The Countdown is on!

Hi All

Sorry it has been a while but with so much foul weather late last month and early this month there has not been a lot to report on. We have fished but we have also had to try to find fish out of the weather a bit too. There were a few moments worthy of mention though. Johnny a.k.a. cockroach pulled 3^rd prize in the Snapper section of a local contest with a 5.5kg Snapper from Flat Rock in less than pleasant conditions. He was on board one of our boats 'TEREHU' with new skipper Alan and the boys from Southern Bait in Silverdale. Heaviest fish on the day was just over 6kg.

A big black Stingray gave us a few laughs as it towed MATANGI (15 Ton) around in a circle twice before we could get her to the boat to get the hook out. This ray was huge with an estimated wingspan of about 12 feet! Although not really the target species for the day, the angler was pretty pleased to be able to have got it to the boat and to set it safely free. Other than about 20 Snapper to around 3 kg that was the best we could do for the day in the sloppy conditions.

When we have been able to get out to the back of Kawau, we have done quite well but we have not seen the bigger fish like we did last year and I have also noted the lack of Terahiki. We had quite a good run of these tasty table fish this time last year from some of the deeper foul behind Kawau. Sadly we have not caught any crayfish on the lines this winter either. Could it be the commercial pressure in the area as we are noticing a lot more pots around the reefs this year? Takatu has been fishing well on the edge of the foul and around the weed line but again we haven’t been able to put in a lot of time in this area, due to the persistent wind from the east.

Tiri has provided pretty good shelter from much of the wind but sadly the effort put in has not provided the returns every day. We have had our moments, Alan pulled 73 nice Snapper off one rock in the channel and was home early and I pulled about half as many, a day or so later, from a patch of foul out the back of the island, in 40 metres, on the change of light. They are around but not feeding everyday at the moment.

It will not be long now before we get a run of the bigger male Snapper. These guys move in to the Gulf around the beginning of October and shortly after are followed by the rest of the schools. It can be a very exciting time of year for Snapper fishing as among the schools are big breeding Snapper intent on eating everything they can get their teeth into and being dominant in the schools. All this often happens within minutes of the marina!

The first of the Forum Users Trips this season, an inter boat contest, THE SULTAN OF SNAPPER, is being held around this time and will no doubt be a fish and fun filled day. We will be running a few of these through out the season so keep an eye on the forum to secure your place. There is also another Forum Users trip going on the 27 September as a make up trip for a poor few days away at Great Barrier.

We have 4 boats available this season and professional skippers, who are fisherman, not bus drivers and are results driven. Weekend dates for the season are filling fast so get in now to get into the action. Day trips and evening trips are available on all boats and we can cater for individuals up to groups of 18 –20 for fishing trips and for groups of up to 30 for cruises and drinkies.

We have kept our prices pretty much the same as last year and trips start as low as $40pp for evenings depending on which vessels are used and our day trips start at $50pp!

The countdown is on and if you want to be part of it you had better send us an email or phone for details. Emails to >[email protected] or phone us at 09 4240607 or

025 2446346

What do you call a nun with a washing machine on her head? Sistermatic.

Cheers All

Damian- THE CHARTER CONNECTION- Where fishing is catching!