Looking back over the many years of Espresso Fishing reports tells a consistent background story. We can expect both good fishing and slow fishing days, particularly for snapper right now, as they bask in warm waters and feed somewhat intermittently. However, the autumn change to pre-winter need-to-feed isn’t far away, which hints that we should target the many other fish available, enjoying the variety they bring to our fishing and the table. Stunning fresh fish like smaller to mid-sized kahawai and the delectable mackerel,.

Kingfish are also spread out from the wider gulf, hounding workups along southern Great Barrier, their usual haunts in and around mussel farms, and even along more inshore, city-like coastlines like Whangaparāoa. And with good fortune on our side, we don’t have to venture far from shore, thanks to the anchovies pulling the all-important trigger for the inshore food chain right now.

Literally, I just stopped writing and left—through the binoculars, epic scenes not far from shore beckoned far too loudly to ignore. Dark clouds of anchovies were easily seen at the surface, with a gathering maelstrom of birds above—gone fishing! I’ll be back…

Inshore Bonanza

Some days, the spectacle is magnificent—gannets barely airborne, shallow diving in shallow water, shoulder-barging each other to get their beaks into anchovy prey, surrounded by thousands of petrels and shearwaters. Below, mega mackerel and kahawai crowd and splash the sea surface by the score. Even from Auckland shorelines, binoculars reveal incredibly active skies—some days, not all. As with most things fishing, being out there and Johnny-on-the-spot is better than waiting for a time that suits our human schedule. The intense action moves, so tomorrow’s plans can result in a stunning drop in activity—hard to believe, but true. Tales of hero to near-zero all in just a day! But here are some helpful techniques—freebies, but worth their weight in tungsten!

How to Target Snapper Amidst the Action

Fishing and drifting away from the main frenzy where anchovies, kahawai, and birds are most active works well. Our anchovy-like microjig is far more likely to get hit by everything except snapper when we’re right in the fray—seems logical. Let the birds and kahawai work away from you. My preference for jigs is still a standard microjig, 15-20g works great. It can also be a good idea to use a tungsten micro as it drops fast and stays closer to the seafloor in a more snapper-likely zone. Your choice—mix it up.

Let the jig hit the seafloor, then only impart a rise and fall of the rod tip to mimic an injured anchovy just above the bottom—no reel winds. This keeps it low rather than in the water column where kahawai dominate. Ultra-light tackle adds thrills and delight, icing on the cake. Watch the braid on the drop carefully—it’ll speed up or stop even though it’s not near the bottom. That’ll be a fish—snapper, perhaps.

Slow Days? Try This

On slower days, adapting makes all the difference. A recent session off Browns Bay started slow, but after a few changes—voilà! A standard lead jig (for a slower drop and more wafting time) was the hot ticket. Many species were caught using smaller baitfish imitations in colours similar to their own—a key insight.

Kayakers are catching good snapper around the Auckland shallows, which makes sense given the action nearby. It’s also crucial to switch things up—try soft baits, creepy crawly lures like imitation eels, worms, grubs, shrimp, moths, crabs. Don’t get stuck in the same old patterns. Even a favourite lure can be outperformed by something new! Small changes can bring big results—recently highlighted at The Fishing School, where simple tweaks led to “disco”—fish on!

Where to Cast

Rangitoto Channel Lighthouse, Harbour Bridge, mussel farms in the Firth, Whangaparāoa Peninsula, western Rakino to North Shore bays—these are all good spots to cast little lures, whether there are crazy-good sea signs or not.

Eco-Friendly Lures & More

Developing eco-friendly fishing lures is a worthwhile mission. At Fishing Coach Pro, we’re into CANI—constant and never-ending improvement. Some stunning new terminal tackle made from natural materials is getting closer to reality—stay in touch; together, we can make a difference for our fishing, our kids, and future generations.

Other Fishing Hotspots

Steady as she goes—northern Kawau to LB is loaded with baitfish (mackerel). Expect action to heat up there soon. The same goes for Kawau to Orewa—very promising sounder sign.

Congratulations, Jacci—stunning snapper on an on-water Espresso Coaching Day success!

Gannets diving at the sight of dolphins is like chasing your tail—just as humans chase 60 seconds of diving birds, only for it to fizzle before arrival. Snapper are also spread out, not congregating under anything specific, but in the general baitfish area. A good strategy? Drift fish with different lures, from ultra-slow sliding head kabura/tai rubber to tungsten microjigs (which stay deep and effective in a slow bite). Don’t forget to try Slow Pitch Jigs—200g or more despite an inconsistent bite. The Big Bright SPJ approach triggers fish with vibration and sound, signalling a bigger meal for those hungry ones—potentially even larger snapper. Snapper have FOMO too, you know!

If the weather obliges, solid action awaits at Great Barrier—both on the Auckland side and the western side for resident kingfish.

The Fishing School Is in Full Swing

Thank you for all the encouraging feedback! We’ve all felt the magic of helping someone out—their joy and excitement make it all worthwhile. That’s what The Fishing School is all about: sharing experience, valuable knowledge, and a genuine desire to improve our fishing. And, in time, passing it on to the next generation.

We just covered the all-important ingredient—technique. Using proven techniques and having several ways to present lures allows us to adapt to what fish are telling us on the day. The difference between “stupid fish/no fish biting” and epic smiles, photos, or a well-earned fresh fish dinner can be huge.

Upcoming Class: March 15th

Nature & Technology—Learn what to look for when targeting snapper, kingfish, skipjack and more, using tech and adapting for success every time. Featuring expert guest speaker Simon Batey from Garmin. Learn easy sounder setup and what to look for.

Tickets available on Eventbrite—any questions, just ask: fishingcoachpro@gmail.com.

Tight lines and crazy good fortunes—maybe see you at the Boat Show, Viaduct, Auckland this weekend?

Cheers,

Captain Espresso