Manukau bar crossing
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: The Briny Bar
Forum Description: The place for general chat on saltwater fishing!
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=126827
Printed Date: 25 Jul 2026 at 6:27am
Topic: Manukau bar crossing
Posted By: Poundtown
Subject: Manukau bar crossing
Date Posted: 10 Jan 2018 at 8:40pm
| Hey guys, experienced fisho but no experience crossing the manukau bar! Whos heading out saturday? Hoping to possibly follow someone out that morning, cheers! |
Replies:
Posted By: Legacy
Date Posted: 10 Jan 2018 at 9:35pm
| I’d think there will be a constant stream of boats crossing the bar from first light onwards if the forecast stays as it is . You’ll have no problems seeing where to go . Coastguard - channel 18 , radio in a bar crossing and call them once you’ve crossed . |
Posted By: Steps
Date Posted: 11 Jan 2018 at 10:11am
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There is a lot more to it than just crossing.. There is knowingf weather, reading swell charts,knowing the tide AT THE BAR, knowing what tide and when to cross each way.. and not to. knowing how wave sets work. not being under powered, know about the washing machine inside the heads, reporting. Before going over, at least find out about these things. The forum search button above will be great help. Head down talk/ join the local boating club at the ramp.. and best of all attend the Coast guard bar crossing coarse. Think of this.. you are heading out with someone, you missthe next low set wave, but follow .. by the time you get further out the big set rolls in in.. the swell is low but big period. beacause of the period the wave climbs up in front... you think you MAY get rolled, turn the boat, wave hits.. your gone. At least head out in your boat with an experienced person at the helm. In saying that, there are many days where outside chop is bigger than the bar... Then there is coming back in, not dropping over the front of the wave, riding on the back.. even that inexperienced, its very easy to get too close to the wave (as it is not always clear where it is from the rear angle... and or be going slower than expected.. from your angle wave looks way smaller "she will be right, ok now" go over .. it is a small wave and it turns the boat sideways and rolls you unexpectedly and/ or you lack the power to do it well. |
Posted By: CrayZfish
Date Posted: 11 Jan 2018 at 10:26am
------------- Why choose either diving or fishing when you can do both. Besides crayfish tail is very good bait!! |
On Saturday AM there will be dozens of boats heading out i am certain. Just wait near the Waitak side of the heads about 500m from the Bar any time after day break and wave someone down. HT is mid morning so you will have no issue with water. This is about as good as the forecast gets with stable conditions for days after. I have a 5m boat and head out when these conditions come up and have never had a problem. Give me a call i am happy to help you out. Will PM you detailsPosted By: Poundtown
Date Posted: 11 Jan 2018 at 10:26am
| Thanks for that steps, much appreciated, ive done multiple bar crossings from tairua and i know thats just a baby compaired to the mighty manukau, ive done lots of homework on her and was hoping to rondezvous with another vessel saturday just to get a good up to date path through the channel. Cheers once again ☺ |
Posted By: Steps
Date Posted: 11 Jan 2018 at 12:03pm
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Post was made on the basis , a fairly new newbie, and for others who also contemplate doing so and come across the thread in the future. I Strongly suggest hooking up with the local boating club, pretty sure every ramp around the Manukau, and port Waikato has a local club. And if down Waiuku/ Clarkes way it is very likely you will get a ride out before getting an escort...great bunch guys down that way. My son had 4 or 5 trips out in his boat, over both bars with experienced guys at the helm of his boat.. they really liked the well powered option on the back. Then his 1st, I was on the boat that day.. Waikato bar nice.. but long periods.. and the 1st of the larger waves of the set came in...was impressive and cool...dropped over the high peak without a big bang... When I expressed my admiration as to his timing.. he simply explained it was no different to going up a wall on a skate board, then timing the brake to momentum and turn to gong back down with a smooth landing at the same angle as the back of the wave. We (my generation)never had skate parks, our skate boards where made out of old skates nailed to a board parks, but could relate to that from my surfing days... pre leg ropes. A larger boat 7m + followed , we saw it turn across in front the 2nd break.. we where already preparing to go back in pick up ppl.. But it had huge power/ acceleration speed, reached the lower part of the wave and over.. that was impressive. I really do wonder just how many failings on bars are due to lack of power when it is really needed... no mater how experienced in crossing, if you dont have a well powered boat and things dont go quite as well as planed, a lack of power to turn quick, get to a better position between waves if need be, quickly and be lined up, will get the boat rolled, or be head of the following wave and manage what is in front. |
Posted By: Joker
Date Posted: 11 Jan 2018 at 6:31pm
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Just make sure that you take the South Channel and follow the boats out. We will be launching Saturday from Little Huia around six - look out for the boat called (surprisingly) Joker and introduce yourself. |