Whales ‘everywhere’, but in terms of fantastic fishing as the normal and expected result more akin to ‘water water everywhere but not a drop to drink’? If the whales are simply frolicking around, perhaps feeding on krill-like

morsels and not feeding on baitfish they are a wonder of the world, but for fishing – nothing doing down below! From the outer and more eastern areas of the gulf and down into the Firth of Thames, the surface activity has been prolific, many wonderful sights and sounds with whales, dolphins and various seabirds all into the early summer swing of things. The fishing? Well as per normal, some good and relatively easy times, and some ‘had to work for it’ despite the gulf being ‘alive’.

Chocka-block boat ramps on a gloriously welcome calm Saturday morning with the gulf being enjoyed in so many different ways, kayaks, boats, skis, paddle boards, you name it, the wonderful world of fishing was in full flight, woohoo! Eyes are all on that forecast for the next calm.

Snapper are keen on the inner warm areas for breeding, now right through the summer holiday period. Often surprisingly good fishing is to be had in what I term the ‘cheeky’ areas. Drifting close by the harbour bridge for instance, hearing the odd toot-toot from a slow-moving motorist above, while striking and hooking up on a snapper is priceless, and with using lightweight gear, a 2500-3000 sized reel on a 7ft softbait rod is ideal, with say a smaller 5″ softbait is a good bet. When the tide is running it often provides a lot more interest from snapper, so does casting in all directions working the lure back to the boat, with not too aggressive action can work wonders. Including simply letting the softbait drop close behind and semi-dragging the lure, with smooth lifts of the rod and lure up to impart a bit of life, then allowing the snapper to swim over and such the softbait in tail first, strike time! Good straight rigging and presentation of the softbait gets a lot more attention, and a stealthily rigged twin-hook will hook and land many more fish that simply take a tentative hit at the tail area only, and it’s not just the tiddlers that do this either. It can get busy boat-wise in the Tamaki strait and other high traffic areas (both snapper and boat traffic), so ensure you know the give way rules. And even if you are the stand-on vessel, be vigilant and ready, not all boaties know how to give way and operate safely.

Out further past the north areas of Waiheke and Tiri it’s an open field of discovery, one day an area can provide hot fishing, the next not. A simple and effective way to enjoy the day fishing, especially if you are out to enjoy not just catching fish but time on the water with friends and family, some hot food and refreshments…troll along with a lure out for kahawai, stopping now and then and dropping a Freestyle Kabura particularly if the drift speed is nice and slow. Drop your kabura to the sea floor, one wind up and into the rod holder while you enjoy some lunch? Remember to back the drag off so when a fish strikes and runs (the tiny hooks set themselves) it avoids the almost inevitable broken rod when the fish hooks up and heads straight back under the boat, tip-loading the rod with that telltale sound of snapping and swearing to follow.

Kingfish – don’t forget the mighty green machines out there. Whether you are into jigging, softbaiting, (use the big 10inch versions, big white warriors are the goto at the mo’ 😉) or slow trolling live-baits, kingfish can be found around the edges of most islands and headlands (and not just the North Island), and of course in the areas where workups are on in the local gulf, also where one of their favourite foods, kahawai, are congregating. There will be rippling surface areas, and obvious sounder sign of kahawai schools – fantastic to catch in themselves, but also think kingfish, because they will be there somewhere nearby!

Have a great Christmas and New Year, wherever you plan to enjoy the time, and whatever fishy business you get up to. R ‘n R time I hear. All the best to you, your family in ’24, thank you for your feedback, input, pictures, stories and sharing of fishing knowledge, the lure-fishing seminars have been epic around the country this year again thanks to you and your support, I trust the knowledge shared has been rewarding too.

Time to go fishing…

Cheers