Fishing Reports

A few changes over the week, which was decidedly dominated by the strong and consistent easterlies we’ve endured throughout. There has been plenty of fishing, particularly from Te Kaha east, to varying degrees of success. And the best news, no harm, perhaps enhancement, to water quality.

Inshore

Due to the winds, it’s been a pretty dry argument from Opotiki west. Quite a lot of fishing activity around Te Kaha and again at Waihou Bay with generally good results. Snapper occupy much of the effort around Te Kaha with an evenly mixed bag of snapper and terakihi at Waihou. An overabundance of mako sharks and kahawai have made Te Kaha snapper fishers lives pretty chaotic with no such nuisance value further east. Look for a lot more pressure being exerted back in the centre of the Bay very shortly – will be good to get some more current reports then.

Offshore

After simply red hot fishing for many weeks at the Smokey isle, things had really tailed off the past week. Pleased to report all is forgiven and things are back to normal. Kingis, in particular, have rebounded in grand fashion. Again, as experienced to and since Christmas, it’s pretty well wide open fishing with most offerings taken on most drifts. Again, and as we’ve documented all season long, bait out fishing jigs exponentially. Most of the fish are in the 14-18 kilo bracket but enough fish over 20 to keep things interesting. Interesting to note there’s a real mixture of condition factor being noted with a near 50/50 split. Some skinny as a rake, obviously having completed their spawning stint for the season while others are still very plump in their prime.

Whopper of the week fell to Australian visitor Adrian Lewis with a beaut (estimated 26k’s tagged and released) on 15 kilo tackle. Trevally are still playing the game but just trying to get one to the boat has proven difficult as the bronzies have moved from the Volkners and set up shop at the island itself. Deepwater remains almost “Ranfurly like” in various places; the Volkner Rocks area (yes, outside the reserve!) are producing well with all species obliging well. Aside from the expected bluenose and hapuka, there is a surprisingly large number of bass. While not large (5-26k’s) they have dominated catches just lately. Water remains lovely and warm but few boats testing the waters, those that have are largely dipping out.

Ranfurly Bank

Until the last day, boats fishing there this past week paid a price. Fortunately for “Enchanter” and “Cascade” anglers their efforts were far from in vain. Fishing was superb for both kingfish and bottom grabbers but these crews paid dearly for them in heaving seas and 25-35 knot winds. Many fine kingis were landed, and largely released, for the intrepid anglers. With many in the 20’s and a few over 30, quality was not an issue. In contrast to White Island, jigs are working well here. Largest, at a whopping estimated 41 kilos fell to a jubilant “Enchanter” angler – released after photos. Nice water here as well so the easterlies have performed their magic. Should be prime for trolling for …………..

Pelagics

Still, Waihou Bay leads the charge. Not every day is a boomer with some going fishless (strikeless) despite good sized fleets. Following those poor days there’s often a rebound with strikes aplenty. Stripees dominate the action but enough blues interspersed to keep anglers on their toes. Some boats have had a blur of action (“Runaway Cat” with seven shots one day) while others wash their lures unsuccessfully. A few spearfish and bigeye tuna (Escapade – 69k) also spice up the catch. Seemingly little action west of Waikawa Point. This week, with much better weather, and a building gamefishing fleet, should prove interesting.

Summary

Those that fished most anywhere in the Eastern bay, and especially Ranfurly waters, deserved everything they landed. Now, with a much improved forecast, things should improve – at least the comfort aspect. Something tells me I’ll enjoy doing the next report.