Fishing Reports

 

Flash – Big news we’ve been waiting for!! After realising the Bay of Plenty had been pipped for the first yellowfin tuna for NZ some two weeks ago, we’ve finally gotten our initial YFT here! On December 5th Clinton Ashley onboard his own boat “Alchemist” landed this fish at 44.2 kilos. Not only is the size good news but another similar sized fish was lost at boatside. While anglers have been privy to tremendous workups for weeks with a few positive sightings on tuna manticulating, we’re all hopeful that Pandora’s box has finally been opened – time will tell. Otherwise fishing has been reasonable but weather frustrating – read on. Inshore: After steady fishing for snapper over much of the spring and just when one would expect things to really heat up in this respect, fishing has become sporadic. Still great catches for those lucky or in the know – Sounds like the legendary “Pub Point” off Te Kaha has sewed up a number of 20 pound plus fish recently. These fish were taken on the mud at the edge of the foul. If one dips out on snapper then the tarakihi are obliging nicely. They are generally good sized and span a wide region of the inshore fishery. Ranfurly Bank: While inclement weather has continued to be a hindrance to those visiting boats, fishing has certainly perked up. With most attention given to the deeper spots (140-200m) some larger fish have been landed. One vessel had two bass over 60kgs while another, fishing at the same time, had nine (9) over 50! Those are big fish and makes the trip well worthwhile. The shallows (20-40m) have produced a smattering of hapuka, trumpeter, kingis, trevally and snapper. White Island: This geothermal hotspot has dished out some diversified, if not inconsistent, catches of late. Kingfish, a definite focal point at this time of year, have proven difficult much of the time. Interspersed between lacklustre fishing has been some great action with some fish over 30 kilos landed and released. Taking up the slack for the kingis have been bottom fishing and large trevally. Smallish hapuka and bass have supported decent sized bluenose in the depths while oversized tarakihi and red snapper reward those plying the shallows. Trevally averaging five (5) kilos have provided fabulous sport with Auckland angler Guy Jacobsen capitalising on the situation recently with four national record applications on light tackle. Comments: After temps and conditions went backwards since early November, it’s finally looking like summer at long last. Warmer (17+) water has been pushed into the Bay by the recent NE breezes with some nice looking colour out wide. Plenty of flyingfish, sunfish, bait, workups complete with dolphins and gannets plus hammerheads bring all the trappings of summer with them. We’ve only just opened the door to summer – here’s to lots of experiences ahead!

 

From Pursuit

Report type: Saltwater

Report date: 13 December 00