Fishing Reports

Finally fine!

With the past weekend bringing calm seas – the number of boats leaving my local ramp was impressive on Saturday morning to say the least (many seemed to somehow mistake Friday as the start of the weekend though?) and by the sounds of the Coastguard workload, many preparations were left to the ‘she’ll be right’ attitude. Guess ‘she’ wasn’t right for a few. However trailer-boat fishos who’ve been land bound for quite some time got a chance to threaten a fish or two. The moon and lack of tide seemed to put a bit of a general dampener on fish activity over the weekend, but those ‘lucky enough’ to find a workup or two further north in the Gulf, or stealthily using Soft Baits while drifting in close around many of the Gulf’s islands, or of course the good ‘ol lots-of-burley and stray-lining half pillies with no weight…..were rewarded.

Spring you reckon?

Could it be true? Could spring really have sprung and the Snapper schools soon be starting their journey back closer to the trailer boat fishos reaches around the NZ coastline? Or is the mere mention of this possibility a devious tease for the eternally optimistic fisho who will eagerly forget all land bound demands and jump at the first opportunity to bring Spring Snapper on board?

Bring it on!

This summer has all the ingredients brewing for an excellent fishing season. Last summer was very good indeed, with a lot of healthy Snapper all around the Gulf, Colville, Little Barrier, Great Barrier, Coromandel, Rangitoto, Mokes, Waiheke, Omaha, the list is long. The bait schools were plentiful, the weather good and the fishing results good too, both in quantity and size of fish. With warmer sea temperatures on the way the scene is set for a plethora of pelagics to chase, in anything from a small tinny to a gleaming gin palace, and a truck load of healthy Snapper to snatch from the depths.

So What’s New?

Now with several Soft Bait brands really taking off and more to come, bait still performing well as always – there should be plenty to keep fishos of all enthusiasm levels occupied. Only a few more weeks of antici……….pation! With the pollen wafting over everything now (thus changeable windy conditions) it’s time to Be Prepared. These few weeks can be a good time getting the boat in tip top shape, replacing important items and checking and re-checking stuff like batteries, anchor warp, sea anchors, trailer wheel bearings, old mono, frayed braid, sinker supplies, trailer WOF etc. A sunny spring Saturday spent going over the boat, tackle, dive gear, rod guides and reel servicing needs to me is part of the enjoyment factor.

Life’s what YOU make it

So what are you going to achieve this summer? Are you going to go hard with Soft Baiting, over-night with family/mates in a blissful bay, throw out big hunks of freshly caught bait for big red moochers, or maybe catch a Marlin from your boat (no excuse not to I’ll see you out there in my 6m tinny)? There is just so much to choose from and so much possible with a little planning – the world is your oyster, right here, right now. Making the most of this summer is a great goal to have – so start the thinking process now for a thoroughly memorable spring/summer season of catching!

Cheers

Espresso