All "Quiet" at Orakei Wharf

Post Options Post Options   Likes (2) Likes(2)   Quote Far Quirk Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: All "Quiet" at Orakei Wharf
    Posted: 04 Jan 2020 at 10:19am
Far Quirk View Drop Down
Moderator - Brown Belt
Moderator - Brown Belt
Avatar

Joined: 12 May 2003
Location: Ellerslie
Status: Offline
Points: 3618
Friday 3/1/20  6 - 8pm

Usually a boat fisherman, but sick of being bounced around, wind against or across current, and being showered with spray while moving about.

Last of the outgoing.  Steady 15 to 20 knot SSW.  A group of maybe 10 "bombers" with a boom box jumping off the end of the wharf.  They left before 7.

About 15 fishos struggled manfully, but there was not a lot going on.  The end of the wharf was fully occupied so took up a position on the walkway about 3/4's of the way to the wharf.  Had a plan and Plan A went well.  In about 5 minutes, caught a piper, quite a big one on sabiki.  Hooked it thru the nose and sent it back as a livie.  It swam around happily for about and hour and a half, and came back still alive and softly croaking, as they do.  Plan B was to convert the livie into a john dory or maybe even a king or big snap as a bycatch - FAIL.

Using berley didn't seem to help much.  There were very few sprats around and the ones I saw were what looked like small yellow-eyed mullet.  Kept fishing with the sabiki rig, hoping to trade up to a jack mack, but the single piper was the only sprat landed.

Next to me a guy hooked a parore but lost it as he lifted it out of the water.  Most of the punters went home skunked and cold but were good-humoured about it.  An older guy was just having a look and told me he was puzzled about why the fishing from this wharf was so bad.  He had fished here himself and his only excitement was being spooled by a big eagle ray.  Another guy had recently fished Cornwallis wharf and several days off the rocks at Coromandel (not sure which side) for nix.  Urban legend alert: The only success he had heard of off the hard was a group who caught over 20 snapper in the Viaduct before being booted out.

Theories about why the fishing was so bad last night.  The water was stirred up by the wind, so probably not the best time for livie fishing?  Some of the better fishing is probably among the weedier areas closer to the road.  Last night the water was so murky, you couldn't see the weed, so you could lose gear fishing there.  Many of the fishermen use ledger rigs with squarish chunks of bait that may block the gape of the hook?  Straylines with strip baits may be better?  The Orakei wharf is in fairly shallow water.  Devonport wharf gives access to deeper water and faster currents.

Overall, enjoyed it.  Talking to fisherpeople, whether successful or not, is always a great way to pass the time.  And the 360 degree views are worth going for.
Far Quirk - I'm goin' fishn!
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote mejobloggs Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jan 2022 at 8:35pm
mejobloggs View Drop Down
Bronze
Bronze


Joined: 09 Dec 2021
Status: Offline
Points: 82
I've fished on average every second day for 3 months on Orakei wharf and found it pretty terrible

As you said, lots of people to chat with. I like the social aspect. But man, getting tired of the lack of fish.

I've never seen a John Dory there. Plenty of undersized snapper.

Most common legal size fish caught there from most common to least: snapper, kahawai, gurnard, trevally... And rumours of guys that caught kingfish.

I've seen a few kingfish caught there but never legal.

I think most of the places around Central Auckland require a strong surfcasting rod to cast out into channels with a big sinker.

I think you'd do much better at Orakei Wharf with a decent casting setup, but unfortunately I can't reach the channels with my gear
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote BFIST Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jan 2022 at 10:49pm
BFIST View Drop Down
Gold
Gold
Avatar

Joined: 17 Jul 2002
Location: Auckland
Status: Offline
Points: 882
I've done alright there catching legal pannies right at the start of the wharf about 1/4 of the way down by fishing where it is still weedy and fish the first couple of hours of outgoing tide.

Put a berley in and strayline unweighted baits down the trail. Fresh piper works the best if you can catch some.
Back to Top
Forum Jump
Forum Permissions View Drop Down


This page was generated in 0.368 seconds.

Fishing Reports Visit Reports

Saltwater Fishing Reports
Top of the South Fishing Report - 22/03/24

Tasman and Golden Bay snapper still running hot We are not far away from daylight... Read More >

22 Mar 2024
Saltwater Fishing Reports
Bay of Islands Fishing Report - 22/03/24

Variety is the spice of life On one recent trip, the plan was to spend a... Read More >

22 Mar 2024
Saltwater Fishing Reports
Hauraki Gulf Fishing Report - 22/03/24

Fish where the fish are! Catching fish or just going fishing? I tackle this issue... Read More >

22 Mar 2024
Saltwater Fishing Reports
Inner Hauraki Gulf Fishing Report - 22/03/24

Thoughtful tactics required for better fish Over the course of each year the fishing varies,... Read More >

22 Mar 2024
Fishing bite times Fishing bite times

Major Bites

Minor Bites

Major Bites

Minor Bites