Fishing NOW please help - Auckland

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    Posted: 29 Aug 2024 at 5:07pm
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Hi guys.
I'm trying to find the best spot to fish in Auckland or nearby right now with the best chance of catching a fish, considering my limited equipment and knowledge please.

I have access to a kayak, a 9ft rock rod, two 7ft softbaiting rods, baits, lures, softbaits etc.

Where do I go for a good chance of catching a fish during this time of the year please? Don't care too much about the fish as long as it's decent eating.

Thanks.

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Post Options Post Options   Likes (3) Likes(3)   Quote smudge Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Aug 2024 at 8:19pm
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IMO August & September are difficult months for fishing, especially shore based around Auckland. Whatipu on the north head of the Manukau Harbour may produce a kahawai or two on a straylined pilchard from off of Paratutae Island. Use no weight. A smaller bait may well get you some smaller kahawai which are great eating. Piper and Jack mackerel are great table fish and although small are relatively accessible. Squid at night off Orakei wharf by Kelly Tarltons and the whole waterfront could work well at night under a full moon. It's going to take some effort to learn  any of this so don't set your sights too high. Surface berley will help
Best gurnard fisherman in my street
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Midnight Angler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Aug 2024 at 6:46am
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Hi, thanks very much for your advice. That sounds like a plan. I’ve heard the rocks on the west coast can be a little dodgy. How’s the surfcasting at either whatipu or Muriwai during these months?

Thanks again, your advice is much appreciated.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (1) Likes(1)   Quote MB Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Aug 2024 at 10:43am
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Getting out on that kayak will increase your catch rate significantly. I used to launch off Mission Bay/Kohimarama and caught a lot of fish around Bean Rock on softbaits. A few softbaiting tutorials on YouTube will get you going. Wear a PFD, at the very least have a phone in a waterproof pouch (VHF radio better) and watch out for ferries! 
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Midnight Angler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Aug 2024 at 3:47pm
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Thanks MB, is kayaking alone pretty safe if I bring locator beacon, life jacket obviously, etc?

And do u anchor or use one of those drift anchors?

Cheers mate
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (1) Likes(1)   Quote MB Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Aug 2024 at 4:45pm
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I regularly kayak fished alone for 7 years and only had one incident. Better to fish with others if you can though. A PLB is a good idea. I nearly always fished on the drift with a drift anchor. It's safer than anchoring and you cover more ground which is better for softbaiting. 

Some old photos from Bean Rock...


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Post Options Post Options   Likes (1) Likes(1)   Quote smudge Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Aug 2024 at 7:03pm
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Bean Rock is a gem. I've had some great small boat fishing experiences there many years ago.

Whatipu should produce kahawai this time of year. Dangerous on the south side of Paratutae in a big swell. Safe on the eastern side in most conditions but don't use a sinker. And you will struggle to find fishing space
Best gurnard fisherman in my street
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Midnight Angler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Aug 2024 at 10:23pm
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Mean photos, thanks for the help MB. Definitely something I’m looking to try in the near future.

Cheers.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Midnight Angler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Aug 2024 at 10:25pm
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Awesome, thanks again Smudge.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (1) Likes(1)   Quote rowboat bob Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Aug 2024 at 11:41am
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With your Kayak , I reckon off the East Coast Bays is far safer than Bean Rock . A lot less boat traffic and ferry wake etc. Also check out the YAK threads on this site. They do pretty well on Snapper and Gurnard at this time of year off there in 10 to 15m depth. 
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote BananaBoat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Sep 2024 at 5:01pm
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Originally posted by MB MB wrote:

I used to launch off Mission Bay/Kohimarama and caught a lot of fish around Bean Rock on softbaits

I regularly kayak fished alone for 7 years

Curious to know, would the lighthouse area from July - Sept be worth putting time into to learn it or are they gone over winter
Only fished it once years ago end of May & did really well, never been back since... paddle out from Tamaki yacht club

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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Pcj Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Sep 2024 at 5:15pm
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Originally posted by BananaBoat BananaBoat wrote:

Originally posted by MB MB wrote:

I used to launch off Mission Bay/Kohimarama and caught a lot of fish around Bean Rock on softbaits

I regularly kayak fished alone for 7 years

Curious to know, would the lighthouse area from July - Sept be worth putting time into to learn it or are they gone over winter
Only fished it once years ago end of May & did really well, never been back since... paddle out from Tamaki yacht club

My understanding best time is when tide/wind is same direction,so burley/baits can get back in to structure.According to Bruce Duncans book page 60/61. I have only fished ref off St Helliers in winter and found good gurnard in winter,not plentiful but a feed. Seems patience is the key.
"Times up"
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote MB Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Sep 2024 at 10:30pm
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Originally posted by BananaBoat BananaBoat wrote:

[QUOTE=MB]Curious to know, would the lighthouse area from July - Sept be worth putting time into to learn it or are they gone over winter Only fished it once years ago end of May & did really well, never been back since... paddle out from Tamaki yacht club

I fished there all year round and caught fish. Definitely a bit harder in the coldest months, but usually got something even if it was just kahawai. 
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote smudge Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Sep 2024 at 6:09am
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Originally posted by smudge smudge wrote:

IMO August & September are difficult months for fishing, especially shore based around Auckland. Whatipu on the north head of the Manukau Harbour may produce a kahawai or two on a straylined pilchard from off of Paratutae Island. Use no weight. A smaller bait may well get you some smaller kahawai which are great eating. Piper and Jack mackerel are great table fish and although small are relatively accessible. Squid at night off Orakei wharf by Kelly Tarltons and the whole waterfront could work well at night under a full moon. It's going to take some effort to learn  any of this so don't set your sights too high. Surface berley will help

Crikey! I missed the kayak part of your post sorry midnight Angler. Paratutae is no place to be. I'd be seeking safer waters than the Manukau has to offer unless you're an experienced kayaker. 
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote betterthanwork Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Sep 2024 at 2:49pm
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We had fantastic fishing around Rangi lighthouse from May this year. incoming tide in the shallows with berley and dead baits. I couldn't believe quite how good it was.


Originally posted by Pcj Pcj wrote:

Originally posted by BananaBoat BananaBoat wrote:

Originally posted by MB MB wrote:

I used to launch off Mission Bay/Kohimarama and caught a lot of fish around Bean Rock on softbaits

I regularly kayak fished alone for 7 years

Curious to know, would the lighthouse area from July - Sept be worth putting time into to learn it or are they gone over winter
Only fished it once years ago end of May & did really well, never been back since... paddle out from Tamaki yacht club

My understanding best time is when tide/wind is same direction,so burley/baits can get back in to structure.According to Bruce Duncans book page 60/61. I have only fished ref off St Helliers in winter and found good gurnard in winter,not plentiful but a feed. Seems patience is the key.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote BananaBoat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Sep 2024 at 7:39pm
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Originally posted by betterthanwork betterthanwork wrote:

We had fantastic fishing around Rangi lighthouse from May this year. incoming tide in the shallows with berley and dead baits. I couldn't believe quite how good it was
thanks mate, that's good to know about Rangi light, will suss it out
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