Fishing Reports

Finally the bubble had to burst – the end of nearly two weeks of great weather.  Just another (hopefully last) chilly reminder of the winter behind us, and a particularly nasty one it was too.  Leading up to the big chill and soueast blow there was some pretty nice fishing to be had on a number of different fronts – read on.

Inshore

As this is the arena that receives most pressure and effort, it was very pleasing to hear the varied stories and note progress there in general.  Would appear, probably on queue, that snapper are in the progress of making their pre-spawn movement into shallow(er) water.  Some good catches have been made in a wide range of depths and habitat with all known techniques; such is the movement of these fish.  While most are (and always will be) pan sized fish between ¾ and 1 ½ kilos, there have been a few beauts in the five to six kg category.  And talk about condition – they are brilliant looking fish which will only improve over the next two months.  If they aren’t pleasing to the eye they sure are to the palette!  In good support we also have terakihi, gurnard and whitebait gorged kahawai.  Many near limit catches on all species have been recorded recently.  The aforementioned whitebait catches continue to amaze as well.  One unconfirmed report had one catch worth $8000!!  That’s over 100kgs for those of you who have forgotten about the exorbitant price of this delivery.  As an added aside, preliminary anchors and ropes for the massive (largest in NZ) mussel farm off Opotiki have been deployed.  Last time there was just a few to ascertain its productivity; some phenomenal terakihi fishing was had by locals – like limit fishing in 20 minutes!  While the company is encouraging recreational anglers to fish within these confines, there is a definite protocol for doing so.  Eastern Seafarms Ltd asks that no anchoring be done in the area, only tying up to either the orange or black floats – not the light buoys.  Last time there were 43 anchors recovered from this small scientific sturdy area – now it is, and will continue to get, much larger.  Should be a boon to our fishery in the area.

Offshore

White Island is looking, and acting, more spring like all the while.  The temperature of the water is still very cool (14.5 degrees C) but has warmed up nearly a degree since the last report.  The water clarity is poor with the predictable plank tonic soup that manifests itself at this time of year.  So many organisms make this porridge impossible to see through.  It hasn’t deterred the fish as most species are cooperating well.  Kingis, a real target in springtime, are obliging to a variety of enticements.  Jigs, livebait, deadbait, poppers and stickbaits.  All have their day in the sun – sometimes concurrently!  Another pleasing aspect s the areas they are frequenting.  Nearly all the well known possies are producing at the moment, a little like the snapper inshore with both awaiting 18 degrees C to “do their thing”.  Fish size, and condition factors however, are all over the place.  Many fish are skinny rakes that look horrible.  Others are in prime condition and also will improve their girth over the next two months.  A good example is recent catches of 105cm fish.  One weighed a paltry 11 kilos with the other a touch under 18 – opposite ends of the spectrum.  Whopper of the Week easily went to septarian Roger Lund.  Celebrating his 70^th birthday, he promptly dealt to his fabulous 34 ½ kilo specimen – well done, a feat many younger anglers would aspire to achieve.  Trevally and near shore reef fish have also kicked up another notch with good catches of both light tackle delights.  Good numbers of mixed size koheru have also been noted most mornings, well after mackerel time is over.

Ranfurly Bank

No recent reports, will change soon with more trips planned by several boats soon.

Summary

Spring has sprung, despite a temporary recent setback.  Looking forward to better weather again (read that less wind) with all the opportunities it presents.  Until next week ……….