Many a local story of game fish right in close.. even small ones seen just outside the Waikato bar... Waikato in a small dingy on a flat day.. which today is and last monday cross quite safely... We followed a open stabi about 4m out last monday..

Crossing in and out.. trying top put into something ppl can relate to...A westcoast swell 1.5 m or less (only time I go)

Sitting west of No2 marker end of papakura, Manukau harbour, slack tide no wind and swell off the coast about 2/ 2.5 m....and the remains of that swell inside the harbour...or on a real granny day, so flat can stop and drop a line.

Then add to that from call to CG about 1 mile inside the bar to call well past start of about  3/4 mile and total distance across would push to be 1/4 to 1/3 mile.

 So yeah small 'dingy' boat granny bar day, game fish not uncommon in close, solo... very do able.

 Edit: checked distances on navionics , and significantly less than my guestimate