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Makarau River,Kaipara

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=77821
Printed Date: 07 Jun 2026 at 3:31pm


Topic: Makarau River,Kaipara
Posted By: Redfinger
Subject: Makarau River,Kaipara
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2012 at 12:17pm
I remember a few years ago you could launch a small tinny off Jordan Rd, Kaukapakapa into Makarau river (actually a creek then into makarau then Kaipara).
Is this still ok for a 14 foot tinny over the top 2 hours of the tide?
Thinking of giving it a go this weekend.


Replies:
Posted By: of2fsh
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2012 at 12:39pm
yes,watch out on the left hand side when you exit the small creek into the makarau river as the oysters have taken up residence,go strait over to the oposite side of the river,they are only on the bend so once on the strait you will be in the clear..should be good snapper fishing in the channel from the 1st green marker out to the junction with the main channel (not shure if the last green marker is still there )   spent alot of time fishing that area with nets and lines

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2009 and 2010 BERKLEY SOFTBAIT COMP CHAMPS,Runner up 2013 ( solo),winner 2013/14 longest kingfish nz fishing competition

Posted By: Redfinger
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2012 at 1:21pm
Thanks of2fsh, great info.
Decision this weekend whether there or if wind stays down worm beds for me.

Posted By: of2fsh
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2012 at 1:49pm
Would be good to take some gulp crabs down the river and throw them unweighted for some mullet,when u go down the river on the last left hand cnr ( on outside of cnr) there's a farm outlet pipe in a wee cove,the big mullet feed in there on the incoming tide!we used to catch the on the fly rod which was fun,also had snapper right up there?..grew up on the farm opposite the boat ramp and right down around the edge of the harbour,good fishing at times

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2009 and 2010 BERKLEY SOFTBAIT COMP CHAMPS,Runner up 2013 ( solo),winner 2013/14 longest kingfish nz fishing competition

Posted By: Redfinger
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2012 at 2:40pm
Used to catch a few pannies where the river joined the Harbour - was pretty easy fishing but teh fish were not huge. Must have been a fantastic spot to grow up.
I/ve got a mate who lives up in the hills near Makarou headwaters sort of thing. He nets mullet way up there.
Yeah, was going to try the soft baits on the drift along with the traditional fall back to anchor,berley, mullet bait etc.

Posted By: Bushpig
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2012 at 5:08pm
Would go down it on the 5th of May if I was you

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I would rather laugh with the Sinners, than cry with the Saints

Posted By: sappercatcha
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2012 at 9:54pm
never launched there myself but a close Friend of mine dose he said 18ft longest you can lunch there

Posted By: H2O_dependant
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2012 at 6:34am
have not launched there this year - but used to launch the 16ft stabi there last year (now sold). two hours either side of high tide it all good - from about half tide up you can still get up but tend to find you hit the bottom in places with outboard down where river widens into Kaipara and also the ramp itself becomes a trudge through sludge. Great place to sneak out of for 3 - 4 hours fishing and scallop dredging (out of season though now for scallops).


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