Fishing Reports

 

Spring is certainly evident in many ways – here in the BOP. Acres of plankton bloom, jellyfish, baitfish galore, slowly increasing water temps, sunfish, flying fish sightings – all harbingers of the impending summer season ahead. After a steady diet of nasty westerlies (and numerous cancellations) which held almost all forms of fishing at bay for over three weeks. We’ve now had some lovely conditions to revel in culminating with Labour Weekend. At this current rate summer can’t be far away – come on Yellowfin! In the meantime there’s plenty of prospects to occupy any anglers aspirations. Inshore: This has been a continuing success story. As we advance further into spring. Snapper have really come on in a number of regions. If you’ve got a favourite spot try it, chances are it’s firing. From Matata through the Rurima Rocks past Ohope Beach onto Opotiki and right through to Te Kaha – they are all serving up some great snapper fishing. Many fish over the magical 10kg mark have been landed with fish of 4-7k commonplace. That represents great quality for this early. If snapper don’t interest you then there’s plenty of terakihi, trevally, kahawai and gurnard to satiate anyone’s appetite. Beach fishing has been exceptional as well as that from boats. Light southerly winds and non-existent swells have assisted land basing or beach launching. Offshore: Spring is every bit as evident further offshore as it is along the coastline. Hyperactive kingis and hoards of English mackerel dominate the surface action as they chase miniature squid and baitfish. Water temps, after languishing around 14 degrees C for weeks, are now approaching 16 degrees. Bottom fishing has been very steady with good mixed bags of hapuka, bluenose and bass – some at decent sizes (45kgs). Fishing for large terakihi and trevally has been very productive and lots of fun on the light stuff. Everyone’s favourite, the kingfish, have shown well of late. Fish up to 33 kilos have been landed with many around the 20k mark. Tag and release reins supreme for this species with the vast majority returned to fight (and spawn) another day. With spawning only weeks away, most of these fish are in prime condition and perfectly capable of extracting a lot from their would be captors! Ranfurly Bank: This prime but distant locale has regained form since the last report. Bottom sharks have abated, giving way for good hapuka catches. While it still isn’t as good as this spot is known for, the situation is much improved. This is an exciting time as we lead up to the excitement summer pelagics bring. 18 degrees C is the water temp we will be looking for since that triggers the snapper spawn and Yellowfin arrival. Will write again soon as things develop. Good fishing – it’s all ahead of us now!

 

From Pursuit

Report type: Saltwater

Report date: 26 October 00