Fishing Reports

 

Tarakihi on 10/0 hooks! Nice ones at that, with barracuda for bait. And that’s not all: a couple of small puka (15-20lbs) and a 200kg Mako tagged and released. Not a bad fishing trip. No wonder Rex Honeyfield of Freedom Charters is pretty bullish about the fishing, especially out wide. But after referring to last year’s diary, he reckons the puka are slower to come in this year. Tarakihi have been reported massing at the drop-off outside Deep Water Cove and over both the Cable Ground and the Middle Fouls. For the latter two, that translates as somewhere between the Black Rocks, Onslow Rock and the Ninepin. Like looking for a needle in a haystack. Easy-peasy. By the way, is the Ninepin nine miles from Russel or nine miles from the Stone-store? Just discovered that Kerikeri fishos say the store, whilst others tell the story that the Pin is nine miles from Russell. Anybody out there know the truth? Over the weekend, Denise and Mike Hogan of Kerikeri caught their share of snapper in close off Tauranga Bay. Had to work for them, but still got a nice feed. Reckon the snakes are in plague proportions in the deeper water. Brian Candy and family of Whangaroa have also been catching a few noddies in the foul off Tauranga Bay. Best snapper caught on this foul weighed in by the Gamefish Club at 11kg. The reports on Whangaroa scallops have been mixed. Some say they are poor, others that they’re in good condition for the time of the season. In the Bay, Ken Coombes and friends of Bay Dive n Tackle found some nice fat scallops off Robbies over the weekend. Not huge but in nice condition with good colour. Mussels are skinny though. I suppose we can’t expect them to be in their prime all the time. Crayfish are still with berry and diving for them at the moment isn’t such a good idea. CJ at Serious Bait n Tackle, reports a few 9kg plus snapper weighed in over the weekend. One caught at Redhead and one off Rocky Point. And if you're up that way, a few nice snapper around the Lion too. Robin Craig and friends of Kaikohe caught their share here recently. And Ashley Patterson has lost a few more humungous snapper off Tapouaetahi. Only managed to land a best fish of 8kg. Them's the breaks Ashley. But the one metre long, 3kg squid landed by his fishing buddy from Auckland, Peter Lumley, has to be seen to be believed. “I have the photos to prove it” assures Ashley. 750ml without the tentacles. And it tasted fantastic. “ No bones too,” he reckons. Meanwhile, Kerikeri fishos, Neil Miller, Rangi Jackson and John Moselen caught their share in the inlet over the weekend. Best snapper weighed 5kg gutted. About mid-morning in thirty feet they reckon. Just goes to show, you don’t have to travel miles to catch a feed. Tight lines!

 

From Steven Radich

Report type: Saltwater

Report date: 24 July 01