Fishing Reports

Hooray – wind from a direction other than west!  Even though the easterlies had some teeth, it was a welcome break from the equinox situation.  Hopefully now that we’re into December we’ve broken that nasty cycle.  Hard to believe we’re officially entered the realm of summer!  Doesn’t feel like it quite yet though.

Inshore

Little change from last report.  Snapper pretty good for those in the know, the perseverant of just plain lucky!  They aren’t thick and fast like a few weeks back but still a viable option in a variety of depths (8-50 metres).  All other species identical to last weeks report.

Offshore

General improvement all around – and about time.  The standout has been the deepwater fishing with some very steady catches noted but a number of boats on different days in a variety of spots.  While all the species are being landed the most consistent have been both hapuka and bluenose.  Few fish have been noteworthy but most a pleasing “average size”.  Bluenose have averaged 3-7kgs although the odd big female has stood out.  Aucklander “Buddy” Kumar surprised even himself when he drug a 22 kilo specimen out of the depths.  Puka have been a respectable 10-12 kilos average with the occasional fish knocking on 20.  Gemfish are about with a massive 15 kilo fish falling to Graham Vought – talk about a month full of teeth!  Bass have been surprisingly prevalent although size is missing.  Back closer to White the kingis are performing – sometimes and when they feel like it!  Mornings are pretty quiet but mid afternoons tend to heat up and reflect their best bite times of late.  A vast mixture of sizes run through the catch with 14-18k’s proving popular.  Bait easily fishing jigs with near shore waters absolutely full of koheru – a great source of fresh bait.  Whopper of the week fell to Maketu pie maker Ivan Hastings with her personal best at 25 ½ k’s – well done Ivan.  Starting to see some very pretty water compliments of the recent northerlies although temps are slow to increase.  A lot more albacore landed but quality is well down at around 6-7 kgs.  Currents still seemingly always heading into the wind – uncanny.  Just now starting to see blue mao mao and trevally on the surface for the first time – again about time!

Ranfurly Bank

Solid fishing remains for anyone lucky enough to find themselves there this early season.  Possibly been the best spring season ever with high sights set for the summer months ahead.  Kingfish and bottom species of all description keen to please.  Evidence a recent visit which satisfied all the bottomfishing requirement for the entire three day trip by 9.30am!  Many hapuka of nice size with several approaching 40kgs.  Bass, too, have been eager with many in the 30 kilo bracket and largest just on 45k’s – a very fine line of fish indeed.  Kingis, also, eager to come aboard – or at least boat side.  Still many in the 30 kilo plus category with fish in the mid 20’s plentiful.  Again, a fantastic average – how spoiled we are.

Summary

Summer is now, at least officially, with us.  Many things “feel” like the season, others literally still leave us cold in this respect.  As the reader will see, things are pretty good on all fronts with the chance of improvement yet.  Glad to be at sea now?  You betcha!