Wellington / Kapiti
fishing report
July 20, 2024
![Wellington 20 July 2024](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/634b4f76643d7244f2cb5b38/669b544a0c2d35cc31e0e05f_WhatsApp%20Image%202024-07-20%20at%2014.49.47%20(1).webp)
Big winter blue cod - The Storm Petrel turns on a dynamic day of crayfish and blue cod.
The winter waters are delivering the goods, with the colder currents and chilly mornings making for some exciting catches. A typical day out on the Storm Petrel involves alternating between diving and fishing, then a break for lunch.
We launched early at Mana and headed south to our dive spot. The divers enjoyed the clear blue water and collected some winter bucks.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/634b4f76643d7244f2cb5b38/669b551aa52e3eb55bff8f90_WhatsApp%20Image%202024-07-20%20at%2014.49.46.webp)
I drifted over a reef, catching only parrot fish and Jock Stewarts. I was using a 7" Catch Livie Power Pilchard with a 56-gram Harrier head and an assist hook (since 90% of the hookups are on the tail), paired with 12lb Tasline PE1 on the IRT300RT reel and a Kensai spin slow pitch rod.
As I drifted in 60m, I noticed a slight rise on the bottom. Working the soft bait with the cod twitch, it suddenly went slack on the fall, and I knew I had one. Bang—hook in! As I started to retrieve, I had to back off the drag since I was fishing PE1. When I saw it coming up the water column, I could tell it was a big blue cod. I got really excited and scrambled to find the net, which was still in the hold—always better to set up for the fight beforehand, e.g., net out, GoPro up and recording.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/634b4f76643d7244f2cb5b38/669b55606de75eb9da5dd2a5_WhatsApp%20Image%202024-07-20%20at%2014.49.49%20(1).webp)
I opted to leader land, which haunts me as I had snapped the line on another huge cod last time I did this. Luckily, I landed it and let out a shout of joy, relieved that it was safe and well within legal size.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/634b4f76643d7244f2cb5b38/669b558c2c7dd133093bbc34_WhatsApp%20Image%202024-07-20%20at%2014.49.48%20(1).webp)
As I continued fishing, catching more cod, I decided to measure a few and realised I was throwing back legal ones because they looked so small compared to the big cod. When the divers returned, they had a heap of crays and kina, and during the second dive, more blue cod were caught.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/634b4f76643d7244f2cb5b38/669b552cb5fbc7d978d0c856_WhatsApp%20Image%202024-07-20%20at%2014.49.45.webp)
All in all, it was a good day in and on the water.
Tight lines everyone,
Jason Grimmett
#letthefishbethejudge
Get out there for a low weekly fee!
Awesome adventures on the water start with a new Suzuki outboard and great Fully Fitted offers. Get out there with a low weekly fee and no deposit finance from just $55 a week. Lending criteria, T&Cs & fees apply.
![Get out there for a low weekly fee!](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/634b4f76643d7244f2cb5b38/66b565034395fb47a1c0431f_DJI_0010-Edit.webp)
![Angler's Planet](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/634b4f76643d7244f2cb5b38/64c0aca7c46dba0d69a83adc_Snapper-on-Boss-Colour_new.webp)
NZ Fishing World presents Angler's Planet
Buy and sell in the marketplace, post and comment on fishing reports and forums, AI-assisted trip planning. Beta access coming.