Fishing Reports

Well, we are in the depths of a very cold winter in Whitianga, and the fish certainly know about it !!!

Water temps are right down,  and with it the fishes metabolism !!. They really are lethargic, and seem to need some coaxing to feed if you can find them inshore.

Further out in the middle deep (50 - 90meters), things are much better if you can get the weather to get out there. Lots of barracouta to get thru but they often sit further up the water column, and below them are the table fish.Just don't burley or you will be in hell as the 'couta home in on you, and run big sinkers to rocket thru them.!

Large amounts of 1.5- 2.5 kg snapper  have moved out and can be found out in the middle -deep places at present around any structure of this depth offshore.Recent trips out the Alderman Pins in this depth have produced limit bags in one hour for all on the boat, but there don't seen to be any bigger fish with them.

Deeper still are even more barracouta, and we have only found small Puka (to 8kg)and kingis ( to 10kg) under them.The good  stuff is yet to come, in the next month of so as the Puka come in to spawn.

After trying real hard inshore in the previous weeks, and concluding most of the fish had gone out, we had good day  2 weekends ago in only 28 metres on the sand / foul inshore edge , and this resulted in a new NZ record for a Junior ( only 7yrs old), a top effort of a 5.84 kilo snapper on 3 kilo line, a 30 minute battle, and this just proves , some of the fish have stayed and toughed out the cooler temperatures- (13-14 degrees) inshore.

Some Terakihi around but not exactly plentiful , even in areas that are known for them.

Scallops are plentiful and although condition was skinny at the start of the season , are fattening up  nicely as each week goes on.Opito, Otama and the Cove are providing the bulk of the catches as usual, but don't be afraid to look elsewhere.Even the Aldermans has scallops !!!!

Spring looks to be just around the corner (yes I am an optimist !!!) and hopefully with it some better weather and fishing.

Good Luck !!

Andy Kerr- Stingray Charters- Whitianga.