Hauraki Gulf

fishing report

March 11, 2021

Supplied by

Note: If map is showing it is created by LINZ / New Zealand Hydrographic Authority and made available by Creative Commons 3.0. Maps should not be used for navigation

It’s All Good! Good current strengths, good moon phase and good fishing. Last week’s inshore bait-schools moved out a bit and the bay-side surface calmed without the disturbances of birds, baitfish and bigger fish, no doubt over the next few days the will appear in numbers all within sight of the America’s Cup yacht racing. Great to see keen fisherm’n out on skis and kayaks this week enjoying the action between the Bays and Rangitoto first thing in the morning(s), as well as around the Whangaparaoa Peninsula – softbaits in close have been the go for success on the snapper front.

‍

Big game has been action packed for many areas, east coast and west, with more than one big black marlin being caught, one of them a massive 435kgs along with broadbill and striped marlin and some excellent YFT around (!) BOP/eastern Coro doing well, some epic catches, and releases.

The marlin season has been a good one so far and continues in the same vein. Right now is a perfect time to be out there – before the big turn around as these top predators head well offshore for another season.

‍

Big calms and big winds – fast changing weather makes for adventures popping up ‘unexpectedly’ often either side of planned fishing days. Right up and down the country, on both coasts there are flat-calms and gnarly stay-away weather, and back again.

Stay on top of the weather forecasts and updates. Workup activity out in the gulf when wind allows should be good, very good as the need to feed before winter slow down is upon us.

Snapper will be feeding a more now after their summer holidays, the kingfish are continuing their welcomed presence from out wider in the gulf hovering over those submerged reefs marked on your chart (along with gems you find now and then 😉 ) and right back in to landbased!

Many ways to target them…if you’re not sure – why not head out on a charter? Such an effective way to gain experience and knowledge, using tackle designed for the job, for instance aboard Wavedancer. Basically you’re treated to personal tuition, hands on stuff with excellent purpose-made Catch tackle AND you get to keep fish if you wish. Win Win. www.wavedancer.co.nz .

The next fishing page in your fishing hasn’t been written yet – all that is required is YOU.

With so much on in the gulf from the spectacle of magnificent yachts at the forefront of racing technology around the inner harbour to the calm yet massive presence of breaching whales further out, skipjack tuna to snapper, kingfish to gurnard, kahawai to dory – what awaits you on your next fishin’ mission? Go with the good info, the right gear and be out there, Spot X awaits your presence.

Ice ice baby – hot/humid – fresh fish stay that way for days, immediate care upon capture is the key. A bag of salt ice is simply the best. Look after your prize after all it’s the main aim of the day, treat it that way and reap the rewards with friends and family for days.

If you’re a jig, lure, top water or otherwise lure fisher man (or woman) then head to www.catchfishing.co.nz for the right gear that’s purpose made for you whatever your style of bait-free fishing you enjoy.

And if you haven’t tried the Catch fishing approach, you’re in for a real treat.

Autumn is underway, and so should you be, more wonderful fishing memories are yet to be made and it looks like there’ll be a few crackers made over the next several days – will one be yours?

Enjoy Autumn fishing!

Espresso.

‍

This report is supplied by Grant 'Espresso' Bittle from Catch and Wave Dancer Charters.

‍