Bay of Plenty Fishing Report - October 29th, 2020

  • General Saltwater, Bay of Plenty/East Cape

Top Catch Bay of Plenty

BOP beach fishing has been really good off the beach along Matata and Papamoa Beach, with some real good snapper showing up! If they’re a bit shy on the bite, keep your bait nice an small and rigs simple. Find places where there is food like tuatua and paddle crabs, as that’s what they’re feeding on at this time of year. It won’t be long until they’re moving out of the deep for spawning. Anchovy bait has been working great as well! So, get out there and if you need any tips or info, pop into the shop and Ray will be able to sort you out!

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Top Catch Tauranga 

With the temperature consistently warming every day, the harbour is showing significant signs of life. The kahawai are in good numbers and the trevally are still around, plus we are hearing that a few good snapper are getting picked up over the shallows or on the edges of the channels.

The spring harbour kingfish won’t be too far behind as there is a good amount of bait showing already and there has been a bust up of bait seen over the shallows. Livebaiting piper or jacks is the best way to target these kingfish, but casting those mid-size stickbaits should get you some great interest too.

Outside the harbour the fishing has been a little patchy with some customers filling the bin while others have been working hard for a feed – but that’s fishing, am I right?!

The water temp down here has just started to warm up so things will only get better from now on! Happy days!

The sand off Matakana has been fishing well but it might take a little effort to get onto them. There are reports that snapper in that 40-45cm range are in 10-15 metres of water down around Karewa. There are good kahawai schools and some JD’s thrown in the mix too.

Again, Motiti is holding some good fish. Boats over the foul in around 15-20 metres which are using a good amount of berley and drifting baits back are catching some nice fish (our bullet tuna are great for this!).

Those who are lure fishing at the moment are having some great success either soft-baiting over the sand or drifting over the deeper parts of the outer reefs.

The slider-style lures are coming into their own too, particularly when fished under the kahawai schools with slightly heavier lures. They’re catching a real mixed bag  – snaps, trevs and even gurnard.

The kingfish are in good numbers and their sizes are increasing each week. Livebaiting still seems to be the best option but the jigs are getting their fair share. Try that early morning stickbaiting as the bait will be up high first thing in the morning.

Terakihi is still the staple for most and we are hearing that the size of the fish is larger than normal. Remember, use small baits on small flasher rigs and try to position the boat right on top of the school!

The bluenose fishing for those out deep has been good as of late, with most crews in that 300-400m area up around Mayor getting some nice fish. Gemfish are also in big numbers so always give your gear a look over as they can tear your rigs up!

Staff picks:

  • Gamakatsu flashers rigs 3 for $30.00 (Terakihi & Snapper)
  • Sluggo’s white 2 pk $49.99 (kingfish magnets!) 
  • Shimano Antares sunnies (back in stock!)

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