Fishing Reports

 

The big game season is finally under way, with most of the fleet having had at least one encounter with marlin over the last week. Best of the water is from Doubtless Bay up to North Cape, with the water in the Bay being quite green out to the 280M line. Skippies are still scarce, but as their numbres increase, so should the number of 'big fellas'. On bad weather days, don't forget the sporting action offerred by the humble reremai(bronze whaler). IGFA now recognise whaler sharks for world records, and we were fortunate enough to land one of 217.2 kg last week which is now a pending womens record on 15kg. This fish was relatively docile(until we hit it with gaff!!), but one bronzie we hooked in to on light tackle last year still had the energy to jump after 5 hours, and finally broke us off after 7. Kingfish have been providing some great action, with the main aggregation areas being Bird Rock and Rocky Point. Small fish have been providing most of the action on poppers and jigs, but our clients yesterday tagged 4 fish over 10kg, using livebaits, and with plenty of jack mackerel around, catching bait is pretty easy as well. Snapper have returned to their normal erratic pattern, though Terry Tinboat on Island Water Taxi has been getting good results by making his clients start at dawn, and drifting the 50M area between Redhead and The Nine Pin. Brampton Reef is holding some good fish for the patient anglers, and Bird Rock has given results to boats anchoring a bit deeper. Tarakihi remain an easy option for a feed on the soft foul areas off Oke Bay. Major Tom II is away from home for the next 22 days, so the next report is likely to be delayed, but should provide a more extensive update of the current season. Keep sending your emails, and I will try and access a terminal somewhere in our travels.

 

From Major Tom II

Report type: Saltwater

Report date: 01 February 03