Fishing Reports

 

We’ve had a mixed bag really this past 10-12 days. Snapper are starting to appear in better size and numbers around the traps with a few topping the 5kg mark - especially from the deeper foul off Kawau Island. One of the 2 overnight trips we’ve done up this way lately, saw the evening shot producing some excellent snapper and heaps of smaller ones that were returned to fight another day. The tarahiki were not so obliging on this particular instance, but we have found a spot they seem to like, so we have been targeting them at slack water when the occasion arises. On the other trip, the foul off the southern end of Kawau produced a few good fish in the evening while the tide was running. The weather was against us in the morning and we were forced to relocate, opting for the relative shelter of Motuora Island. Even an extensive berley trail would not help us out on this occasion though. The overnighters have been popular this winter and I think this is due to the number of fishable locations close to Gulf Harbour that provide good shelter from the wind and most importantly the opportunity to latch onto some good fish. The Tiri area is one of these, but has let us down a bit this past 2 weeks. We’ve had to move around frequently and are only picking up a few here and there. Every now and then a good patch can be located and provides us with some rod bending action. One such area is the south eastern corner of Whangaparaoa Peninsula. This has produced good fish on the majority of occasions and is usually worth a stop on the way out, before the crowds hit it. I prefer the deeper foul on this corner and I’ve been seeing better sign on the sounder, especially on the incoming tide towards the channel side of the reef. Motuora and its’ neighbouring islands are also kelp laden haunts of ours, being just over an hour away and offering good shelter and a few very fishy drop offs. It has been known to hold big fish. It’s just a matter of lots of berley and heaps of patience and you could end up making a bit of history. This time of year you have to take what you get but those big ‘spring jacks’ are on the way in or are already on some of the foul areas. These bigger male snapper, typically move in before the migration of the ‘schoolies’ and if the areas we’ve been fishing don’t start to improve soon we will start looking at areas around the Noises and the Ahahaas. Some of these fish will have no problem topping the 15lb mark but will be wary in a new environment. It may take a wee bit of time after the berley has been dispensed before you know you’re in the right spot. The OH so secret sunken barges off the Noises is a shot I prefer to target first thing in the morning, after the fish have moved onto the area during the night. It’s a bit of a haul out there but that’s why they made coffee and stereos. The 50 metre mark behind the cable area is a spot I haven’t had the pleasure of fishing for wee while, due mainly to the rather windy winter we’ve had. I suspect that we will do OK out there when we get a chance. Drifting around this area at this time of year has been good in the past, especially under the gannet work ups if you can find them. We have tried a few drifts under the dolphins, which are around in huge numbers behind Tiri and up towards Kawau Island, but unfortunately we have not caught a single fish. The dolphins are feeding on the pilchards or anchioves that visit the region this time of year, but they must be scoffing them all before they hit the bottom! We already have a few bookings for evening trips during the next month or so. Seems like plenty of you guys AND girls like to get together after work and do a spot of fishing. On this happy note I’m pleased to inform you that we will NOT be increasing our prices as has been suggested, but will still be running evening trips from $40pp, weekdays from $45pp, and weekend day trips from $55pp. Half day trips are also available too. If you need to contact us just check out THE CHARTER CONNECTION LTD page on this excellent site, under CHARTERS or REPORTS for Auckland. While I’m on about it why not become a VIP member with FISHING.NET.NZ and get this report delivered to your inbox, hot off the press. Tight lines! Damian Clayton THE CHARTER CONNECTION LTD

 

From A Charter Connection...

Report type: Saltwater

Report date: 27 August 01