Fishing Reports

More signs of summer are coming into out realm all the while – daily reminders even.  Flying fish and sunfish abound now and even bluebottles are now common among a score of other jellyfish species.  Water temps and colour continue to improve with both pleasing to the eye and touch.  We are now sitting on a strong 17 degrees C every morning with nearly another degree (or more) at days end.  While no pelagic game fish have yet to be seen or landed, things are looking more promising by the day.  Hard to believe only 10 years ago the first yellowfin tuna was landed on November 3^rd!  Now we just hope for some time at any time – my, how things have changed in a decade.  Still, things are looking good all around.

Inshore

A mixed bag of species and results depending upon the day, who you talk to and where they fished.  Overall things are pretty good with the Rurima Rocks and surrounding waters about as consistent as anywhere for snapper.  Berley is essential but after deploying same you shouldn’t have to wait long for action.  Lots of small fish are about so using at least a 7/0 hook is recommended if you don’t care to main a lot of juveniles.  The recent Whakatane Sportfishing Clubs Ham tournament turned over some beauty fish from this area topped by Colin House Juniors magnificent 10.95 kilo kelpie.  Plenty of terakihi in a support mode is required.  Overheard someone on the radio recently who said if you can’t catch limit of snapper now, you never will!  While things are pretty good that statement may be a little rich!  Limit fishing does exist, however, on gurnard and one doesn’t need to travel far, less than three miles from the Whakatane river entrance is as good as anywhere although 20 metres off Ohope would also be a good bet.  Overall a pretty vibrant scene with plenty of scope for improvement.  

Offshore

If you want to see some pretty water just travel north about 20 nautical miles.  Not only is it blue but full of life – some of it unwanted.  Not only are flying fish, sunfish, turtles, “coke” albacore and whales seen frequently but so are jellyfish.  Among them in big numbers have been the dreaded blue bottle.  While getting stung by one of these is no joke with potential nasty consequences, their unprecedented early arrival may have some positive meaning.  While the water is still under 18 degrees C, there must be some very nice warm water just to the north to have such an influx of these jellies.  It’s not like we’ve had any strong have got to be on the horizon for some very shortly.  Otherwise things are ticking along very nicely.

Deepwater species have come to the party although few outstanding catches or species have been noted.  Small bluenose, a few gemfish and puka to 20 kilos have been apprehended just lately.  With a few decent catches among them.  Shallow water has generally been very productive with good action on trevally (averaging just over 4 kilos), terakihi, golden snapper, porae and a surprise – blue moki.  It’s no secret there are good numbers of blue moki at White Island, it’s just that very few are caught because they aren’t really fished for properly.  No less than three were landed this past week, all around the 4-6 kilo category.  Watch for some good and consistent catches on these fish if one wants to use crayfish for bait.  A shame when you prefer the bait over the quarry!

Kingfish have continued their ways overall, frustrating most morning anglers – rewarding late comers.  Few sessions end in mediocrity – it’s either feast or famine with some remarkably short bite times (40 minutes!)  Still, if you are prepared to accept the challenge, the goodies are there for the taking.  “Whopper of the Week” handily went to Gary Jackson (34 k’s) followed closely by mates Tony Williams and Mark Bain.  Again, and for unknown reasons, bait offerings are far exceeding jigs in acceptance levels.  Water warming by the day.

Ranfurly Bank

Pretty tough bottom bouncing countered by some pretty amazing kingi action.  The same reason which made the former tough enhanced the latter – current and plenty of it!  Some boats documented drifting at 3.6 knots, real Cook Strait stuff!  Maintaining the bottom long enough to entice a bottom grabber proved very difficult for skippers and anglers alike.  Most fish landed were of average size (eight to 15 kilos), mainly hapuka and a few trumpeter.  The glaring exception to this was Aucklander Neil Welham’s bruiser of a bass at 52 kilos, well done Neil.  A few kingi terakihi spiced up the rather spartan bottom catch.  Onto the kingi action – nothing short of spectacular.  Not only are they numerous but some of the quality is breathtaking.  Aucklander Dave Moonie achieved a long coveted pedestal when he landed his 100 pound kingfish, sling weighed, photographed and duly released in a great sporting gesture.  He was closely followed by Tauranga enthusiast Alastair Young with his personal best.  Several others in the 30’s have also been landed and mainly released.  Water quality is also improving down there as well although not to the same extent as White.

Summary

Notice a sense of excitement throughout these paragraphs?  You betcha!!  The “La Nina” prophecy by NIWA seems to be coming into fruition and we all know what that may mean.  Humid nights, more rain, swells, uncomfortable anchorages, difficult bar crossings, easterly winds and plenty of gamefish!  Is the trade off worth it?  We’ll talk again about all this soon.  By the way, if anyone is keen on a Three Kings/Northland slot onboard “PURSUIT”, either as an individual or group, there are some available April through May.