Air temperatures are bringing humid conditions and the water is warm also at around twenty three degrees. With warmer water temperatures on both sides of Coromandel peninsula a large number of sharks have made an appearance in the waters everywhere.

With the presence of these creatures make sure if you are kayaking that you keep your kayak free from any leaching fish juices (use well plugs in fish storage areas) and if you are using bait or berley, again keep them well contained to avoid any unwanted attention from these predators.

If you have a shark come around because of struggling fish or blood in the water try to stay relaxed and discontinue fishing immediately if the shark is fired up, leave the area and try somewhere else. Kingfish are here in good numbers and there are abundant numbers of rat kings in the mussel farms.

The snapper fishing on the west side of Coromandel during February has been up and down but generally slow to get moving with most fish being found in deeper water. Bait schools have arrived in good numbers with smaller kahawai chasing them as well as the odd bigger sized fish. Some good workups are happening up between Papa Aroha and Amodeo Bay.

Much of the activity is out past the islands and dolphins with large amounts of sea birds are in pursuit of the activity. Even though things have been patchy for many fishing, using smaller softbaits have proven effective especially 4” Jigging Grubs that seem to be getting their fair share of fish. As usual the best times for getting good fish seem to be early to mid-morning and the late afternoon through to evening especially if the tide is high around this time.

Fishing in the Coromandel harbour entrance has been slow and patchy with the morning and evening fishing best. This is partly down to many snapper still in spawning but should change fairly soon as more bait schools and kahawai move down into the area. Plenty of work ups have been sighted all along the coast right down to the lower end of the firth of Thames and kayakers have been doing well in close to the shore here.

If you are coming to Coromandel the upper west coast is still a sure bet when looking for a feed of reasonable sized snapper. Alternatively the mussel farms seem to also be holding decent numbers of them and if you see a barge working then this will increase your chances even further.

Diving

Scallops are thinning out with some places really getting a hammering during the Christmas holiday period. Anyone wanting a feed would be wise to look at places like Goat Island. On the east side of the Coromandel peninsula Opito Bay is still producing although its certainly had a lots of divers and dredges working this area.

As far as spearfishing and fishing goes things have been slow to get started also and this may be due to the green water around the coast and lack of snapper because of spawning. Kingfish have moved in and plenty have been sighted cruising around Kuaotunu, Opito bay and Otama beach area.

Crayfish have been plenty in number and continue to be up in the shallows with some moving out deeper, the only problem seems to be a lack of decent legal sized ones. The water clarity has also been below average with the endless easterly swells stirring things up on shore.

Hopefully the easterly winds and swells currently being experienced will bring the blue water in and the fish with it. Divers be aware it is compulsory to display a dive flag. Vessels on the water please be considerate of all divers in the water.

Rob Fort

Coromandel Kayak adventures

1945 Tiki Road, Coromandel Town 
021 294 1694 or 07 866 7466
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