Fishing Reports

Inshore
Hard to imagine the snapper fishing being so vibrant at this stage of winter, in virtually all depths as well.  There are good catches coming out of 15 metres of water and 120 metres and everything in between.  Some trying for hapuka have come away with “only” snapper in the 5-8lb class. 

Several boats have limited out well within two hours – that’s time elapsed from launching to back on the trailer!  Average size still pleasing with many fish at or over two kilos in weight.  As though it’s required there’s increasingly more support coming through with terakihi, gurnard and kahawai adding to the action.  Simply put the inshore fishing is spectacularly consistent – particularly considering the time of year.  Enjoy but don’t expect it to last forever.

Offshore
Some good and bad news here.  First off despite some effort put in by a few boats to engage the XOS albacore, there has been no result.  Water colour is excellent from White Island and beyond with reasonable temps pushing 16 degrees but no cigar.  Incidentally some have queried the authenticity of the 54 kilo longfin in last report.  While this is truly a jumbo it is not unprecedented worldwide. 

Albies of over 60 kilos have been landed commercially in Hawaii in recent times and over 50k’s in various parts of the Atlantic.  Hopefully some lucky angler will land one of these brutes one day on rod and reel – maybe even in New Zealand!

Back closer to the island has been a mixed fortune.  Deep water fishing has been nothing short of miserable.  Despite considerable effort being put in by several crews the deep has been largely unyielding.  A few pup bluenose and gemfish is all that has been landed.  Shallower water has been far more productive with both reef fish and kingfish coming to the party.  Kingis have been all sizes and condition factors – anything from rats to 30 kilos, plump to emaciated.  Depth also varies from 50 down to 170 metres.  Both livies and jigs are equally good enticements.  Terakihi are becoming more consistent as we get into winter along with some very large pink mao mao.  Anything from 40 down to 70 metres has been the desired depth.

Ranfurly Bank
Very tough going overall and for no apparent reason.  Weather has not been conducive to enjoyable fishing with 15-30 knots of wind during the entire high.  Good ole East Cape lives up to its reputation!  While sea surface was not nice, this isn’t the main reason for the hard fishing.  Seems like, yet again, if a decent catch of hapuka is to be had it will be mid afternoon. 

Morning have been filled with a smattering of trumpeter, kingi terakihi and kingis.  Largest of this past week was an estimated 30 kilo specimen tagged and released by Auckland angler Neil Riddell.  Nice one, Neil.  One indicative aspect of the hard hapuka fishing has been moving fish.  After a recent drift or two they move off reef systems en masse. 

Undoubtedly good for self preservation but frustrating for anglers chasing decent catches.  East Cape has been no better with dirty water and plenty of current – tough times in the east that can only improve.

Summary
Great news for the majority of anglers who stay close to home, not so hot for everyone else.  Moral of the story – fish your feet!  Back again next week.