Out west here, we’ve found they seem to be really responding well to bonito baits, but as snapper do, they will take anything on offer, including fresh what-ever! Kahawai, trevally, mackerel, they love it.

The average sizes we are landing are really good.  Plenty of nice solid pannies, with the odd donkey in the mix.

Not much in the way of by-catch happening currently. A few kahawai which arein great condition, and pretty good size 2.5-3 kg trevally.

These guys are often under-rated table fish. They make awesome sashimi, or raw fish ceviche, and they are also topnotch smoked or fresh in the pan.

There’s still the odd kingfish in the hood ready to test your gear and stretch those arms.

One recent trip, we had a bad run of barracoutta right in the middle of a mean snapper bite, but they moved on and we were back to the snapps soon enough, so no real worries.

The water colour is still great in close and there have been plenty of marlin sightings while bottom fishing.

We have also seen some great meatball action out there.  Skippies and albacore smashing bait balls are incredible to witness.  We watched one go for ten minutes before there wasn't many bait fish left. The life of a bait fish I guess :- ) You see some pretty cool stuff out of our office.

All this action is from fishing south of Taharoa and north of Marakopa in the 40-50 meters zone.

Fish of the week 18lb snapper, and it was caught on trout of all things.  A bit of unusual bait a crew from the Taupo fishing club had left over.

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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