The place to target are the channels and banks, most of which will fish well. I have been hitting this a bit myself and seeing some great results.  You can catch a good feed in only a few hours, and enjoy the calmer conditions in the shelter of the land.

For best results have the sinker above your hooks on a running rig, although you can also use a ledger rig. Well worth the effort if the sea is rough or you want to take the kids for a few hours.

Over the bar, the fishing is a bit up and down currently.  Targeting the 35 metre mark off Aotea has been working ok for numbers, but not much in the size department.

We have also been fishing down off Taharoa in 45-60 metres, and this would be my place of choice this time of the year.  I will head even further south as we move into February and March, and at this time, if you can see mutton  birds sitting around snapper will invariably be under them.

Out wide targeting the bigger specias, there is plenty of action at present.

The Kawhia club have caught over ten marlin so far, most have been tagged and released.

The action seems to be out around the 124 metre zone, and plenty of boats are fishing hear as you can hear from the radio chatter.  We reckon the 90-120 metres area is the place to be 😉

We’ve not seen as much albacore about as in past years yet, and also have not heard of many been caught, so perhaps we will see some later in the season.

Have a great long weekend.

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Cheers

Rob

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

Venturer fishing charters

Check Venturer Fishing Charters Kawhia out on Facebook or online - www.venturerfishingcharterskawhia.co.nz

For tackle, tips and charter options contact Rob Fitzgerald.

Ph 07 8711717 or 0272544589 or email robjac@xtra.co.nz

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