Fishing Reports

Happy New Year! Hopefully many of you are still enjoying a good break from everyday routine and even getting in a spot of fishing. Some interesting, if not good, stories coming in from right around the country but for now we’ll concentrate on the EBOP. Weather has perked up for all the holiday makers that commonly descend upon the Bay at this time. Plenty of good stories have turned up over the past two weeks so here goes – welcome 2010.

Inshore

Despite a largely increased effort and numbers of anglers, the consistency has fallen off somewhat. Still some very good fishing is being had by most – just not everyone and all the time. Snapper certainly occupy 90% of what happens in the near shore arena and they haven’t let many down. The size of most fish has been pleasing with a one – two kilo average. The wide spectrum of depths and habitat also hasn’t changed with fish being caught over a broad base. Water has warmed but remains decidedly green – good for anglers but frustrating for divers. The sand still producing good catches of carrots and you don’t need to go far to cash in on these fish. Seeing the car park full of trailers and spilling over on the grass verge indicates just how popular our sport is at this time of year in particular.

Offshore

This region, read that White Island and surrounding waters, has been nothing but a success story for some weeks now. Since well before Christmas the various fisheries have obliged – nothing has changed over the holidays! Kingis have shifted their attentions somewhat and there are definite bite times but time it right ad you’re in for some excellent fishing. Fish are biting virtually everything at the moment. Both live and dead bait plus jigs and poppers all have been successful enticements.

Just lately the fish show a penchant for the afternoons rather than mornings and a flowing current is always helpful. Remember, White Island is not usually affected by the tidal flow. It seems sufficiently offshore to escape tidal influence but pick up on oceanic currents, which can run the same direction for weeks on end!

The fish are a nice average size with many in the low 20’s and even pushing 30. Long may this action continue. Elsewhere deepwater species have really turned on the goods and are often producing like yesteryears. Have had numerous stories of Ranfurly type action relayed and not in especially deep water or early mornings. Seems like just over 200 metres is a good depth with a surprisingly good spread of fish to be had. Hapuka, bass and bluenose all contribute to a vibrant scene at present.

The fishing has been punctuated by many doubleheaders and large bluenose females among the catch – early for them but most welcome. Early starts don’t seem necessary at the moment with the sun shining brightly overhead for this action. Back closer to the island the light tackle enthusiasts are being well catered for by hoards of hungry trevally and other reef fish. Nice sized porae are complementing the terakihi with the trevs averaging four to five kilos but some specimens pushing five. Again early starts are not necessary for any of this action. Water has warmed but still not great clarity even this far offshore.

Waihou Bay

As per normal, a virtual armada of boats out most everyday. Holidaymakers swell the small local population many times over at this time of year, with most happy with their experiences at sea. Plenty of snapper, terakihi and even hapuka to keep the majority well occupied. A fair few are predictably now turning their attentions to …………

Gamefishing

A real case of quality, not quantity. While the few fish to grace the weighstations have been most welcome and of good size, the weighmasters have not been run off their feet! At this point the Waihou Bay Club has managed just one gamefish, a 60 kilo yellowfin during their recent competition. This is sure to change and soon. Back in the Bay things have been better but only slightly. The smallest yellowfin to come in has been an astounding 56 kilos with most in the sixties and even two in the 70’s. Largest topped out at a glorious 78k’s – a great catch caught only 10 miles nor east of Whakatane. While size has been outstanding, numbers have not. Most fish have been taken trolling and associated with dolphin activity.

A broad area of catches thus far from north of the Rurima Rocks all the way to Opotiki but one thing is common, they are in shallow water. 50-80 metres in relatively cool and green water seems to be their modus operandi. Marlin are being seen most every day, some tailing but most feeding. Only one courtesy weigh has crossed the Whakatane scales thus far - a lovely 228k blue taken by “Rana’s Legacy” some 40 miles offshore. More of these apex fish are sure to follow, and show we hope.

Ranfurly Bank

Not a lot of pressure here of late but bound to change soon. Water still not flash here so gamefishing on the back burner for now. Reasonable to excellent bottom bouncing has supplanted some great kingi fishing lately. Jigging has been the preferred enticements here with many fine fish in the 20’s falling hard for them. Invariably the largest kingi of the day is over 30 kilos and fat.

Summary

As you will have read, most anglers will be reasonably to very happy with their lot lately – and there’s plenty of them taking advantage of the combination of holidays plus good weather. Should see more revelations on the game scene all the while – bring it on!

We have developed some prime time in mid February if anybody is interested. This time would be well suited for a multiday excursion to Ranfurly Bank or a shorter trip in the Bay of Plenty. If you are keen please contact us and we’ll give you more info.