Fishing Reports

 

Hi and welcome to this, the first of many current fishing reports emanating from Whakatane. After six weeks off for a holiday (Aitutaki) and annual maintenance period, we’re into the beginnings of our busy season ahead. We’ve split our attention between White Island and Ranfurly Bank thus far in this new season. Both have produced well and dismally, depending on many factors. Water temps have dipped dramatically and only now have we recently eclipsed 15 degrees C. Albacore, once a prominent feature of spring fishing, are among the missing. Water has been a miserable green colour but just today cleaned up nicely – hope springs eternal! White Island: Our first trip out after survey was a boomer – 24 hours of blissful fishing in perfect conditions. Kingis stole the limelight with lovely conditioned fish up to 34kgs landed. Several others around the 25k mark were released as everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Since then the kingfish have developed lockjaw with generally some hard fishing. Some reasonable catches of hapuka and bass have been nicely supplemented by a lot of fun on nice sized tarakihi shallow water fishing with light gear for this prime eating fish is an enjoyable and productive way to end any day. Inshore: Snapper and tarakihi have alternated, taking top honours on the inshore scene. Some day both fire well and produce good catches for would be captors. The Rurima Rocks have easily been the most consistent, although Matata and even Ohope Beach have kicked out some good snapper. Have heard of several over the marginal 10-kilo mark with many between 4-7 k’s. Only yesterday was a 12-kilo specimen landed off Matata Beach surfcasting! You see, boats are not required! Ranfurly Bank A steady procession of Whakatanes’ charter fleet have made their way to the hallowed banks. Earlier this month you couldn’t miss but the last fortnight has fallen on hard times. A combination of big swells, lots of wind, strong currents and a proliferation of sharks (both school and spiny dogs) have made fishing harder than can be remembered at this usually productive spot. It would appear to be a cyclical thing which will probably be alleviated by the time you read this. Prior to the problems there were good catches of hapuka, bass, trumpeter, snapper and large humphead trevally for all boats involved. Things to come: As always, spring motivates anglers into summer mode. Gear is be readied, reels rebuilt, new line being spooled, trailers greased and outboards checked. With cold water everywhere it’s hard to imagine Yellowfin tuna arriving in seven or eight weeks! Just to wet you appetite – the surface long line boat “Viking ii” landed a 65kg YFT last week less than 60 nautical miles from North Cape. They’re not that far away after all. That’s about all for now. Hope you enjoyed the report and I’ll try to update same as often as is practicable or when things change significantly. If anybody has any input please contact me on pursuit@xtra.co.nz or my boat phone (025) 925 371.

 

From Pursuit

Report type: Saltwater

Report date: 07 October 00