Fishing Reports

 

A week camping at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island provided a special opportunity to observe Kiwis having fun. One morning I observed a pre-school girl at play. With a beatific smile permanently in evidence, she moved between a sloppy structure of wet sand studded with pebbles and dolphinesque frolics in the water. Never seeming to tire of her pleasure, I wondered at the fantasy that was playing in her mind. Around the corner, I was entertained by a couple of primary school boys bombing a small rock-pool with softball size boulders. In the water, brightly coloured snorkels punctuated the sparkling bay, especially around the submarine where an aquarium-like array of fish have taken up residence to enjoy the daily feeding programme of enterprising submarine skipper, Ringa Witehira. On the water, I noticed that any Kiwi could afford to get afloat. From a pretty basic trailer-sailer to multi-masted ocean-going ketches, all jockeyed for a prime over-night anchorage. Motorboats, from the classic three-meter tinny with seagull outboard, to fifty metres of buoyant opulence plied the Bay. But I was most impressed with the growth of the kayak fraternity. Strapped to any car roof or boat deck, this modest little vessel enables any keen kiwi to satisfy that passion for exploration and discovery. To cruise into a previously unseen rocky cove or sandy bay is a pleasure that never seems to wane. In the kai moana department, the story was a mixed bag. Happy campers, including the Vujcich families from Kaikohe, managed to capture their share of kingfish. Shiny metal with attached hooks around Cape Brett and the Bird seemed to do the trick. Snapper fishing was poor over the peak holiday season. Schoolies have generally moved out of the inner Bay and at the time of writing, are reported to have taken up residence over deep-water reefs off Red Head and the Ninepin. Fishing with the author, a young Argentine lass landed an 8kg noddy back of Okahu Island late last week; the best of several nice snapper. The fishing should be better for this weekend’s Homestead Club fishing contest. Mussels remain in great condition and in good supply, while scallops too are in prime condition but in scarce supply. Kina abound, as do rock oysters, pipis and cockles if you know where to look. Paua remain as always: hard to find and usually undersize. The game-fishing season is a bit upside down so far. An early attack of mahimahi was followed by a nice bunch of yellow-fin tuna up to 62kg. Since then, water temperature inversion problems (warm deep, cool on top) are said to suggest a delayed marlin season. To date a couple of marlin have been landed and lost with a few sharks keeping game fishos on their toes. So watch this space for a late marlin season. Tight lines!

 

From Steven Radich

Report type: Saltwater

Report date: 17 January 02