Fishing Reports

Nighttime in the switching yard

Almost without warning nocturnal temperatures dive, a refreshing crispness to the air descends upon the evening’s festivities and a change of fishing season looms ever closer, even a few poplar trees are starting to shed foliage already. Water temperatures aren’t really dropping much in the gulf significantly yet so the fish aren’t keen on moving from their inshore hangouts, but you get that feeling it’s about to change soon. This seasonal change will bring workups of a biblical scale to the gulf sooner or later – especially if the sheer quantity of baitfish out there pulls some big predator strings. Workups as always a cycle, wouldn’t be called that unless it inevitably turned i.e. the workups will come back around. Still a ways to go for sure for the heart thumping pounding of gannets plummeting endlessly from the sky in an incredible feathered funnel display, with that oh so magic sound of theirs, slapping our senses into fever pitch. 

Mackerel are in serious abundance all around the big puddle, so sooner or later things are going to change, and it’s probably not going to suit the mackerel!

Export Gold Match Fishing League

Waiting for the result is a nerve racking time, but Team Totalspan (from left) – Lethal, Wahoo Woman and I are out having an absolute blast, even with the curve balls thrown at us as part of the Match Fishing League  http://www.matchfishingleague.co.nz/  game tactics . Talk about last minute stuff, the Moment of Truth - the last parameter of fishing is announced once we’re on the water! Our team works together like a brand new reel, smooth-as, and I’m privileged to have been even asked to join in let alone fish alongside such experience, enthusiasm and truly passionate people about our wonderful world of fishing.

To say we’re enjoying ourselves is an understatement, the presenters Peter Elliot and Miriama Smith are a pleasure to be on board with and really we couldn’t have asked for better days (so far) in terms of conditions, camaraderie and basic good times a-fishin’. The TV shows should go to air in May and by then a lot more matches will have lit the competitive spirit between a whole host of anglers – all good fun, good times and hopefully good fishing, can’t wait to see the end result when the TV program is put together. Stay tuned.

Lethal, Wahoo Woman and Espresso                Another ‘work’ day for Team Totalspan

Upsized

Man those big Kahawai in the gulf are on the good stuff alright, as big as South African rugby forwards. While out drifting with the softies earlier this week a few almost obligatory smash ‘n grabs from Kahawai were experienced. These guys are serious about staying away from the boat, heating drags with blistering runs, cool aerials and a fight right to the boat.

The big ones that are around really do fight like young kingfish. The never ending ability to wriggle and squirm makes for in water boat-side releases a good idea (after a couple kept for some of the best smoked fish around of course). Excellent.

Good, good, good, good vibrations.

Yes the tiny tuna (skipjack) finally arrived and have taken up residence so close to so many shorelines. They’re often being mistaken for Kahawai schools as a result of their close proximity to shore. Generally I’d look for them on the edge of current/weed lines – which means when you’re towing a lure clear it of weed every now and then if you haven’t hooked up.

If you’re heading out for a day’s adventure, keep an eye for little silvery blips on the surface and rippling surface areas if calm – it’s probably a skippie school having lunch, most are in <30m and some even close to the beach, boy they are outstanding fun and make excellent bait for snapper so definitely slow down and try your luck. A quick smack on the head puts them down and preserves the skin and flesh from being beaten up by their own incredible vibe going on. Hey if you’ve got a young angler aboard…set up like a mini big game fish day…rods in rod holder, trolling a lures about 5-6knots…strike!, music to the ears.

Snapper Street

Snapper aren’t ready to start to heed Mother Nature’s early signs to head wider, in time for a cool change. The best bet is still in close. Channels, bays, sand, birds along the shoreline all <20m, the famous Rangi channel, actually right around the volcano is place to be for those living close by. When the tide’s running, the fish are biting…especially before 10am and after 5pm, perfect after work medicine for doing the motorway miles.

Like this tassel hassling snapper caught in the Rangitoto shallows using a Catch Glow Squid with the new 1/2oz skirted Depth Charge. This month’s Catch Pack goes to G.F. aka ‘Pink’ out-fishing everyone else on board their boat, again, congratulations!

And if you’ve got the burley flowing and the bait out – try nice flappy pieces of squid on a running rig (weight above the swivel and a long leader back to an un-weighted hook), that’s what’s doing the business out there for many mid week and weekends, whether fishing from a tiny tinny or a big boat.

Enjoy your fishing, the delectable prize of delicious fresh fish and the pending cool clear calm days of fishing ahead.

Cheers!