Spring BOP Report

Pretty much status quo over the past week with little apparent change.  That is pretty decent fishing but, to balance things out, generally poor weather!  The strong equinox winds continue with a fairly steady diet of westerlies to contend with.  Still, anyone who either times their outing with the odd good day available or toughs it out is being rewarded on most fronts.

Inshore

Much of a muchness as last week.  If any change noted it would be a general increase in the profusion of snapper.  They are available in many areas, depths and bottom terrain just now – and in the full array of sizes!  Plenty of small sub legal fish are being found with some pretty decent sized specimens.  Even the odd pup hapuka landed as additional sweeteners.  Terakihi still there in superior numbers along with gurnard if you choose to ply your sport on the sandy environs all along the beaches. 

Kahawai are omnipresent, popping up just about anywhere.  Now for the surprise catch of the week, taken by an unsuspecting angler in a very ordinary place.  A seven (7) year old angler (sorry, didn’t catch his name) soaking a bait from the Whakatane Yacht Club well up the Whakatane river hooked and landed a spectacular 4 ½ kilo trevally! 

This is the size we commonly associate with White Island waters but seldom see in nearshore waters and never before heard of up a river, Whakatane or otherwise!  Only sad thing, it was certainly a national record but not recognized as such by the boys father.  A meritorious and most unusual catch nevertheless.

Offshore

Again, little effort being expended thus far in the season and nothing in the deepwater stakes.  Close to White Island the kingi and reef fishing is quite consistent.  Not brilliant but well worth being there.  Kingis are cooperating well, on both bait and jigs at this point.  Lots of surface action although that revolves mainly around smaller fish.  Average size in the low to mid teens with the odd fish over 20. 

Auckland work mates Jim Close and Nathan Taylor shared “Whopper of the Week” with matching 22 kilo specimens.  Light tackle fishing in shallow (30-50m) water remains quite productive with the addition of some nice trevally in support of terakihi/red snapper/porae etc.  Water is clean and a pleasing temperature of around 16 degrees C.  No flying fish in attendance yet, most probably at the end of the month.

Ranfurly Bank

No recent reports

Summary

The stop/start nature of this season has been completely weather driven, very spring like.  The odd adage “four seasons in one day” can and has been happening lately.  One day can be in the early 20’s with the next struggling to make doable digits!  And wind – Wow!  Last Saturday we must have had gusts in excess of 60 knots at White.  While our Anchor held firm and all the rode stood the test, the next morning told the tale with a pretzel shaped anchor!  While weather may be an issue, fishing prospects and productivity are not.  Back to you next week………..