Whangarei Harbour

The upper harbour is still full of snapper for those straylining small baits on the incoming tide. It’s unusual for this time of year, so get in as soon as you can.

Top spots at the moment are Limestone and Takahiwai, all the better if fished late afternoon and dusk. Use plenty of berley and at least a metre-long trace with two snelled hooks.

Lots of trevally are also entering the harbour and some good kingfish are being taken on jigs out from Reotahi Bay. Remember, there’s a reserve around the island, so make sure you are fishing outside of it.

Ruakaka and Ocean Beach.

Softbaits and slow-pitch jigs are doing the damage in the 14 to 16-metre range along the front of Ruakaka Beach.

Ocean Beach is enjoying its usual late-season marlin bonanza, with a few really impressive fish to 180kg reported in the last few days. Live bait fishing is the best bet. Kahawai are available consistently at the Old Woman or better still, target Jack mackerel in deeper water – 80 to 100m.

A heavy-duty sabiki with size 14 hooks is probably a minimum at this depth. You’ll need a 10-ounce rig to get down quickly. Expect full strings if they are on the bite. It’s not unusual to have these baits plucked off by marlin on the way up.

Doubtless Bay

Fishers with motorised kontikis have been doing well straight off the beach, with 20 fish from 25 hooks a typical result. Mixed species bags include kahawai, gurnard and snapper.

An evening incoming tide is still proving the sweet spot, but the mornings can be productive, albeit with a shorter bite window.

The deeper reefs are producing plenty of kingfish using mechanical jigging techniques and 300-gram jigs.

Kari Kari Beach and Rangaunu

Both the surf casters and the boat fishermen venturing into four to six metres on dusk have been doing very well. Straylining seems to be the go-to in this shallow.

Again, the upper reaches of Rangaunu have turned it on for those who know their way around. Even a cup full of gas will get you out the harbour entrance and into plenty of good fish.

Those keen to wander a bit wider will find plenty of bluenose and bass on the usual seamounts, the 209 and 335. As a bonus, it seems the killer whales have moved on to the Barrier Canyons, giving local anglers a better chance of getting the catch to the boat.

Very recent reports of yellowfin around the Garden Patch suggest it’s a bit early to be putting away the gamefishing gear yet. Well known Northland vessel Bwana, reported pack attacks of marlin adjacent Parengarenga and North Cape.

About Warren Hay Marine

Warren Hay Marine operates two dealerships: one in 27 Rewa Rewa Road, Whangarei and a recently acquired second location in Opua, Bay of Islands.

Warren is a very keen and experienced angler, splitting his time between the Whangarei office, the Bay of Islands and more recreational pursuits in Doubtless Bay.

Visit www.warrenhaymarine.co.nz to get hold of Warren and the team.