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Hapuka hawkes bay

Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Newbies Corner
Forum Description: If you're new to fishing this is the place to ask any questions about getting started ...
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=138703
Printed Date: 28 Jan 2026 at 6:37am


Topic: Hapuka hawkes bay
Posted By: Fletcherj1
Subject: Hapuka hawkes bay
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2024 at 7:58pm
Hi there,
I have lived in the hawkes bay for a couple of years now and had a small boat for a bit and done a lot of fishing in close for snapper, gurnard, kingfish etc. I have just purchased a 5.7m marco boat and want to head out a bit wider in search of hapuka, blue nose etc. I was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction on where to start looking for them? Not asking for marks, (all though that would be awesome if someone had a couple to share haha) but just a general direction, depth or area would be a great help for me to go and start hunting for some spots, it will definitely save a lot of time and petrol. I understand I will have to really pick my days and watch the weather closely in a boat this size if I want to go out targeting these fish as well.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Fletcher


Replies:
Posted By: Alan L
Date Posted: 02 Aug 2024 at 2:18pm
Where are you based? Napier?
The problem with these fish these days is you have to go wide - some decent distance. And Npr is fairly shallow bottomed.
I don't fish Npr these days - but there was a spot called the oil cap - or similar. Was an old drilling site. About half way across to Mahia from memory. Other than that there are some banks far out - Lachlan I think. But at a guess 60+k. 
Might be worth trying to get some marks for the oil cap. And some intel if it still holds any fish. Ask at some of the boating shops, and maybe tackle shops and you should finally get the answers.
I am furtther south and we have to go 40k out now. Used to be able to get them (puka) in 70m. All gone. Scooped up.
Alan


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Legasea Legend member

Posted By: Fletcherj1
Date Posted: 02 Aug 2024 at 10:51pm
Thanks for the advice mate. Yea I am in napier and fairly new to fishing here. I moved up from kaikoura where you only have to go a few km off shore to get puka/bluenose/rays bream etc. It's a lot different fishing here but I enjoy it.

Posted By: Alan L
Date Posted: 03 Aug 2024 at 8:06am
Definitely different for deep water fish off Napier compared to Kaikoura.
But some of the tackle shops should be pretty helpful - H&F - the Woolhouse boys should be able to help you and the boat shop you may frequent could be helpful too.
Just a long time since I fished off napier. And never ventured wide - because of the boat I had at the time.
But then, if you gear up - you have a chance of gamefishing on your doorstep - something you don't get in kaikoura. Not usually a gamefish hotspot - but last summer was nuts. Must have been over 100 marlin caught on your doorstep.
Regards
Alan


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Legasea Legend member


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