Local approach the ticket

Love the locals, no matter who and where that may be, because the local approach has been the ticket, whether an enforced option weather-wise or not. The autumn need to feed is on, for fish at least, whether one is considered a baitfish or predator. Local, close-to-shore fishing has been paying good dividends, providing variety as well.

Life’s rollercoaster we’re all on continues whether enjoying it wide-eyed, or squinting at it through barely focussed eyes, perhaps from the recent bright night onslaught of the full moon, solar flares, or heavenly aurora lights. Couple all that with ocean swells and wind direction spinning around, and why not add a King’s Birthday for good measure? Never a dull moment and always arbitrary influences to keep us entertained.

Squid fishing, ultra-light game, and all the way to the other end of the spectrum of big game like massive bluefin tuna off Waihau, are underway, including explosive winter workups with whales of several species (pilot, Brydes, and more) out there in the Gulf among the ever-happy-go-lucky common dolphins. But there are also inshore random surface boil-ups, particularly noticeable along Auckland’s North Shore Bays still, with kahawai the main culprit, rippling the surface into a frenzy, ideal for a quick flick.

Squid are being caught fresh and faster lately, mainly nighttime forays, along with other delicacies of inshore fishing with smaller kahawai and mackerel on the menu for many, exceptionally good for kayakers, tiny tinnies, and landbased with or without a drone of some kind.

Snapper are still perky enough to be taking a softbait or microjig without too much enticement – but shifting more towards change of light fishing out around the channel edges of the inner Gulf/harbours where sand meets bank, means lots of interest, especially with the air and water cooling down quickly now.

Snapper are feeding up with the cooler water temperatures.

Workups are pumping and thumping in, whether not far out from the Noises, to further north closer to Anchorite, and almost Great Barrier way out by the gates left and right – some powerful stuff going on. The cusp is here between autumn feeding to winter wind-down, so make the most of the next week or two, the fishing should be good, very good. Good solid kahawai schools are around the workups – great to grab a few and set up that big smoke-up. Bled and cured/marinated – whether quickly, or for a few days – in the fridge, followed by the mouth-watering aromas and buildup to an evening of smoked fish with family/friends is a social occasion hard to beat.

Social media sends us reminders of our past in a millisecond, reliving exciting enthralling adventures, and reminders of the input and output of our passions. With winter approaching in more ways than one, it’s time to make our new memories, and to be appreciative and not forget the amazing exploits, ventures, people, laughs and good fun. Whether it’s seasons or cycles (business and all kinds), everything has phases. It’s time to take a bow – end of act 1, scene 1,000. Thank you in every respect. With that said, carpe diem, seize the day. Hasta la vista, baby.

Cheers!

Captain Espresso
www.catchfishing.pro