Fishing Reports
Far North
As expected, the strong westerly/southerly winds have taken their toll. Warm (21 degree C) water has seemingly been pushed far out to the east with cooler, greener waters replacing it. Fishing for marlin has predictably slowed right down in all areas. There is still the genuine hope things will improve but at present trolling/bait fishing for marlin could be termed as tough.
Three Kings Islands
This region has received the lions share of effort recently with generally disappointing results. The King Bank has improved in water clarity and temperature but fish are still scarce. The few that have been seen and fewer caught have been from the highspot to the top of the bank. Middlesex Bank has been much better but still not consistent by anyone’s standards. Most days visiting boats average two shots a day, some lucky ones will get many more. Broadbill have been given a nudge lately as well, despite less than ideal conditions most of the time. Very disappointing over the past few days but not surprising with the amount of commercial activity in the area over the past two months. Is it all over? Time will tell. Other than billfish there’s been good hapuka and kingis at both banks but especially at the Princess group. Hapuka have been at the 100-metre mark, kingis much closer to the islets. North Cape, Surville Cliffs, Tom Bowling Bay
The Cape has had the lions share of the action. Some marlin have been landed amongst kingi workups which all makes for plenty of excitement. Some of the action has taken place in 90 metres of water, most in 100 – 120. Water looks good all the way to the Compass Rose area but few boats travelling to and fro have had any luck. Garden Patch, “505”
This appears to be the bastion of the remaining warm, purple water. Temperatures up to nearly 21 degrees C are there, probably the western edge of that body of water. A few stripees, mahi mahi and undoubtedly the odd blue still lurk in that deep water. Inclement conditions have made it difficult to access lately, hopefully that will change soon. Congratulations to Jon Terrell for his NZ record mahi on 6k gear – 10.4 kilos. Well-done Jon. Cape Karikari, Doubtless Bay
A few striped marlin remain for those who persevere or get lucky passing through. The best depths to ply have been 150 – 200 metres, much deeper than previously. Snapper and kingis have both been crowd pleasers with plenty of bait all along the inshore regions. Summary
The jury is not out yet on prospects for the remaining autumn months. Lately only one or two decent days have interspersed the rubbish we’ve had to put up with. Longing for the settled days of fall? You aren’t alone.
This region has received the lions share of effort recently with generally disappointing results. The King Bank has improved in water clarity and temperature but fish are still scarce. The few that have been seen and fewer caught have been from the highspot to the top of the bank. Middlesex Bank has been much better but still not consistent by anyone’s standards. Most days visiting boats average two shots a day, some lucky ones will get many more. Broadbill have been given a nudge lately as well, despite less than ideal conditions most of the time. Very disappointing over the past few days but not surprising with the amount of commercial activity in the area over the past two months. Is it all over? Time will tell. Other than billfish there’s been good hapuka and kingis at both banks but especially at the Princess group. Hapuka have been at the 100-metre mark, kingis much closer to the islets. North Cape, Surville Cliffs, Tom Bowling Bay
The Cape has had the lions share of the action. Some marlin have been landed amongst kingi workups which all makes for plenty of excitement. Some of the action has taken place in 90 metres of water, most in 100 – 120. Water looks good all the way to the Compass Rose area but few boats travelling to and fro have had any luck. Garden Patch, “505”
This appears to be the bastion of the remaining warm, purple water. Temperatures up to nearly 21 degrees C are there, probably the western edge of that body of water. A few stripees, mahi mahi and undoubtedly the odd blue still lurk in that deep water. Inclement conditions have made it difficult to access lately, hopefully that will change soon. Congratulations to Jon Terrell for his NZ record mahi on 6k gear – 10.4 kilos. Well-done Jon. Cape Karikari, Doubtless Bay
A few striped marlin remain for those who persevere or get lucky passing through. The best depths to ply have been 150 – 200 metres, much deeper than previously. Snapper and kingis have both been crowd pleasers with plenty of bait all along the inshore regions. Summary
The jury is not out yet on prospects for the remaining autumn months. Lately only one or two decent days have interspersed the rubbish we’ve had to put up with. Longing for the settled days of fall? You aren’t alone.
From 
Pursuit
PursuitReport type: Saltwater
Report date: 15 April 02
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