Kawhia / Raglan

fishing report

January 12, 2022

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Bluefin tuna off the west coast! Yes, for the first time in writing these reports for 10 years, we can report bluefin tuna, right in close in only 35 – 50 metres of water off the coast of Marakopa. Most of the fish that have been landed are in the 10 -15kg mark, so nothing like the big SBT’s off Waihau Bay, however, you know you’re happy catching 30 pound bluefin anywhere, anytime, and it’s not to say bigger ones are not there also. These fish can be found by chasing workups and birds sign, so something new to try for out this way?

What a start to the year. Perhaps due to global warming or whatever else, we are seeing gamefish including free jumping marlin, right in close, but the best action seems to be out at the 124 metre mark off Raglan.

There was a big black marlin lost at the boat after four hours, and no doubr we are going to see plenty more reports of good fishing as the season warms into peak.

To more traditional targets, the snapper fishing has been outstanding by all standards, but you have to put the miles in to get the smiles.

We have been fishing down towards Marakopa, which takes the best part of two hours to get there, but it has been worth it.

Fishing the depths from 35-50 meters and having some amazing fishing, we are making two trips a day.

Snapper have been coming on board up to 18lb and on our best day landed 140 snaps in an hour 15 minutes!

There are also good mixed bycatch species including gurnard, kingfish and kahawai.

Fresh baits seem to do best, but honestly, when the fishing is like this you are going to get them on lures, and anything else you choose to throw down.

It’s shaping up for a very exciting summer out west!

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Cheers

Rob

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Rob Fitzgerald is owner and skipper of Venturer Fishing Charters, operating out of Kawhia.

Venturer fishing charters