Fishing Reports

Are we witnessing the demise of yet another season? Perhaps so but it’s valiantly fighting to stave off the inevitable in places. With the current spate of strong westerly influence things are looking bleak in regards to maintaining the good water we currently enjoy in places, mainly along the coast. Here’s another aspect to consider: the day after Ross Jameson’s magnificent blue was landed, the marlin fishing inexplicably dropped off dramatically. Take that however and whenever you like but its fact. Still things are hanging in on the game front and quite vibrant elsewhere.

Doubtless Bay – Cape Karikari

The most productive possie for marlin along the coast, maybe in the country! Recently there’s been some spectacular beautiful, warm (20.5 – 21 degrees C) water here with fishing to match some days. Case in point: “Primetime” landed three stripees in 145m of water of Berghan Point on his way home to Whangaroa. Also a 10 kilo mahi landed in a mere 100 metres in the middle of Doubtless Bay – unusual for this or any time of year. Easily the best of a bad deal for gamefishers but worries about what the current spate of strong westerlies will do this pleasing situation. Elsewhere some very consistently productive snapper fishing for most everyone with 20-30 metres a favourite depth. Even the Mangonui and Houhora wharves are producing some nice snapper in the 1 ½ -2kg bracket. Also some decent (up to 25k’s) kingis showing off the Cape Islands.

Garden Patch - Pins

Not a lot of traffic here of late but still the odd marlin showing its presence with one caught recently. Also the bluenose biting if you choose a good day and avoid the numerous killer whales known to inhabit the area waiting for their opportunistic chances.

Great Exhibition Bay – North Cape

It’s been a big, unproductive place much of the time but occasionally delivers some excitement. The “Double Strike” recently had some fish show a lot of interest but to no avail. In 120-130m off the Parengarenga Canyon they experienced multiple marlin shots to enliven the day. Elsewhere there’s been the odd strike in all manner of depths, particularly off the North Cape Canyon. Some reasonable kingi and puka fishing in 100 metres off water off the cape with Derek Paull scoring a very credible 37 kilo puka.

Surville Cliffs – Tom Bowling Bay

Not a lot happening here except a reasonable population of the mini micro skippies (600gram-1kg).

“The Hook” – “Compass Rose”

While the water is pretty and warm, this area cannot match the situation back down the line in any way, shape or form. Still columns of bait to be found with two marlin taken by one boat here in as many days near the bait.

Three Kings Islands – Princess Group

Lots of fun to be had here recently. Kingis are biting very well; in fact they are making procurement of live koheru difficult. Even to the point of multiple strike on marlin lures, with none of these fish small and up to 30 kilos. XOS trevally also enliven the scene with light tackle delight. Bait fishing has also picked up with some good sessions on the valued koheru some mornings.

King Bank

A real emotional rollercoaster with currents/tides having a huge, ongoing effect. In what has been symptomatic of the Bank all season, the currents are often vicious and disruptive. Bathing the shallows in cool water is doing the marlin fishing no favours. Accordingly, some days there is a few around in 18-19 degree water, other days there’s not much enthusiasm in green 16-17 degrees. Despite the billfish potential, the kingfish and bottomfish are biting their heads off. The kingis are taking both livies and jigs with a lot of abandon in anywhere between 50 and 120 metre depth.

Most of these fish are over 20 kilos, many larger. “Enchanter” had two brilliant sessions recently with one near 40 kilo fish and at least 7 or 8 others over 30 – great fishing in anyone’s book. The best thing about this is they’re all still out there; ready to torture the next lot of unsuspecting anglers! King terakihi literally carpet the bottom in anywhere between 80 and 150 metres with bass obliging well in their annual lead up to spawning. The bass rule the bank, seemingly kicking their cousins the hapuka the boot! With a real mixture of sizes, one is never sure what size they will end up with on the very next drift. Anything from 15-50 k’s are common at the moment with one “Enchanter” angler landing a splendid doubleheader of 30 and 50 k’s – not bad going.

Middlesex Bank

Not good news. “Primetime” went down the length of the bank recently with temps ranging from 16.6 to 15.9 degrees C. Game over.

Summary

While there will undoubtedly be marlin still landed in some locations in certain instances, things certainly look bleak now – especially in light of the strong westerly pattern we’re enduring. With a shift in mindset there is still plenty of excellent fishing remaining for those keen with marlin a bonus. Needless to say, it would appear our “Indian Summer” is over!