Fishing Reports

 

Snapper fishing in the Bay is on the mend. So I’m told. Reports of some big fish caught around both the Whale and Roberton Island are good news indeed. And some nice pannies continue to be caught regularly in shallow water over sand and mud. Dusk is the time to strike for gold. With daylight saving almost over, only a few days remain for keen fishos to get a decent fish after work. The opportunity for an evening fish during the working week is one of the unsung advantages of daylight saving. New owner of the charter boat Arline, Wybe Van Der Veen, suggests we check out some of our favourite snapper haunts. According to Wybe, it’s still summer snapper that we’re catching and most remain roed up. Though the fishing is still patchy, the dice is starting to roll our way a little. Local fisho, Phil Macomber with cousins from Hikurangi had a great weekend recently drifting around off Tokerau beach in Doubtless Bay. Nothing huge though, but all in great condition. Remarkably, they caught several nice snapper on a trolled popper. Never heard of that before. Meanwhile, further north, reports of huge snapper being caught out from Houhora and Rangiputa are online. Possies such as Symonds Island and “The Shallow Patch” get a mention. Out west, a 12kg snapper has just been pulled out of the surf south of Mangonui Bluff. Seems that after a very dismal summer, west coast snapper fishing is on the mend too. Brent Rich from Auckland caught his limit of big pannies off the far rock at Mangonui Bluff on Saturday. Tried it myself the next day and managed to catch over a dozen rock cod while others with longer rods and better casts caught most of the snapper. Snapper had stomachs full of crushed small mussels. Flesh had that nice clear opalescent quality. And they tasted just great, deep friend after a roll in lemon pepper and breadcrumbs, with chips made from freshly dug spuds. Plenty of calories in that meal! Spent a week camping with Northland College students on Urupukapuka Island last week. When free from their primary task of helping on the DOC farm, most students managed to find a fish on the end of a line at some time or another. Kaikohe boys Clinton Atkinson and Lance Dean caught personal bests, while Wiremu Waa and Ryan Tipene found the appeal of fat creamy kina overwhelmed their fear of deep blue water. They had the diving experience of their lives near Deep Water Cove. Made so much joyous noise through their snorkels that they frightened the myriads of fish away. Strange the people you meet at the Zane Grey restaurant. Johnny Outrigger, with huge bags under bloodshot eyes was resting up after a rough and beaky-bereft run down from Cape Karikari. The marlin were being caught south east of Cape Brett. Reckons there’s still plenty of puka about for those so inclined. Tight lines!

 

From Steven Radich

Report type: Saltwater

Report date: 13 March 01