Fishing Reports

Subtle changes apparent since the last report.  All eyes and ears still fully focused on the Poor Knights – Tutukaka area as far as marlin go with some veritable monster present.  A couple over 150 kilos, several more over 160 and topped out by “Primetimes” 204.5 kilo monster indicates the quality there now and over the past few weeks.  Some experience skippers are talking in terms of thousands of fish present rather than hundreds!  Talk about quality and quantity!  Further north our fervent hope is for these fish to move up along the coast rather than nor east when the area has lost its charm for them – time will tell.  At this point there’s no indication of this happening, lending more credibility to the late season theory.  June marlin ?!? Bet on it!

Doubtless Bay – Cape Karikari

Status quo – few skippies and marlin, plenty snapper.

Garden Patch - Pins

Inexplicably water out here remains slightly cooler than that further inshore.  In spite of this fact there are still mahi mahi seen and caught there yet no marlin – go figure.  Bottomfishing remains buoyant for bluenose if the orcas are not on the scene – otherwise prepare for a good ole tug of war – if however brief with the outcome certain!

GreatExhibition Bay

Same ole, same ole with a few skippies on the Parenga – North Cape end but no marlin landed (or seen) here for awhile.  Probably a function of few boats looking.  Otherwise great and very consistent stories throughout regarding epic snapper fishing.

Surville Cliffs - “The Hook” – “Compass Rose”

Skippies abound the further up the track one goes although water quality also suffer.  Some decent bottom fishing in the “Hook” are involving mainly largish puka.

Middlesex bank

Still the darling of kingi and bottomfishing aspirations, without doubt.  Many fine kingis over 20 and up to 30 kilos lately.  No monsters pushing 40 recently although heavens knows where they are. Plenty of nice bass, puka and the bottom is carpeted with king terakihi. Water still plenty good enough to see a marlin there with most visiting boats doing just that.  Water nice colour if just a little cooler than  ……………..

King Bank

We’ve been speaking of the great potential this place has and nothing has changed.  In fact it’s a more glaring prospect than ever!  Beautiful warm water that holds mega bait.  The odd mahi still lives there with little doubt a blue not far away.  Stripeys, when they discover this place, will love it for all the right reasons!  Sharks have been an increasing problem for live baiters with a nasty mix of big bronzies and medium makos.  Still marlin are being taken most every day but those patient, perseverant ones.  Most days also start to show the potential like the ones “Reel Passion” and Libertas” had recently.  Skipper Mark Hoare went two for three on billfish with the lost one a black.  Brodie went three for nine on stripees as well as double digit sharks – a very busy day!  Kingis, or lack of same, still a mystery although the bottomfishing is coming right on bass in particular.  Lots of skippies here.

Summary

Still a vibrant picture overall with some nice weather to enjoy it all.  King Bank remains the posies of the future – wouldn’t mind betting the fish will outlast the anglers, yet again!  Speaking of anglers, there seems to be a distinct lack of them for this time of year. Can’t things improving on that scale either.  Watch for something special this month!