Fishing Reports
Eastern Bay of Plenty
Lots happening and it’s very exciting, especially if you are probing the far eastern Bay and beyond. Since little has transpired on the inshore scene this will be a dedicated gamefish report. For all those hardcore fishermen – read on.
White Island
While kingfish remain excellent and bluenose are coming on strong; its striped marlin which are attracting the current attention. During the recent Ladies Tournament heads were turned with five stripees in a day, four from the confines of White. Since then it’s been very quiet on the trolling but with such beautiful water another quality fish could turn up at any time. Whakatane
Lots and oodles of bait. NE of Whale Island. If, or when, any gamefish find them they will have a ball but it’s a big if. No game fish caught within 15 miles for over a week but, again, it could happen. Lots of skippies and albies for the bait freezer or light tackle enthusiasts. Waihou Bay
Here, with the Nationals upon us, is the place where many fine fish will be landed over the next few weeks. Water colour and temp (21) is spectacular right up to a mile off the shore. While some tuna have been landed of disparate size (50k plus, 15k’s less) the big news is marlin. Many nice stripees are near Cape Runaway with a few tiddlers now showing up. A nice blue was tagged and released at the estimated size of 210kgs so maybe this will be the first of many. Congratulations to angler Dave McNally. Some of the stripees are over 140k’s, some also under 80. Watch for this area to really fire but with an expected 170 boats this week it could be mayhem. Already tempers are flaring as lures have been run over, a few nice albacore (to 17k’s) and the odd spearfish complete a very promising picture. Ranfurly Bank
Beautiful blue water right over the Bank means anything could happen there. Marlin have been hooked and tuna landed there with more sure to come. Kingis, trumpeter, hapuka and bass also please to any extent one wants to pressure them. Great weather of late means 3 or 4 boats there daily. Lots of potential there for those willing to make the long haul. Summary
Looking very good, thank goodness. Excited? You bet, for the first time in many months, Payday!
While kingfish remain excellent and bluenose are coming on strong; its striped marlin which are attracting the current attention. During the recent Ladies Tournament heads were turned with five stripees in a day, four from the confines of White. Since then it’s been very quiet on the trolling but with such beautiful water another quality fish could turn up at any time. Whakatane
Lots and oodles of bait. NE of Whale Island. If, or when, any gamefish find them they will have a ball but it’s a big if. No game fish caught within 15 miles for over a week but, again, it could happen. Lots of skippies and albies for the bait freezer or light tackle enthusiasts. Waihou Bay
Here, with the Nationals upon us, is the place where many fine fish will be landed over the next few weeks. Water colour and temp (21) is spectacular right up to a mile off the shore. While some tuna have been landed of disparate size (50k plus, 15k’s less) the big news is marlin. Many nice stripees are near Cape Runaway with a few tiddlers now showing up. A nice blue was tagged and released at the estimated size of 210kgs so maybe this will be the first of many. Congratulations to angler Dave McNally. Some of the stripees are over 140k’s, some also under 80. Watch for this area to really fire but with an expected 170 boats this week it could be mayhem. Already tempers are flaring as lures have been run over, a few nice albacore (to 17k’s) and the odd spearfish complete a very promising picture. Ranfurly Bank
Beautiful blue water right over the Bank means anything could happen there. Marlin have been hooked and tuna landed there with more sure to come. Kingis, trumpeter, hapuka and bass also please to any extent one wants to pressure them. Great weather of late means 3 or 4 boats there daily. Lots of potential there for those willing to make the long haul. Summary
Looking very good, thank goodness. Excited? You bet, for the first time in many months, Payday!
From 
Pursuit
PursuitReport type: Saltwater
Report date: 13 February 03
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