Fishing Reports

Well the weather just does not seem to want to make its mind up, one minute it's hot and sunny, the next freezing cold, raining, and blowing a gale. So a little patience and the fishing is all good when the break arrives. Have heard of some excellent catches all around the gulf. Some great double figure fish, also plenty of snapper still in the shallows around the inner gulf for those who just want a feed.

JIMMIES FOUL
Produced some great snapper late last week with plenty of fish well into double figures, the fish were biting the instant the baits hit the bottom for the crew on "the out house". Jason and the boys fished all day for a bin full of good XXXl snapper, and a few small hapuka late in the day. Best fishing seemed to be when drifting with big sinkers on strayline rig bounced along the bottom. Baits - fresh was best, with the boys slaying the big snapper on freshly caught jack macs. With tides lifting the fishing should be good on the foul for the next week, with the Miners head end of jimmies likely fishing better.

RANGERS HUT LITTLE BARRIER
Had some great reports from boats fishing here. Fishing in the kelp with lots of berley producing solid reds and good trevs. Many big fish were hooked with baits on the way down, only to be blitzed on heavy 15kg tackle. Sounds like good kings patrolling the area as well so a livie under a heavy 24kg outfit will deal to any of these big boys, strayline rigs are the go here, with just enough weight to get the bait down, lots of berley and the rewards will come thick and fast.

ANCHORITE ROCK
Has been fishing as good as it should be at this time of year. A few hit and miss days but plenty to crow about as well. The barrier side of anchorite has been producing some good fish, but has worked only for those who slow drifted the area. If the wind is up, fish a drogue with a berley half way down, big XXLl baits on black magic xl snapper snatchers are definitely best option, best bait has been strip bait of mackerel or bonito

WELLINGTON REEF
Has had some good sessions on pan sized snapper here late in the evenings. Great place for a light line fish, but beware of the foul, as a solid red will have you busted off in no time. You will need all your skills to land them. Some good pannies to be had in between though , plenty of yak yak fishers here at the mo with its close proximity to the main island. Almost no weight needed here and small cut baits will produce the goods -  a bit of berley will also improve your luck

THE HAY STACK
Jim Jobe (penguin bait) had a great fish here on Saturday , catching a boat limit in no time , no big fish but plenty of quality pan sized snaps. Jim paid tribute to the fresh piper baits he was using (Jim trying to sell me more bait!!!!) with every piper that was sent to the bottom resulting in a hook up. No berley was needed , just a few marks on the sounder was all that showed. A quick look with a bait and the boys spent the next two hours filling their bin , Jim was gutted to be out-fished by the boys using ledger rigs though. He commented that the fishing was hot the weather was good and the company great, a great spot to get out with some mates this weekend 

SPARY ROCK ( MY PICK FOR THE WEEKEND)
Plenty of good sign here. Cast some livies into the foul and hold on to your beanie…, with solid big winter reds holding in the foul, several double figure fish have rewarded anglers here lately. The trick is big berley bombs of mussell /kina mix, one on the surface , one mid water. The fish have been feeding hard and have just been destroying live jacks the minute they are sited, big 8/0 gammies in a fixed twin hook rig is the best kit, be warned & expect to be wasted!!!!

Go hard this weekend boys and gals , the fishing is on the improve - tight lines & bent rods,

Terry King.