Back to the Future, so while most of NZ is in lower level lockdown, semi-free, Auckland is still in solitary but the future’s so bright ya gotta wear shades! October is when Spring really starts to kick in out in the local gulf in terms of fishing. The water is still cold at 12c all around the inner areas, and only 13c right out past Kawau, however out further it is on its way up, along with the size and ferocity of workup action. Hopefully the whales will find enough baitfish to feed in the gulf more this summer than last year, part of the ever changing sea life out there. There is a lot of action out of the gulf right at the moment, but for Aucklanders to know about the intense workups going on off the coast between Little Barrier and the Hen and Chicks is a bridge too far, ignorance can be bliss.

Christmas presents for three VIP’s have already been ordered to ensure a few sought after and prized gifts are available. Me, myself and I will be very pleased with our stocking ‘surprizes’! Some amazing new tackle to get excited about and use on the upcoming summer big fishin’ missions. Something this latest lockdown has cemented home is the fact of the ever unknown future, the premium times of being hooked up to a fish, out having a great day’s fishing, creating BBQ stories galore. These epic days of actually fishing are becoming even more precious and therefore should be savoured in every way. Some new ways of enjoying fishing are on the horizon, who knows what’s next in every realm. Nike say it well, Just Do It.

Kayaks – while unfortunately not the proud owner of one myself, the age of the kayak I have been expounding the virtues of has not only begun but is re-igniting the fishing passion amongst so many, and rightly so. Not only do Kayaks excel at fishing within 200m of shore, there are ultra-amazing offshore places to visit once lockdown levels drop – the use of a Mothership to kayak the hallowed grounds of The Mokes, Little Barrier, Great Barrier with the sanctity of a big vessel with sleeping, cooking, transport and friendly banter is hard to beat. Aaron Covacich operating www.bountyhuntercharters.co.nz  runs a purpose made kayak adventure in the gulf’s island paradise for instance. The world of kayaking is so incredibly much more than most think. Add the bonus of being 100% stinky bait free using lures and fishing gear purpose made for this (www.catchfishing.co.nz) can delivery outstanding experiences David Attenborough would be proud of, all literally at our doorstep.

How about a BOAT SHOW? Maybe a bit of virtual and augmented reality, but how good is that when you’re locked down. Club Marine Perth Boat Show 17^th – 19^th September 2021, Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. Thanks @Jade Suzanne and all the best with your launch of Adventure in Nature (AiN).

Feel like Fishing? Join in with the Catch crew aboard Wavedancer for a new day out slow pitchin’ for ….? Check out Tuesday night’s episode and get your fishing fix.

Moon Tide Fishing, Episode 12 | Māori Television (maoritelevision.com)

When we look back, at some stage in the future, it’d be great to think “yeah I did THAT and THIS during lockdown, and look at the result. Perhaps the perfect slow-pitch setup, or a land based longline, or the real deal to target and land the mighty kingfish, or maybe a simple setup for a niece of nephew to start their fishing journey from a wharf. Whatever your heart has been after, do it now, the future hasn’t been written, it’s time to write your own.

For those who wish to enjoy the benefits of fishing bait free – jump onto Catch Fishing Youtube channel and browse to your heart’s content of what can be…all you need to do is do it, now literally is the time. Enjoy.

That unmistakable crackle of an outboard bursting into life, in lockdown the odd audible flirtation around the ‘burbs instantly pricks the ears up – purportedly for the charging of batteries, keeping things ‘ticking over’ (technical term), enjoying the glorious smell of 2 stroke oil being burnt or the deep muffled growl of a 4 stroke however many cylinders. From tiny tinnys to mighty big trailer boats jetskis and all manner of propelled fishing flotation devices – all are poised, impatiently.

Feel the need for some fresh on-demand fishing action?! Well look no further than Moontide Fishing, click and sit back to export yourself there in person, fishing in full force in the Hauraki Gulf, Moon Tide Fishing, Episode 10 | Māori Television (maoritelevision.com)

Never before has there been there more reason to get right into your fishing, whether for food for your family, friends, some great exercise, adventures – all of the above and many more good reasons. All the more important to enjoy the thrills and rewards of actually catching fish (of legal plus size), utilizing the windows of opportunity to be out there getting that rush of excitement as you feel the fish bite…who knows how many more times, for whatever reasons be it viral, work, life in general – but I do have the feeling that making the most of limited times actually fishing is becoming even more precious, bringing home fresh fish.

