Fishing Reports

GAMEFISHING

Gamefishing has finally come to an end after a late finish, whats more- no-one now is even trying, as odds are now too slim.

BOTTOM FISHING

Snapper

After a very late start, the snapper are finally coming on to the reefs inshore to feed and put on condition for winter.

Last year they came in much earlier, but our mild April and May have left temps of 17.5 - 18 degrees even now, so no wonder they are slow in moving on to the inshore foul. 

In the last fortnite we have pulled snapper up to 8 kilos, and a lot of fish over 3-4 kilos on our trips out.Interestingly enough some of these are still to be found out on the sand, along the Otama /Kuaotunu area, so its by no means all "on the reef" stuff.

We even jigged snapper of just under 8 kilos last week, out in 50 metres, so they are still spread out.

Bait preferences change all the time- some sessions started with squid being the only thing that worked, by towards the end mackerel were the only thing to have, and squid was worthless. As usual, take the lot and see whats being eaten .

Kingfish- Pt 2 of a feature article.

We have caught over 80 kingfish in the last 4 weeks, so we have had a good opportunity to try different things.I might add that we have kept only 8 of these fish and remember- don't waste or ruin such a great resource....

I had the Australian  Owner, and NZ distributors of BOZO softbaits(sportfishingnz.com) out a few weeks ago and we targeted Kingfish,  on a hot bite,where they were able to test all their gear.

The bottom line was that EVERY single thing they bought along to test worked well !!

From fully rigged, weighted fish, to jigs, plus big soft worm style baits which I suggested they rig 1.5 metres behind a ball sinker,  I couldn't help but be impressed by their tackle.!!These thing really worked, and better still cost nothing like the $20- 40 dollars we are shelving out for better known jigs.They have their own  420 grm jig,called a "Katch 1 Spear" which was far cheaper than the Williamsons I currently use and it performed just as well, and the softbaits are well priced.They have a website and sell thru that among other things, check it out at sportfishingnz.com- worth a look. 

I have since used their 150gram ready rigged softfish to nail John Dories the easy way, just drop one down to the bottom under the boat, wind up 1-2 metres and leave it on a light drag setting- and hey presto we now get easy bonus Johnnies, while we are snapper fishing.!!

Many people use mono for their Kingi jigs, but time and time again we find the flourocarbon gets the bite and better still keeps the barracouta from cutting off your jig.I know of one angler in Whitianga who said he has lost up to 15 jigs a day!!

With 120lb flourocarbon trace -which must be crimped to allow a good action, I havent lost a jig in over 2 months, on the boat whilst the only one a client lost (his own),was of course rigged with mono-200lb in fact -and still got pinged in the end!!Its just too soft even at that weight, so unless you like the tackle shop owner that much , get him to get some 120 flouro in if he doesnt already stock it, or change /check your mono every fish.

And if you don't already have a high speed reel - go and buy one!!!Your catch will soar , as your jig speeds up and looks much more attractive to the kingis. you will catch fish with a slower one , but no where near as many.I recommend (yet again)  the Shimano Toruim 30 loaded with 24 k braid- best value for the dollar.

Hapuka

Hapuka catches have continued to improve, with good fish of 30- 40 kilos being landed in the last few weeks from water of 100- 200 metres. You need good weather to drift fish these offshore reefs, but when you get it, its worth it. Fishing inside the 100 m line isnt working for Pukas, so get wider  for a better result.

Dont just fish the "pin" style rocks, as the more boring low foul out in those depths will also produce the goods, and is less likely to have been flogged by everyone else!!!

Foul off  Cuvier and Red Merc, down thru to outside Ohinau is as good as any at present, although the Alderman Pins have continued to dissappoint in the last 6- 12 months as more commercial pressure has been directed back onto them.

Good Fishing !!

Andy Kerr- Stingray Charters -Whitianga.