Fishing Reports

   The game fishing season has kicked off nicely in the Bay with the Boxing Day capture by 10 year old Sam Marsh of a 133kg striped marlin, to set a new world record claim in the small fry division. Although the water is still under 20C captures since Boxing Day have probably averaged one a day between Tutakaka, Bay of of Islands and Whangaroa plus plenty of sightings. Best area after Xmas was the 200M to 300M area outside Queens Buoy, but the action has now spread up the coast as far as Berghens Point. A number of large yellowfin have also been taken, with Libertas landing a 71kg whopper, although it was caught by a non member and the Club pin currently stands at 57kg. An early 180kg blue marlin was weighed at Whangaroa. This fish was captured right in at the 150M line behind Stevensons island, This fish, and most of the other captures so far have not been in the bluest of water, but in the area of most food. The albacore, though small are right in the green water, and it sometimes pays  to remember that the fish come here to feed, not sunbathe!!.

  Kingfish action has been patchy, with best results coming from Bird Rock and Rocky Point, though fish over 12kg are something of a rarity, and most captures are barely legal,

  Snapper fishing has not been as good as last year. A feed is still easy enough to muster up. but the fish are much smaller. After Xmas, our best results had come from the shelf to the north west of Whale Rock, though maomao and leatherjackets were in plague proportions, making hard baits like fresh trevally or jack mackerel the best options. Over ther last few trips our best results have come from the 40M line to to the north east of Center Foul and the Black Rocks. A welcome bonus was a feed of terakihi while fishing towards Marsden Cross on the 30M line during one particularly strong nor west blow.

 As always drop me an email at major.tom@xtra.co.nz if you have any queries