Fishing Reports

As we approach the holiday season, there’s plenty to be thankful for both on and off the water.  The incessant moist northerlies that truly herald the current strong “La Nina” forecast just keep on truckin!  Most days these north to east winds are mere breezes, some day’s gale force, but they don’t alter their directions. 

As a consequence we are getting a steady diet of choppy seas, humidity making sleep difficult, an army of bluebottles being thrust upon us and a heap of beautiful water from the tropics.  If you are a diver or like to identify your catch from long distance, this 100 foot plus visibility is for you.  And the fishing? It isn’t half bad either!

Inshore

The last “bastion” of green water is the nearshore arena!  Everywhere several miles offshore is beautiful and only improves with northward travel.  Considering the time of year there has been very little effort put into fishing – inshore or anywhere else.  The aforementioned conditions have a lot to do with this as does pre Christmas obligations and even perhaps the cost of fuel.  Another consideration has to be mal de mer – seasickness. 

The “jobbly” conditions are exactly what sets off many anglers’ woes, whether it be under power or at rest.  Snapper will now be in full spawn and in the prime of their condition factors.  The Rurima Rocks (in particular near Tasman Reef) and Matata shine through as productive areas from recent reports filtering through. 

Two things are also coming through in abundance. First off there is plenty of small snapper about which bodes well for future fishing prospects but can be a current nuisance.  Suggestion here is to upsize on hook and bait portions to avoid hurting/ killing any more of these juvenile fish than necessary.  Secondly the need for berley and patience to bring the larger, more desirable fish on the bite. 

In a great support role, terakihi are very much on the mend with gurnard occupying the sand back closer to home base at Whakatane Heads.  Some there will be hoards of visitors and holidaymakers descending upon this region.  We will welcome them all and hope their experiences here with us will everything they imagine it could be.  All we ask in return is some respect for the environment and resources contained therein. 

Take only what you and your families/friends need for a feed.  Remember, the ocean is the best “fridge” known to man and will keep your fish fresh for next time.  Also please take all rubbish back ashore after each trip out.  Littering anywhere is unacceptable, especially at sea.  Have a great time, stay safe but show the same courtesy and common sense you would in your home waters.

Offshore

Overall a vibrant scene with one asterisk.  Most everything is firing just choose what is best for you on the day.  As previously indicated northerlies have been in vogue for some time now and having a basically positive influence on most everything out there at the moment.  Deepwater bottomfishing has largely been productive with a nice cross section of species rewarding the “basic brigade”. 

Early morning starts are still the call if you want a crack at a decent catch of bluenose but anytime thereafter is good enough for some hapuka (some nice fish over 20kgs among them), small bass, XOS gemfish and a scattering of small bluenose.  Back closer to the island the reef fish have been quite obliging with a nice line of terakihi leading the charge followed by golden snapper, pink mao mao and a surprising number of porae – some over 5 kilos in weight. 

The latter put up a good representation for themselves on the end of the line with many seasoned anglers believing they have a decent snapper on with the characteristics head thumps evident.  Trevally are also hitting their straps now with either token catches made while reef fishing or good sessions by targeting them. 

All fish are also in full spawn with five kilo fish prevalent.  The main White Island target species, yellowtail kingfish, are also obliging – but on their terms only!  In general the mornings continue to be either slow to non existent with the afternoons good to red hot.  This situation has gone on for well over a month and shows no sign of changing.  From mid to late afternoons (2-6pm) is the time to get serious about kingis, regardless where you are fishing.  Bait, either dead or live, continues to far outclass jigs although the latter does have its moments when the action heats up. 

Spawning is now taking place with most fish fat as pigs.  One interesting occurrence witnessed many days is a hooked fish being followed right to the surface by one or more, even in water over 100 metres deep.  These free swimming fish are not small either with most over 20 kilos and some much larger.  If you have another jig ready to go and are “Johnny on the spot” then you can capitalize on this situation as well.  Most fish are in the 16-18 kilo category but with a few standouts have emerged. 

An “Enchanter” angler landed a stunning 34 kilo beauty with skipper Lance Goodhew telling him that was the largest kingi he’d seen at White Island this season.  On the very next drift fellow angler Adam Vander lo landed another beaut on kilo heavier!  Two outstanding fish on back to back drifts.  So far (knock on wood here) sharks (read that bronze whalers) have not entered the fray yet despite rapidly warming waters.  Keep your fingers crossed although their arrival would seem eminent.   Water clarity is spectacular with only blue bottles making water immersion hazardous.  Divers continue to score the occasional packhorse with a six kilo brute wrestled to the surface recently.

Ranfurly Bank

Depending upon the day you are there, the strength and direction of the tide and temperature expect to find most any kind of fishing!  There has been graphic evidence of this recently with wildly varying reports from visiting anglers on different craft.  One would think they are fishing in different oceans from day to day!  Still the place is well worth a visit anytime the weather allows and this time is no different.  Kingis, as well as bottomfish, have varied greatly.  Recently (16 Dec) there was a wide open bite of quality fish in the shallows (30-40m) with literally all offerings accepted instantaneously. 

Veteran skippers referred to the experience as a “battle” scene complete with showers of saury, all manner of birdlife predating from above and fish from below.  Many quality kingfish were landed and mainly released.  “Enchanter” anglers enjoyed the melee with six fish over 30 kilos topped by a 37k hulk taken by Tony Carter.  The bite was labeled the best in years in the inky blue 19 degree water. 

The following day not a kingi or bird could be found as the current pushed in strongly from the south, complete with sub 15 degrees of green water!  Such is nature of fishing Ranfurly at the moment; just pick a chocolate from the box!  Bottomfishing?  Pretty similar if not quite so dramatic.  Good to excellent one day, difficult to lousy the next.  With more than expected trumpeter adding significantly to catches of late. 

Although there has been a nice line of both hapuka and bass (anything from 10 to 30ks) few fish have eclipsed the mid 20’s.  One exception was a fine 42 kilo bass taken by Masterton angler Al Cundy – well done Al.  Who knows what will happen there next?!  We should get to find out with plenty of planned visits there early in the New Year.

Pelagics

Nice to even head up such a category although there’s little concrete evidence as yet.  With such amazingly beautiful water currently and more being thrust upon us from the north all the while, the prospects are high.  At present there are good areas of skipjack and albacore trolling although they are highly segregated. 

Both offer plenty of average sized fish with the odd skippy over six k’s and the occasional albie broaching 10.  Predictions – watch for some ground breaking and significant catches on Boxing Day and every day thereafter.  Big call?  Maybe but we won’t have long to find out!  One sure thing – swimmers beware of bluebottles!

Summary

An exciting time for everyone from kids sitting around a Christmas tree adorned with wrapped presents to expectant fishers preparing for a predawn raid the following morning.  The strongest “La Nina” in 100 years prediction could just produce one of (the?) the most memorable game seasons in many years.  Watch this space?  With pleasure!  To all a heartfelt wish for an excellent holiday period and year ahead.  Will be back on deck early in January to resume these reports.  Until then …………………….