Who out there has left from Mangwhai Heads ? I want to use this as my lunching point for the Hen & Chicks. Anything I need to know or watch out for ?

Cheers

Bushie

Hey bushie, She's a nice little ramp with a good angle, all tide and very shelted. The parkings average but safe and  she's about 2 lanes wide easy.

The eastury requires a bit of navigating but should be no hassle. .

Bushpig

I have been out through the Mangawai Heads a couple of times in my boat. Good lanching ramp & parking. Just before you cross the bar there is a rock on the left hand side, very narrow entrance, easterly swells can make it fun. South westerly winds are the go. As far as bars go i would call it easy.

 I would be keen to take my boat out when you guy's are going out too.

Maybe we could have the Hen & Chick's Champion Trophy or something.

Dio

If the swell over 1.5meters better to launch at One Tree Point. You have the advantage of fishing right up to Whangarei Heads even in decent Northerly conditions.

Mangawhai Heads is relatively safe and navigatable at all tides. You do have to go close to rocks when travelling thru bar.

Russ

Have been going to Mangawhai since year dot and have seen many changes to the estuary/bar. Unfortunately have also witnessed deaths on the bar which came down to lack of knowledge by boaties who thought they knew best. The bar at Mangawhai can be crossed up to 2.5 meters by a smallish tinnie (15ft with min 40hp) and if you keep as close to Head Rock as you can you shouldn't have a problem providing you pick your moment and don't hesitate whilst on your way - the cause of most accidents. If in doubt, mow the lawn! When big, the bar closes out and the speed in which the waves jack up can be deceptively fast.

Mostly however, its a cake walk and once you have got out the hardest part is over as coming in is a sinch - simply stay on the back of a set wave and before you know it your in the estuary. Always wear life jackets going over the bar as in some instances its the wave you least expect will give you the most trouble.

Cheers Guys

Bushie

HI Bushpig and all

 Mangwhai Heads has to be one of the best launching spots that I have ever used. Before their I used to go via Ruakaka River But only 2 hours aside of High tides. Tried Mangwhai after a lot of talking with locals Their views ranged from its a very bad bar to no bar at all as they have had it cleared.     But on trying found it perfect for my situation and since the new ramp better. All tides and as Jerm put it, stay close to the head rock {Sentinel Rock} I aim for about 10 mtrs out. The channel is quite wide. 

I heard of problems with boats coming back in from south of the bar and following the shore line and turning in early. Their is a sand bar that comes out from the other side with a blind channel, 

Try it and we might spot each other out their. Maybe we should have a Fishing.net flag or something so we all can be seen to each other. 

Cheers <SCRIPT language=javascript>postamble();

hi guys, I would be keen to have someone to follow, for my first time out of Mangawai, you can't beat local knowledge.

have been going up that way for years and always used one tree point ramp but its a long way to Sail rock from this ramp. great winter fishery so close to Auckland.

Tonto

Hi Tonto.

Let me know next time your going to head out and if alls well Ill go out that day as well, I can fish most days but only if the weather is GOOD.  It takes about 10 minutes to get to Sail Rock on a nice day,

Cheers 

Tonto, Cbmack,

let me know as well and I will try and join you guys

Bushpig

Bushy, cbmack and jerm, sounds like a plan, how does that date suit everyone??

Sounds good to me, But at this stage Sunday is out.

Jerm are you staying out or returning each day.

My boats a Red Mack I fish between Bream tail and Sail Rock. If alls good I hope to see some of you down their.

Cheers

Sounds good to me.

Kerren, Dino, Blind Boy (read camp mother) you up to bee the crew ?

Bushie

Crew member ready for lift off.

Dino

Seen the largest school of snapper at Head Rock Mangawai I have ever seen. We were spearing and I yelled out to a mate 30 meters away that I had a wall of snapper going past and he said he could see them as well. This was in about 3-4 meters of water.

Sure it was 10 years ago but the fish went from small to 8kg or more and no they stayed just out of range.

Head rock a good spot for j.d's ,Trevs and the odd KIngy. Probaby best early or late.

Russ

Head out early on the Saturday morning and fish McGregor rock. Then head across to Sail rock and maybe try Taranga island

Bushie