Love the locals, no matter who they are or where they may be. Adopting a local approach has been the key, whether due to the enforced option weather-wise or not, but the autumn need to feed is on, for fish at least, whether one is considered a baitfish or predator—and that's all a matter of perspective. Local close-to-shore fishing has been paying good dividends, offering a variety as well.

Life's rollercoaster continues, whether we're enjoying it wide-eyed or squinting through barely focused eyes, perhaps from the recent bright night onslaught of the full moon, solar flares, or heavenly aurora lights. Couple all that with ocean swells and shifting wind directions, and why not add a King’s birthday for good measure! There's never a dull moment, with always some arbitrary influence to keep us entertained.

Squid fishing, ultra-light game, and even big game pursuits like massive bluefin tuna off Waihau are underway, including explosive winter workups with whales of several species (pilot, Bryde's, and more) just out there in the local gulf among the ever happy-go-lucky common dolphins. There are also inshore random surface boil-ups, still particularly noticeable along Auckland's North Shore Bays, with kahawai often causing the surface to ripple into a frenzy, ideal for a quick flick.

Squid are being caught fresh and faster lately, mainly in nighttime forays, along with other delicacies of inshore fishing with smaller kahawai and mackerel on the menu for many. This is exceptionally good for kayakers, those in tiny tinnies, and land-based fishermen, with or without the aid of a drone. Snapper are still active enough to take a soft bait or micro-jig without too much enticement, but are shifting more towards the change-of-light style fishing out around the channel edges of the inner gulf/harbours where sand meets bank, showing a lot of interest, especially as the air and water cool down quickly now.

Workups are pumping and thumping in, whether not far out from the Noises, further north closer to Anchorite, and almost Great Barrier way out by the gates left and right, with some powerful activity ongoing. We're on the cusp from autumn feeding to the winter wind-down, so make the most of the next week or two—fishing should be good, very good. It's time to enjoy the action. Schools of good solid kahawai are around the workups—great to grab a few and set up that big smoke-up. Bled, cured/marinated whether quickly or for a few days in the fridge, the mouth-watering aromas and build-up to an evening of smoked fish with family and friends is a social occasion hard to beat, like @Edventures approach to easy, delicious smoked kahawai, as pictured, and on his Facebook page (see 16/3 reels).

Social media sends us reminders of our past for Total Recall in a millisecond, reliving exciting, enthralling adventures—reminders of the input and output of our passions. With winter approaching in more ways than one, it's time to make new memories. Be appreciative and not forget the amazing exploits, ventures, people, laughs, and good fun, whether it’s through seasons, cycles (business and all kinds), everything has phases. Time to take a bow, end of act 1 scene 1000, thank you in every respect.

With that said, carpe diem, seize the day.

Hasta la vista, baby.