Fishing Reports

Bumper Boats

Yes it is that season again from northland to more southern, man. Very good indicators of a bumper number of Snapper abound via jungle drums, and on the net.  Water temperatures both in close and out wide are on their way up (despite that cold SW wind) and some big burly male Snapper like the one below are being caught close in, great to see.  They’re in earlier than last year and many of the females already have roe, although still not ready to spawn, hey its warmer, not warm. Schooling  Snapper are lounging around over the open sandy areas, as well as lurking in the swirling seaweed scene close by drop offs like around the Ahaa’s/Maria Island area.

Some big schools of Snapper are also moving around and right into the shoreline waves by reports from up and down the country, and judging by the welcome sight that unfolded before me the other day as if in cosmic confirmation - Gannets took over the skies and pounded the baitfish right into the breaking shoreline waves, sheer goose-bump material, and suffice to say the rest of the food chain was joining in, in just a metre or two of water. This all bodes well for us fisher-folk and for the number of keen people that will be out on the water this coming weekend especially.

In Labour

Another year has flashed by like a Gannet in a workup. Interestingly last Labour Weekend had some great weather, out there among a multitude of boats, catching Snapper hand over fist, kids laughing excitedly, instant fishing legends - smiling as their young arms fatigue, the fish thumping out another run. This year the weather looks set for a good fishing weekend, there’s one of those big H’s etched in the forecasters satellite picture lens. So the Snapper are here and hungry, weeks before last year, the faster male sprinters are in and around the big sleeping volcano, further down in the Firth of Thames, the Tamaki Strait, and the bottom end of Waiheke. Targeting Dory shouldn’t be too far from the fish hunter’s minds-eye either, as the JDs sleepily drift along pretty much everywhere right now.

As with most long weekends there will be periods of down time, nothing happening, sunny afternoon and yawns widening. Just the time for a change of pace, style, weight and bait…at the non-bite times that’s when the science & nature approach, the real hunting aspect comes into its own. Searching to lure that sudden outburst and attack from a big red becomes the focus. Intent on tricking the Snapper below into a predatory strike, even when they’re just lounging around…often times when the big boys keep their opportunistic eyes open I reckon.

Picture this. Slack tide, hot sun, zero drift, a flasher rig idle in a rod holder, birds asleep on the water, boats scattered everywhere but not much activity aboard, snooze time, no Dolphins or Whales, just a heap of sunshine. Or even in a tiny tinny silently fishing in a channel in the upper harbor, or just off the side of the road along the shoreline somewhere …often a time and place for some great action when you look for it. Luring your quarry with a perfectly presented anchovy, piper, pilchard or squid for instance (real or not)…just ever so gradually wafting down the water column, tantilizingly so..it’s all about that visual attraction and temptation. Tempt the fish, lure the fish, cajole the fish, taunt…”help me, I’m a lonesome little anchovy, lost ..slightly wounded I think too, oh my, what big teeth you have"…CHOMP…you’re on!

Giving a smidgeon of apparent life-force to your terminal temptation i.e. injured and failing makes a perfectly irresistable target. Present the lure or bait really looking like food that’s been in trouble, or is …well that’s every days number one goal, eat or be eaten in fish-land. Motion is a real key to success, whether its Kingfish chasing poppers and jigs, Snapper with jigs, Soft Plastics, flappy morsels on ledgers, butterflied live mackerel. Motion of the ocean, the wiggle, the action, the vibe, get into the drift. Whatever style you enjoy to catch fish, give it some teasing action, some signs of ebbing life, a tweaking, a little tease, an enticement...and a hook up!

Eastern Lights

The Westside does have it a lot easier when it comes to catching the monarch butterfly of fish, the grunting Gurnard. Always eye catching with their stunning fin colours especially to young/new fisho’s, with their little grunts, the fish that is, but beware those sharp digital blood sampling spikes just behind the Gurnards head.

Absolutely delicious in every way possible to eat, from raw to deep fried and everything in between. Targeting them on the east coast can be a heap of fun, usually the worst that can happen is you catch Snapper as well. The smaller hooked flasher and ledger rigs work just fine with a small piece of bait, especially when hard on a sandy bottom, drifting/dragging only slowly on a very calm day…Gurnard territory! Out from Omaha for instance.

Soft Plastics on light gear work wonders like this…sunny day, slow bite time, 5kt variable…think Gurnard. Going out to target and catch Gurnard actually gives me, and as I have found out, a whole heap of other people a big smile and an enjoyable addition to a day’s fishing with the 'carrot', so here’s a quick 3 minute clip on how to target Gurnard with Soft Plastics...just for the fun of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX3T3YuV1M8

Big Cheese

The night sun has arisen on its monthly duties (as if you haven’t noticed..), this will be having an effect of the fishing over the weekend, not just for the loonies like me, but the fish as well. Generally I find the days leading up to full moon things get a bit anxious and strange, but full moon (saturday) things are ready for action, the fish included.

So this Labour weekend looks like one for us all to thoroughly enjoy our fishing, boating and other watery activities to the fullest. The Snapper are in clumps all over the place, so watch out there will be flurries of feeding at various times over the long weekend, shorter bite times though. If you’re out the deeper water, say 25m+ here’s a quick clip with some helpful tips to increase your success rate catching Snapper, this 20 odd pounder nailed the Catch Screaming Pilchard with a skirted Depth Charge snapper hook. Enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXsILZIH-3A

Top Catch Westhaven, Whangaparaoa, Glen Innes as well as Fish City Albany, Smart Marine and Fullon Fishing all have the latest and greatest range of Catch to go and hunt down your scaly quarry with the thrills & excitement of the next level in fishing fun guaranteed.

Cheers

Espresso.

P.S.
Speaking of the next level, it's time to take live fishing to its next level, live on-line fishing reports, pictures, even video footage as it actually happens out on the water, with the where, why and how...soon.

See you out there, hooked up, right on sunrise or sunset, paradise in our own back yard.