Hauraki Gulf Fishing Report 150219

  • General Saltwater, Auckland and The Hauraki Gulf

Skipjack tuna are on a rampaging increase, especially out further in the gulf. It's pure fishing bliss hearing those reels scream at full revs when these fish strike, and then it's a battle all the way to the boat! Tuna will race across the surface in all directions then dive under the boat and put up a real tussle. Enjoy using your light tackle on these amazingly coloured bullets.

The snapper are still biting, albeit inconsistently. The main thing has been to be out there offering well-presented smaller baits most of the time. Even when the feeding switch has been flicked on, be wary of going too big at this time of year, as smaller snacks are what they seem to be interested in.

----- Advertisement -----


The inner areas are responding to soft baits being grubbed along the seafloor (in the likes of the Rangitoto and Motuihe channels) without a great deal of movement, just little blips, but be ready to set the hook on the take. A second 'stinger' hook in the tail is a good idea to avoid bite-offs.

The upper Firth has had a number of kahawai schools venture in, with a few of the big boys, the kingfish, in tow. Whether you're after kingies or kahawai it's great fun either way, and there are plenty of tactics to catch them. Out in the middle ground has been slow most of the time, with more of a slow and steady approach to snapper on the drift out there in 40-45m.

The odd workup has been heartening to observe. They can be fleeting right now out in the middle to Outer Gulf, so be Johnny-on-the-spot – if they are close enough, be there fast, if not, just cruise the area checking your sounder. You should find both bait schools and predators very near-by so stop and drop a kabura with its buoyant skirts and do very little to the rod, very slow movements will get bites. Always have a bigger temptation down there – try a heavier lure with skirts and leave that in the rod holder, something in the 100-200gm range should keep it near the bottom as you drift along with not too much angle of line out the back. A Squidwing is a great example of what works well. Back the drag off a bit, put the clicker on if you wish and get on with other things – let the fish be the judge.

Kingfish still providing thrills for anglers all over. Your best bets have been the normal areas around structure like Anchorite Rock, Flat Rock, Channel Island, Gannet Rock. Try casting topwater lures when you find them, as the kings seem to be into them at the moment.

Have fun no matter what fish species you are after, they are out there waiting for you, and with the heat at the moment – less lawns to mow, so go.

----- Advertisement -----


Espresso

Rate this

Comments

Post a Comment

Required Field

Fishing bite times Fishing bite times

Major Bites

Minor Bites

Major Bites

Minor Bites

Latest Articles

Gear Preparation for Marlin
March 2024

Ben Brown shares his tips and tricks for prepping gear for marlin fishing... Read More >

One-pan Tomato Poached Snapper with Leek Recipe
March 2024

A one-pan tomato poached snapper recipe is shared... Read More >

How Social Media Is Influencing Fishing
March 2024

Social media is changing people's perception of fishing, writes Sam Boothroyd... Read More >

Raymarine Axiom Pro Fishfinder/Chartplotter and Cyclone Radar Review
March 2024

Nick Jones Reviews the Raymarine Axiom Pro Fishfinder/Chartplotter and Cyclone Radar... Read More >

Brent Condon - Fishing Art
March 2024

An artist profile on illustrator Brent Condon... Read More >