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Now’s the time to up the ante, sure do what you’ve done before but perhaps with a few small tweaks, your fishing success and prowess improves noticeably. Usually a simple thing like not using heavyweight 40lb leader on a Kabura while drifting the open gulf, also not using them in a workup as this can be counter-productive.

Kaburas will be hit by kahawai readily – but if you’re targeting kahawai use a jig with bigger hooks and increase your leader weight. If trying to avoid kahawai in a workup for exmple, put that magical Kabura away in it’s safe place.

Use much bigger and more aggressive lures for when the boys are back in town e.g. a 200gm BetaBug or 100-200gm Double Trouble especially when targeting both kings and snapper.

Looks like the wind will be from the W/SW quarter around the gulf over the weekend – look for some eastside leeside spot x’s if it’s thumping in.

Takatu Point and the areas off Kawau are always worth a go in spring especially, and the forecast is not too bad for this area.

If you want to stick closer to Auckland, how about the shallower waters say the Firth of Thames – what’s an ideal choice?

Slow pitch jigs and inchiku are highly successful and there’s the new Boss Squid, an amazing looking new hybrid developed right here – stunning. Workups are on year ‘round, and now expect the amp to be turned up. Some fantastic action has been experienced a little further up the coast – mainly due to less lockdown restrictions – action aplenty. Expect the same out in the gulf when that wind abates.

Softbaits really come into their own for inshore fishing at this time of year – well presented softbaits (like the white smelt and the baby kahawai LIVIE, most fish are keen on seeing one of these flailing close-by). Present them well – try the Stingaz jigheads of you haven’t already – the way they present all softbaits is unique – again developed right here, and they’re going off!!

No matter what softbait is your personal favourite. Edges and ledges – leeside and close to shore is the place to be targeting snapper over the next few days. Full moon midweek this week along with a stiff cold southerly meant for quiet times offshore despite a release from local lockdown, but surprisingly good news for the North Shore residents, good patches of terns and gannets easily kayak-able, and more furore further out Rakino-way, western Rangitoto.

So what’s your fishing plan this Spring and Summer? Snapper, kingfish, gurnard, dory, marlin, tuna, hapuka? Got the right gear to make to happen for you?

Now is the time, who knows what the future may hold…tick tock.

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Cheers, Captain Espresso.

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

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