Hauraki Gulf

fishing report

June 4, 2020

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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

Full moon and big tides are well known already by the snapper feeding in the shallows around various Auckland harbours, incredible sights as their dorsal spines flare well out of the water as they feed in the ultra-shallows, along with cormorants and any number of seabirds from terns, gulls, shearwaters to gannets and more, all keen on the early winter feasting. While winter may provide fewer days to fish in terms of weather, when the planets align it can simply be the BEST of times to go fishing!

*Swellmap has next week looking ok if you can get the time off ;-)*

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Tuna time? The monthly full moon with it’s (usually) associated calm day or two's, looms early next week.

This really could be a great time for a visit out wide, whether surface fishing for tuna or marlin, or deep dropping a Giant Squidwings for Bluenose, hapuka, bass and more of some of the best eating fish in the world – just out there…very tempting!

Out in the main gulf the intensity of Winter is almost palpable, the fishy-ness feel to the clear air, the big hunt for a big feed is on, the whales and dolphins are probably feeling the cold bite much like us so some extra warmth and insulation is a good thing right now. The activity of workups out in 45-50m can be in real earnest, moving around fast from last week’s southern Little Barrier/Kawau uproar no doubt.

Closer to the big city lights there has been some very welcome sights, for instance between Gulf Harbour and the North Shore bays this week…birds and fish galore! Kahawai, mackerel and snapper at least. Kayak-able, tiny tinny or whatever floats, easy and a whole lot of fun. The perfect place for light gear, microjigs, Lil’ Squidwings, softbait ‘Livies’, and screaming reels.

The shallows are a great place to be fishing for snapper right now, landbased very much included, lots of keen reds mooching in and around the shorelines with this large tidal flow stirring things up, a softbait or microjig, or those tiny little Beady Eye Kaburas of just a few grams…cast around early or late afternoon for an hour or so, beautiful.

Stray line sessions are on the agenda for many right now, with plenty of burley flowing remember the big predators can be all around the area, lurking, circling, waiting for their chance to blast in and grab a feed – give ‘em a taste! Stick bait, Squidwings, ‘Livies’ – cast your lures in all directions and hook up on predators of all sorts of species you’ve brought to the area, not just down stream 😉

Winter fishing can be absolutely thrilling and provide lifelong happy memories. A little preparation makes for a fantastic fishing adventure, here’re a few points that could help you on your next fishin’ mission, a few ideas to add to your winter fishing day-plan 😉

Check out this week’s edition of the Espresso LIVE series:

“Winter Lure Fishing – maximize your success” on Catch Fishing Facebook https://www.facebook.com/catchfishlikeapro/

Short days, probably a short sharp bite with the full moon and winter influence combined, so make hay while that sun shines, and the wind wanes!

Cheers, Captain Espresso.

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