That big, full-blood moon worked its almost predictable magic, casting contrasting spells on fishing fortunes over the weekend. Results ranged from catching nothing at all to landing snapper north of 15lbs!

Workups, when you found them, produced excellent fish across a variety of species. Solid snapper were coming up in deeper waters (50m+) along SW Great Barrier and Little Barrier, with the epic sights, sounds, and not-so-epic smells of whales feasting. The top of the Firth and beyond also saw good action for those chasing the dragon. Large swathes of the Gulf were buzzing with boats and jet skis zipping around on mostly ultra-calm seas, while kayakers enjoyed the peace and quiet—though some complained of being interrupted only by ‘tiddlers on the roof.’

While the time of year and factors from the previous Fishing Report are at play, the outlook is promising. With daylight hours shortening and a noticeable drop in air temperature over the last couple of days, the sea temperature will soon follow. That should bring a solid flurry of productive fishing before winter’s general chill-out.

Learning Sounder Signs at The Fishing School

Sounders are one of the most common high-tech devices in fishing, yet they’re also some of the most misunderstood and underutilised tools for consistent success. Last Saturday’s class at The Fishing School, led by Simon Batey and Garmin, was a real eye-opener. Whether you're a newbie or experienced angler, there’s always something to learn—and for many, the penny finally dropped!

Next Saturday (March 29) brings a bonus Fishing School class on solo and shorthanded big game fishing. It’ll cover everything from finding fish to controlling them easily, whether on a ski or boat. With plenty of big game fishing still to come this season—marlin, yellowfin tuna, and big kings—now's the time to get your game face on. The class will also set you up for future seasons of tackling the big boys. Recent VHF chatter confirms yellowfin tuna hookups just the other side of Great Barrier while snapper fishing the middle ground of the Gulf—glorious stuff!

Inshore Fishing

The inshore areas are still fishing well, with hot spots shifting as usual. Kingfish, trevally, and snapper caught in channels like Tiri and out from Narrow Neck have rewarded those using stealth, temporary habitat, and the right gear. Mussel farms have been hit-or-miss—some producing big mooching snapper and juvenile kingfish testing light tackle, while others have been eerily quiet. Solid kahawai are also showing up, putting soft bait reels to the test. Other times, it’s been more suited for boating or towing the family on the ‘biscuit’ than fishing. Meanwhile, shark health must be excellent, given the number of half-fish being landed—taxing times!

The planets are aligning, promising calmer winds, favourable tidal currents, and thumping workups. You might need to burn some gas to chase the real action out wider, but there’s also the option of fishing in close—not just for snapper. Prime time? Now.

Fishing Coach Pro not only runs The Fishing School and one-on-one coaching to step up your results, but you can now also get the ideal gear for your fishing style at the Fishing Coach Pro Tackle Shop. Check it out online and order from the comfort of home or office. Have questions? Just ask—or simply reorder your favourites, delivered straight to your door.