It certainly feels like winter is here, and not going away any time soon, but a lot of our fishing has been hot recently! Except for our local boat anglers who have had to endure some big swells in the past two weeks limiting their opportunity to get out. That said, as a rule, our winter months are a lot more settled, so their chance will come.
Saltwater
It’s almost like I set it up! In my last report, I spoke about the outer Marlborough Sounds, and over the weekend I spoke to several customers that had travelled up there and they had plenty of good things to say! By the sound of it the kingies have been a little elusive – there but hard to catch.
The snapper, on the other hand, have been on the chew. Snapper through the winter months in the outer sounds area can be plentiful, and often of the XL size or bigger.
Fishing around Stephens Island is very popular, and targeting the snapper out here in the deeper water is best done with slow jigs or slow-pitch jigs. As there is often some hefty current and you are fishing quite deep at times having the correct gear is a very good head start! Fishing as vertical as you can is key, so don’t be afraid to use heavier jigs than you might usually, and use the thinnest braid you are brave enough to run! This will allow fast drops, good sensitivity, and low resistance in the current so the action of your lure is not hindered. As you are fishing deep, if you intend to release some fish, please bring them up slowly so as not to damage them on their way up through the water column. I’m hyping myself up writing this!
Freshwater
I did mention the canals in the previous report but concentrated on the trout. Since then, we have been hearing great stories of the salmon down there. Not necessarily lots like we would see with an escape, but some real chunky ones up to 17lb! It appears that Ohau C and the Fishbowl at the bottom of Tekapo Canal have been the two better spots, and softbaits have been the winner.
Salmon have been prevalent in the canals.
There has been a bit of a mixed bag of flows recently and slower or no flow is when a softbait definitely comes into its own, and particularly a paddle tail or grub. When the current picks up, split tails or jerkshads will get the job done. If you are fishing in the Bowl, remember to give your lure plenty of time to sink and fish it all the way back. If you get a bite or fish or two then spend a bit more time in that area. As a rule the salmon are a schooling fish, so you can find more in the same vicinity. If the current is too much for your softbait, then a metal spoon like a Daiwa Chinook in 14 or 17gm can regularly get results.
We have a very active team of keen anglers in our Fishing Department, so please fire any questions our way and we will point you in the right direction to keep you on the fish. Please check out our Facebook page for more info on what we are up to in Canterbury.
Simon McMillan
Christchurch Hunting and Fishing New Zealand
75 Clarence Street, Addington, Christchurch
03 3430212
https://www.facebook.com/ballingershf.co.nz
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