Snapper are softening in their voracious bite of late, getting more into breeding mode and less in a bulk-up frame of mind, more snacks if yo
u like. Higher
water temperatures, the time of season and much more all align to some soft bite times out there,
however there are still times of fast feasting alright. Inner areas fished with softbaits have been doing OK, the usual highways and byways aquatic style that is, handy since there’s usually somewhere relatively calm even when the wind speed is making some noise in the local Christmas
trees – pohutukawas in full glorious bloom. Bright coloured softbaits could do extra well over the next few days, lots of murky inner harbour water so give the fish something easier to see and strike in the cloudyness. Out further things are changing as fast as the weather.
Increased kingfish catches have made for some great BBQ banter, unfortunately by the time many kingis are boat-side, sudden erratic behavior and immediate weight loss has been common – sharks are quite happy to feed on fresh kingfish steaks provided on a tether. Flat rock has been performing well over the past week, jigs, rapalas, top water all have had their fun in the sun but the taxman is everywhere. Best of luck avoiding the top tax rate.
All sorts of ‘other’ fish like gurnard, Dory, kahawai, mackerel are all doing what they do in their lead up to Christmas, plenty of these fish around – perhaps time to target something other than snapper?!
The key to coming home with fresh fish (and various forms of delicious seafood) is simply a little more of an open mind right now. 2020 has been a prime example of adapting to external change, fishing success is no different and a whole lot easier!
Typically for instance you’d set up your slow pitch rig the night before a fishin’ mission with say an 80gm favourite lure, so you’re pretty well sorted for some drift fishing out in 30-40m, a good place to be. Awesome. Out there the next day you could however be faced with any number of different opportunities – a huge kahawai school say (jig or troll some for fresh cerviche and smoked fish pie), throw both a top water lure out and a big jig down to target kingfish that’ll be hounding the kahawai for sure. Several hundred metres away after some fun, stop for a casual drift fish for snapper hard on the sea floor with your ‘never fail’ lures. Snapper are breeding and can be extra fickle in their food a lot of the time so throw down very different lures and vary your action massively from erratic and fast rod movements with variations all the way down to zero__. It pays to hold your lure completely still for several seconds just off the sea floor, count to 10, then slowly, slowly wind it from the sea floor up half way…it works with all sorts of lures you wouldn’t think can work this way, mechanical jigs included. Increasing current levels will be helping perk things up out there from a bit of slumber this past week too.
It’s a crazy busy time on land around the Auckland region, mad motorways and the increased hustle and bustle to “get it done” by Christmas imperative for many. What better way to calm the nerves than ensure Santa wishes you a ‘Happy Fishmas’ i.e. under the guise of giving, give yourself a well deserved reward for getting through 2020, prepare for and enjoy some time fishing over the Christmas period whether at your favourite local spot x, or further afield where new adventures begin. Discover some new ways to hook into your prized fish, some new types or style of tackle for yourself perhaps? Getting fishing tackle for family or good fishing mates a bit like giving the famous scorched almonds or box of chocolates – you’re in with a good chance of some for yourself.
That westerly quarter wind drops right off next week, half a chance – crack into some fresh snapper, throw in a battle with kingfish or two and drop a couple of ‘others’ into the fish bin. Sound a plan!? Get into it there’s simply no time like the present.
Enjoy.
Espresso
Browse at your leisure, like fishing should be: www.catchfishing.co.nz
Picture: Another snapper falling to the NEW 45gm Pocket Rocket, tungsten 😉
