The 2007 NZBGFC National Tournament is now a thing of the past.  As per normal this competition is well placed to enjoy some of the best fishing of the season and it would appear to have done it again.  The Eastern Bay has been disproportionately represented yet again in terms of numbers of anglers and fish landed/tagged.  While there were some good catches made throughout the Bay, Waihou Bay shone above the rest but more about that later.  Although all eyes have been on gamefish over this time, other species have equally been available in good numbers.

Inshore

Slight improvement in most areas and most species.  While not noting many large specimen, the overall snapper for mainly pan sized fish is steady if unspectacular.  Not many limit catches but generous “feeds” coming ashore.  Some nice sized kahawai (2-3 kilos), gurnard and terakihi fill out the bags depending upon where one id deploying their hooks.  Some warm and pretty water right up to the breakers, ideal for divers and swimmers.  Would appear we are nearing the zenith of water temps for the year if not already there.

Offshore

Bluenose very steady with large (15-25k’s) females showing up more prominently in the catches all the while.  Successful anglers still to start early and fish deep (280-400m) to achieve best results.  Typically the bluenose will start off great at first light and taper off considerably by 9am.  While fish that live at such depths are light sensitive is a mystery but it’s a well documented fact.  A good number of large (9-12kg) gemfish compliment the catch as well as a few hapuka and bass.  One beauty bass was landed by an “Oracle” angler at 61 kilos – a real monster anywhere these days but especially in the heavily fished waters near White Island.  Kingis are still very active although the vast majority have well and truly spawned – a bunch of lean fish in need of a feed!  Bait is out fishing jigs as the fish seemingly don’t want to work so hard for their meal.  No large fish just lately but many in the high teens and low 20’s – nice fish in anybodies book.  Reef fishing near the island is still sporadic on terakihi but some XOS porae (to 7 kilos) as well as good trevally on light tackle.  Although the average trev is just over four kilos, some are big humpheads pushing the six kilo mark.

Ranfurly Bank

This remote spot is really hitting its mid summer strides – proving to be very exciting on all fronts.  Again bluenose have been most productive with double headers of mainly 15-18 kilo fish.  At that rate it doesn’t take long to fill a fishold fast!  Elsewhere hapuka and bass are business as usual with some steady fishing for both in number of places.  Nothing huge of late but many respectable fish in the 15-25 kilo category.  Kingis have lived up to their reputation with some fine catches of late.  The vast majority have been released again after the expected spirited fight.  If you are lucky enough to get through the myriad of rats then there are some real lunkers in waiting.  After loosing an estimated 40 kilo fish to a great white shark, Kydd Pollock (yes, he’s back after living in Kona, Hawaii for nearly 4 years) landed a superb 37 kilo specimen as a consolation prize.  Trumpeter have been a bit elusive but East Island snapper have really come to the party for those few going there.  Anchoring or drifting doesn’t seem to matter with many fish over 10 pounds and a few knocking 20. Finally the trolling has improved with most putting in any amount of effort being rewarded.  The mouth of the Ranfurly Canyon is definitely the hotspot as opposed to the usually reliable nor west corner.  Visiting boat “Glistening Waters” boated the areas first (of many?) blue marlin while stripees are in abundance.  “Cascade” had an interesting afternoon there recently with a 61 kilo bigeye followed by four shots on stripees.  Watch for some good catches here over the next few weeks.

Pelagics

Without question both extremities of the Bay are the places of choice.  Whitianga – Mercury Bay has fired up nicely over the past week as has Waihou Bay.  Some spectacular water off Cape Runaway at present, cobalt and 22 degree plus in places.  Very little bycatch, strictly a billfish show at this popular destination.  Some blues are hooked and landed everyday with nearly fish over 200 kilos, topped out by Ian Philpot’s beauty just short of 300.  Stripees are mainly small with many between 80-90 kilos.  A fair number of shortbill spearfish here as well for a little spice with one a very healthy 31 kilos.  With the crowds of the Nationals gone, the fishing should get even better in the near future as we lead up to full moon.  Back in the centre of the bay trollers have had to contend with a bubble of green water, circling White Island by a good eight miles.  A few stripees are to be found on the outskirts of this bubble but understandably little within it.  Skippies few and far between so the chances of “meatball fishing” is waning.

Summary

Seemingly we are finally feeling the benefits of our long awaited season, late as we fully expected.  With water quality and temperature so good, we can expect some great catches on a daily basis now, hopefully for many weeks to come.  With such little bait in the interior bay but plenty of sauries offshore, there should be lots of enticement to keep the gamefish interested.  Also good to see near shore fishing pick up as well.  Looks like we’re well positioned as we slip into autumn and what just might be the very best fishing of the entire year just ahead of us.