Fishing Reports
Eastern Bay of Plenty
Been awhile since my last report but there’s been a good reason for that – stuff all has happened!
Very much a status quo until yesterday (2-2) with little change on any front – certainly nothing on the positive side of the ledger.
Inshore
Little change here. Still some great snapper fishing for those in the know or on the right spot but has gone off the boil in general. Lots of supporting roles with good numbers of kahawai, terakihi, gurnard and baby hammerhead sharks! Water temps around 18-19 degrees and nothing great on the vis with the recent swell generated by Cyclone Beni. Offshore
Overall this arena has been productive; thank goodness for small favours. If it were not for the prolific kingfish and assorted bottomfish it would be a very dry argument at present! Kingis are still number one on the hit list, keen to oblige most of the time. Averaging around the 15 kilo mark, there have been a few beauties to 30 kgs. Most are still released after capture in the White Island area with less than a third returned. Great stuff and a practice which has yielded dividends over the years. Deepwater is still split into two depths – the moderate (140-180m) and the deep (250-300). The former is the sole territory of true hapuka while the latter holds the lot (bass, bluenose, gemfish and puka). A few XOS makos have crashed the party lately, resulting in some great sights and abbreviated fish. Shallow waters (30-60m) near White Island holds its usual conglomeration of species – most great eating and fun to catch on light tackle. Ranfurly Bank
This distant area has been very productive for all visiting boats and respective crews. Shallow high spots are the domain of the kingfish, with many large fish succumbing. Many are typically lost but it’s not surprising considering the size they achieve there. Some beauties over 35kgs have been levitated from the depths with 20-30kgs commonplace. Deeper water is yielding some very nice bass (30-50k’s plus) as well as hapuka and trumpeter. The yellowfin tuna which were seen there are now gone along with the nice water. Green, cold (17-18 degrees C) water extends from Ranfurly all the way west past Lottin Point, Ugh! Yellowfin Tuna
This species has been a big no show ever since the Whakatane Tuna Tournament (most would say during as well). Five YFT were apprehended in one day (2-2), all in the Waikawa Point – Whanarua Bay area. The prize catch among this action was Woody Fraser’s 68.6kg specimen, his first. Caught onboard his fathers boat “Braveheart”, many are wondering what he’ll do for an encore. Hope still lives in the heart of all tuna fishers, even at this advanced stage of the season. Summary
Someone said they hope there’s a late season, otherwise there won’t be any at all is close to the mark. With so many conflicting circumstances it’s still anyone’s guess where this season will take us.
Little change here. Still some great snapper fishing for those in the know or on the right spot but has gone off the boil in general. Lots of supporting roles with good numbers of kahawai, terakihi, gurnard and baby hammerhead sharks! Water temps around 18-19 degrees and nothing great on the vis with the recent swell generated by Cyclone Beni. Offshore
Overall this arena has been productive; thank goodness for small favours. If it were not for the prolific kingfish and assorted bottomfish it would be a very dry argument at present! Kingis are still number one on the hit list, keen to oblige most of the time. Averaging around the 15 kilo mark, there have been a few beauties to 30 kgs. Most are still released after capture in the White Island area with less than a third returned. Great stuff and a practice which has yielded dividends over the years. Deepwater is still split into two depths – the moderate (140-180m) and the deep (250-300). The former is the sole territory of true hapuka while the latter holds the lot (bass, bluenose, gemfish and puka). A few XOS makos have crashed the party lately, resulting in some great sights and abbreviated fish. Shallow waters (30-60m) near White Island holds its usual conglomeration of species – most great eating and fun to catch on light tackle. Ranfurly Bank
This distant area has been very productive for all visiting boats and respective crews. Shallow high spots are the domain of the kingfish, with many large fish succumbing. Many are typically lost but it’s not surprising considering the size they achieve there. Some beauties over 35kgs have been levitated from the depths with 20-30kgs commonplace. Deeper water is yielding some very nice bass (30-50k’s plus) as well as hapuka and trumpeter. The yellowfin tuna which were seen there are now gone along with the nice water. Green, cold (17-18 degrees C) water extends from Ranfurly all the way west past Lottin Point, Ugh! Yellowfin Tuna
This species has been a big no show ever since the Whakatane Tuna Tournament (most would say during as well). Five YFT were apprehended in one day (2-2), all in the Waikawa Point – Whanarua Bay area. The prize catch among this action was Woody Fraser’s 68.6kg specimen, his first. Caught onboard his fathers boat “Braveheart”, many are wondering what he’ll do for an encore. Hope still lives in the heart of all tuna fishers, even at this advanced stage of the season. Summary
Someone said they hope there’s a late season, otherwise there won’t be any at all is close to the mark. With so many conflicting circumstances it’s still anyone’s guess where this season will take us.
From 
Pursuit
PursuitReport type: Saltwater
Report date: 04 February 03
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