Fishing Reports

It feels like spring  - the guys were all standing around in short sleeve t's with the sun shining and no breeze for a change. Got to love it when you can get over to the Barrier and theres no wind warnings or gale warnings restricting where you can fish.

Thats where we've been hanging out on the weekends and on the midweek overnighters and to be frank...its been going off!

Most trips are returning with a 20lb snapper and others to boot and when they don't turn up the snapper are around the 5-7kg range along with heaps of those great eating size fish. You know the ones ..where the fillet fills a plate. Both sides of the Barrier have been fishing like this for the last 2 months and it really is one of the better destinations in our area to spend the time putting in the effort and getting those better fish.

The great thing about the Barrier is that you can be fishing in close along the coast in the shallows (2-10m) and within 10 mins you can be in 80m of water using a totally different style. It gives you the flexibility  to be able to change the plan (and lest face it, even the best laid plans can go west) and have a crack at them in a different way.

I prefer the deepwater drfiting with the groups we take over there only really because it works well for us. The boat loves it (25 ton and 6m wide helps) and is set up for it although those early morning strayline sessions can be the bomb too. Fresh baits caught the night before and kept kicking in the livie tank are a fave too for both these styles and out of all the baits are the ones that seem to get the attention of the bigger fish.

Little Barrier fired up for us on a few recent trips too with snapper to 6kg coming aboard in pretty regular fashion again on the fresh baits and NZ pilchards. Other boats did well too with Mike Day and the Jug on Sea Esta tangling with some deepwater brutes before getting them over 6kg in a similar area (deepwater drifting in 50-65m) out off the island. Our second boat Beyond Limits pulled a 23kg kingfish off Horn Rock and some big trevally off the spit at Little Barrier too during the same weekend.

There are heaps of dolphins out in the middle Gulf at the moment and they are herding up the bait fish and giving the gannets an easy feed. Most work ups that get established have snapper and other predators under them so have some patience and you will get rewarded. The fast moving work ups are not producing that well so wait till you find one that has been going off for 10 mins or so in the same area and you should do well. Also keep an eye out for gannets and I mean lots of gannets, sitting round on the water. Even though the work up may have finished the action may still be happening below the surface and down tide even. Have a snoop around or try a few drifts.

Closer in is slow and it will be a while yet before they move down around Kawau and Tiri. There are the odd report here and there of a few fish showing up but really you have to be fishing out deeper to do really well.

We have loaded new dates on the website for you to choose from. (www.charterconnection.co.nz)

 If you don't see one that suits just give us a ring and we can let you know all the available dates. It may also pay to start thinking ahead to the warmer months and any staff functions, mates trips or family outings too.

Ther are a few reports worth seeing from recent trips - have a peek here:

http://www.fishing.net.nz/asp_forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=22698

and here:

http://www.fishing.net.nz/asp_forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=22536

Flick us an email at : deepsea@clear.net.nz to be kept in the loop or just give us a bell on 021 2446346 to find out what we've got coming up. Such things as the "Soft Baits Fishoff"- 6 keen soft baiters going head to head in a battle of the baits. Midweek overnighters to Great Barrier, scalloping trips and the day trips out wider.

Cheers

Damian"Damo"Clayton

Charter Connection - Where fishing is catching!