Best fishing of the year

The fishing around the Eastern Region of late has been very good and the period from now up to Christmas is the best fishing of the year. In a nutshell, if you get an opportunity to fish over the next month take it.

Lake Tarawera continues to fish well and the fish are in superb condition. There has been some great sight fishing along Rangiuru Bay to smelting trout – we have had reports of rainbows up to 9.5lb and the numbers of fish being caught are impressive.

One great thing about Tarawera is that there is always shelter when the wind blows. The jigging is going well and this is a lake where we tend to fish the lake bed and bounce the sinkers on the bottom every 30 seconds or so. Likewise, we fish softbaits similarly and let them sink to the bottom and bounce them back. This is the best start to the season for Tarawera that we have had in 15 years so make the most of the good stuff, the fish will continue to gorge on smelt and will keep putting size on so many trophy-sized fish will come from here over the next few months.

Local fish guru Jamie Anso (rototroutnz) with a solid brown trout. 

Lake Rotoiti is fishing well. The fish have moved further down the lake now and are not just concentrated around the narrows. Moose Reef is stacked which means Hauparu will be well-populated as well. Gisborne Point is fishing well and the fish are sitting in that 20-24m range as the thermocline becomes more defined. Along the shoreline here is protected when the westerly blows so look to fish along here during these conditions. The trout will be locked onto smelt now so when jigging use grey ghost and slimy ghost patterns for good success. The trout have been in amazing condition this season – many are already over 7lb and with the food source being so plentiful this season it looks as if it will be the best season we have had for a long time.

The fishing for browns on Lake Rotorua has been spectacular. Incredible sight fishing has been had up on the flats as the browns have moved around the lake towards the river mouths. We have already had many fish over 10lb caught and they will stack up in front of the major streams until they enter the rivers after rains. Use darker smelt patterns on Rotorua such as a Ginger Mick and the like. The Ngongotaha and Waiteti open up on the 1st of December. Some of our locals have had superb fishing in the lower reaches with trophies already landed. Get across and fish these gems before the crowds get here, the fishing will be fantastic and you won’t be disappointed by the quality of the fish.

Tight lines.

Mike Davis

Rotorua Hunting and Fishing New Zealand

360 Te Ngae Road, Lynmore Junction, Lynmore, Rotorua 3010

07 349 6303

https://www.facebook.com/RotoHF/

www.huntingandfishing.co.nz