We’ve just finished the three-day Bluewater Classic Tournament, and had great weather and plenty of boats out.  All 237 odd anglers in fact.

For that many fishermen there were only three marlin tagged and released, which is pretty poor for the beautiful blue water conditions, and temperatures around 20 to 21 degrees.

There were a few tropical species landed, three mahi mahi, and three shortbill spearfish.

If you’re after marlin this year, it’s the west coast that is really firing out of Raglan and Manukau, so it may pay to plan a road trip!

There have not been a lot of tuna around compared to last year’s big run, but a very nice yellowfin around 40 kgs hooked and lost at the boat out at White Island.

There have been some really big skippies around this year though, barrels up to eight kgs, out wider past the Penguin Rise, and we have seen smaller ones blipping the surface only eight miles off the coast too.

The biggest kingfish in the comp was a lovely beast weighing 34.5 kgs, a big fish landed down Pukehina – Maketu way.

There are some good kings about, and we had a good fish at the boat over 20 kgs towing livies on a slow troll 1 knot around Plate Island. There have also been some good pack attacks of smaller kings around Plate, and they make good eating, even if they are just over the limit.  

Also out at Plate Island, there has been a big black marlin sighted free jumping out there, so if you are keen on targeting the monsters, gear up and have a look around there.

Snapper fishing has been a bit off and on, although we have mostly been concentrating on terakihi over the deeper reef systems , but the harbour is still fishing really well for snapper at the moment.

Our friends bagged a full limit very quickly in the full moon at night recently, so getting out in the dark is often the answer.

There are plenty of good snapper and kingies in the harbour channels, and in the entrance.

For kings, dropping or slow slow trolling using live mackerel has been producing nice fish in the 15 – 17 kgs range.

Out at Mayor Island, the Tuhua Reef has fished well with a good supply of big blue koheru making the best live baits you can get.

Fishing with these has resulted in instantly getting smashed by kings, albeit they were a bit on the smaller side, but the big ones are always likely to be around.

Deep drops going have been pretty good, with a few nice puka and gemfish coming off the south east Mayor Knolls in around 220 metres.

Snapper fishing been good at western side of Motiti in 25 – 27 metres where the weed and foul turns to sand.  

Drift using soft baits, or strayline and you should do ok if they are on the chew.

On the local pending reef closures, there’s a public meeting at the Tauranga Sport Fishing Club 5.00pm.  If this interests you perhaps contact the club for more details.

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Cheers

Russ

RUSS HAWKINS ...OWNER/SKIPPER FAT BOY CHARTERS

PH 5755986 OR 027 2863638

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