Fishing Reports

With the great spell of weather continuing for a few weeks now it has enabled us to be out on the water every day. The fishing has been good but for a few poor days recently when wind and tide opposed and we just couldn’t string together a decent result and the conditions were the winner on the day. Very frustrating. I tend to quickly forget those days as they are few and far between. Dry your eyes and move on.

Overall the season seems to be progressing in a more typical manner now and we have a pretty consistent water temperature in the Gulf of around 22C but up to 24C-and even 25C closer in. A few Kahawai are now turning up where they were noted for their absence, Trevally are in good numbers around the Mokes and outer islands and being busted off or spooled by large Sharks is not uncommon especially closer in around Tiri and down towards Auckland. We got “hit’ twice in the Tiri area yesterday by Sharks that we couldn’t stop from an anchored boat resulting in a couple of hundred metres of string being lost. Bronze Whalers more than likely.

MATANGI and TEREHU are doing well locally on most days with the big tides being the only real drawback in getting the fish to feed. They are spending most trips in the currents of the Tiri area and pulling good numbers of fish from both the day trip and again in the evenings. The three of us (I was on WAHU) did well for our guests out of the area yesterday and a few less on Saturday with an average size of around 35cm-40cm. there were of course a few larger fish in it along with the Kahawai, Trevally and Gurnard. As you can see, you don’t have to go too far to get a few for tea.

I haven’t been spending too much time in here though as the weather has let me get out wider to the Mokes, Simpsons and Little Barrier. These areas have been a little patchy on the Snapper but some of the Kingfish have made up for the lack of Snapper. When I say lack it doesn't mean there are none, you just to work harder for them. In saying that though we did very well during the Furuno in secure a client an 11kg Snapper in the first hour of him fishing. Our first 3 Snapper that day had a combined weight of 20kg!

Best results on the kingfish are coming from bottom and surface set live baits that we collect on the way out. The difficulty is in getting a Mackerel live bait down through all the “rat” Kingfish in some locations! Once down though, the bigger fish seem pretty keen to scoff live baits and we have released a lot of Kingis and kept a few for the table or smokehouse.

Some of the by-catch is not bad table fare also with anglers enjoying the variety that these areas can offer and I’m looking forward to the cooler months out here when the “Puka” may become a better option especially around the Barrier and Mokes. Until then though it is eyes peeled on the way out for the game fish that have been sighted in the area. Marlin have been sighted north of Little Barrier and behind the Mokes. We have towed the gear for hours in some really good looking water, along and across temperature breaks but they are a little elusive. A bit like hunting for tigers in pussy cat country I know but they are around and you never know……

There have been a few smaller Yellowfin Tuna have been caught around Simpsons Rock and north of the Mokes and Great Barrier. Hardly surprising considering water temperatures, available feed and the bird life that has been around.

So here’s what’s happening around the traps:

Tiri is firing on the “pannies” and the channel was the best option these past few weeks. Berely up and hope that the unknowing leave you alone and refrain from trying to drop the anchor in your trail! Pilchards and Lolago Squid seem to be best baits along with some fresh bait caught in situ. Stayline, Flasher rigs, etc it doesn’t really matter. When they come on the bite it is all go. Some of those flasher rigs really do work well though.

Rakino and the areas south in between Waiheke and Motutapu are fishing much the same as Tiri but seem to be more tide dependent. The bigger tides can make the fishing difficult in here too with the need for  extra lead just to get on the bottom. The other channels and the Tamaki Strait are also worth fishing but again seem to be more tide dependent.

The Bottom End apparently is still fishing OK, but seldom will I bother heading that way. Some of the foul off the back of the accompanying islands hold good numbers of Kingfish at this time of year and there have been some bigger specimens taken from this area in the past especially using slow trolled live baits. Snapper fishing can be patchy with probably better results coming from areas where the current is stronger.

I haven’t been doing very well at Flat Rock or along the back of Kawau since the Furuno. I don’t think that is the reason but more that there has been a lot of trawler activity east of Kawau and a little north. I counted 4 trawlers working for the day in the area and feel perhaps that may have had something to do with the lack of fish. Maybe after the next blow might be the go. I will keep you posted when more information is available about Pah Farm. There are some disturbing changes taking place with the new owner looking to restrict who uses this great location.

Little Barrier seems to fish better when there is some swell rolling around the place and I have been favouring the southern side of the island. There are numerous patches of foul all around the island that on the right day hold plenty of fish. There are Kingfish on some of the foul, especially the northern reefs and points. Terahiki, Porae, and Granddaddy Hapuka are amoung the by catch.

Great Barrier. Well, I am leaving it till later on in the season. No good reports yet to make me go charging over there anyway. There will be Kingfish and no doubt a few Snapper around the Needles, some of the points along the western coast and of course the Cape. Watch the tides as the Cape can be a top spot in smaller tides.  The same goes for the top of Coromandel. Ravaged by current and conditions can change quickly.

Anchorite is still as patchy as ever probably because it gets fished very regularly both commercially and by recreational anglers. It can be top place for kingfish while the water is warm. Keep an eye out birds working if you’re out here. Often there is a lot of Snapper under working Gannets and Shearwaters especially if they seem to keep working the same area for some time. Deploying a live bait into a work up at this time of year can be worthwhile too.

Horn Rock has been fishing OK but the Snapper numbers are a bit down on what I would have thought should be happening. Another good spot for Kingfish but these Kingfish are the “ruffians of the reef” and we have lost some really good fish out here over the years. Big gear can be needed to stop them some days.

WAHU is coming out of the water for a few days to get a new heart hence I have time to fire out a report. MATANGI will be away at Kawau for a few days and TEREHU will be knocking a dent in the local fishery.

If you want to get out on the water over Easter or any other time, give us a call and we will jack you up a trip. We still have our winter Barrier Trips going and these can be 2-3-4 or 5 day trips. Don’t hang up your gear for the season yet as it far from over.

Keep your powder dry, reels oiled and your hand on the drag lever!

Damian

The Charter Connection – Where fishing is catching!