The wind hasn’t been kind over the Christmas break.
I finally managed to get out on Friday morning. I love my early missions, so I was very surprised to see a boat in the harbour.
As I paddled out of the Pahurehure inlet, I could hear yelling and yahooing in the distance, curious, I paddled towards the boat, and lo and behold, it was James and Theunis. James just caught a very fat 6+kg snapper. That bloke is a fish whisperer! His work ethic and fishing ability is out of this world!
After a few photos and a brief chat, I made my way further out.
The tide was still in full swing. I anchored and straylined with fresh mullet and was soon greeted with a fat snapper.
Fishing was quiet for me after sunrise, and I soon paddled further out and waited for the tide to go slack. I soon deployed the softbaits and in quick succession hooked up with 4 very nice snapper.
I lost a couple of stonkers beside the kayak. Absolutely gutted!
I’ve been very stingy with my jigheads, and I utilise them to the fullest. But over the last 2-3 trips, it has come back to bite me. I believe the hooks were not at their sharpest, hence the reason why I lost these bigger fish.
That’s my theory anyway…lol.
If you asked me a year ago, “Do softbaits work in the harbour?”, I would’ve slapped you silly and replied, “BITCH, softbaits never work in a harbour!”
But the last year has completely challenged that stance.
I came back with a good feed. I couldn’t catch a Kahawai or Trevally. I did see a couple of big sharks near the terminal which was beautiful to see.
James caught some bloody big fish this morning. And he kept reminding me over the VHF lol…legend.
The sea was like glass. Can’t wait to do it again.



