Full-Moon-Friday is upon us, often leading to sluggish snapper that feed slowly, making it an ideal time for kabura fishing. This is also a great opportunity to use burley and target larger fish in your trail with softbaits or microjigs, especially in windy weather. Focus on inner channels and shallow water areas like the Ahaas, including the banks of the Waiheke channel when the tide runs, as these often hold fish when the main channel is busy with boats. The area off the north end of the channel is worth exploring with a small 5” softbait, like the dynamite little Jack Mack. Wind against tide can create choppy conditions, but it slows your drift, allowing smaller, more tempting softbaits and micros to be used effectively, keeping them in the snapper bite zone longer. Remember, light leader and perfect presentation are crucial – even a 20lb leader can be too heavy. Light gauge hooks, popular for big game fishing, can also be effective for snapper and kingfish during summer lethargy and full moon periods, as stealthy, easy-eat options are key.

What about this fish of a lifetime!

Congratulations to @NovaWalsh for landing a massive 200+kg blue marlin after an hour-long battle on stand-up gear, with support from the Catch Fishing legends aboard @strikercharters. This truly is the fish of a lifetime!

On the smaller end of the scale, but equally tasty, there are lots of mackerel around Tiri and towards the end of Whangaparaoa peninsula. Dolphins and gannets have been onto them, so perhaps the mackerel Livie softbait is the way to go here for snapper and kingfish. To catch the mackerel themselves, the little tungsten 7g Pocket Rocket is perfect. Its tungsten weight/size ratio allows it to reach the fish without being pushed horizontally by current or drift. Whether it's snapper or mackerel, try scaling them, leaving the skin on, applying hot chilli sauce or a spicy rub onto the skin, and searing them on high heat on the BBQ for a delicious meal. Check out this video for a quick guide: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/GudfxAOrW2c

Remember, in this hot, humid weather, both house guests and fish can go off quickly – much like fish. Here’s a great link on keeping fish fresher for longer, with valuable information from an expert: Keeping fish FRESH.

Cheers,