Fishing Reports

A brief catch-up with a few changes since the end of the “Nationals” and the last report.  With a few changes already apparent, it would appear we are due many more soon – more about that later.

Inshore

No real change to note – maybe a case of who really cares just now?!?!

Offshore

Bottomfishing remains vibrant for those so inclusive.  This action features bluenose with progressively more large females appearing in the catch.  Most are smallish males between 4-11kgs however.  By catch of gemfish, hapuka and bass appear in that order.  Trevally have really hit their stride with excellent action currently.  The best news is they are good sized (4-5kgs) and are able to be taken in a number of ways.  Drifting with soft baits, anchored using bait cubes, small jigs and flyfishing all productive at the moment – take your pick.  Observing large schools of surface feeding trevally (on krill) will excite any angler.  If not, check your pulse! 

Out deeper the big failing of late has been the normally (over the past 4 months) reliable kingfish.  Over the past week they have progressively gotten more difficult to find to any degree.  A few fish remain keen at the Volkners but getting them to the boat through the bronzies intact remain a trick.  Sure to rebound but at present consider yourself lucky to land, or even hook, a White Island kingfish.  Still, artificial offering are being shunned by all but rats. 

Speaking of bait, jack mackerel seem to have disappeared off the scene at the volcanic isle!  Normally fairly reliable to secure during hours of darkness, they are nearly nonexistent – that’s the bad news.  The good is large numbers of koheru!  Fish of all different size are available with early morning the best time if you dip out overnight.  While they aren’t as robust as jackmacks, they make a superb bait.  Remember to use more weight when deploying them as they don’t want to go down into the depths for obvious reasons!  Once kingis come back on line it will again become the package deal.

Ranfurly Bank

An interesting place at present – and it’s certainly not all good.  Most everything, except kingi fishing, is highly inconsistent.  Water colour and temperature changes daily as there is a real mix going on.  Even a tide change can account for the shift of a body of water by six to eight miles!  Bottom bouncing is anywhere from difficult to excellent but mostly pedestrian.  A common drift right now is one or two fish of 8-12 kilos, mainly hapuka.  At times the Bank regains its renowned excellence (drifts of 6-10 fish averaging 20 kilos) but they are the exception at the moment.  The trailer boat “Strictly Fishing” accounted for easily the “Whopper of the week” with a superb 62 kilo bass.  Apparently this fish had three hooks from previous encounters in his mouth – luck finally ran out!

Next best, a distant second, was a 45 kilo bass from “Cascade”.  Some very nice (30-35 kilo) hapuka complete the trophy list with good catches of king terakihi and trumpeter to bolster and spice of the catch.  As previously mentioned, kingis have been the only consistency of late here.  Hard to beat the shallows (sub 40 metres) with surface action aplenty.  The scene is made for stick baiters with fish of every size cueing up behind the baits in hard hitting wedges.  While many fish are in the 20-25 kilo range, few trophy fish are emerging at the moment.  Indeed, don’t think there’s been a 30 kilo kingi landed at the bank in weeks – most unusual for this or anytime of year.

Pelagics

Waihou Bay, over March 2^nd and 3^rd, produced as well on the marlin stakes as it did during the recent “Nationals”.  Only big difference?  About 20% of the boats on the water for a similar catch which adds up to pretty good fishing.  Problem is we are to expect some strong southerlies which just won’t help the water quality cause and, ultimately the fishing prospects.  Certainly blue marlin could suffer as it reverts to more of a striped marlin fishery in the failing water conditions.  Time will tell.  Elsewhere there are a few fish, including mahi mahi, around and outside White.  Find something floating with barnacle growth and you could be in for some fun and delectable eating.

Summary

While most everything is vibrant with plenty of potential, we find ourselves at a bit of a crossroad now.  With water temps at their zenith and strong southerlies approaching the season could turn either way with long lasting effects for its future.  Autumn is always an interesting time and this will be no exception this time around.  Till next week………