Fishing Reports

      The snapper have made their way in to the traditional aggregaration area around Mita's Foul, but the water is still cold, and fishing has been slow. Morning water temps have been as low as 13.5C,  and  the afternoon surface temperature has been barley above 15C.

          Water temperatures are unlikely to rise significantly until the persisrent westerlies ease. Perhaps the only significant bonus from the cold water is the continued presence of terakihi, Best of the fishing has been on the rock/mud interface  out from Urupukapuka Island. Recent trips by Major Tom II in this area have produced plenty of terakihi and also some good snapper bycatch, as well as hapuka pups and kingfish.

 Best of the kingfishing has been at Rocky Point, where Steve Butler on Earl Gray ie reporting steady catches of fish up to 15kg.

  There has been very little fishing activity out wide, with afternoon and evening breezes creating unpleasant conditions away from the lee cover of the coast. The one report I have received is from Adam Davey, co-owner of commercial vessel Medea who went for a recreational hapuka fish in the Main Rocjk area. Although plenty of fish were showing on the sounders, the bite was poor.

  Forecasters are predicting good weather for the Labour Weekend holiday, and we can only hope that the prevailing wind turns east to drive some warmer water on to the coast.

 As always, drop me an email at MAJOR.TOM@xtra.co.nz if you have any queries