Fishing Reports

Well, we’ve had the full gamut of weather just lately, which has been a great change.  Anything but the incessant westerlies we’ve had to endure is welcome.  Even the strong northerlies last Thursday was at least something different if nothing else.  Since then the weather has settled considerably and looks set to deliver some of the best we’ve seen in many weeks over the next few days.  While water temps are fluctuating wildly, fishing continues in its productive ways in most areas.

Inshore

Not a lot of change nor has there been a lot of effort either.  Either westerly winds or the threat of same has put off many a fishing foray.  30 to 40 metres of water between Opotiki and Ohope still quite productive on a mixture of pan sized snapper (some nearly 4 kilos, most much smaller), large gurnard, a few terakihi and some nice kahawai. 

Back to the west there seems to be more terakihi and fewer snapper.  The Rurimas are pumping out some limit catches of silversides while Matata has a good mixture of the two main species.  Water is ever so cold (13-14 ½ degrees C) and dirty it’s not very inviting for any activity.  Can only improve in every way and with the improvement should come the snapper on the bite.

Offshore

Some interesting things to been seen out around the smokey isle at the moment.  Not only have flying fish arrived in big numbers (normal for this time of year despite cold water temps) but paper nautilus are an every day occurrence.  The thin shelled mollusks are getting a hard time being driven to the surface by kingis and hammered from above by birds.  David Attenborough could do a pretty decent naturalist program just now! 

All the high spots, right around the island but especially the Volkners are the scenes of this carnage.  Sometimes even “meatballs” of nautilus have been observed huddled together for protection, only to be smashed apart from all sides – exciting stuff.  While the kingis are still cooperative most every day, they have become decidedly more discerning.  Somewhere during the course of the day they bite well but one needs to either get lucky with their selection and timing or prepared to work at it. 

Unfortunately the Volkners, one of the most consistent spots, is now become plagued by sharks – big bronzies.  These aggressive toothy critters mean it’s nearly impossible to get an intact fish to the surface – very frustrating and disappointing.  Some of these creatures are pushing 300 kilos, most of 150.  Back at the island the shallow water reef fishing in anything but vibrant with terakihi still pretty tough.  Between them, red snapper, porae, pink mao mao one will scratch out a catch. 

Deepwater for bluenose is sporadic.  Water colour is improving daily with 17 degree water there most afternoons.  “Whoppers of the week” shared by Auckland anglers Ian Pope and Ian Nichols with their matching 27 ½ kilo kingis – well done men.

Ranfurly Bank

Although weather has been (as always) an issue, the fishing remains great.  Plenty of hapuka accentuate the catch with some decent bass to compliment.  Plenty of snapper in the shallows, both at the bank and at East Island.  Largest was on 15 pounds but many fine pre spawning fish of 5-10lbs.  Whopper of the week was once again shared by “Oracle” anglers with their respective 35 kilo bass.

Summary

Weather this week looks to be the best we’ve experienced for a month or more.  As you’ve just read, fishing is pretty decent most everywhere – long may it last.