Headed out yesterday afternoon and got just past Rangitoto light house and Kahawai were boiling the water all over the place. The terns were ducking in for a feed so throw out some soft baits with a fast retrieve. This nailled a couple of them and then did a slow troll still with the soft baits which was even more effective. Tried the bottom but no snapper underneath which was about 2pm. Headed out a bit further for a quick cray dive on the slack tide and fished a bit deeper which saw a few snaps in the bin but nothing full on.
Decided to head back to where we started and it was still all go between the light house and A buoy.
This time there were snaps on the bottom in about 13 meters of water. Just about to head in cast out and  about 3 seconds after the soft bait hit the water a full on hit. I thought it was a kahawai at first with it being taken so close to the surface but then then the distinctive thump of a snapper convinced me other wise.
 
This beauty comes in caught on a 5" gulp sapphire shine and 5/8 oz jig head.
 
This was the largest snapper I have caught this close in.
 
First lie detector shot, measured around 68cm.
 
Got to try out my new Christmas present the two sided Berkley scales and it settled around 5.6kg

So get out there, had  Kahawai sashimi, just bleed them and cut out the red meat, especially great with the real Coppers Folly wasabi and kikomam soy sauce. Kahawai cevcihe tonight for an entree, a couple for the smoker and these tasty creatures for a main, very lucky to have all this on our back door step for such a large city.

Great report Capn, thanks for the advise :) - happy hunting !

Was a good day out there alright . .. Just got to do my drive refresher then I try and find some crays . . hint hint 

Nice one Capnnod.

That 12lb'er looks a beauty & in great condition.  Well done.

Shot!

Nice work, kahawai definately nice for raw fish (any style)

Nice work mate

cool man great fish,
yes here we go again!!