Fishing Reports

 OVERVIEW

Just when we thought things had settled down 2 weeks ago here- i.e- yeeha summer's here (briefly), now we are back into westerlies and the high pressure systems are too far north, and fast moving.

Water temps are improving regardless with 18.8 degrees at the Aldermans on sunday, and a few Albacore around to prove it.

INSHORE

More of the same stuff- get up early, or stay overnite, or stay late ! Middle of the day fishing is a joke, unless you are LUCKY. For the rest of us, use lots of berley, put in the time for snapper on the sand or low foul edge, in 15-40 metres. Cruise around first marking fish for 15-20 mins before you decide where to stop. John Ellwood on the "Whai "is still doing the best during the day , by almost exclusively using softbaits in the middle of the day, then anchoring up for the evening.

We are getting some monster terakihi at present out in about 40 metres around the outer islands, just out on the flats, with a few gurnard mixed in.Gurnard tip: put whole flasher rig below sinker and drift, you'll get a lot more "carrots" as they are known.

OFFSHORE

Still good fishing on the offshore foul for Kingfish and Hapuka, if you can get through the Barracouta, and these will get worse out there from now on.

Our sunday charter on "Stingray" saw  a 23kg Kingfish and 22kg Hapuka come up in the end, but again quiet during the middle of the day.

GAMEFISHING

About to happen but not yet-unconfirmed report  of a Yellowfin Tuna on a boat travelling between GT Barrier, and Red Mercury Island, the other day-but no proof yet. Good water was still about 50 nm north-north east of here when I last saw a SST chart.

18.8 degrees (real time-no B.S) at Aldermans now, and similar up the Red Merc end. Someone claimed 21.5 degrees off Red Merc the other  day, just highlighting the need to calibrate your temperature guage if you can!!!!

RELEASING KINGFISH

Niwa's research into handling fish , as a result of their farm stock catching episodes of late, has highlighted the need to not handle fish, especially fine scaled fish like Tuna, Hapuka, and Kingfish, if you intend to release them. See- NZ Fishing News report.

It appears that they get horrible fungal skin infections, post release, which can eventually kill them.

Quite simply- as I alluded to in an earlier article- slide the gaff down the line with your right hand, then lower your left hand with the trace in it, -which rolls the hook backwards over the gaff curve.Then just lift up the gaff and the fish's own weight will make it drop off with a small shake.

Practice this, and when you have it sussed, it takes 5-10 seconds max, and know that you are helping to conserve your fishery, and if you must photograph them, just lipgaff, hold the gaff only for photo, and then return them to the water untouched.

The current fashion for "bearhugging "Kingfish for the camera shot, then releasing ,is not doing that fish any good whatsoever !!!!!.Any doubts-ring NIWA!!

Good Fishing!

Andy Kerr-Stingray Charters-Whitianga.