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So much for heading up to the Bay of Islands to hunt Mr. Marlin down – I only had to go to Tiri! Yes trend-setters, Tackle Acquisition Syndrome (TAS) addicts and fellow fisho’s at least one Marlin has been hanging around for quite some time now, still feeding itself silly in the Hauraki Gulf. Smart fish that one!.

 

Close to everything it needs, warm water, and an endless mega-Café of baitfish…sounds ideal! Up north I was treated to magnificent Mahimahi, sharp toothed sharks and skippys skippin’ everywhere…I love trailer boat fishing with all it’s options. With a country like ours – well it’s a fisho’s playground, and long may it last.

 

After just three days away from northern Jafa-land, chasing and battling some big toothy fish I must admit to having a hankering to hook into a few Gulf Snapper.

 

And wouldn’t you know it, as I eased back into the BOI for the final time ready to head home – what wonderful sight greeted me reminiscent of the Hauraki but a workup of Gannets diving with KY and Snapper in attendance below. Yeehaa! Light tackle fun to the max.!

 

Speaking of the Hauraki Gulf – it’s been doing it’s best to supply fisho’s with excellent supplies of snapper lately. Not everyone, on every day in every way has come home loaded with fat fillets, but most.

 

The Gulf is still firing on all cylinders when you get the timing and weather right. In closer is still holding some great specimens too – even though the water is chilling down a tad, the fish are feeding well.

 

Jigs, Soft Plastics and bait are all doing the damage – it’s all up to what works best for the individual fisho really. I’ve noticed when the bite goes off recently, the bite really does stop, light-switch like.

 

But a little patience, maybe a move and it can be back on again. Aggressive feeders are busting a bit of gear – a good reminder to re-rig after catching a few and not let big one bust off…like my catch of the day yesterday, a good 15+ pounder is still out there laughing at me just 2 miles north of Tiri, doh!.

North of the Noises, just south of the Tiri channel and over toward the Noises, Flat Rock and along the North Shore bays (right in ridiculously close) – all are holding some good fish right now. And the workups are still providing outstanding action when you cotton onto them!

 

Acquiring lots of tackle is a pastime in itself, enjoyable too. Going heavier and lighter with gear provides more options and more toys to play with. Personally the 4lb (1.8kg) braid is more than enough.

 

No problem with any Gulf Snapper to date and landing 16 pound Reds throughout the entire extended summer fishing season has been quite the norm. I’m going even lighter soon – kind of in the same vein as using a 12ftr or a PWC (Jetski) with noodle rods and toy reels i.e. Soft Baiting with ultra light line. 1lb braid with a tiny reel and a super light rod will soon be mine!

 

Not sure whether to latch onto an easy to launch maintain and store 12ft tinny or a similarly easy and fun to fish from PWC is higher on the list. Speaking of which, the ultimate in TAS therapy – the Hutchwilco Boat Show is next week – look out credit card. As a good fisho mate of mine sad, hey this is the ONE time a year that is MINE! It’s my Christmas Day, I go there and thoroughly enjoy both window shopping a.k.a. dreaming, but also getting some essentials.

 

See you at the show, especially if it's windy.