Fishing Reports

What a difference a week can make! Air and water temps have soared as soon as some nicer weather smiled upon us. Aside for several near perfect days (first time in over two months we’ve been able to string more than two good days together) we’re still saddled with westerly winds.

One big difference; norwest not souwest. Aside from the welcomed warming effects both above and below the surface, there’s been a huge improvement in water quality most everywhere. The green soup seems to have gone and good riddance to it! Some of the water we are looking at, both White Island and Ranfurly has a decided blue tinge to it – hallelujah!

Inshore

Good news all the way round. You got a target species? You got a desired location/depth? Chances are you are going to be successful! Just about simple as that. Good catches of snapper coming out of (8) eight metres in a strayline situation, 15-20 with a running rig and 30-60 with ledgers. Most everyone has got good stories to tell. While terakihi are still there for the taking, it would appear most anglers are bypassing them and going directly to other species – predominantly snapper.

Although few 20 pounders are being recorded, there have been many quality fish in the 10-15lb category. Anglers are often in the position of being quite selective – an enviable place to be! Remember, no “highgrading” – release all fish alive, not dead! The sand appears to be carpeted with gurnard as anglers are limiting out with both longline and rod/reel. Pup hapuka are appearing in a number of different areas and depths, making many anglers happy when delivering the succulent fillets/steaks to the dinner table. The inshore scene is rounded off nicely with fat kahawai and a few trevally plus the occasional decent kingi.

Offshore

White Island is up to its old but unseasonable tricks – inconsistent. Kingfish remain the question on everyone’s lips – why are they not cooperating better at a time of the year when they should be biting their heads off leading up to spawning. We’ve been blaming the cold water but this excuse will now not be valid. If these prime fish don’t commence soon we’ll have to look elsewhere!

Still, there have been some decent sessions, if however brief, and some quality fish. “Whopper of the week” goes to Whakatane electrician Harley Delacy with his 32.8kg beauty off “Malakai”. To sweeten the deal Harley landed his fish on 15k line and it won him a nice ham in the recent competition – well done Harley.

Otherwise it’s pretty tough going on the predominantly 15-18kg fish with jigs slightly winning over bait. Bottomfishing in the deep follows the kingis lead. Bluenose are the pick of the lot with best results early mornings. The shallows hold some productive results with terakihi and nice sized (4-5 kgs) trevally leading the way. Some very nice water suddenly enveloping the region – keep it coming. So far only “coke” albacore inhabiting this new influx.

Ranfurly Bank

Interesting development here during the recent pristine conditions. With small seas and light winds (for a change) the bottomfishing ramped up another couple notches while the quality of kingfish tailed off. The previously steady but unspectacular results have turned around with some red hot sessions and some large specimens appearing among them. Still the average size is 10-15 kilos but suddenly there are more in the 20’s and 30’s with some larger.

A nice mix with about one third bass. Several nice lunker bass appeared with Marcel Van Westbrook leading the way with his 53 kilo beaut. He was followed closely by long time mate, Hamish Gunn. Bluenose in the deep water (300 metre plus) are like hens teeth after the autoliners have been through lately. The only saving grace is size which is good. Some massive trumpeter also in the mix with one “Enchanter” angler scoring a massive 17 kilo specimen.

This is not an isolate catch with skipper Lance Goodhue saying he would have had another dozen over 10 kilos – large in the trumpeter world. A further nice compliment of kingi terakihi is also being encountered. As mentioned, the kingfish quality has backed off although the numbers and their dedication to biting have not. Whereas 30 kilo fish were common, now the average is down in the 20’s – still great quality. “Enchanter” led it’s passengers to several great sessions on their last outing with many in the high 20’s, one just on 30 with jigs working at least as good as bait. Water quality has improved markedly here as well which leads us to a little, introductory session on ……

Pelagics

Didn’t think this would even merit a mention prior to Christmas and still it’s well premature. One bit of good news other than personal observations and speculating on recent sea surface temperature charts is one catch, albeit a commercial one. “Zambucca”, skippered by one time charter skipper Steve Haddock, recorded two yellowfin tuna on his last surface longline outing. One of these was taken only 30 miles north of Cape Runaway in nearly 19 degrees of water – bring it on.

Summary

Steady as she goes with just a few more revelations as one would expect at this time of year. Until next week……………