Headed for a week’s RnR in the Far North with some mates.  Based out of Whatuwhiwhi then headed down to Toots.  The daily ritual of checking forecasts prior to departure looked positive – that was until a day out when it turned to 30knot NE winds and NE swells for the week, with rain, rain, followed by more rain… oh joy

Chances were I was gonna get wet, so why not on the kayak?  First mission was a 7k paddle north of Brodies.  Lovely area, the building swells a bit off putting.  Parked up the yak above the water line on the beach and snooped north, stuffing up a nice snapper on the first outcrop 10m from shore.  Ever had the feeling some snapper follow you?  The cheeky blighter turned up 100m ahead drifting tantalising out of range.   Headed south, kayak in tow, to Brodies.  The weed lines were silted up and opted to pull the pin and paddle home before it got really nasty.  No crays found over the days up north – probably hugging rocks in the deep to avoid the swell.  Fortunately packed heaps of bbq meat to avoid (most of) the scorn from Jappie mates back at the bach

Took an off day and drove up 90 mile beach in a mate’s Range Rover, as you do.  Stopped to chat to guys working tractors in the surf around Te Wakatehaua island collecting seaweed covered in mussel spat.  Apparently it is a multi-million dollar business, with the players all fighting to bring in the “weed” only found there and exported from Northland to mussel farms around the country.  Cool guys – real Country Calendar moment

Up to the dunes at the top of 90, Cape Reinga lighthouse jealously eyeing up Motuopao island, then stopped for a beer at the Houhoura pub.  Have a look see here if you haven’t (go during the day to avoid running into the public).  They have a range of snapper from 25 to 33 pounds on the wall, oh – and a 1m great white shark from a mother caught up in North Cape back in the day.  Black and white photos from “back in the day”, old school

Day three – Matai Bay.  NE swell sweeping in at both ends, opted to paddle to the Southern.  Kingfish tail spotted in the white water and had to settle for a kahawai from the healthy schools and a few butters for the family.  Only baby snapper spotted on butterfish guts.  Yucky day.   The swell closed out the remaining days on either side of the front of the coast.  Headed south to Toots for the weekend.  Managed a few shore/kayak dives.  Put the neck out ducking under the first big set.  Spotted about three panny snapper in the very shallows tucked out of the way of the surf.  Apart from schools of healthy kahawai on the points – dead as a door nail – crays quiet here also.  Can’t win em all

On the upside, found a mean cray hole, or maybe more a cray complex, it had a swim through and multiple arms.