Snapper Hot Spots.

Daytime air temperatures are soaring with sea temperatures dutifully following suit. That’s good news for our fishin’ missions! Snapper are getting into breeding mode with sea surface temperatures (SSTs) showing some solid 18c water areas. There areas are holding good fish in both numbers and average size.

With the real reason for being in the neighbourhood not to feed but to breed. This means there will be significant time spent seemingly ignoring your temptations to take a bite. That’s O.K., because when the feeding is on, it is really on! The rest of the time when the fish are ‘just saying no’, use a healthy supply of burley if you are anchored and a little patience to bring the fish within casting distance of your bait. Smaller softbait and jigs are the go. Or if drift fishing simply use the stealth-bomber – the genuine Kabura. This lure is now well known for its success rate in the tough times.

 Northern Waiheke and upper Firth of Thames has been good, mainly workup based but the even better news is that snapper are moving in and around so many islands right now, Eastern edges of Kawau, North side of Whangaparoa Peninsula, edges of Noises/Ahaa’s, Happy Jacks – so if there some likely looking reefy/rocky areas near where you like to fish, this is the perfect time to try a micro jig, or soft bait as you drift pass, use the smallest weight you can. Kayaks, small boats, jet-ski’s and landbased, ‘run what ya brung’ the fishing is good, you just need to be out there to catch them.

 Enjoy the lead up to Christmas!

 Espresso.