Boat Reports.

The west coast is still producing good numbers of snapper in 20 to 70 metres of water, with people having great success on micro jigs and slow jigs, drifting in the deeper water. Catches include several fish over the 4kg mark along with a few kingfish up to 14 kg. Drift fishing is a great way to fish as you can cover more ground and are actively trying to find the fish.

Tarakihi are really nice and plump at the moment too, with Verns and the southern end of Mana in 30 - 40 metres fishing well. The trevally fishing is awesome too, with nice fish up to 3.5 kg being taken south of Mana and the north end of Kapiti. There are good numbers of kingfish in the harbour at the moment, with there being a lot less Cook Strait sail fish (barracouta) stealing your lovely mackerel live baits. Any of the leading lights are worth putting a live bait out at the crack of dawn. Gurnard, trevally and tarakihi are fishing well too, around Ward Island and Falcon Shoals, with small hooks and oily fish baits having the best results. Pictured is Tom with a lovely 7kg snapper he caught on the west coast.

Shore Report

The west coast is producing good numbers of kahawai and snapper on most of the open beaches. Using long cast reels with 4 – 10 kg mono, or braid reels give you maximum casting distance which can make all the difference. The harbour is still firing on all cylinders with there still being good kingfish taken throughout with Point Howard and the rocky out crops around Eastbourne well worth a shot. Snapper numbers are still good with fish up to 5 kg being taken at Oriental Bay Parade and Point Howard.

The next month can be very exciting as the fish feed very aggressively and are often of better size so make sure you get out there and wet a line.

Also, a warm welcome to all those traveling to Wellington to competing in the NZACA Nationals, hosted by the Upper Hut Cosmopolitan Club, wishing you all a great time with the best of luck.