Fishing Reports

So how many more body blows are we expected to take this “summer”?!?!  Seems like the water gets worse each week, taking on a worse colour and dropping in temperature.  Excuse me; shouldn't things be going the other way?  We’re now sitting on just over 15 degrees C in much of the Bay with a torrid 16 in some scheduled areas and then there’s the colour – little difference between the Whakatane River and White Island at the moment!  So there’s the gripe, let’s get on with the positives and there are quite a few.

Inshore

Snapper and terakihi continue to provide pretty steady pickings for most inshore anglers.  While most of the snapper are pannies up to 2 kilos, some are nice fish over 4k’s and up to 9.  The fishing, despite cold, dirty water is pretty good throughout the inshore scene – from Matata through to Waihou Bay.  Gurnard, trevally and kahawai fill out the schedule for species hunters.

Offshore

Despite incredibly erratic conditions this region nearby White Island remains quite productive.  Kingis lead the charge with pretty steady fishing involving both bait and jigs, particularly the new “knife” style.  The majority of these of these pre spawning fish are 12-16k’s but there enough quality to keep anglers on their toes.  Largest this week went to Rob Albrecht with his 32k specimen.  Best of all it’s still there sporting a bright yellow tag – well done on your sporting and conservation ethics, Rob.  Bottom grabbers are one day hot, next day poor. Hapuka are conscious by their absence but bluenose and gemfish rule the day along with more bass than one would expect, mainly small.  No point trolling since the water is frigid 15-16 degrees.  It will change one day but not until we get rid of the westerlies.

Ranfurly Bank

Little traffic here since weather does not allow such forays.  Some boats have ventured further south and made decent catches in only moderate winds while Ranfurly languishes is 30 knots plus.

Summary

Still waiting for summer but, at this point, it’s a very long ways off.  Best advice is to lower one sights and dwell on what’s present which, after all, isn’t all, isn’t all that bad.  Till next week.