Fishing Reports

Not a lot of change since the last report. Mainly a couple updates and some Christmas cheer in the way of gamefish prospects.

Inshore

Pretty much all good news here. Although snapper are in good numbers throughout the inner Bay, it’s hard to beat the sand between Port Ohope and Opotiki. Seemingly noone is failing here with limit fishing common on nice fish averaging around two kilos but some much larger. Elsewhere there’s no shortage of action either, refer to last report.

Offshore

Things just seem to carry on out wide. Kingis, while they don’t bite wide open everyday, are showing quite good consistency. These fish are now spawning and most in their glorious best condition. Most are in the high teens and low twenties with the odd fish much larger. Although jigs are working, it’s bait that gets the results every time. Still not sure about the reluctance to jigs but it’s very evident most days. Otherwise spawning trevally await to challenge any light tackle angler, most fish a very respectable 4-5 kilos. All bottom species, both shallow and deep, are keen to please most of the time as well. Water quality is good, only a matter of time until trolling should become viable. At present plenty of junior albies about with a few larger models thrown in to make reels sing their tune.

Ranfurly Bank

If weather allows, there’s some excellent fishing to be had here. Doesn’t really matter what you’re after, success should be achieved. Kingis seemingly cover the Bank area with good catches coming in everything from 150 metres up to 30. Lots of saury coming (more like being current swept) onto the Bank to the delight of hoards of yellowtailed marauders. Makes for some excellent (and exciting) viewing. Also the bottom bouncing has been anywhere between adequate to excellent as well with a nice mix of species. Mainly hapuka (Aucklander Gary Rooke tamed a beaut 39 kilo specimen in 35 metres of water!) are obliging but a good number of bass, trumpeter and king terakihi to enhance the mix. Water is cold and patchy here although a couple decent albacore succumbed recently. Some northerly winds should produce a start to …….

Pelagics

While the eastern Bay can’t claim the fame, the first YFT for the country has got everyone talking. The superb 63.8kg tuna off the Aldermans should create more interest throughout the Bay. Well done to Anita Syben for her catch on the family boat “Apertyx”. Now if we can just coax a few into eastern waters!! Surface longliners reporting some nice water and steady catches of bigeye with the occasional yellowfin mixed in. Tales of boats releasing up to nine striped marlin in a set 30 miles east of Great Barrier Island also get the blood flowing. Seems like we might get a summer after all!!

Summary

Hope all readers have a special holiday period with loved ones which is what this time of year is all about. Bending a rod or two won’t go amiss but, above all, be safe. Will be back in touch again in the New Year, hopefully with many a good story to relate.