Ahoy folks,
Just as well the fishing is better than the weather at the moment! We’ve been hit by big swells and strong winds over the past couple of weeks, but when conditions have allowed the fishing is going great guns.
Wide areas of working gannets and dolphins have been found north and east of Anchorite Rock. Hordes of hungry snapper are underneath this action so it normally won’t take long to get a good haul. If you want to target larger specimens, try bigger baits or lures such as Daiwa Pirate jigs in 150g size.
There’s also been some decent workups off Takatu Point and by the Pigeons at Great Barrier. As most kingfish have moved off the inshore reefs, it’s not uncommon to strike gold with a school of kings under a workup through winter. If you want to target larger bruisers, June is a great month to cast stickbaits or slow-troll quality livebaits like koheru around the Mokohinaus and the top end of Great Barrier. They might not be there in huge numbers, but a single big fish can make everyone’s day!
Closer to home, there are large areas of bait given away by flocks of shearwaters and terns around the Noises and Tiri that will hold pannies for half-decent softbaiters. And don’t forget squid – calamari collectors are already into their work at night around the harbour wharves and breakwalls!
On a final note, maybe as a result of lowered commercial and recreational limits there have been decent numbers of crayfish around the shallows lately. Don’t be afraid to suit up and dive into the briney this winter – the family will love you for it!
Cheers
Nick and George