Fishing Reports

 

INSHORE WEST COAST - The snapper are still around. Caught 6 to an 7kg two weeks ago at Pukerua Bay. They have been caught at Hunter bank recently as well. 60 to 80 metres is the depth to fish at this time of year. The blue cod are better the further south you go but tarakihi are widespread. Quite a few 'stumpy' blue cod have been getting caught up and down the coast, especially at Pukerua Bay and the south end of Kapiti (Terapunga shoal). We got into some very nice tarakihi (1 - 2.5kgs) at Hunters last week, fishing in 90 metres. Expect to catch trevally, school hapuku with warehou and the odd snapper in that same depth. Snapper have been good in 60 mtres off Aeroplane island (Kapiti) and have been caught to 16lb recently. Good warehou have been caught off Terapunga shoal as well as the normal tarakihi. OUT WIDE - Fisherman's rock 8 miles off the back of Mana island) has been hapuku heaven lately. Most trips we have caught 6 - 12 fish and often fish of 20 - 30kg. The groper should disappear shortly and return in October. Warehou have been ever present at fisherman's but should be more wide spread over the next couple of months. We are hoping for a repeat of a warehou fever which has struck the capital over the last few years in the winter. They are a superb fighting fish as well as their great eating qualities. They are normally up off the bottom and are caught on flasher rigs, jigs and small strips of squid. They often feed better when the tide is running. NICHOLSON'S TRENCH - has been fishing well for bluenose with the odd bass and hapuku. Bass fishing is traditionally good at the trench from August to October. Fish size can be anything from 3kg to 50kg. They are superb eating and fight the same as hapuku. The spots are straight out from the harbour entrance in 200–250 metres. Bluenose depth is normally 160-220 metres with 180 being my favourite depth. Pilchards are excellent for both species but commercial fishermen say squid is best for bluenose and hoki fillet the best for bass. Ling and hoki should be common over the winter. The weather hasn't been all that suitable for trench fishing of late. Hopefully this will change. It is not uncommon to land 12 to 20 fish (5 to 20kg) in a days fishing at the trench! INSHORE SOUTH COAST - producing superb blue cod & tarakihi (1 -3kg) especially at Terakerei Head. Warehou are turning up and trevs are common during the next few months. Gurnard normally turn up in the spring - Big time! With the constant southerly swells fishing this coast has been difficult of late. SURFCASTERS - have been doing well on red cod, spinney dogs and kahawai, especially in Palliser Bay. Spotty sharks (rig) are the best quality fish to go for this time of the year (on the south coast) using crab or crayfish for bait. Wainui beach, western lakes (Palliser Bay) and white rock are all good places to target them. On the west coast Te-Ikamaru Bay is the spotty shark hotspot also be prepared for big trevally in the same area. Makara has been producing trevs and tarakihi after dark on a rising tide. A few salmon have been caught at Wainui and at Lake Ferry recently. Blue moki fishing has not been full on but a few have been caught. The heaviest this season have come from Fitzroy Bay and Wainui, at around 4.5kg WGTN HARBOUR - A big kingfish was lost at the boat recently out from Eastborne. Fishing has been a bit tough but should improve over the next month or two. Red cod, couta and kahawai fishing is productive during the winter. Gurnard will turn up aug/sept and we are hoping for a return of the warehou like last year (Miramar wharf was absolute mayhem on big warehou last winter).

 

From Pete Lamb Fishing Ltd

Report type: Saltwater

Report date: 14 August 01