Wellington / Kapiti
fishing report
March 13, 2020
Have you ever heard of a butterfly tuna? Also known as a butterfly mackerel, there have been several of these very unusual fish caught this week out off the west coast among the albacore. Imagine a cross between a tuna, a tarpon, and a kingy and that is sort of what you have. A bizarre species that is certainly an eye opener at the boat. These fish grow up to 40 plus kgs, but the specimens we’ve been seeing a bit more modest. The most distinguishing features are the large silver scales, unusual to tuna, and the flattened head profile .
Actually a member of the mackerel family, these fish are absolutely delicious pan fried crumbed, floured, battered or grilled.
Albacore have been about in great numbers recently, and out west from Ohau upwards they are right in close as shallow as 60 metres, so watch out for sign of them under the boat, or just have a troll with some small tuna lures.
Just off Ohau point has been the hot spot for these.
Otherwise the fishing has been put down a little bit by the bout of southerlies dropping the water temp again.
Around Mana and Pukerua Bay the fishing has been running a bit up and down, so it’s anyone's guess at the moment when you head out that way.
The weather forecast this weekend is pretty good, with winds from the north offering opportunity off the south coast.
We’ve found it better offshore than right in close mostly, but generally all the good areas like Hunter’s, Fisherman’s, the Trench etc are fishing pretty nicely on most occasions so it’s a matter of getting a bait in the water.
Good luck for the week. Perhaps go see if you can score yourself a butterfly tuna :-)
Tight lines
Pete
Report provided by PETE LAMB FISHING
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