Fishing Reports

Some interesting, and quick, changes have manifested themselves as we bear down inexorably on impending summer.  Big change has come about with a large (1-1 ½ degree C) rise in water temp as well as quality (offshore).  Plenty of sunfish and flying fish seen every day and night now.

Inshore

Very steady fishing with most everyone scoring a good feed on mixed variety – if not better.  Bait (pillies & skippies) seems the favourite now over soft plastics plus perhaps that’s because many more anglers are using the former – unfair comparison.  Snapper have been well augmented by terakihi and plenty of gurnard (limits) on the sand in close proximity to Whakatane. 

The Rurimas have been showing the way just lately with 15 to 30 metre depths the best area to ply.  Berley is imperative to do well but with this method, a little patience and skill this is exactly how you should get on.  Using larger (7/0) hooks is also a good idea as there are lots of sub legal snapper, eager to kill themselves by swallowing smaller entrapments.

Offshore

Big improvements here, with one caveat.  Deepwater fishing has gone from strength to strength with many now having good days most of the time.  Early starts are imperative if you want to take advantage of the small (3-6kgs) bluenose around, otherwise some decent catches of nice sized gemfish, hapuka with a smattering of small bass seems available throughout the day in selected places. 

180-240 metres is currently best, not much point going shallower.  If you don’t fancy that early start and kingfish is your game than the current situation is taylor made for you!  Mornings are somewhere between difficult and hopeless at the moment with some boats not even getting a token fish prior to 2pm. 

After that, however, hang onto your hat as things really heat up!  Some excellent fishing has been encountered mid to late afternoon with a few beauts among them.  With the average size between 14-18 kilos and bait out fishing jigs currently, Kati Kati engineer Steve Welten’s fish stood out.  His 31 ½ kilo personal best easily won “Whopper of the week” honours – well done Steve.  Again, bait, even dead flyers, is far outstripping jigs in the enticement stakes. 

The shallows have caught fire with some very good catches on both trevally (averaging 4 plus kilos) and reef fish – mainly terakihi but plenty golden snapper and decent sized (up to 4kgs) porae.  All in all a pretty vibrant scene there which should only improve.

Ranfurly Bank

Very steady, if not unspectacular, fishing here of late.  Both bottomfish and kingis have performed well but very few trophy fish about.  Kingis are taking both bait and jigs equally with the vast majority in the 15-20 kilo category. 

A handful push into the low 20’s but nowhere near the quality of a couple weeks ago.  One specimen which blew all the others aside was a beaut 34 kilo fish taken by well known tackle wholesaler and Gamagatsu agent Chris Wong – on a jig naturally. 

As mentioned, bottomfish have cooperated reasonably well but the larger fish are lacking.  The catch is made up of mainly hapuka and trumpeter (average 8-12kgs on the former) with just a handful of small to medium sized bass making up the balance.  Water colour here still very green but not a bad temp.

Summary

As per expectation, things are looking good with plenty of scope for improvement.  Gamefish will be on everyone’s minds, if not lips but still must be weeks away with some result.  Problem is, despite improving conditions, no one is trying at present due to a variety of reasons.  Chances for a gamefish and effort will slowly improve until someone makes a catch – then things will go exponential!