LIVE on Facebook and Instagram this Sunday (Fathers Day) – join in with Espresso on Catch Fishing for a reveal-all on inchiku, find out the Number 1 technique for better hookups, see what the fish actually see in the jig tank and more….but wait there’s more, a Question and Answer session with Espresso. See you on Sunday at 10:30am for some great fishing discussion, after the weekly Sunday Café on MagicFM radio (08:30).

The local gulf’s water temp is down to 12 and 13c, very brrr in snapper terms, that drop has to have bottomed out and like a good follow through on the golf course we should all be looking forward to what unfolds, it’s spring! Yes spring has arrived, bringing some fierce winds and another time of blustery change. While many snapper will heed the call to come back closer and shallower seeking warmer waters for summer breeding there is plenty of time i.e. we’re in local lockdown anyway so all is on course, patience grasshopper. Boat/ski batteries charged? Trailer wheel bearings not all seized up? Did you actually check your favourite rod’s guides? How’s the last few metres of braid – a bit worn tired or frayed looking, at least cut several metres off, time to start fresh.

Seabirds have been on lockdown effectively due to 100kph+ winds, even gulls struggling to make any headway at all. Make the most of the paradise we live in, and have a great Father’s Day.

Locked and loaded, locked down but not out! Now there is no excuse, time to get organised 100% for having the time of your life again soon, catching fish in familiar and new places along with a few friends faces thoroughly enjoying the chosen genre of fishing. Opportunities knock in different ways, sometimes loud sometimes soft, may as well make use of a few days or more to get organised for a classic fishin’ mission whether the next time permissible, or a summer holiday style coming up.

Watching gannets hound small schools of baitfish dotted along the Auckland North Shore coastline most days this week, out around Rakino, Noises and Tiri area has been an encouraging sight, right up to and after a blaring warning on the cellphone. The sea temperature seems to have toned down its drop and perhaps bottomed out, so fingers crossed for an upwards swing signalling some full-on spring fishing. Although this change usually means the 4 seasons in one day i.e. possibly more crowded house from not being able to go out as much as planned.

Have you seen how to ultra Stealth-Mode rig softbait Double Hook jigheads – Stingaz? There are a few ways you can choose from and adapt to suit where and how you fish, it’s worth knowing and another string to your (fishing) bow. Here’s a quick video on how to do it:

How to rig the Double Hook Stingaz Jigheads for your softbaits. – YouTube

There are other Youtube ‘how-to’ style videos on the Catch Fishing channel (and many more) so have a browse and catch up on those things (big and small) that can make all the difference next time you’re out hunting fish. There is always something to learn, especially in Youtube-land.

More information, ‘how-to’ and technique videos will be produced throughout the year, if you have topics you would like covered, let me know…so thanks in advance for positive input and being part of ever-expanding fishing knowledge. Message or email Grant@catchfishing.co.nz

Have you had a good kingfish catching fix lately? Well Moontide Fishing last

Threading the Needles – Wavedancer on the prowl for those mighty kingfish for the crew at Gt Barrier Island for the Moontide TV show.

week provides, so you can sit back, buckle up and hang on for a ride. Here’s the link when the Moontide Crew went out aboard Wavedancer with Captain Jack Lucas and I to find and catch some of the local gulf’s stunning green-backs, and find them we did! Put yourself right in amongst the action, thrills and spills of these big green machines. All of the action happens within a day-trip of Auckland in a trailer boat, some recognisable spots, some not.

Moon Tide Fishing, Episode 7 | Māori Television (maoritelevision.com)

And yes again this stunning winters morning, sea birds are happily awaiting feeding time casually arriving and sitting around chatting out off the local coastline, binoculars only just required. The white noise of human traffic has dropped noticeably making bird noise clearly audible across the water. The fish will have to wait a little for some human presence, but as with many things, it’ll pass, and we’ll be ready. We live in a wonderful time of choice, how you want to catch fish is the question, not if. Whether you’re into softbaits, slow pitch, micro jigs, jigging, top water, trolling and many more – the real choice is yours. Enjoy.

Wave goodbye to winter doldrums and quash even the idea of putting all things fishing on the back-burner, The Grady White Tairua Boat Show is on next week! Catch Fishing will be there of course, come and see the new Black Label LIVIES in person, the Black Ninjas, the White Warriors and so much more 100% bait-free fishing tackle!

