Fishing Reports

For some the weather has been outstanding, there is the usual big snapper being speared at this time of year as they come in to spawn. In the Far North catches up to 11kgs have not been uncommon, one spearo at 79 years old managed 6 snapper just south of Cape Brett the other day something he does most weeks.

Coastal diving north of Auckland has produced a few kingfish but the bronzies are already making their presence felt, be careful not to handle your fish too long. If you have a mate with you get him to keep an eye out while you kill your fish then get it on your floatline or into a catch boat. The bronze whaler shark is only interested in your catch but if you handle a fighting fish too long or do not dispatch it properly this is when things can go a little wrong.

The Moks and Barrier are still holding good fish but viz will probably deteriorate with warmer temperatures which creates algie blooms or red tides as we know them.

Merc,s and the Aldermans has been a little quiet but there are a few kingfish showing up, one of my customers shot 2 nice boarfish at Koropuki early November a sign that they will start to appear in good numbers on weed edges very soon.

Tauranga has been good if you can get out wider for Tarakihi but there has been the odd good fish speared around the Mount of late.

Wellington has produced some big crays and the butter fish population seems to be in good numbers while a rare catch of a 22lb snapper speared recently sets a pretty high precedent for the rest of the season.

Top of the South Island spearo’s are reporting the odd bit of good viz and some fish but it is not quite the summer weather they need to get really excited.
Kaikoura is still okay for a feed of paua and crays , also with the banning of set nets the butterfish population has exploded making a feed with a speargun very easy.

Bottom of the South Island has had a few good patches of weather, I have just returned from Fiordland from a great trip, it was almost T-shirt and shorts weather, we had some amazing diving with some of the best cray action I have ever seen.

We only took a few but saw hundreds and got some fantastic photo’s and footage. The fish life in spots was stunning as well.

One of my commercial diving friends dived the Soloanders 95ks out from Riverton, he said the pauas were 1kg each and the kelp was like you have never seen before. It is a rough and wild place that few get the opportunity to dive.