Fishing Reports

 

A break in the weather at last! Snotty easterly weather has kept most keen fishos indoors, in the harbour, up the estuaries and out west. Those kept indoors by the weather may be interested to know that in Australia, a licence has been introduced for recreational fishers. “Poor sods”, some of you will no doubt be thinking. But guess what those poor sods across the ditch are doing with the money raised by the licence? Local management groups are using the money to buy up quota, establish recreational fishing only zones and set up fish farms to breed fish for release in the harbours, up the estuaries and in the ocean. Not a bad idea or two eh? Meanwhile, those fishing up the estuaries and in the harbour have been having a fair time. John Sharp of Opito Bay, reckons the inlet has gone quiet compared with a few weeks ago. However, if you can cope with the 2-4m swell, the fishing on offshore reefs is just fine and dandy. But Chris Hayman and friends disagree. They’ve been doing quite nicely thankyou at Rangitane and off the rocks at Wharau Bay. Best fish of 4.6kg the other evening, so I’m told. Dusk is the secret, with the Brothers always worth an evening look when sea conditions allow. But who’d believe Chris anyway? Tried to convince me that he won the Easter fishing tournament at Whangamumu with an 11.2kg noddy. After the presentation and with a $1500.00 cheque burning a hole in his pocket, the organisers found an even bigger fish of 11.6kg had been weighed in. Imagine the embarrassment of a dual pay out of 1,500 smackaroos! Fortunately, 1500 tickets had been sold so the very popular tournament remains well afloat. While still on the snapper theme, plenty of small snapper remain around the inner islands of the Bay. On Sunday afternoon, on an incoming tide, Murray Jeffs and Karl Heron of Pakaraka got their share of pannies off the southwest corner of Robbies. And did you know that Mike Hogan of Ohaeawai caught a virgin marlin on his new 27ft fly bridge Riviera “Pelagic 2 ”? Weighed in at 116.5 kg and took 40 minutes to get to the boat. No chair either! Back of Stephenson’s Island was the place. Not satisfied, next weekend with wife Denise and friends Grant and Cindy from the local garage, they got on to some real nice noddies and john dory off the top end of the same island. Mike’s best snapper weighed in at a commendable 7.5kg. Still catching beakies out there too, so they say. Since the sea conditions have improved, marlin are again on the menu. Prevailing weather is a kind of double-edged sword: keeps us off the water (conserves fish!) but keeps the warm water up against the coast. Presents great prospects for autumn game fishing! Coming up, watch out for the Queens Birthday Tournament out of the Hokianga. Some pretty serious prizes on offer too. Watch this space for more details. Have fun out there and tight lines!

 

From Steven Radich

Report type: Saltwater

Report date: 15 May 01