Fishing Reports

Another pleasing week on almost all fronts with only small changes observed.  Weather, except in the Far East, has also been largely cooperative and well utilized by anglers.  Overall, success remains supreme.

Inshore

If you want good stories then either listen to the radio, go down to the ramps or hang out in local fishing clubs – good news runs rampant.  Been this way for awhile and long may it last!  Snapper remains the flavour of the day with most effort (read that 90% plus) out that direction. 

While no monsters popped up this week (largest 7k’s) the average size and numbers are holding up well.  Again many different depths from 40 plus metres to less than ten and rocky foul to sandy environs are all producing.  Plainly there’s just a good quantity of snapper about, all positioning themselves for the start of spawning which should kick in at 18 degrees C – still some ways off judged by current trends. 

Otherwise for those that want (few need) a change of diet or technique there is some pretty decent terakihi fishing (sometimes in conjunction with snapper) as well as gurnard.  Water a clean green but still a chilly 16.

Offshore

The big shaker and mover this week but it’s not all good news.  Kingis, after appearing to be headed the right way with more consistency shown, have fallen off the tracks.  The past few days have been very frustrating with a fair amount of energy put into this fishery for relatively little.  While they have bite times lasting no longer than two hours and usually less. 

Another lacking aspect is average size with the “usual” 15-18 kilo fish few and far between.  Instead they have been replaced by 11-14 kilo fish, still good fish in their own right (we’re spoiled) but a couple notches below what we are used to.  Jigs have been used extensively but to little effect with bait nearly the only game in town.  A few nicer fish are there with losses on heavy gear an everyday occurrence. 

South Island angler Jerry Paul landed a fine 27 kilo fish only to follow it up with a kingis a kilo heavier the following day to make his long journey worthwhile.  Been some excellent in the deepwater stakes with some very nice catches with extraordinary (for there) average size noted.  A recent double header of near 30 kilo puka and bass was a pleasant surprise but was followed by more of each species of similar size.  Average size on the day was still well over 20k’s with surprisingly few bluenose. 

Near Ranfurly style and size catches!  Back in shallow water it was (and is) a far different story.  At a time when terakihi are nearing spawning and should be throwing themselves at hooks they are amazingly tough to come by.  And while they are being coy, there’s precious little bycatch to be had as well.  Plenty of room for improvement here – uncharacteristically quiet.  Currents, regardless of the wind direction, have been opposite to what one would expect or like – probably a large component of the frustration. 

Water colour has diminished with the green stuff now extending nearly all the way out to White.  Speaking of the island it has settled down a little on emissions, being quite normal one day and quite gaseous the next.  Apparently the lake in all but gone with only puddles remaining.  Other signs of summer are present despite only 16 degree water with sunfish and flying fish everyday occurrences.  Other than the deepwater fishing there’s only one way to go here.

Ranfurly Bank

Still fishing very well on all fronts although stiff winds and large swells have prevented access to the rich fishery on a semi regular basis just lately.  Kingis continue their onslaught with both jigs and bait equal enticements.  No monster fish this week but a pleasing line of quality in the 20 kilo bracket. 

Fish moved into the depths moreso this week (100-120 metres) rather than the shallows.  Bottomfishing was superb with bass really stumping up well against the usually more prevalent puka.  Three went over 45 kilos with more still in the 30’s.  All in all it’s still classic Ranfurly at the moment.

Summary

Pretty much status quo except the current hiccup at White.  While some years, a long time ago, produced gamefish by now, this is not one of them and it’s nowhere near doing so judging by water temps.  While we will realistically have to wait another six weeks for some movement on pelagics, most everything else isn’t too hard to take at the moment – till nest week ……………..