Fishing Reports

It would be fair to say that the snapper fishing is in full swing now. ...not that the fishing was ever that slow during the winter either but the work ups are here and the mammals and birds are sign posting it daily.

The last 6 weeks has seen us fishing east of Tiri(the bigger fish were initially about 12-14 miles east) and keeping a close eye out for the gannets and whale spouts. The behaviour of the dolphins and birds can tell you a lot about whats going on many miles away and staying tuned in to them has helped heaps. This sounds a bit leftfeild but Im pretty sure over the years I developed an "instinct" that seemed to send me in the right direction most days. You cant bottle that stuff but I have passed a lot of it onto Chris (our 2IC) where I can and then result is clear when watching him unload a happy crew with full bins and beaming smiles.

Sooo...an up to date round up is in order.

Great Barrier - one of the Gulfs gems for sure and the fishing can be great this time of year. Some of the open sandy bays and harbours can fill quickly with school fish and when the big male snapper are hungry you can get some smokin hot sessions. The late spring can be awesome around Arid, out off the Broken Islands and Cape Barrier. We have had some pretty cool sessions drifting big baits over the sand out here in the spring. Check out some footage  - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1GYPJQBYqY

You may have to put with some coutas still and the odd frost fish nipping the gear off but its worth it. As you see in the footage the snapper when they come on the bite feed very aggressively and its no problem for them to scoff a whole live bait or large squid cut bait. Long stips of skipjack make good cut baits too if you wnat a change from soft baits, jigs and what not.

Little Barrier has been a bit on and off from what I hear with the sand out off the Rangers Hut producing well for a spell there and then it went quiet. I guess as the majority of fish come down into the Gulf to school and spawn this is to be expected but we have donme pretty well in the past around the island but mostly in 50m and on the sand. Give this a go if you're out here or try right in close with a good burely happening. The south eastern corner in about 5-8 meteres has produced some good fishing at times. You will probably get a few trevally in the mix and these make good baits if you split them in 1/2 and float them back over the bouldery and weedy bottom.

Kawau - the scaollies are in pretty good nick and I enjoyed a few the other night on top of a fat steak. These ones came from just outside South Cove in 10m. All around this aprt of the coast should be pretty good for them. Dont forget to check along the edge of the reefs too as often they will sit up against the reefs but still in the sand. Fishing around the island is patchy but Maori Rock and Fairchilds Reef would be the go for a change of light session

Its a bit early for the big runs of fish through the Auckland Channels so spend you time on Gulf side of the islands looking for work ups. East of Tiri, North of the Noises, the top of The Firth, West of Chanel Island, its all on. Keep your eyes open for the birds all flying fast and low, even just sitting around and of course the mammals. When you get it like this anything can happen - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwUNiWdsKn8

Check our website for dates - www.charterconnection.co.nz and for as little as $130 you can get a good day out in the Gulf. Individuals and groups welcome. We even have some kids days coming up.

Be safe out there, slip, slop, slap and we'll catch you out there!

Damo - www.charterconnection.co.nz