Trevally moving in, snapper heading out

As the temperatures continue to chill down, so too does the water temperature, and unfortunately the snapper that have been in Tasman and Golden Bay are now moving to deeper waters.

We have been provided with some amazing weather over the last couple of weeks and hopefully it is a sign of things to come this winter. Unfortunately, I have been too busy with work to get out, so I am living my adventures through others at the moment but trying to keep my finger on the pulse of what is happening out there.

Reports from this week have shown there are still a few snapper out in 40 metres, but it is slim pickings. The huge schools of fish that were out there on the sounder two weeks ago are no longer there and it is a certain sign that the fish are tracking north.

Good-sized gurnard are still being caught, but it does not take long for a lot of kahawai and barracouta to find you if you are anchored in a spot, providing a point of attraction.

Some good-sized gurnard are still here for the taking.

However, the fish moving deeper is not a bad thing either, as this time of the year the fishing at the top of D’Urville is amazing. Calm days with no sea breeze can often result in days on the water you will remember for a long time.

There have been some really nice snapper caught along the western side of D’Urville over the last week, and it is great to see these nice-conditioned fish in good numbers by all accounts.

Some large schools of trevally have been reported at the top of D’Urville too, which is good to see. Normally we have large schools of kahawai this time of year up there, but it’s very exciting to see that the trevally are now starting to show up as well.

Kingfish are in fantastic condition at the moment and there have been some good fish caught. It is great to see a lot of these fish being released, but everyone needs to respect the power of these fish and use suitable gear that is appropriate to land them. That way it gives you the best opportunity to land them, take the jig or lure out and send them on their way again. I am hearing a few stories of people getting busted off by the kingfish on the reef which is not good, as leaving a lure with nylon and braid attached certainly does not help with their survival.

I am up at the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show this week and looking forward to that. I will be on the Senator Boats stand for Friday and Saturday so if you are there come and say gidday.

Cheers!

Dan Govier 

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