Typical of this time of the year, Bream Bay fishing – like the weather – has been hot and cold.

There has been some great action at times over the shallow foul towards the southern end of the bay – Urititi, Waipu Rivermouth and the Langs Beach-Waipu Cove area.

A couple of anglers fishing from a small dinghy launched off Waipu Cove two days ago in mid- morning, landed a dozen nice snapper in 12 metres of water fishing soft-baits. The 'old favourite' – Gulp! Nuclear Chickens – proved to be the go-to lure with 'drop and drag working well.

They described the bite as 'steady rather than spectacular', but looking at their bin, they had a bunch of fat fish to around the four-kilo mark.

It appears there are still some good fish to be had in close. One local boat, fishing one of the smaller lumps of foul off the Waipu rivermouth one evening this week, landed a bunch of fish well into double figures, including a weighed 10kg plus fish which they released.

These guys had a ball, keeping three fish each and returning all the others – testament to the circle hook rigs they were using.

Further up the coast off Ruakaka there have been some short but good bites for the soft-bait brigade. When they have been able to get out, anglers fishing the early morning and dusk change of light periods have been getting some nice catches from just behind the breakers in a few metres of water out to around the 15 metre mark. One angler said 'anything pink' was working for him in the soft-bait department.

On Thursday the NZ Fishing News team spent a great day out with Steve Martinovich aboard Bream Bay Charters' new vessel – Sumo – along with Scotty Malcon from Brittain Wynyard and a bunch of the latest Daiwa tackle.

Steve was looking a bit apprehensive by around 11.00am when we hadn't put much in the bin fishing the deeper pins around the Chicks on lures and soft-baits. The fish were there, but not on the bite. We headed to the vicinity of Tara Rocks for a good old bait and berley session, Steve's standard 'go to' option. Two hours later the bin was looking far more respectable with snapper to 60cm on ice. Check out the next issue of NZ Fishing News for the Tackle Review and Charter Connection features. If you are looking for a charter in the Bream Bay area and have a larger group in particular, Steve's new ride is a good option with plenty of fishing room.

In the harbour haven't had many reports on the fishing, although the scallops are filling out nicely, putting on condition since the season's opening.

Grant Dixon

Editor of NZ Fishing News Magazine.