A holiday weekend of fishing dead-ahead! Fringe fishing has been the go, around the edges of the gulf has been the place to be catching fish and likely to co
ntinue with water temps, baitfish, breeding and feeding all ‘ON’ very near shorelines, at times.
The eastern edge of the gulf – over Coromandel side has had it’s fair share of thumping gannets and bedlam underneath the last couple of days, with fewer more spread out ‘flash-mob’ style over the western side, the Tiri to Kawau line in particular. This northern Tiri area also has a lot of bait which extends around the edges of the Whangaparaoa peninsula. Kahawai small, medium and large are in good numbers southern side of the Peninsula and have been feeding there for several days, particularly in the afternoons. Upper areas of the Waitemata are a great place to target snapper at the moment, they are there and keen on little softbaits and microjigs – easy enough whether you’re a kayaker, in a tiny tinny or a trailer boat – these inner areas are the place to target. And while not traditionally the best time, midday can be surprisingly productive at times, so not always is a dawn or dusk raid required, good news for some over the long weekend sleep-in requirements.
Skipjack are showing signs out further – but they like all fish can be all-on, or seemingly vanished – but when they are on, wow what a thrill whether micro jigging or trolling Lil’ Squidwings @ 5-6kts.
Kingfish – yes! Flat Rock has them but there are a lot of sharks to contend with, out further – Anchorite, 5 mile, Channel Island definitely try some top water when they are on the bite – wow, adrenaline filled sight fishing is hard to beat! Easy to use, highly effective stick baits raise the fish like the Zingaz that range from just 20gms(!) to 120gm (Zingaz – Catch Fishing), or the stunning Catch Hand Made Stick Baits – Catch Fishing . And when they aren’t on the bite – throw down a microjig, yes a little tungsten (it helps with speed of drop out deeper) Pocket Rocket and you’ll often create some most excellent fishing fun hooked up to a green machine when most are scratching their heads wondering what’s going on.
Mixed bags of fish are a delight for dinner and variety is worth targeting rather than just snapper. Gurnard, trevally, kahawai, mackerel, Dory, skipjack – all great fish and all keen to feed right now. Most are in roe too.
Summer fishing is on, get the good gear and get out there!
Enjoy
Espresso
