Big Snapper Dreaming

A recent conversation with Justin Lowe at Kerikeri Sportsworld got me thinking. He’d been fishing with friends at the Cavallis. They’d hooked into a line of very nice snapper. Nothing huge though. What really grabbed my attention was the observation that many were getting ready to spawn. It was still August and I was still thinking “winter.” A bit later I had a pretty difficult day in the Bay myself: It was a couple of Sundays ago. We hooked into a couple of nice noddies [four and six kg] while hiding behind Piercy Island, but: it took over an hour to get back to Red Head. The sea conditions were close to diabolical. Not unsafe, just pure snot. The wind squalls were enough to drag the anchor, swing us through 360 and blow the side-screens out of the canopy. After such a difficult day I was surprised to encounter a couple of good keen men just after dark at the Waitangi ramp with a bin full of very nice snapper. Three to seven kg I’d guess. “Roed up too”, I was told. “The schoolies are out at the Whale at this time of the year” one added. Here were a couple of good keen men in a tinny. They’d endured a fair old thrashing on the Whale and had come home with a bag of school snapper. The proof was in the pudding. Later, talking with Simon Howard of Bay Knight, I was informed that a few early run snapper were indeed being found in the Bay. Capstan, Roberton and Army Bay were places mentioned. Again: nothing huge. But in great condition and beautifully dressed up for the beginning of their annual bonking season. So while water temperatures still hover around fourteen degrees, and while the barracuda are starting to arrive en masse, and while the wind generates several meters of easterly swell, a few hardy breeding snapper are sneaking into the Bay. If my memory serves me well, these early scouts are usually male. And the sizes reported are typical for this stage of the spawning cycle. The big mamas arrive much later. Or do they? Jonathan Fulton tells me that some real big fish are traditionally caught in the wash on The Whale in early September. So this all goes to show that winter is on the wane and spring has almost sprung. So out with the winter blues and in with the big-fish dreaming. They’ll be here soon enough. Typically they come in with an easterly blow. So whenever the chance arrives, have a look. Especially in close while they’re still feeding on the shellfish smashed by the big swells. You just might get a nice surprise. The Whale is probably the best bet at this stage, but either Capes should do as well - first ports of call for the migrants. But please remember: fish these fish with restraint. Give them a chance to breed. Know what I mean? Tight lines!