south and east winds which are far from being favourable at this outpost. The bulk of the effort has fallen upon the bottom grabbers, hapuka and bass with good results on both. Sharks, mainly makos of some monumental sizes, have made life difficult here of late. May abbreviated fish have arrived boat side. Kingis, while plentiful, have been disappointing with respect to size for no apparent reason. Pelagic Gamefish
After so much promise this season has spluttered to a virtual halt the last week. Despite many lures being trolled in every area of the BOP, no marlin or tuna have even been hooked, let alone landed, over the past week in a real disappointment. As we rapidly approach the eve of the Whakatane Tuna Tournament, the fervour increases as competitors arrive to “test the waters”. No secrets will remain after the four day tourney. While tuna have become nonexistent lately, marlin sightings have been quite the opposite. Numerous billfish (presumably all stripeys) have been seen free jumping in various areas but mainly around White Island. Despite the sightings none have reportedly taken a liking to any of the many trolled lures around the Bay at present. Summary
While we always knew it would be a late season; we didn’t bank on more frustration. In true rollercoaster fashion, things looked better in the middle of December than it did at Christmas; better around the New Year than now –how’s that for a couple of reversals? We appear to be at a crossroads now with this season, where it leads is anybodies guess.
From 
Pursuit
PursuitReport type: Saltwater
Report date: 18 January 03
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