Grant describes the last three weeks as a bit of stalemate, with sporadic bites interspersed with long periods of inactivity. Change is coming though.

In Grant Bittle’s own words, the last few weeks have been tough. Top angler’s are heros on one day, and zeros the next. Even the gannets appear frustrated, racing from spot to spot chasing dolphins without settling in for a decent feed.

There have been some good work-ups for the observant and the dolphins seem to be the key. 40 to 45 meters has been Grant’s magic depth keeping his focus on the dolphins and the current flow. As they same in the game, “no run, no fun” – if there’s no current flow have a kip until it’s moving again.

Kingfish a highlight

The kingfish have been a highlight with livebaits and topwater working well. Grant’s been using the Catch Squidwings lure to great effect as a topwater lure. The key is to watch for fish action boiling to the surface. Bang this lure on top with a slow sweeping retrieve until a hook-up occurs.

Don’t be fooled into chasing fast moving dolphins

Grant’s observed plenty of boats getting fooled into manically chasing dolphins around when they’d be better served finding a generally active area and drifting. Because the dolphins are feeding on fast moving mackerel, the activity is start, stop and start again 200-metres away. A more successful technique is to get yourself in the zone and patiently drift through, slowly filling the bin with passing snapper. Kaburas are proving particularly effective, as well as slow jigs such as the The Boss.

Temperatures warming

After weeks of westerlies the sea-surface temperatures in the Hauraki Gulf are finally on the rise. Patches of 20° water are finally showing on most SST charts. If the currents are favourable this should give local anglers a chance to target skipjack tuna with trolling lures like the Squidwings.

Grant suggests concentrating on the temperature breaks, where the warmer 20° + water pushes against cooler 18.5° water of the inner Gulf. There’s likely to be anchovies in these areas and plenty of skipjack, kahawai, kingfish and snapper taking advantage.

Summary for the rest of February

Grant sees the potential for February as much better than we have experienced in recent years. They’ll certainly be kingfish and we are likely to see skipjack tuna. The snapper may still be patchy but we should also see good fishing for gurnard and of course John dory on a slowjig like a Flutterbug or even a small livebait if you have one.