Fishing Reports

Slowly heating up out there now...16C north of Tiri but a grubby green colour that becomes a light blue colour where all the gannnets have been diving in. And so the the cycle begins again. Early season gannet work ups being 1 of the 2 indicators showing us where the fish are...make it 1 of 3 if you happen to stumble over 5 longliners working the 1 area. Thought we were in like Flynn but it turned out to be an early morning bite that fizzled out on us after 20 snapper or about and hour.

The other indicators are the sounder and what it shows you: Tip - Turn the gain down to about a 1/3 strength eg 3 out of 10 and try to avoid the staring at the huge bait schools. Massive patches of krill, schools of anchovies and schools of jack macks are around the traps  (mostly in deeper water 30m+) and can be pretty distractive. Instead look for "nike" marks, "eyebrow" marks, sticks standing vertically just on the bottom, blue dots  or the classic "beehive" shaped marks. Too much gain and you even see the "neptunes necklace" ...you know that seaweed with the bubble shaped weed that floats around the Gulf.

Gannets are the other indicator and by watching thier behaviour you can tell if they are heading for feed, flying home, hunting or just plain ole gannetting...that is... flying around with wings out stretched, swooping and turning, riding the air like a seabird does. I've watched a few birds in my time, some with wings and it's quite interesting.

Where then to the incoming schools of snapper? Flat Rock to Tiri is worth a shot,, keeping your eyes out for the birds and the working boats, west of Little Barrier and out off Pakiri, Colville Channel and the sand around Anchorite might even have a few on it by now. The Horn Rock to Channel island line will also be worth a look especially around the rises in 44-46m. It seems to hold a few here and there especially around Xmas.

Rat kingfish are starting to show up in the workups which would suggest things are warming up but on the other hand we're are still catching frostfish which would suggest it is still too cool for the snapper to feed hard out all day long and that we are definately early season. Theres heaps of bait around and I'll call it the changing of the guard. Bites are typically short and pre dawn is when the line boats have the gear in with many not even wasting the effort on the midday reset., Best baits have been pillie for sure. NZ ones are best not like some of that offshore rubbish that looks like it has been refrozen twice and been round the Pacific twice before it hits our shores! I cut 1 open the other day and it was dry in the middle! It might be cheaper but it's crap! Squid too has been working OK but not as good as pillies (we often use the Loligo squid...californian or mexican ...comes in 2.5 and 5lb boxes) A food grade squid with good colour not like our NZ squid that is a wasted pink colour. Fresh is good too if you can put in the effort to catch a few live ones.

Casuals days are posted on our website.... check here for dates. Just drop us an email or give us a call/txt to check availability.

Just a bit about our casuals trips...These are for individuals or small groups wanting a days fishing. They cost $110pp for the day and that includes your catch being loooked after and iced down properly, on board help with rig tying, techniques and you get to fish with other anglers of all levels in a range of destinations. The price stays the same all year and we fish where the fish are eg we have to travel further in the winter but the price remains the same. $110 is 55litres in a power boat so its good value. In saying that though and due to the economic enviroment the rate will increase to $120pp on Jan 1 2009. Still good value. Bait, rods including soft bait rods and reels are available for hire too if you want to have a crack at it or refine your technique.

Off to the Barrier for the weekend so I had better go and fill up with ice and fuel, bait and rods, some new soft baits and somme very cool new jigs...I'll keep ya posted on that one...

Cheers

Damian(Damo) Clayton

Charter Connection - Where fishing is catching!©