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Northland winter fishing

Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Reel Questions!
Forum Description: Reel answers from a reel expert - Steve at Swordfish Marine
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=128204
Printed Date: 29 Jan 2026 at 7:21pm


Topic: Northland winter fishing
Posted By: Snotrag
Subject: Northland winter fishing
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2018 at 6:40pm
Hi all,

I've always been a summer fisherman and rested during the cold months as down south not much happens. 
But I'm lucky to be heading to doubtless Bay for 3 weeks in July and thought I'd take my little runabout to try my luck. I did some surfcasting a couple weeks ago and caught lots of kahawai. 

So my question is..... 
I want to catch some northland winter snapper. How far out do I need to go? Any tips for launching in Mangonui Harbour and fishing some of the reefs around there? 

Thanks in advance 


Replies:
Posted By: MB
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2018 at 6:50pm
On average, I don't think I catch fewer fish in winter, but they are often harder to find. Just have to work a little harder. You might get lucky with softies in the wash, but I normally find fish in deeper water. 

Posted By: Muppet
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2018 at 7:52pm
Easy mate just get out and enjoy. Throw some softbaits around the shallows near rocks etc you won't go far wrong. Whatuwhiwhi launching and the coastline along from it is a good place to start. Or Hihi on the other side follow the coast. 

Posted By: Snotrag
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2018 at 6:02am
Thanks guys,
 
I note you both suggest soft baits. Never really used soft baits much. Would this be a preferred bait do you think?
 
Would be a lot nicer not having to take real bait on board but not sure if I'd feel right going fishing with no bait on board hahaha.
 
Looking forward to giving it a crack
 
 

Posted By: MB
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2018 at 10:27am
Give soft baiting a go, but I don’t think it is the time of year to get serious about trying new techniques.

Maybe I’m just grumpy because I’ve struggled to get a feed on my last two trips. Catching fish isn’t normally a problem!

Posted By: nzfishwhisperer
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2018 at 2:14pm
Hi Snotrag

Lucky you - there will be plenty of places for you to try in a small boat. I fish up there twice a year over 6 days and been doing it for past 20 odd yrs now.

We do a Oct and Feb trip so a little bit different times of the year but don't think you will not catch fish. Not sure how big your boat is but we've done plenty days in the little 13ft and other times in my big boat and can tell you have done just as good in the little tin.

You can launch out of Monganui and just hang a right and fish along that coast line right up to Burg's point - plenty of reefs along the way as well that hold plenty of reef fish like Blue cod etc. If you launch of Whatuwhiwhi hang a left up towards Knuckle point. We do a lot of fishing just in the Bay as well - drift softbaiting in 10-20mtrs and late evening anchor up with a big burley.

A must is head over to Rangiputa - sometimes the Harbour will hold fish in there this time of year and sometimes huge Trevally, strong currents in there but if you head out to the entrance once at the set of rocks either just drift with bait or Softies or anchor up and burley.

Hope that helps and here's a couple vids from my YouTube fishing channel fishing those places...

My youTube channel - once there just click on Fishing the North https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9nwaLrg19iJ999_fgTyxTQ" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9nwaLrg19iJ999_fgTyxTQ

Couple movies to start with -

Posted By: Snotrag
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2018 at 4:46am
Hey Fishwhisperer
 
Thanks heaps for all the great info and those cool vids. Got me very horny for fishing.
I've just bought a bach in Cable Bay and a wee 12ft fibre glass boat so I'm looking forward to checking out all the the spots you mentioned.
 
I'll post after my trip to let you know how I went.
 
 


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