Fishing Reports

Another big wind day followed by three beauts – not a bad ratio.  Quite a few boats taking advantage of nice weather inshore, predictably far fewer further a field.  Listening to the radio most everyone on the water sounds cheerful and happy in their work – and why wouldn’t they be in such glorious conditions.

Doubtless Bay – Cape Karikari

Status quo. Water has cleaned up considerably from last weeks deluges but this doesn’t seem to affect the fishing one iota.

Great Exhibition Bay

Also very similar to last weeks report.  A distinct lack of skippies, a very few marlin and seemingly nice plump snapper everywhere.

Garden Patch

Renewed interest and effort put into the sword fishing there, both day and night propositions with success at both.  Veteran angler Guy Jacobsen has had another couple chances at more coveted records with the last, an unsuccessful bid on 10 kilo tackle ended after five hours of toil. 

On a more positive note, young Bevan Beauchamp in his first year behind the wheel of “Harlequinn” has had a cracker in every regard.  Landing more billfish than most any other boat this year, he’s still making the most of his somewhat limited opportunities at this time of year. 

Girlfriend Olivia Woolston successfully boated a national record sword of 149 kilos on 60k tackle – a fitting catch to what may be the conclusion of a brilliant inaugural start – well done.  Otherwise a few marlin seen here behind lures or feeding on saury but more landed.  Bottomfishing has taken an abundant turn and suddenly become much harder after being quite vibrant over the last couple months.  Water remains warm at 19 degrees C.

North Cape – The Hook – Compass Rose

A few skippies have turned up around here along with nice water but no marlin seen of late.  Here, too, bottomfishing has fallen off quite dramatically for no apparent reason.  Back inshore, however, snapper are biting their heads off with some excellent quality amongst the numbers.  Also an influx of decent trevally are testing anglers and providing good sashimi.

Three Kings – Princes Group

While koheru are still relatively easy to come by in Norwest Bay, using them has been far more difficult.  An influx of cold water (14-15 around the islands) may be the damper on kingfish feeding with difficult times of late – particularly with anything artificial.

Middlesex Bank

After a brilliant spree which saw one boat land five stripees over a two day period and another manage three out of a quadruple strike, things have cooled (literally) considerably.  Water temp and quality plummeted despite little or favourable (northerly) wind.  Must be the act of sinister currents at work here which we’ve seen so often despite a kind moon phase.  Otherwise kingis and bottomfish have cooperated as per usual as have the bronzies if (when) you outstay your welcome in any one possie!

King Bank

Similar here.  After a decent marlin bite here only days ago, one visiting boat could only muster two bites and one fish for it’s troubles.  That fish, at 97kgs, was decidedly taking advantage of the rich bounty there with five whole, maximum sized mao mao distending its stomach to capacity!  Water had dropped a full degree (obviously still good enough) with a decidedly green tinge to it. Kingis and bass still keen to make up the difference.

Newsflash

On Wednesday afternoon May 11^th charter boat “Enchanter” while passing North Cape enroute to the Three Kings made an unexpected but spectacular catch.  Mt Maunganui angler Mike Holdaway landed an All Tackle World Record claim shortbill spearfish landed in a mere 130m water in less than outstanding water quality the 38.75kg fish surprised everyone.  After being weighed in at Houhora the crew continued on with the big fish mounted by Kevin Flutey