Ruakaka race course CJ.... i used to have alot of fun off there... I lived just around the corner... and out between marsden A and B..... if i remmember rightly we used to fish off the refinery side of the intake pipe.... there is allso a gut that runs along there on the outer bank used to be a healthy tuatua bed.. another  is pontoon built next to the log port still good to take the kids too.. but better fishing to be had up under the loading dock @ the refinery.. get some good sized snapper and trevs off there as its a clean steep drop into the channel... further along is mair bank low tide wonder on out and score your self a good feed of pipi and the channel bank is allso easy access.. often when the tide is running KY school at the foot edge often chased by kingy,s...be prepared to be busted off on the concrete pylons allso JD to be caught off the jetty and a plentyfull place to catch bait fish....theres allso a inlet channe on the main beach side  of mairbank which often holds fish ( got a marker in the middle,the refinery is behind as you looking towards breamhead...beautifull peace of country up there..

CanadianJohn wrote: hey folks, i've got a bach for a week mid february at one tree point. its not a fishing trip of course, but if there are any any decent land based spots nearby i will just have to take a rod or three with me.   if anyone can advise whats to be caught and what gear to bring i would appreciate it. and a general area to go to would be helpful. any wharves, jetties, rocks to plant myeself? cheers in advance, john

This may not be what you want to hear CJ, but if you don't take your Mac up there, you will regret it mightily. There's heaps and heaps of excellent fishing within short distances from where you will be. Big kingfish, great snapper ....  suggest you re-write the itinery.

some good fishing to be had a off the banks of the inner harbour allso.  snake bank is a good one

unfortunately i haven't got a vehicle suitable to tow my boat there. but i'll take more then enough fishing gear for some landbased. and maybe i'll get to hook up with a fishing.net member or two!  

Err, I don't think there's too much lime/cement escaping there these days

I'm not sure how feb will be, but i can confirm that ruakaka beach from mair bank down to the race course is firing at the moment, The other day with a bit of swell and an evening high tide managed a 44cm snap and a few others around the min 30's during a good bitetime as the sun was setting, and the following day with very little swell managed a small hammerhead, a small gurnard a few snapper and kaha wai, my mates line got busted off on the shock leader which sugested it got a rub from the sandpaper like side of a big bitie, others on the beach also getting a good feed of snapper. Pleanty of tuatuas in the beds and Lots of good sized paddle crabs about too, we threw out a birdsnest of old line with some bait on the middle on a old cheapo surfcaster and got quiet a few for bait/burly/food. Taking a few should help even up the tuatua to crab ratios out there after people gather tuatuas.

How's it mate. I'd be happy too tee up with you and do a bit of a beach Mish, set a mullet net n slay a few flounder. Lots of action atm. Ya don't need a tank of gas too slay the donkeys, they in real close. Ya just got too know where too look.