Fishing Reports

Well, what can I say – Damn it’s been hard going locally.

Water temperature of around 11C or 12 C means that the fish are that are there are not having to feed as much, as their metabolism has slowed right down. Figures though doesn’t it – they were chewin’ good up until the water cooled! Don’t get me wrong, there are still fish around and you can see them, but even a sounder cant make them feed. Forget the modern technology.

It has its place of course: safe navigation, spotting fish, finding structure, etc. but I seriously believe that to catch fish you have to think like a fish. Where would you be in another gale warning!!

The fish that are around (and there are fish around) are sticking close to structure with feed on it or close by and out in the Gulf where the water is deeper and therefore a little bit warmer. An example of this is the latest water temp at Flat Rock was around 12.5C but at the top of Great Barrier it was 14C. Didn’t feel it to touch, but the fish were more willing to bite as they weren’t living in a colder climate – so to speak. But there are exceptions to these little theories that we can conjure up when we try to think like fish. Myself and a great crew of bottle divers, spearos and anglers had a very lean 3 days at Great Barrier recently. Battling a southerly trend was not the best fun we had had and despite our efforts both in and on the water, we found it quite hard going. We fished deep, we fished in close, we drifted, and we worked it, burley flow ‘n, but that southerly can really slow it up, sometimes. Scallops don’t have bite times though and couldn’t care less about wind direction, just like the few Crays we secured.

Tiri does have fish hanging on some of the foul, but timing is critical and the fish don’t do 9 till 5. Try the change of light or check out the bite times and burley up. There are areas of foul on the edges of the Channel that can hold good numbers of Snapper and a few good Trevally. The back of the Tiri has a good variety of foul to fish. I prefer the more shallow reefs at the moment – 2 reasons.

1. It’s blowing like mad! And there’s shelter close in.

2. There’s a heap of feed on some of these reefs.

But remember, it’s not like going to the supermarket, more like a drive through that takes 6 hours and you may end up unhappy with your meal.

Kawau is fishing a little different than it has in the past few years. Not many Terahiki at all so far this winter, when normally we would be able to find something successful to do during a slack water period. A few good trips, but on the whole it has not been as good as it has in previous years. To justify this, I’d have to say, that it is hard to fish both change of light situations without doing an overnighter. Weather again has reared its’ ugly head and put a damper on getting to the good bits out there. Scallops have been good though and after a slow morning last weekend, I put it to the crew to perhaps gather a few. Limit of 100 and a few Snapper off a longline made for a more productive result. The Scallops seem to differ from patch to patch and from what I’ve seen so far this season, they seem to be in good condition early.

The Kawau Landbased Kaos trip (18 Fishing.net members put ashore by us along the eastern side of Kawau Island) did not produce the XOS Snapper we had all hoped to be hooked into. Great landbased opportunities and a big fish lost, but no record breaking stuff. Congrats to Tobes for taking out heaviest Snapper. Coincidentally, it came from one of the shallowest ledges.

Little Barrier has been patchy. The place can hold a heap of fish at the right time but the weather again has kept it a little out of reach this past month, so I can offer no real info to get you rarked up about going up that way. If you are in that neck of the woods though, try in close on the northern side or a drift though the Nor’ West reef area. Southern side is well worth a look too but again I would be favouring the shallower water and a good burley trail.

Can’t wait to get back to Great barrier again and restore my faith in the moon and fish. We have a group from Fishing. net headed that way for 2 days of landbased fishing at the end of the month. Check out the Walk –About forum on the site to find out more. There are some top landbased opportunities out here and I’ll keep you posted on how the guys get on. There may even be a spot free on that trip so check the site if you’re interested.

Bait of the month: Oooooh it is hard to go past a ½ A Grade Pillie when straylining with 6kg in close to the reefs. Will also have to back a ½ Mackerel for a result in a good burley trail.

Rig of the Month: It’s Streamline time in close and droppers for out wider. I am going to back a Mac Flasher in 50 metros for a good feed of Garnered and a few Snapper. If streamlining, only use just enough weight to get you down into the reef and keep quiet. Dropping sinkers in the bottom of the tinny is not going to help you. Don’t park in someone else’s burley trail!

Location of the Month: They are where you find them. Great Barrier is one place that offers the ground, the shelter, and the options. If in closer try, Army Bay, Flat Rock, Maria Is, North of Gannet Rock a few miles for a drift, the back of Tiri, but what ever happens keep clear of the Zilch. Some tell me they are schooling. Wherever you go, take some patience and watch that weather.

For you guys that are looking for staff outings, team building, killing a Friday afternoon, family or social group cruises, then get in touch with us for your next outing. We have a 45ft powercat with a good BBQ, stereo, large cockpit and flying bridge waiting to get you out on the water. BBQ cruises start at $800 for 20 guest BYO and we have full catering options available.

Cheers