Fishing Reports

Change is what fishing (and life) is all about.  The current fishing is certainly all about change, that’s for sure.  The spate of easterlies we’ve experienced up here has surprisingly not been beneficial throughout.  One would think there would be purple water loaded with fish everywhere – not the case by a long shot and quite the opposite in most areas.  At the risk of being negative, read on…

Doubtless Bay – Cape Karikari

Little going on here in the way of gamefishing, even skippies are hard to come by.  Some years early April is alive with marlin here, not this one.  May still be some good fishing to come but most effort is going toward the inshore species and in particular snapper.

Garden Patch - Pins

Water is no better out here with seemingly just as many marlin.  Bottomfishing has been pretty good with bluenose at the Pins a winner.  As the fish are in full spawn there are some big (25-3okg) females to be had.

GreatExhibition Bay

Without doubt, the best marlin fishing along the coast.  In spite of coolish (19 degrees C) greenish water, there are still a few to be had by lucky and/or perseverant anglers.  The 130 metre mark between Mount Camel and Parengarenga Harbour is the best expanse of water to fours your efforts in.

North Cape – Surville Cliffs – The Hook

Little going on here with little traffic to test these waters.  Temperature very uniform throughout with far more life (birds – skippies) here than further down the line.

Compass Rose – The Fingers

Continues to be cold as per the rest of the season.  Hard to believe last years hotspot (including Ross Jameson’s grander blue taken this time last year) can be singled out as the coldest spot along the coast.  That, in spite of having steady easterly winds push warm water onto this structure.  The cycle hasn’t been broken and probably not much chance of it now happening this season.

King Bank

What amazing water that bank is currently bathed in, emphasis on the bath!  At 21 degrees everywhere (higher in places) it would have to be the nicest water seen anywhere this entire season.  The good news is there are some blues there (six shots on Friday the 9^th) and mahimahi.  Some of the blues tagged news is, for no apparent reason, the small population of blues present outnumber the stripees!  Plenty of bait (lots of flying fish and loads of skippies) and the aforementioned water quality isn’t enough to lure them onto the bank.  Additionally kingi and bottomfishing is far from good, mainly due to outlandish currents – that despite a “perfect” moon phase.  Congratulations to John Gregory aboard “Primetime” who registered his 100^th broadbill swordfish recently!

Middlesex Bank

Beautiful water and only half a degree cooler here than at King Bank.  No, this isn’t where the stripees are hiding either although these are a few here as well.  Bottomfishing is good with plenty puka, bass, and unlimited king terakihi.  Kingis are especially hot with some superb catches of big fish lately.  “Enchanter” anglers scored six over 30 kilos one day (largest 38) with many more over 25.  Sharks not a real issue here like they are starting to become at the other bank.

Great Island – Princes Group

Despite far worse water conditions (temp and colour) and little pressure, a surprising number of marlin bites and capture have taken place within five miles of these sets of rocks.  Maybe some target fishing would prove where the stripees are hiding!?!?!  Kingis poor around the island at present.

Summary

Still plenty of action but already running out of anglers/boats at this early part of the season.  With the easterlies showing no signs of abating it will be interesting to see how long the water can maintain its summer status.  Till next time………………….