Hauraki Gulf

fishing report

July 29, 2022

Supplied by

Grant Bittle

Fishing Coach Pro

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

Well surprise, surprise, this weekend looks like it’s still a bit blowie, however, there’s a promising window next week if you can get the day off. There’s been winter workups reported off the top of the Coromandel, and west of Channel Island if you make it that far, and the good old fingers are still worth a crack when the current is running at any stage this time of year.

Closer to home…

Downtown brown town, Muddy Water blues indeed, wild weather continues and massive rain run-offs bring a mixed bag of fortunes for fishing.

Yes, lots of potential food in the salt water as a result of the fresh run-off, problem is zero visibility, nil, nada, not a sausage - especially inshore, and with winter slow down, what to do to catch some fish?

1. Come on make some noise! Sound/vibration are the main hunting modes for fish, add in zero viz and the combo screams for things like rattles, blades, highly luminous lures, highly erratic and

splashy lures, but also the slow-to-no jig…to let them feel, find, see and strike…quite a process, help your fish find your lure. See the blade added to the softbait above - adding extra flash and rattle to the baby mackerel softbait, a good thing in the near opaque water.

2. Clear(er) water – relatively speaking. Whether it’s near an estuary, stream or simply tidal currents swirling the mix around, try the clearer waters – where fish can see your lure, struggling and alone, defences down. Don’t forget your inshore baby 20gm stickbaits !

3. As this murky water clears, especially with a good wind drop…get your motor running, head out on the highway, looking for adventure…good fishing usually. Out and about in the deeper clearer gulf waters should be some great fish-action stations, with the food chain all perked up and ready to rumble.

4. Estuaries, streams, rivers, tidal flow areas...prime targets for fish to feed, and for you to hunt with a prospecting approach wandering along the edges (hopefully with wind helping your softbait or microjig cast from behind), or take up temporary residence and bring fish to you with burley.

5. DANGER! Logs, trees, all manner of detritus and barely or completely unseen hazards lie in wait for kayaks, boats and skis. Just last week I managed to find a solid log while underway and BOOM! The resonating sound of hitting a solid object at speed with a piece of sheet aluminium just a few mm’s thick...not a good recipe.

**Are you near Taupo next Friday, August 5th? Treat yourself to a free 45minute demonstration and presentation on how to catch snapper and kingfish on lures, improve your current success, learn new things and more