Towards the eastern bay of Plenty the snapper are all in close around fourteen to twenty metres, and of course you can get them around the mussel farms.

There’s no shortage of kingies at the moment, and you’ll find them around any of the popular reefs, pins and other areas around Mayor, out at White and around the Vaulkners they have been getting great specimens up to 35 kilos!  Absolute monsters and in good numbers.

Skippies are still around, and there are a few good reports of decent schools around the 60 metre zone out from the Mount towards Mayor.  

The water temp is still 18.8 degrees so there’s every chance of gamefish currently if that’s your bag before the season wraps up for this year.

There are plenty of good pannie snapper in close and still in the harbour.  

Surf casting is still ok from Papamoa, with some snapper in close schooling off the sand and good snapper fishing off the Matakana banks with a few good specimens over the 22 pound mark lately.  

Soft baits and straylines always good for targeting the big fish.

Orca in the harbour no doubt feeding on the local rays are a spectacular sight if you are lucky enough to come across them.

You could be getting the electric reels dusted off because big bluenose are on the chew.

It’s pretty early on for bass and hapuka, although they are always there’ but the best timing for these fish kicks off later around August.  

We’ve had some good tarakihi fishing out in the middle ground, but it’s definitely been hit and miss so sometimes it pays to move around a bit until you find them.

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Cheers

Russ

RUSS HAWKINS ...OWNER/SKIPPER FAT BOY CHARTERS

PH 5755986 OR 027 2863638

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