And just like that, winter chills! Officially winter isn’t until next week but we’re already switching to winter mode and associated adventures for the next 3 months, coming ready or not!
Solid kingfish on the NEW Black Label LIVIE softbait!
Murky waters have predominated over the past week as have high winds, high seas and extra-high tides with that huge tidal current that peaks over this weekend then drops away. The 2m swell is dropping thankfully, water temps too which are still holding OK but the inevitable slide of several degrees has started.
Inner areas are definitely shifting into more winter mode although good snapper are still being caught in the fish highways – Motuhie channel, around the Noises, Tiri channel and similar. Good feeding times are to come with the waning blood moon along with those clear crisp winter days (still sunburn at times) with beanies and visible breath. The recent tumult out around the kelp beds means seaweed gatherers for winter gardens are in luck, lots of luck – many beaches are full of prime seaweed, free.
There will be areas close to shorelines that are (almost) glassy calm in the lee of the wind direction as it wanders around the compass, ideal times for a nudge around with soft baits, over sandy areas for snapper and kahawai, drop-offs from rock ledges – again good snapper territory and don’t forget kingfish! Many kingis will be cruising the edges of the gulf looking to pick up a stray ‘baitfish’ whether real or imitation. Kingfish prefer a hapless struggling baitfish to most cut or dead baits, they love the chase. Softbaits, poppers and stickbaits are ideal for these shallow water green machines. Go exploring, try a new spot or perhaps one so obvious that no-one fishes it – like just around the corner from so many ramps.
Best of all… ***Join in LIVE on Facebook this Sunday (NZ time) 09:30 Catch Fishing*** for the next level of soft baits BLACK LABEL LIVIES. Watch and see exactly how they look in the water, how the fish see them when you fish! How to target and catch bigger fish with them, better than ever. Find out first hand how to give your fishing a massive boost, see you Sunday morning for a coffee with these exciting new soft baits (after the 08:30 MagicFM radio Sunday Café) !
It’s also good time to a quick look at those hours clocked up on boat engines, and other bits of critical machinery, prevent a Coastguard callout with some basic servicing. Reels and gear suffer from neglect if not at least semi-stored properly, there’s nothing worse than gear failure – you’ve spent all that time energy to fish Spot X only to be let down by a nick in a rod guide, a sticky drag, a corroded reel handle, not refreshing that leader that ‘looks OK’ but was used on several fish last time.
The main hindrance to catching good fish? Warm duvets. Carpe Diem, seize the day.
Espresso.
