Fishing Reports

What a great bit of weather to match the great fishing!

A few more Snapper over 20lb for August. Congrats to Keith (North Power) with the months biggest at 10.3kg, Saul 9.4kg and The SHAG Club (Society of Hunters and Gatherers) 9.3kg. I even managed one which is not like me at all – I am usually tackling other fine specimens like ‘Coutas and Eels!!

These big Snapper have big appetites and when they want to eat they can sure eat big! We have been using some really big baits lately. Heads, frames, ½ whole fish and live baits are all getting nailed by these deep water moochers. Yip- deepwater is where it is at out wider at present and it is only because of the bright sunny days that I am staying out of the shallows. There are of course fish in the shallows but it can a little frustrating when the fish are shy on the bite.

The other draw card of fishing deeper is the chance of picking up the other species like Hapuka, Kingfish, Dory, Terahiki, Goldies, Porae, Blue Cod and the list goes on. We picked up 12 species in 1 morning from a deepwater reef a week or so ago.

So here’s what we have been up to.

Little Barrier has been a little patchy again and I have given the place a bit of a break especially in close and have been favouring the deeper offshore reefs both on the drift and anchoring. Sharks and ‘Coutas have been a bit of a problem but we are noticing the ‘Coutas are fewer than in previous weeks and not putting a dent in the tackle boxes like they were!

Great Barrier is still producing a few Pukas in the deep, along with Terahiki and some really big Blue Cod, some of which are over 50cm, and Snapper. Numbers are not huge and we look forward to the spring run of fish that will move into the coast of the Barrier soon. Horn Rock and Jimmies Foul are still producing the odd big Snapper and there have been reports of good numbers of fish too. Not many stories about big Kingfish yet though, except a 28kg Kingi from the Mokes. Shouldn’t be too long before we see a few more turn up around the deeper reefs and offshore islands.

Cape Colville produced well the other day and we have taken advantage of the smaller tides and fished around the Cape with mixed results. The southerly breeze seems to shut the place down and makes for a hard day but I quickly forget about the odd slower day in here as the better days certainly make up for it! Snapper over 10kg and a mix of other species have been landed with us over the past few weeks from both the shallow foul out of the main current and from the deeper reefs right in the current. Big, streamlined baits have been working well as have ledger rigs in the deep. The strayline rig is definitely working best in the shallow current with fresh baits and NZ Pilchards.

The foul around Channel Island is usually quite a good option at this time of year but the few attempts I have had at pulling a big fish out of here have failed although we did lose a good fish to a cray pot rope when it ran around the back of the pot and became wrapped on the rope and broke off, probably on the growth on the rope. It can be a good spot to get away from the sharks too. Sharks can be a real problem in the channel and it is not unusual to hook up to some big brutes on the Snapper gear. Bronzies, Makos and School Sharks mostly. We had a Mako of around 6-7 ft tail walk and somersault its way to freedom after a torrid 40 minute battle on 10kg a few trips back. Quite a sight as it leaped well clear of the water only metres from the boat. We would have let it go of course had we had it alongside.

Kawau is starting to fish a bit better now and we heard of some big Trevally coming from around Nelson Rock. Maori Rock will be fishing a bit better too now and these smaller tides make the place a little easier to fish. Back in Kawau Bay the Snapper are around the islands and drop offs probably feeding on the Scallops which are fat and plentiful. The change of light would be the best chance to get onto the Snapper before or after the dredgers and divers have moved on for the day. There are still schools of Anchovies in Whangaparaoa Bay and out to the east, attended by Dolphins and the birds. Drifting under these has been patchy showing that there are not really large numbers of Snapper feeding under the action yet.

Tiri has produced a few good Snapper for those fishing in close over the past few weeks as has the Wellington Rock area. The change of light is again the go and with the weather being settled it has been great out on the water now the days are getting longer. The Channel is quite quiet with the best places being the edges of the channel or the reef at the south western end of the channel. There is quite a large area of reef here that typically can fish quite well in spring. Reports are already quite good except that it can be slow going until the tide eases.

Around Auckland, reports are patchy and we haven’t had any need to venture to close to the big smoke. It will certainly improve and with the water temperature around 15.5C-16C it could improve quickly. It is almost too late for the water temp to drop now which could mean a good spawning season for the Snapper and a good fishing season for us – not that we aren’t already having one!

We have a few changes coming for the summer season and the future and we will be sending all the info out by email and snail mail soon. To make sure you are part of the action or want to be added to our casuals list you will need to email us at deepsea@clear.net.nz or phone us on 09 4240607 or on the boats at 021 2446346.

Remember to book your corporate, staff, social club and family trips early to avoid disappointment. We have a range of fishing and non fishing trips available this season so give us a call or email us for more info.

Cheers for now

Damian (Damo)

The Charter Connection – Where fishing is catching!