Fishing Reports

Doldrums – be gone!

The outer Hauraki Gulf channels are holding some good Snapper, the sea surface temperature (SST) is still cold, evidenced by the number of dreaded ‘Couda around at the moment but the SST is steadily on the rise. And closer in, all around the coast there have been a lot of prime Snapper taken on board too. The moon phase and weather patterns over the last week have been pretty good, and the fishing results in general reflect this.

Filleting Spring Snapper

Spring has sprung the grass has Riz, the Snapper are starting to Fizz. Some Snapper are already in roe, and mine is not the only report of a few fluffed up fish ready for spawning. Although it’s always nice it confirm it with your own eyes. And that I did. A recent simply superb day on the water reminded me of just how good summer fishing can be when it’s sunny, warm, flat calm with a 5kt variable winds. Dolphins, Whales, Gannets, sea-Turkeys and the main ingredient Snapper!

My normal method of filleting is to avoid the intestinal cavity entirely – minimizing the potentially nasty fish bacteria entering my digestive tract with dire consequences. However while on a mid-week R & D day (honest!) recently out in the Hauraki Gulf I decided to double check for genuine signs of Spring. The rumour is true, the boys and girls are keen for play. Just as certain as the Weeping Willows aren’t, and the sunscreen is forgotten until after the first day of sunburn on the boat, some Snapper are ready for their long awaited rendezvous. Great news – a chance to enjoy some extensive and frenetic use of the light lined Soft Bait set ups, my personal favourite – or whatever method you prefer.

John Dory

Very nice John Dory grace the Hauraki Gulf and a many areas around the coast, some say most die of old age due to lack of targeting. Although I came upon large ‘clouds’ of them last week, a Commercial fishing boat had them in his sights at the time – maybe it’s time to target a few JD’s over the next week while the moon phase is a bit dodgy? Livies in close, livies on the drift (oh for some on board that day)…I tried briefly with Soft Baits but I had a date with some Scallops and my drift was too fast so the Soft Bait technique was a bit tricky. John Dory are more of a lover than a fighter, but a great fish to target none-the-less. Such an easy one to try – a bit of burley over the side on anchor, lots bait fish around, attracting the Johnnies – grab a livie off the sabiki rig onto a ledger setup and have a brew or a cool one, with the rachet on.

If using Soft baits I tend to catch JD's by leaving the SB on the bottom for a bit longer than with Snapper, then a gentle rise/twitch – the JDs don’t swim fast, so give them a chance to suck the bait in.

And with the mere mention of warming SSTs yes it’s time to start salivating at the thought of Marlin catching,  it’s not too far away, just over the horizon, even from a trailer boat.

Cheers

Grant Bittle

Espresso