As we all know, weather is the deciding factor, and it has been quite fickle recently, offering only very short windows of opportunity to get out there.

The only information I have at present is as follows:The Motiti Island areas, particularly in waters less than ten meters deep, have continued to produce some nice snapper. While there are no particularly large catches, the snapper are very nice eaters. Further out in the "80 meter" areas towards Schooners Rocks, there have been reasonable catches of our favourite eating fish, the good old tarakihi.

Kingfish seem to be few and far between, and the ones sighted have been on the small side. However, the upside is that there appears to be plenty of baitfish such as koheru and jack mackerel in good solid schools. These fish have been found close in, from five to ten meters, so be prepared to check in close to get those great live baits or to use them as butterflied stray line snapper baits.

Again, I have not heard of any real deep-water fishing for bluenose, bass, hapuku, and as a great bycatch, those underrated gemfish. Water temperature is slowly increasing to around 14.5 degrees, and just how that will affect the fishing is anyone’s guess.

Another plus with the warming air temperatures is that us humans will get a bit more motivated to get out there and at least wet a line. On the diving front, the crays are still in berry, and it appears the packhorse crays are still around and have shed their shells, with most now in the process of getting back that solid shell for protection. The red crays usually have dispersed their eggs by early October, so please have a look before making that grab to avoid causing any injury.

Things in general can only get better, and regrettably for some, I would guess with the current climate regarding finances, there will be some great value second-hand vessels on the market, so you just may make at least two people happy—the Mrs and yourself!

Cheers

Russ Hawkins

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