Storms and sudden calm weather…believe it or not, have been great for fishing.

Inner Waitemata areas are firing on their day, like the Motuhie channel and downtown area but not every day all day. However mornings have been good, soft baits are doing well. You don’t have to go far to find some substantial snapper. The old addage ‘fish your feet’ certainly rings true.

Marlin fever has hit many, some gaining the antidote, or fix, quickly. Taranaki for instance is off with a hiss and a roar! Yellow fin tuna are also being boated – sprinkling themselves around the North Island.

Kingfish have been playing the game out along the southern side of Great Barrier. Lots of them but also closer in along north Waiheke and of East Tiri around the baitschools there in 40m. Even Shearers rock at times – along with a bronze whaler maintaining its local tax regime.

Skipjack in limited numbers are now around in the gulf, and down into the Firth of Thames too! Trolling lures often works well (and you can scan the sea floor for snapper schools on your sounder at the same time). However they’re also great fun using other techniques like micro jigging and soft baits. The lighter the tackle the more fun they can be! And kahawai and kingfish are a great ‘by-catch’.

All in all January has been an excellent month for most styles of fishing and species targeted, there’s room for improvement in the marlin stakes. However snapper kingfish and now skipjack are providing regular quality fishing days for most. 

From tiny tinnies in close, kayaks, trailer boats, yachts,  and even land-based – the list of ways to catch fish is a long and enjoyable one, much like the typical NZ summer days we’re experiencing.

Enjoy your fishing, ‘tis the time to be doing it.

Cheers,

Espresso.

 

Catch Fishing / Wave Dancer / Extreme Boats / Honda Marine New Zealand / Furuno New Zealand / Savwinch Drum Winches / Isuzu Utes New Zealand Ltd