Hi All, my name is Daz and I'm not new to the forum (and not a prolific poster), but am new to the Manukau. I've spent more than a few hours of lockdown reading this excellent thread and absorbing as much info as I can. I've recently resurrected my Dad's old 12' Parkercraft which has been in storage which we used to use a lot as kids up at the Kaipara South Head lagoon and various inshore spots on the Waitemata back in the 70s and 80s. It's in fantastic nick, water right even though it's the older riveted type. It's powered by a reliable 8hp. Managed to do two trips on the Manakau before lock down launching off Jenkins Bay. Both were very successful with a bin full of pannie snapper both times.

I'm really interested in exploring other parts of the harbour but know the limitations of the tinnie mean that some (outer) parts of the harbour need extreme care.

Once rock fishing off Paratutae Island I observed 3 teenagers in a dingy with small outboard fly past only to realize they were headed towards the bar on the out going. They swung her around and sat stationary in the flow next to the island with the motor WFO. They managed to crab across towards the centre of the mouth to slacker water and slowly make way back up the harbour.

I'm too old and sensible to do anything like that, but would like your advice on things to watch out for on harbour, and how close to the mouth is too close and under what conditions. Looking forward to catching a few and posting a few pics. Roll on Level 2!

Daz

That's good advice. Avaoid the big tides especially. As the tide changes the conditions change significantly if there's any sort of wind. There is a lot of very good fishing in nice and close too which is a bonus

Southerly 17knt gusting 20 according to my preferred forecaster for Sat morning , how do you think the wairopa channel will be in that ?

southerly should come directly down the channel. i would give it a miss, despite being a small tide. gusting 20kt. hmmm.

All good advice !

Forecast looks greatly improved

Steps wrote: Thurs looks like mint bar day.

Yahoo! A harbour report! A modest but nice catch MacSkipper. Fishing shallow?

Did The S.E chop up much. Nice to see some manukau snapper and ,yes ,a gurnard.

15m trying shallow in weekend