Diverse fishing options

The summer snapper are prolific and feeding well, yet a summer slowdown has been noticed, partly due to the incessant strong wind, or perhaps the moons influence. However, there’s a detailed article covering what to do in the latest quarterly issue of NZ Fishing News' big glossy magazine in the inner Auckland areas – don’t go far to target good healthy snapper (useful especially with that wind!) – Rakino, Motuihe, Sargeants, Tamaki Strait, even now around the Harbour Bridge areas – and right out over the mud flats and shallows at high tide. Flick a small 3-5" softbait, an imitation crab or shrimp on a 1/4oz jighead, swap out to a magic and hilariously fun micro as well (5-10g), add a bit of a mud drag, then slow wind back towards you so the jig/soft bait is just above the sea floor. Fish love the opportunity to strike at your hapless little and ideal meal, caught out in ‘the wrong place at the wrong time’ – perfect! And if you are along the northern North Shore Bays, bump into the birds working just a couple of hundred metres offshore the last day or three and have some excellent fun fishing! 
 

Further out over the general Gulf areas some epic workups have lit up into their glorious swing of things – mid-Gulf and right in closer to northern Tiri (the famous Tiri to Kawau area) has seen some excellent action, with multiple whales, such a wonderful sight to see. Our Hauraki Gulf Brydes whales may well be calving, so caution and respect when around these big, beautiful beasts is a particularly good plan. Fish-filled workups are worth keeping your eyes on the skies for, while you simply drift fish in 35-40m with 80-150g inchiku (one of the best all-round snapper lures), whether in your professional hands or with the simple expertise of Rod Holder’s. Or use your skills with ‘big micros’ like 30-50g using both a slow pitch and slow jig technique – mix it up, but have your other bigger setups at the ready - ready for sounder signs like a baitball that looms into view (there’s a sounder-specific Fishing School class presented by Simon Batey you don’t want to miss), perfect for an instant drop of a 150-250g jig for both kingfish and snapper.There are lots of kahawai around at times now too – great, grab a couple for sashimi and the smoker, but if you want to try and target snapper and kings more – remember to use a bare assist hook rather than lots of skirt/tassels getting involved – the kahawai tend to hone in on those fascinators rather than the big jig itself. Use one of your old big assist hooks that's had its skirts shredded by fish. Pitch the big jig up only about four winds of the sea floor, back down, two or three times for snapper, then all the way from the bottom to the boat/ski speed or mechanically jigged in your best smooth technique for kings. Out by Channel Island area is the go at the mo' for some of this style of fishing action! 

Kingfish can be found in close to the shoreline in areas such as Waiheke and Coromandel. For instance, if you’re heading to the stunning Coromandel for a few days, landbased kingfish, kayak or whatever you have – think kings, not just snapper. Live mackerel, topwater, and of course jigging if you’re in 15-plus. Good luck if you hook ‘em up near the mussel farms.

Yellowfin tuna in the Gulf? Marlin not far either? If you’re heading to Great Barrier for a day or three over the next few weeks, how about this: blast out to near Litlle Barrier way, drop a tungsten micro (25-50g) or kabura (100g) for a couple of snapper for dinner, then put out a tuna/kingfish lure and troll the rest of the way, maybe swing in closer to Little Barrier, or over past Horn Rock. Then perhaps the following day between Litlle Barrier/Great Barrier/Mokes – again a quick snapper drop to ensure fresh dinner – troll the open waters, in past Miners/Needles either on the way out and or back. Kingfish/tuna/marlin are all after the bait that’s out there right now. What a great way to spend a glorious summer day, and you never know when the reel will burst into song! Bliss. A reliable source has sworn to have seen yellowfin on the inside of Little Barrier, and a nice striped marlin was caught in under 60m straight out from Omaha Beach.

The Fishing School is live

The first Fishing School is a reality! Here it is, the details created to help you, and your mates (let them know) get so much more from your fishing this year, it is time.

Five different classes and a small interactive group with expert guidance, whether using your existing fishing equipment or new gear. You’ll learn exactly what to use, how, why, and where to catch fish in every season, and also see firsthand exclusive underwater footage exposing secrets of snapper and kingfish – exploiting their actions to catch bigger and better fish consistently. Each class builds on each other, you can attend individual classes, but best of all is to come along to each one, and there’s a special offer for you to do that.

Click here> The Fishing School

Book your seat now as there are only 30 spots available, first in first served, make 2025 and beyond truly fishing memorable, whether you are on a PWC, boat or kayak – maximise your enjoyment and significantly improve yur every-day fishing success using lures, jigs and softbaits. Any questions, just ask, this is all about hands-on knowledge and expertise.

Cheers!

Captain Espresso

http://www.fishingcoachpro.com/