Fishing Reports
Bay of Plenty - "PURSUIT
A lot has happened down this way since Christmas but, until very recently, it has been all bad news! Westerlies, which began blowing Christmas Day and didn’t cease until New Years, did considerable damage in regards to the water – both temperature and colour. A drop of over 4 degrees C in places, 3 degrees everywhere and grass green colour well past Whale Island was the result. At one point there wasn’t a tuna landed for four days. Inshore fishing struggled, White Island kingfish shut off and even the deep-water hapuka became difficult. We wondered what could happen next?!? Fortunately things have begun to improve over the last few days, albeit painfully slowly in some areas.
Yellowfin Tuna:
While slow, this trolling scenario was at least consistent leading up to Christmas. Most fish were between 20 –25 kilos (with the exception of Blair Robinson’s’ beauty of 70.2kg) and landed within 15 miles of Whakatane. This has now changed quite considerably. After a dirge of YFT a few started showing up down the coast, anywhere from Tablelands to Te Kaha. Now, in the last three days, reasonably good numbers are off Waihou Bay. Boats have had as many as four for the day with several at three apiece. The majority are 20 – 30 kilos in weight although 14-year-old Liam Ireton landed a splendid 57-kilo model recently. Another interesting catch was a New Zealand record claim shortbilled spearfish by 14 yr old Chris Philpott. His 24.8-kilo specimen on 24 should eclipse the old mark by nearly six kilos. Offshore:
Along with most everywhere else, things have shut down at White Island and surrounds as well. Kingfish, red hot prior to Christmas, have become very difficult in the New Year. Lots of effort has been extended their way with little reward. Most have spawned so perhaps this may have something to do with this latest case of “lockjaw”. Even bottom fish have refused offerings. One flash of brilliance was Auckland ambulance driver Dan Robertson’s recent catch. His 112.8kg bigeye tuna on 24 raised some eyebrows back at the Whakatane weigh station. Well done, Dan. Inshore:
While this suffered a little from the previously mentioned vagaries, it still held up nicely in comparison. Attention on snapper has shifted markedly to the east with some great fishing between the Motu River entrance and Te Kaha. The 30-metre mark seems to be pretty general with many fish in the 3-6 kilo mark, the odd one to 9. Back toward the centre of the Bay the western end of the Rurima Rocks and Matata are the best there. Summary:
It would appear fishing has turned the corner and seems set to become productive and interesting. Hang on to your hats – here we go!
While slow, this trolling scenario was at least consistent leading up to Christmas. Most fish were between 20 –25 kilos (with the exception of Blair Robinson’s’ beauty of 70.2kg) and landed within 15 miles of Whakatane. This has now changed quite considerably. After a dirge of YFT a few started showing up down the coast, anywhere from Tablelands to Te Kaha. Now, in the last three days, reasonably good numbers are off Waihou Bay. Boats have had as many as four for the day with several at three apiece. The majority are 20 – 30 kilos in weight although 14-year-old Liam Ireton landed a splendid 57-kilo model recently. Another interesting catch was a New Zealand record claim shortbilled spearfish by 14 yr old Chris Philpott. His 24.8-kilo specimen on 24 should eclipse the old mark by nearly six kilos. Offshore:
Along with most everywhere else, things have shut down at White Island and surrounds as well. Kingfish, red hot prior to Christmas, have become very difficult in the New Year. Lots of effort has been extended their way with little reward. Most have spawned so perhaps this may have something to do with this latest case of “lockjaw”. Even bottom fish have refused offerings. One flash of brilliance was Auckland ambulance driver Dan Robertson’s recent catch. His 112.8kg bigeye tuna on 24 raised some eyebrows back at the Whakatane weigh station. Well done, Dan. Inshore:
While this suffered a little from the previously mentioned vagaries, it still held up nicely in comparison. Attention on snapper has shifted markedly to the east with some great fishing between the Motu River entrance and Te Kaha. The 30-metre mark seems to be pretty general with many fish in the 3-6 kilo mark, the odd one to 9. Back toward the centre of the Bay the western end of the Rurima Rocks and Matata are the best there. Summary:
It would appear fishing has turned the corner and seems set to become productive and interesting. Hang on to your hats – here we go!
From 
Pursuit
PursuitReport type: Saltwater
Report date: 10 January 01
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