Fishing Reports

As the saying goes, what a difference a week makes – and that can go both ways!  In this instance it’s been a positive, win-win.  Not only has the great inshore fishing continued but the White Island/Ranfurly Banks have joined ranks.  All in all a good scene despite some intense weather for a couple days.  Read on………

Inshore
To the wonderment of all, this vibrant fishery continues on the high road.  When, or if, it ever ceases is anybodies guess at this juncture.  Normally we’re in the snapper doldrums now with a few large fish in the shallows around the foul and the rest in deep (100-150m) water with little in between.  Everyone’s favourite won’t go away and are biting in a wide variety (all?) of depths and bottom terrain.  Size is still very pleasing with few lunkers (15lbs plus) but many around 4-5 kilos and most over 2.  As if they need it (not) and whitebait munching kahawai.  Most anglers are returning to shore with smiles on their faces and full fish bins.  Long may it last.

Offshore
Pretty good out this way too with the most significant change coming from the depths.  Bluenose have again decided to cooperate with some good catches coming out of 300m plus.  Most of this action has taken place west of the island in the early morning hours.  Although most are relatively small (4-8 kilos, the odd one over 15) they sometimes come in thick and fast (5-10 per drift) with the resultant fillets very succulent indeed.  A little bycatch in the way of gemfish, alphonsino, Japanese gurnard and bass as well. 

Back closer to the island the kingfish continue to put on a show, back breaking for some anglers!  Preferred depths come in two dimensions, either 30-50 metres or 120-160m.  Both live bait and jigs (3-400 grams) are equally preferred with the occasional one succumbing to squid.  Huge differences in their condition factors with some exceedingly lean and others bursting out of their skins.  Sizes range anywhere from 13 to 30 kilos with the average pushing 20 – a nice sized fish in anybodies book.  Don’t be fooled by condition – the long, lanky fish are punishing their would be captors just as much as their chunkier brothers! 

This past week’s lunker went to Auckland angler Paul Gibbard who tagged and released a lovely fish estimated at 30 kilos.  Nice one, Paul.  Reef species have also proved quite consistent with terakihi leading the way.  Red snapper, pink mao mao, porae and a few trevally also barging in to complete the scene in 30-50m of water.  Temps (just over 15 degrees C) and colour hanging in well but no albacore landed, maybe more toward spring.

Ranfurly Bank
A pleasant turnaround here after nearly a month of slim pickings.  Hapuka in good numbers have reasserted themselves as the fish of choice at the moment.  The well conditioned pre-spawning fish are in the 10-15 kilo bracket, a few nice ones over 30kgs are showing up among catches.  A few bass are mixed in but hard fishing for trumpeter, terakihi and kingis means it’s a hapuka show.  Good to see the fishing rebound as we would expect for this time of year.

Summary
Great to see things perk up.  I end this report, my last for a couple months, with virtually all the fishing fronts in good health.  Nice to see anglers have at least a decent chance at good catches across the board, regardless of what they choose to target.  “PURSUIT” is currently out of the water for her annual survey and maintenance period.  Her skipper will be disappearing for a couple holidays (well earned we’d like to think) in Hawaii and Vanuatu before starting up the new season in October.  Hope you’ve enjoyed the last 10 months of reports – they’ll be plenty more to come again next season.  In the meantime enjoy what’s left of winter and upcoming spring.  Catch you again soon.