Fishing Reports
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Good weather midweek saw a good days fishing had out off the west coast of Great Barrier. The 'couta were a bit of a hassle on Jimmies Foul but further down on the sand the snapper were biting hard with most of the guys on the crew picked up a few good fish on the Gulp "crazy legs". This bait has been pretty good so far this winter along with one of my faves the large pink and new penny grub tails. A few drifts out off the top of Horn Rock snaffled a few more lump head snapper for the trip.
There were also some big porae caught and along with a few trevally from the fringes of the reef, these made for excellent fare when served hot from the smoker. That Bradely Smoker is just awesome for small or large smokes and Ive been enjoying the many flavours you can do your fish with Switch on load the wood biscuits and add fish. When the timer is finished, add a cold beer, brown bread and the beautifully smoked fish.
Little Barrier has been pretty good too but damn! those couta can make for a frustrating day. Some of the snapper out on the deeper pins are big and will bust you off on light gear so pack some decent softbait gear or at least 10kg mono, bait fishing equipment so you dont lose that trophy fish. I shake my head sometimes when I look at some of the tackle that comes aboard and the guy insists he fish with it! Fish after fish gets losts and they wonder why, not to mention the fish gets to swim around with a hook in its mouth or sometimes even has to drag sinker around too. Dont got to a gun fight with a knife so to speak.
The Colville Channel too has had it moments but when the tide gets running you have to be on your game especially in a small boat. We have seen it change very quickly from flat calm to over 1m in chop and a confused sea just with the tide changing. Plenty of small boats get caught here but plenty of fish get here too but you will have to spend some time figuring out how the place works. There is one one spot in here where the tide can flow back to front!
Closer in there have been the odd sparodic catch but nothing really to indicate the influx of spring snapper is on its way. reports from further north too are slow and its these early reports from out off the Bay of Islands and Whangarei that are a little indicative as to how far away the spring schools are. Your best bet would be dawn and dusk still around the Ahaahas, Bottom End of Waiheke, Tiri and Kawau for a easy feed. Burley up or keep your eyes open for the occasional workup as there is still quite a bit of baitfish in close.
Check out web page at www.charterconnection.co.nz to find out how/when/where etc and keep in mind that we are one of the few charters that specialise in taking individuals and small groups too. Be safe on the water - its far too cold to be falling in!
A Charter Connection...Report type: Saltwater
Report date: 02 August 10
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