Harbour the option for the long weekend

It looks like we should all be doing some home fishing gear clean-up this weekend, owing to that tropical low approaching. On a positive note, we have had a pretty good run of sea conditions so there have been plenty of vessels out doing it. A general mixed bag has been found out wide with some really good bluenose out twenty-plus miles northeast and the Mayor Knolls area southeast of Mayor Island. They have been up to 20kg with no real ‘pup’ sizes at all. The spawning run must be definitely on as the roes are really large and, of course, great in the smoker and then on crackers with a cold ale and some good mates to share the stories.

The Penguin Shoals area seemed a bit quiet for schooling baitfish but there was a heap of sign deeper down and some nice long signals that just may be kingfish. In this regard we were not successful but did have great tarakihi fishing in the 75-80m depths. A mix of golden snapper and smallish pannie snapper added to the catch, so a great day all around and sea conditions were great with just a lazy northeast swell of about a meter.

Water temperature is still at 21 degrees out wide and we sighted a sunfish cruising along just under the surface, so don't give up on a late marlin. As mentioned in previous reports we have had the privilege of catching and releasing marlin up to early May.

The harbour is still going great with trevally being in really good numbers and of reasonable sizes. Snapper also have been really good one day with quite a few fish over 50cm, and the next a real struggle but the trevally have helped the overall catch. Some harbour fishers have still been having a bit of trouble with bronze whaler sharks grabbing their fish, but it seems to have eased off from the Tauranga end and up to Bowentown. However, we are in their domain, so we are the visitors! 

Finally, regarding the Easter Weekend – there could be some pretty big swells and looking like strong winds from the northerly quarter so firstly don't take any risks and remember that there is nothing wrong with a comfortable days fishing in the confines of the harbour.

Happy Easter!

Cheers!

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