Very low and slow tidal current moving around this past week โ putting a bit of a dampener on snapper spirits, but this ebb has made for some fantastic sea conditions to be out there enjoying. Forecasters have been on point โ remember for the sea state you need to account for swell, not just wind, and tide direction. More coming on reading the forecast better, faster and more accurately so you know exactly what to expect out there, not just what we hope for and misread through rose tinted lens.
Famous Rangi channel pannies โ be there first thing in the morning, and disco! Softbait and microjig city, lots of smaller snapper for sure but some nice specimens in amongst the odd kahawai school and the breeding mackerel (in roe) feeding on tiny fast fleeing baitfish/anchovies (pictured below). So likewise many fish follow the bait schools around the general area and up past Rakino, some St Patrick day fish around there too, big green back kingfish!
Thousands of anchovies just below the surface by the famous Rangitoto Island
Anchovies!
Perhaps we have an inkling of Autumn snapper snacking starting? Best way is to fish the inner channels and areas (like just out from the Noises (out of the no-fishing zones) early and get that morning bite.
Upper Firth of Thames has provided some good snapper, just drifting around the baitschools and various sea birds sitting, picking up snapper on smaller lures and jigs with steady easy to eat movements rather than highly erratic energetic style. Mid ground of the gulf has seen some very quiet days snapper-wise.
Lots of little tuna just outside the gulf, still, western Gt. Barrier more so than eastern side, lots more the further north you go too. If they are ignoring your trolled lure, try a really small (10-20gm) white or silver microjig (trolled with hook at rear).
Coming up: The famous Rangi channel and worm beds โ see for yourself unique video footage of them and how your technique could be attracting, or repelling fish! Stay tunedโฆand see everything for yourself. Definitely worth watching!
A massive and magnificent manta ray is around the gulf if you are lucky enough to see this flying fortress, itโs huge! Mantas do not have barbs, they are not dangerous and are often curious of humans.
Researchers on lookout for 6 metre-wide manta ray seen in Hauraki Gulf (msn.com)
Iโll be bringing you more info. Every week throughout the year, thank you for your solid support and the feedback on what you enjoy catching fish with, much appreciated. Coming up โ new deep water softbait rigs (6ounce!) so how deep could you fish your whopping big softbaits like a 10inch long one? And if you still know someone who still uses bait, then help them out with the big daddy, highly luminous, bleeding eye, reflecting retina, Tenya styled (for extra fish-catching action)โฆnew Stingaz deep water rigs.
Check the forecast, be in the lee of land if itโs breezy and you could be onto an epic fishing session, snapper, kahawai, kingfish, mackerel – who knows? You if you go fishinโ!
Enjoy
