It would be less than honest to say we weren’t disappointed by what we found upon arriving in the Far North this year – especially after all the stories that were coming through. One must keep in mind that a) this came at the tail and of a damaging souwesterly b) things weren’t as bad as they first seemed and c) things are improving all the while with the easterly flow we’re currently experiencing.
Water is very patchy with large tracts of warm purple water interspersed by green rubbish. Things are quite changeable and the off colour isn’t always cold – even holds bait and fish so don’t be fooled into seeking out the best water. While there’s been a few marlin turn up in deeper water it’s hard to go outside the 120-150 metre band at the moment.
If you favour your competitive side then you would be happy here at the moment – no end of tournaments culminated recently with the massive and ever so popular Houhora One Base. The contest started our miserably but improved daily and ended up pleasing the majority of contestants.
Doubtless Bay
Pretty quiet aside from plenty skippies and the odd yellowfin. Snapper enthusiasts are pleased with their efforts, especially at the beginning and ends of each day.
Cape KarikarI
Despite less than exciting water, a few marlin have been taken on the NE end of the Cape. Quite a few smallish YFT have shown up here as well. In the shallows, things have been red hot with plenty of snapper around, the islands and enough kingis to keep things entertaining.
Garden Patch – “505”
Apparently this area has been inexplicably quiet most all season, that is until just lately. Quite a few shots and several marlin have rewarded those making the run out wide – seeming the only area that is producing in water over 150m depth.
North Cape
A few fish coming out of the area just inside and in the famous Canyons. As per normal, the Parengarenga model seems to be delivering the most action. Also some yellowfin here – not nearly as many as around the Karikari region but larger versions, some pushing an impressive 60 kilos. Back along the beach there’s good stories coming from the entrance to Parenga Harbour and stacks of snapper.
Spirits Bay - Cape Maria Van Diemen
For those who want to put in the effort here there are plenty of rewards. Snapper and large trevally (some over 6k’s) are running throughout this entire area but even bigger news here have been the kingfish. Some XOS specimens have turned up with the largest being an estimated 45 kilo brute from the Cape off “Freelife II” with skipper Chris Brittian at the helm. After this capture the lures were deployed with a marlin taken out on the 200 metre hook in short order in pretty 20 degree water – some potential there that’s going begging.
The shelf – Fingers – Compass Rose
With boats passing through here to and from the Kings it gets at least a casual look. Water has been extremely patchy in this long stretch, largely due to the big tides around the recent dark phase of the moon. In spite of this volatility, the occasional stripee sticks its head up to be counted.
Middlesex Bank
Nobody goes so somebody knows!
Three Kings - King Bank
One big worry – more than an inconvenience – is the lack of live bait available – read that koheru. Despite much effort there have only been token amounts seen, let alone caught. Aside from this reality, the fishing out on the Bank is between worthwhile and excellent depending on the day.
Large workups just NW of the highspot with sauries being nailed from above (big flocks of gannets) and below – very exciting to behold and on a daily basis just lately. Water has been anywhere from 18.5 and off colour to 20.5 and purple depending upon the tides. While stripees (some boats are scoring 3-4 daily on lures) have been the main bill o faire it doesn’t stop there.
Some XOS skippies, big albies, YFT, blue and black marlin but get this – wahoo! A veritable menagerie of gamefish. Whakatane based “Oracle” scored two stripees and a nice blue (258kgs) recently (23 March) and at least five wahoo have been taken all up – that’s among some missing and shredded lures compliments of the razor gang. All very exciting but wait, there’s more! Some superb fishing for kingis (nothing huge but averaging over 15 kilos) and bottomgrabbers, mainly bass and kingi terakihi. Largest bass of late was a nuggety 44 kilo job taken by Auckland butcher Shane E Wilson.
Summary
Looking like a good late season? Every indication so far. If we can just avoid another screaming SW wind flow we should be right as the water took a big it from the last one and is only just recovering now. Glad to be here? You bet! Till next week…………
Pursuit
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