Fishing Reports

The title pretty much sums it up at the moment and I say at the moment because that could all change in a flash.

The inner Gulf has been providing some frustrating fishing with alot of reports of small catches and bite times or not even getting a bite in some cases! The Auckland channels have only recently started to fish a little better with a few good stories of nice fat snapper coming from the Rangi, Motuihe, Matiatia and Home Bay areas. Fishing in the current or at both ends of the tide is probably better at the moment if you're in these areas. Fresh baits, good berley trail and the liberal use of soft plastics will see you right.

Tip: Stick to the lighter braids of 4-8lb for better sink rates and therefore the ability to use the lighter jig heads when soft plastic fishing.

We have been spending alot of time in the outer Gulf with really good results on most days. The weather has got in the way a bit with that nasty SE breeze but it does stack bait up along the coast.

The 50m mark fired up big time for about a week until the longliners got into it but there are still fish to be had east of Kawau - stay out of the cable area though unless you want to be fined. Drifting in 50m has been the go and the fish are all fat, healthy and fight hard till you get them off the bottom and into mid water. There's nothing like watching a rod buckle over and seeing line gett'n stripped when fishing for these big schoolies!

Anchorite is still the "red hot" one day and piddle poor the next spot in the Gulf as it always has been with structures like this. Alot of small kingfish are lurking around the main reef along with the ever present bastard cod. Try out along the fringes of the reef for best results and give the drift fishing a go if conditions permit. Again a top location for the soft plastics fishing when the tide is not too strong.

Little Barrier has been turning it on for us on most trips although it has been a bit of a hard slog on other days but we tend not to hang around when its patchy like that as there are so many other options like Horn Rock and the other deeper reefs nearby that there is nearly always another option that could be better. A few terahiki, blue cod and dory are showing up amoung the snapper out here too. Kingfish are taking the long jigs with thier usual aggressive attacks when take kingfish trips out to the reefs. Dolphins and whales have been a feature out here lately with whales over 10 metres long hanging around the boat for a look on the way through.

We have notice a lack of gannet activity out here lately with less and less work ups being seen. When we do see one we try to get amoungst the action quickly as often they can be short lived and produce little. However if you get into a good work up that has been established for a while you wiull be into some of the hottest snapper fishing action you can get! Keep your eyes peeled.

On a recent day right out the back of the Mokes the water temp was over 21C and showed good colour as did the 155m area off the top of the Barrier and the Barrier Bank. Wouldn't ya know it though when fishing other peoples marks that were hot the day before we missed out on a marlin but attracted the attentions of the sharks instead. This was one of the first game trips from the new boat and although we didn't blood her it was a great shakedown for the next trips we have planned.

DIVERSITY is working out really well and anglers love the space, stability and although still a work in progress she is catching fish which is what it is all about. Check it out at www.charterconnection.co.nz

We also have a range of KOJAK custom rods onboard now. For those of you that don't know these rods are made locally (Whangaparaoa) using Calstar blanks and the best Fuji guides, butts and reel seats you can get. Match this with Johns' caftsmanship and you have the best rods money can buy. We have them in line classes 4 kg through to 24 and 37 kg stand up for you to try. They will change the way you fish!

We have " casuals days" coming over easter with Friday April 6 and Monday April 9 with spaces still. Corporates may want to see if the date they want is available midweek.

Give us a bell on 021 2446346 or try Rachel on 09 4240607 for more info. You can be added to the email list by sending us through an email to deepsea@clear.net.nz

If you havent been getting emails from us then have a quick check to make sure your workplace email will allow it or you havent changed email addresses. Flick one through to get reactivated and be kept in the loop with upcoming events and trips on all our boats.

Remember, all our skippers are ex comercial fishermen so we not only want you catch fish we try to catch you fish.

Tight lines

Damian(Damo)Clayton

Charter Connection - Where fishing is catching!