Summer is coming and it brings with it some superb fishing!

Fishing on west coast over the Manukau bar at the 60m mark,  there are seriously big snapper in good numbers to be caught with big jigs at anchor. When the weather conditions allow, this has been Captain Cam Allan’s place to be, and rightly so with thumping big snapper filling the fish bin fast. What excitement when all rods are loaded up. Great times!

Out east in the Hauraki Gulf things are spreading out more, here more of a slow and steady wins the race. Inner gulf areas such as northern Noises/Waiheke area are a good place to drift among the bait-schools and steadily pick up pannie snapper on the drift. The mid Firth is also good. It has been a little quieter along the Tiri to Flat Rock line lately, but expect that to change any day. Out wider north of Anchorite and south of Gt Barrier the fishing has been hot for a few days at a time (with or without workups) with several 20lb plus snapper being caught. After a day or two of feeding the snapper tend to take a rest and go off the bite completely.

Inner gulf areas are holding schools of smaller kingfish chasing after baitfish, and while many are undersize they sure do put up an incredible fight on light tackle!

The inner harbour areas are worth a look, use smaller micro jigs or soft baits when the tide runs. The thrill of catching snapper in the shallows is something that we all like, the fish fight right to the boat. They are great to eat or if handled well they can be put back to fight another day.

Enjoy your fishing leading up to Christmas, and may Santa bring you many fishy things!

Espresso.