Fishing heating up

The days are starting to cool, but the fishing is just starting to heat up again. Last time I checked in with you, the fishing had been very quiet on all fronts, with the gamefish congregating down-country and the inshore fish moving to deeper waters. But I am happy to announce that it seems like fish are starting to move back in.

The annual Snapper Bonanza recently took place off the famed 90-Mile Beach, with local fisherman Rory Collings taking out top honors with a 6.62kg snapper and taking home $30,000.00. Impressive work, Rory. 

Calvin Fourie and his fellow Shimano NZ workmates/teammates decided to get amongst the action and came in at an impressive 11th place out of 1,200 anglers. The team gave it their all and mentioned that the new Shimano Surf Leader rods combined with Ultegra 14000XSE reels were instrumental in getting their baits where they needed to be, separating them from the crowds, and helping them secure some very nice fish in what were some very challenging conditions.

On the East Coast, the inshore fishing has been peculiar with schools of yellowfin tuna moving into Doubtless Bay. Brooke from Taipa Tackle managed to catch some footage of large schools of tuna chasing baitfish within hundreds of metres of the beach. She mentioned that the tuna have been taking softbaits from fishermen trying to target snapper and trevally. What a buzz it must be hooking these fish on light tackle!

Calvin Fourie from Shimano NZ with a fine snapper taken during the recent 90-Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza.

Out wide, the fishing has been steady, but I have a feeling the best of the season is yet to come. Out east, the sword bite has been consistent with many crews mentioning success from Whangaroa through to the Three Kings. Pelagic Charters boat Te Ariki Nui recently managed to secure what is one of the most prestigious achievements in gamefishing with a grand slam. A grand slam consists of catching three different species of billfish in the space of 24 hours. Skipper Ethan Bryant managed to put his crew onto a beauty blue marlin on their way to the Three Kings. Later on, the team decided to deploy some baits over the King Bank as the sun went down and were rewarded with a swordfish. With the night being young, they thought they would make the most of the stunning conditions and put out another bait which, to their surprise, was taken by a striped marlin! Awesome achievement team Te Ariki Nui – let's hope those fish move south!

This brings me to the end of this month's report. Don’t let the short days deter you from getting out there and giving it a go. This snap of colder weather usually means that fish you encounter will generally be bigger and angrier than their summer counterparts.

Tight lines everyone.

Jordan Hensen