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Kahawai are having a ball chasing the many bait schools out there, whether accompanied by dolphins and/or gannets, or not.

There are some big schools of various bait species – which may only be indicated by a few birds fluttering around in a small bunch on the sea surface, possibly fast- moving kahawai chasing even faster moving pilchards!

This is just one of the many baitballs just under the hull yesterday

Skipjack tuna are just starting to nose into the gulf, around Little Barrier – outstanding fun, the Lil’ Squidwings is an absolute favourite for these blue and silver bullets, around 5-6kts troll speed is great on a smooth sea, if the lure is jumping out of the water, slow down until it doesn’t.

Tidal current is on the upswing which should help with increasing the bite time length over this coming weekend.

There are reports of kingfish action around anchorite and in the areas south of anchorite at the moment.  This area of foul is actually quite widespread, and you often can do better on the many pins and contours you find further away from the actual Anchorite rock itself.  This often gets you clear of other boats when the rock is crowded also.

Fishing the gulf is often dictated by bite times. Interestingly when the bite drops off, micro jigs have worked incredibly well, out in 45m a tungsten micro works well to get down faster particularly if you are drifting along, the Catch Pocket Rockets have been a stand-out success this week, making the difference between just a couple of fish, and a proper fish bin for the family. Slower action too rather than an aggressive long fall working noticeably better.

Check out bite times here:  BITE TIMES LIVE

Lots of different fish out there to enjoy, so if one species isn’t in the mood there’s usually one or two more that are.

Enjoy.

Espresso.

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

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For Wave Dancer Charters: Visit www.wavedancer.co.nz to make a booking

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