Inshore Fishing in Autumn

Autumn is one of my favourite seasons. The worst of the summer heat has gone, along with most of the insect pests. The leaves of deciduous trees are colouring and starting to fall, and it is harvest time for all sorts of delicious fruits and vegetables.

Traditionally, autumn can provide some of the best inshore fishing of the year for many popular species. Kingfish have returned to their traditional home grounds after heading offshore to breed around mid-December. They are hungry and feed hard to regain the condition lost by spawning. By autumn these fish are normally in good shape again.

Want to read more?

Unlock this article & all NZ Fishing News Premium content by subscribing for only

$9.99 every 3 months

Subscribe

Latest Premium Articles

Boat Names: The History & How to Choose Yours
November 2026

Sometimes a boat’s name says more than its captain ever will. A name is the first clue to a personality, maybe a whisper of history, a... Read More >

Fishing From the Rocks & the Beach in NZ
October 2026

You don’t necessarily need a boat to access some of New Zealand’s best inshore fishing. In fact, with the price of fuel and the wider cost-of-living... Read More >

Crayfish & Clam Linguine
October 2026

I have always enjoyed putting combinations together that are kind of yin and yang price-wise. It’s a way of serving something special while not blowing the... Read More >

New Zealand Trevally
October 2026

Our New Zealand silver trevally have recently been identified as being a little bit unique to our shores. They are still very much part of the... Read More >

Monster South Island Canal Trout
September 2026

Okay, I agree, some of the Mackenzie Country canal brown and rainbow beasts are grossly overweight and lack attractive symmetry, having tiny bullet heads, barrel-like bodies,... Read More >

Rapala Hydro Tackle Storage System
September 2026

Every angler knows the frustration of opening a tackle bag and seeing a mess. Wet tackle, rusted hooks, or tangled lures slow down your fishing. Whether... Read More >