Some changes since last report but minimal.  Despite easterly breezes, the water temps did rise or even maintain – yet another mystery this season, it’s been full of them!  Overall water colour is excellent in most places.  Confusing when you’re looking at purple water but the gauge says 17 or even 16 degrees C!  In spite of this season stubbornly refuses to die with plenty of options to tempt despite inconsistencies with billfish.

Doubtless Bay – Cape Karikari

Snapper are performing well along with plenty of nice sized kahawai inshore.  Little action on kingis but similar effort being put into this fishery – they should be there now for those in the know.  Pockets of skippies but few and far between.  The odd marlin pops up to entice/tease passers-by – usually in the 130-140 metre mark.  Water cleans and warms up markedly once you get out towards the …….>>>>

Garden Patch

Few getting out this way but some warm (19 ½-20 degrees C) pretty water to wash the lures in.  The legendary “Te Ariki Nui” boated a small swordfish here recently, estimated 70 kilos by skipper Jason Wooten.

Great Exhibition Bay

Again, a few skippies here but many more on the North Cape side of the Bay.  Marlin sightings on a daily basis, mainly in the shallower water (90-130m).  Lots of dolphin and gannet workups but little else present.

Parengarenga Canyon

This has been the most consistent area for stripeys but it’s been marked by one thing – its inconsistency!  They seem to bite well, somewhere between 130-200 metres of water, every two to three days.  If you’re there on the right day get ready for some fun.  If you inadvertently choose the wrong days expect to burn some fuel.  A few skippies here which in turn can be traded for some great snapper fishing (20-30m) later in the day with fading light being hot.

North Cape – Surville Cliffs

Some days there can be a good marlin bite here, other days quiet.  Water temps are shifting all the time with a two degree change overnight – either way.  Plenty of skippies so if you’re in need spend some time with the bungees here.

“The Hook” – Compass Rose

Still nice warm water at the “Hook” with the odd shot here.  Water quality runs out just NW of here, dropping significantly by the time you get anywhere near the “Rose”.  Some good puka and large bass if you can time the tide and avoid a screaming current.

Princes’ – Great Island

Status quo here with somewhat more difficult koheru/bait fishing but pretty good on kingis and a wide assortment of bottom grabbers.

Middlesex Bank

Some potential here with continued nice water at or over 19 degrees, plenty of bait (both sauries and skippies), large albacore and great bottom/kingi fishing.  Recently the “Oracle” lost two stripees while the “Primetime” tagged two.  This would have to represent the best billfish action this bank has seen in perhaps two years.  Is it a tease or do we “watch this space”?  Like to think the latter.  Kingis and bottomfish remain vibrant if you can claim them through the bronzies.

King Bank

A real disappointment with continuing cold water temps.  Hardly a billfish seen here in a week, let alone landed.  Southern end of the bank has been great on kingis with bass and king terakihi seemingly everywhere.  Veteran angler Graham “Boulder” McKenzie proved this with three great drifts producing a 47, 56 and 63 kilo doubleheader on bass.  Well done 'Boulder'.  Can the temps and marlin return?  Looking less likely by the day.

Summary

Pretty much a status quo.  If you’re the lucky boat on the lucky day you’ll enjoy mid summer action.  Miss out and you better be looking hard at kingis or the bottom brigade.  Is it worth being up here?  You bet!  Till next week……..