Fishing Reports

Well the weather here has hampered fishing as much as anywhere else, which is frustrating when it is our best Snapper time of the year!!

All depths between 5 - 35 metres are fishing well when you can get out.

As usual the edge of the foul is the place to be, and  to get some tide running is also crucial.

Casting big whole baits of Mackerel or Squid, or Kahawai fillets seeem to be the go along with strips of Barracouta.Those who stick it out till dusk are being rewarded well.

Top of Great Merc, Red Merc, Double, Stanley etc and any other outer island when you can get out, are consistent.

Poor weather frustrated the anglers in the local Snapper tournament in the weekend, but local expert "Humpster" and his boys managed to persevere in the rough and take it out with a fish of around 7 Kilos.

More people seem to be chasing Hapuka early this winter and although most have been small, a 35 kilo fish has come in in the last day or two.

Try the pins NE of  Cuvier, foul East of Red merc, or Pins down at  the Aldermans, they always hold Puka, and a chance of Jigging a winter Kingfish.

We are using almost entirely Fine circle hooks now for Snapper, but you must resist the temptation to strike- just let them go  a bit - then into gear and hang on.!!!

Also fine braided lines are giving good feel on the straylining, plus are great for extracting fish that have taken you into the foul- just use longer traces to get around the visability issues.

Good Luck !!

Andy Kerr

Stingray Fishing Charters- Whitianga