Fishing Reports

Hi,

As this is my first area report I thought I best introduce myself. My name is Rob Fort and I run a kayak adventure business located just out from Coromandel Town which is designed for anyone (beginner to experienced) who wants to learn kayak softbait fishing and no previous experience is necessary.

I have a passion for the ocean and this is gained through kayaking, fishing, free diving and spear fishing activities which I undertake on a regular basis. Some of you may know me as I appeared on the Geoff Thomas Gateway Outdoors show in 2007and are part of the writing team for NZ Fishing Coast to Coast magazine writing kayak fishing and spearfishing articles.

I am actively involved in kayak fishing product development, safety and education. Softbait fishing from a kayak is another area that I am heavily involved in and work with Pure Fishing as part of the NZ Berkley Pro team. Some of the more recent developement within the business is HELI KAYAK FISHING which is run in conjuntion with Ardmore Helichopters.

I am also an artist and work with paint airbrushed on canvas which is mostly marine influenced as well as the odd sculpture and as part of this sell prints of my work.  An example of some work that many of you may have seen is the Berkley Softbait Challenge trophy which has been shown in the magazines and is of a snapper riding a wave chasing a Gulp Jerk shad Nuclear Chicken.

And if you are down in the Coromandel Township area and are planning a kayak or softbait fishing trip call in to my booking office and showroom (1945 Tiki rd) which is on the main highway two kilometers before the township coming from Thames. I will be only to happy to offer any advice as well as update you on what is working on the fishing front along with how the marine conditions are etc.
If you would like to check out any of my art then visit the website: www.robfort.com

For more information on Kayak Fishing and to check out the softbait and kayak on-line store visit: www.kayakadventures.co.nz
 
The fishing continues to be outstanding, I write this a week and a half after having some excellent success myself with a 23.5lb-10.58kg snapper caught on the new Berkley Gulp 5” Jerk shad BBQ Chicken colour which has only just come onto themarket just recently.  I can definitely recommend this softbait having caught lots of other good snapper along with some trevally and john dory also, so give them a try. Kayak fishing has been producing very well and with the fish now moving in closer it can only get even better in the next couple of months.

The water temperature is in full decline with the temp at 16 degrees on the west and 15 degrees for the east. If you are looking for that trophy fish then up around the top and down the east coast will be your best bet. On the west coast most of the larger snapper have moved out of the Gulf and are starting to make an appearance over on the east coast. However you still may pick up the odd moocher who has decided to stay put for the winter.

The early morning to mid morning and late afternoon till dark are the best times of the day to target the fish. Preparation is also the key, so having all your gear and baits ready when the fish go on the bite can be of benefit with this sometimes only lasting no more than half an hour.

The islands out from Papa Aroha and Amodeo bay have been producing some nice large kahawai which are good fun on the light tackle used for softbait fishing. Kingfish are still around most of the headlands out at most of the islandsat this time of year and with the smaller fish now moving out, leaving the larger fish behind.

John dory are still abundant and will readily take a softbait. One in particular that seems to be really effective on dory is the Berkley five or seven inch pepper neon jerk shad. Now that the winter is setting in a lot of anglers are hanging up there gear and seem to go into fishing hibernation over this time. Over winter we still have some of the most stunning days as far as weather goes and with the right knowledge there is no reason why you can’t still get out there and get yourself a good feed of fish.

Winter for the kayaker is when we come into our own as the fish will predominantly be in quite close to the coast and a kayak can quietly sneak into these areas without detection allowing further advantage. It is not uncommon to get good snapper out of water as shallow as one meter, so be prepared to try different things in order to be successful.

Softbaits are fantastic over winter when working right up into the shallows and are perfect for doing such activities. I find down sizing your baits to the four inch minnow or swimming mullet are good coupled with really light jig heads of no more than three eights of an ounce, but better still one sixth of an ounce if you can get away with it.

The choice of colour can also have an effect on your success rate and I find using the darker colours, browns with white underside to be really effective in the change of light and dark overcast winter day situation. Give it a go and you will be pleasantly surprised.
 
On the diving and spearfishing front, it is time to go back to winter tactics also. The best part about this is snapper snooping, with these fish offering a spear fisherman the greatest challenge to hunt. Crayfish are finally starting to make an appearance in close to shore again and some are shedding there shell so some of them might be in soft shell stage. With the cooler water temperature fast approaching the visibility is starting to improve and along the east coast this hasn’t been as good this year when compared to past seasons.
 
In the next couple of months we should also see some other species in closer to the coast like large trevally, these are a good challenge for the spearo and fisherman. Good fish will continue to be around for quite a while yet, we have been blessed with some great weather and extended warmth just recently so let’s hope it will continue so we can get out there and enjoy it while it lasts.
 
There are plenty of spaces and options available for kayak fishing adventure trips. So if you are interested in getting amoungst some of the good fishing action Coromandel is experiencing then go to the website www.kayakadventures.co.nz for further information or call me on 07 866 7466
 
Rob Fort
COROMANDEL KAYAK ADVENTURES