Fishing Reports

The ravages of a rugged winter continue with only the hearty and astute venturing forth. If you can time the brief suitable weather windows then chances are high you’ve been (and will be) successful in your endevours. Being safe and warm between is the go. As per normal, plenty of opportunity across the various fisheries exist.

Inshore

Still the snapper continue their winning ways although historically they should hit the wall soon, moving out enmasse into the depths. A combination of bait and soft plastics carry on as being successful enticements. Terakihi are showing well and will increasingly become more important as winter entrenches Gurnard biting well throughout the sandy environs with anywhere between 15-25 metres being productive. A nice bycatch of pansized snapper and decent sized kahawai also await the beachgoers. Further down the coast the snapper appear to have already slipped comfortably into deeper (50-60m) water and should go deeper.

Offshore

Sadly very few reports from out wide. One boatload of jig fishermen found plenty of kingis to 10kgs in numerous areas but nothing larger – maybe bait would draw them out? A shame as no doubt there are some excellent opportunities on a number of species such as bluenose, kingfish, terakihi and XOS albacore. One bonus is the lack of pressure is giving them plenty of respite; they should be only more keen when conditions allow a resumption of effort.

Ranfurly Bank

A couple boats braved the elements to sample the currently (and usually) rich banks recently. Both did well on virtually all the species on tap with a few excellent sized specimens among them. Hapuka edge closer to their spawning time and consequently get fatter by the day. Their condition factor is fabulous at the moment. The average size is “only” about 8-15 kilos but there are numerous heavyweights (25 kilos plus) in the catch. The larger roe laden females are now turning up with doubleheaders common.

Bass also featured in the mix with a wide range of sizes present. Land based guru Scott Bradley landed the “whopper of the week” with his 51 kilo slugger – on the first drift of the trip! “Enchanter” anglers had a very nice line of fish. While nothing huge, there were many fine fish in the 25-35 kilo bracket – great average size.

Trumpeter also featured with a few beauties landed over 10 kilos. Two are being mounted by their proud captors with avocado exporter Alistair Young knocking down the largest on 13k’s.

Kingfish have decidedly moved into the depths with plenty of fish showing between 80-100 metres and even in excess of 200. Average size was a pleasing 20kgs although a few topped 30 with the largest on 34. Sadly bluenose fishing in the depths did not follow suit but one can’t expect everything, can they? Three large commercial longliners working could have some effect! No question, you get the weather right at this (or any) time of year and Ranfurly is where you want to be!

Summary

This marks the final report for a couple of months from this writer. We’ve had a long season and, as such, are looking forward to the upcoming break. Obviously there’s plenty of excellent fishing around in winter, just need the will and weather to achieve the rewards. After some maintenance “PURSUIT” and her crew will be back on the water in late September – already looking forward to it. Been a pleasure keeping readers up to date on the happenings, both up north and in the BOP. God willing, you’ll hear from me again on a regular basis starting early October. All the best till then.