Beautiful boats to pore over, exhibitors with all manner of fishing equipment and enhancement on display too. It’s a great time to walk and talk amongst fellow fisho’s, suss out your next dream boat – maybe turn that dream into reality. 3 days to choose from and such a stunning part of the country for a great day out with the family.

Boats | Tairua Boat Show | New Zealand

Meanwhile…back at headquarters night blasts of 100kph+ winds with power outages, while thundering squalls have been stirring up the sea state inshore and offshore. Long distance land based casting has been a much easier affair with a howling wind over your shoulder. But murky water needs a little helping hand from bright, splashy, flashy, luminous active lures – better to be seen and heard if you’re talking about lure fishing in turbid water. Luminous, chrome and highly coloured jigs and softbaits a great first choice, add in a Catch Tuning Blade to both for extra rattle and hum, a very good option and used with great success to enhance the noticeability of you lure.

How To Fish Inchiku Jigs!

What is an inchiku, and how best to fish them? Easy – have a look at this quick new video on inchiku technique to instantly increase your hookup success.  Click here: How To Fish Inchiku  

Good varieties of fish are out around Little Barrier environs whether softbaiting in and around the big boulders, or out fishing Horn Rock and various smaller pins that lurk around the island. Kingfish, trevally, gurnard, snapper and the odd frost fish too for a bit of fish-bling! When weather allows it’s a great winter fishing destination. Keep an eye on the western side of the gulf, Kawau area for a surge in fishiness, some very good signs are lining up.

How about a grand slam style day or three – browse the Tairua Boat Show and catch a southern bluefin tuna out off the eastern Coromandel coast there or thereabouts? Sounds like a plan to me!

‘Olive’ turtle turned up out west Auckland this week, Mother Nature’s full of surprises: ‘Rare occurrence’: Large turtle washes up on Auckland’s Muriwai Beach (msn.com)

Enjoy these last few weeks of Winter, Spring is but a downwind cast away.

Thunder Full Moon this Saturday, and the day is looking reasonably calm out in the local Hauraki Gulf according to the current wind forecast. 10kts of wind to start with, plenty of tidal flow, so look for some good fishing in the morning on that outgoing tide before the wind and tide swings in the

Sunrise and snapper, what a great combination.

afternoon and that big bright Thunder Moon rises later in the arvo…a good time to already be back home early preparing fresh fish for the family, BBQ’d fish under a full moon kind of evening on the cards? Might be some good squid fishing too, that’d go very well seared on the grill with some fish.

Big Bottle Nose Dolphins have been delighting land dwelling humans around the inner gulf and Waitemata harbour the last few days, right around the edges of Whangaparaoa Peninsula, North Shore Bays and Tamaki Strait hunting lunch, accompanied by a small devoted set of gannets looking for an opportunist meal. So if you see a handful of gannets just circling, check out down below for some big dorsal fins atop even bigger dolphins.

Are there workups in winter? Yes of course! In fact they can be exceptionally intense, those warm blooded mammals just like you and I the dolphins have the same body temp of 36c but they’re in cold water, so they have to feed the need even more, and feeding there has been with good thumping action out in 50m of the gulf particularly the NW side and up further north of the gulf itself too, with several whales spouting off in amongst the rest of the workup crew. Those big beautiful white gannets and more aviators should be in good health judging by the action stations out there. Remember to go BIG with your lures when the winter bite is on (whether fishing workups or otherwise) if you’re after the bigger fish in the vicinity, in fact go huge!, Giant Squidwings, big 7 inch LIVIES softbaits on heavy deep water rigs (Power Pilchard is a goto) like a big 120 or 150gm Beady Eye are winning tickets for big snapper, the Beady Eye has action and attraction i.e. ready to rock!

What about winter fishing softbaits in the shallows? Absolutely! Throw those softbaits down and around. Hunting around mussel farms for instance in the shelter/lee of land (they’re all over the place) can provide some excellent winter snapper and kahawai, even the odd kingfish too. Check the wind direction and you’ll find smooth shelter most days somewhere relatively near land with resident snapper looking for an opportunistic feed on a hapless softbait – try the 5inch Smelt  LIVIES – easy to see even in murky water, and on the menu most days.

Winter fish, the tastiest? One good way to find out – get the right gear on, your fishing gear out, and be out there doing it..
Enjoy.

Espresso.