The Honey-moon is almost over! This week’s full moon wanes away over the weekend although the forces of nature tide-wise are still in full strength mode, the tidal movement is strong and so are the winds above the surface between
the intermittent and fleeting calms. When big tides and strong winds oppose the mid-tide sea surface condition can get…gnarly. But when the stars align the fishing is good, surprisingly so!
Kingfish are in the Firth of Thames still along with some good snapper that are being caught by the mussel farms on softbaits. Out and about around the general open gulf, expect good consistent snapper catching on the drift, with the right approach. What’s working? Well ‘Let The Fish Be The Judge’ rings true with snapper in particular at the moment as they slow their feeding down along with the water temperature drop, which means their appetite stimulus needs to be more accurate. How do you determine what’s working at that time, at that place with these fish? Easy, use a few different styles of lure and the snapper will let you know quickly. They will simply ignore your offering or quickly hit the right lure, whether jig, softbait or whatever variety/method of lure you are using. You may need to change several times before finding the bites you’re after, and don’t just stick with your ‘ol faithful lure, change is essential. Some days a smaller jig, others or evening later that day, a softbait could be the go and a massive difference between the two both in terms of size of fish and number.
Water temps are 16c over most of gulf with 15c around the edges yet the inner areas are swarming with mackerel chasing smelt/whitebait, right onto the shorelines at times with tiny fish beaching themselves in the fracas. Large schools of surface rippling mackerel are chasing down their prey in the open areas west of Rangitoto, all the way across to Gulf Harbour way. There are some nice pan sized snapper in tow, not huge numbers but they are there. You don’t need to chase the birds and mackerel schools as they move around quite fast, the snapper mooch around the general area looking for easy pickings and struggling prey. So small lures and jigs have been perfect this week! Microjigs and L’ll Squidwings have been on fire and the thrill on lightweight fishing gear is outstanding. Gurnard, snapper, a few kahawai and all sizes of mackerel (some biggies!) are just out there with a variety of inshore fish like this – dinners can be an unexpected winter delight of different fresh fish, that you caught. Perfect.
Good early winter fishing is happening and not far from the Auckland buzz, if you’re not already – it’s time to get involved!
BTW here’s a recent media release regarding Hauraki Gulf fisheries:
Beanies on, jig on, fish on! Enjoy your fishing.
Espresso.