Fishing Reports

In the grips of a strong soueasterly flow at the moment.  While it makes sleeping a little easier it’s not nice out at sea, especially well offshore.  Prime areas from Te Kaha through to Waihou Bay will be relatively unaffected, unless you want to wander further out in pursuit of gamefish.  Water temps remaining high but colour inshore waned badly, particularly behind Whale and at least half way out to White.

Inshore

No recent reports to add to last week’s piece.

Offshore

Kingis holding up very well, even exceeding last weeks torrid pace.  Again most areas producing good numbers of hungry fish, keen on taking most any enticement.  While live bait is the standard we usually go by, most other offerings are being accepted without hesitation.  Many fine fish over 20 kilos are landed with great regularity.  About half have spawned now, showing signs thereof.  Some are lean, a few so well spent you wouldn’t want to eat them! 

“Whopper of the Week” was a 30 kilo beaut taken by farmer Stu Corson of Morrinsville.  Deepwater fishing has been sporadic but pretty good overall.  Smallish bluenose and gemfish form the base of the fishing (down to 400 metres, ugh!) although a few surprises remain at the well traveled island.  A “Gambler” angler landed a very nice bass recently.  The 55 kilo leviathan is the type you would be very pleased with at Ranfurly Bank, let alone White.  Can’t be many left that size?!? Shallower the trevs and reefish offer steady if not spectacular action on light tackle.

Ranfurly Bank

Again steady but not outstanding.  A nice line of puka topped by a 34 kilo specimen although most in the 8 to 15 kilo range.  An extraordinary amount of trumpeter to compliment the catch and no one is complaining.  Some were 14 kilos, many fine fish over 10.  Are they making a bit of a comeback?  We can only hope affirmatively.  Kingis biting well but fewer nice ones than White.  Some beautiful water to the north of the bank, complete with hoards of skippies.  Expect some good things to come from this region.

Pelagics

Continues to be disappointing in a word.  Little trolling effort in the centre of the Bay but a huge amount down at Waihou.  Other than “Oceanside II”’s spectacular 316 kilo blue marlin, heaviest for NZ so far this season, there’s been little to get excited about.  Many thousands of litres of fuel burned to achieve very little. Things have to change although even the surface longliners are crying the blues as well at present.  Lot’s of water between fish!

Summary

Will have to get this soueast out of the way then will reassess the situation.  The upcoming 20k/4 way tournament which supersedes the Whakatane Tuna Tournament will tell a lot of stories and answer questions we want to know about.  Hope we get the answers we want to hear!  Till next time.