Expect good things to come with the fish coming in closer.  Every day that goes by brings better and better fishing inshore.

Further out, whales always impress in every way with their displays on the right days out in the Hauraki Gulf. Not just with visual displays, but consequently providing fishing extraordinaire for us humans as a result (when they are on baitfish, not krill). Dolphins always seem so happy to see you too, a treat that never gets old. Some of the very large Bottle Nose dolphins have been right in close to various shorelines lately, always drawing an enthralled human audience. Easterlies and the warm water currents mean offshore tuna and marlin are edging nearer. The marlin itch starting to form a rash with many anglers all misty eyed looking at new season’s marlin lures adorning shop walls.

Workups with all and sundry in amongst the action have been on in 35m. Those solid workups ignited by the best in the business dolphins and whales, with gannets raining down heavily. Much the same as some of the onshore H2O bucketing down in various parts of NZ this week. Whangaparaoa bay has also seen some good snapper fishing with or without workups.

‘Couta are only just still making their unwelcome presence known here and there, however they are heading away. 17.5°C Sea Surface Temperature (SST) over many patches of the Hauraki Gulf now. Upwards it will continue to rise as the easterly flow continues to bring more good fishing.

Looking for better fishing action during the sometimes long ‘no bite’ times?

Try using the excellent and always available skills of Rod Holder himself. Out in 15m or more, simply drift along. Particularly with a lure that has a skirt to flick or waft around a bit. The motion of the boat and rod gently moves the lure up and down in a very tantalising way right in the front of the face of bottom feeding snapper. Try just one turn up from the sea floor, two no more. Make sure that with swell the lure doesn’t continually hit the sea floor, gently bobbing along 1m above it is perfect. Adjust the weight of the lure so that as you drift it stays roughly at that same depth only gradually heading out behind the boat. Consequently only every so often you’ll need to let some more line out to get the lure back down to near the sea floor.

Big 150gm Kabura’s are perfect for this technique. It’s definitely worth putting out one or two more lure styles like an Inchuku (Beta Bug). Or even a hybrid like the Squidwing – which will look like a lone, injured and easily eaten squid to any fish in the vicinity. Many times Rod Holder out-fishes the hands-on approach, particularly when there’s minimal to nil bite.

Kayakers have been doing very well lately. Able to simply drive to where some calm (enough) sea is, sheltering from most of the wind and cleaning up on big fish in shallow water. Impressive stuff.

Summertime and Christmas looms, fortunately there are plenty of new ideas. New tackle and various fish catching gear and upgrades for us all to enjoy whether giving or receiving. Isn’t buying your own presents the best of both worlds, a win-win?

Now’s a good time to get all your gear sorted, boat serviced and everything ready for you to make some memorable fishing adventures. Summer will arrive, ready or not.

Enjoy.

Espresso.