June

PRESENTED BY OUR FRieND’S AT HUNTING AND FISHING NORTH SHORE

Where are the fish biting?

It’s an exciting time for many Auckland fishers, with many of our popular species readily available. However, in addition to the usual snapper, trevally and kahawai, several yellowfin tuna have unexpectedly been caught further north recently, mostly while jigging or stick-baiting for kingfish, and a marlin was sighted out off Kawau Island.

We obviously give up well before the game fish do!

Even better, bluefin tuna have started moving up the east coast, with a few caught out of Hawkes Bay and rumours of some small ones being taken well out from Tauranga by the commercial fleet.

Then, of course, there are the broadbill, and this is the best time to target them, both locally out at the Barrier Bank, along with any nearby deep water knolls and trenches, as well as further north in places such as the Garden Patch and out from the Three Kings Islands.

Closer to home, the Waiheke, Little Barrier and Great Barrier shallows have been rewarding soft-baiters and bait fishers alike with solid snapper, including some beauties around 70-80cm-plus. Reports of decent kingfish following up hooked kahawai and snapper indicate there are finally a few around to be targeted too; they have generally been pretty thin on the ground this season, with the majority being encountered out amongst the gannet and dolphin work-ups out in 30-55m depths.

How to catch them?

Check out the anchovy action still available around much of our east coast shoreline, especially around Rangitoto, Motutapu and the Noises; 2.5-4” soft-baits have been lethal, especially when used on ⅛-1/4oz jig-heads and 12-15lb leader.

Interestingly, although the soft-baits might be small, the snapper commonly attracted have usually been well legal, with fish to 12lb caught around Rangi’. Look for the fluttering terns and surface-feeding kahawai more than the mutton birds, and don’t be too quick to leave the area once the birds and kahawai move on, as the snapper and trevally often hang around afterwards to pick off any injured and dying baitfish left in the work-up ‘exhaust’.

Consequently, small jigs around 15-30g are also a good option, especially in water over 20m. Otherwise, try casting a small spinner about the same weight for the many kahawai feeding in the upper harbour around the naval base wharf and Mechanics Bay; there are heaps there at the moment and they can be a lot of fun for youngsters if the winds have some north in them and they are strong enough to make the water pretty choppy and unpleasant in less sheltered areas.

As for the west coast, some excellent snapper fishing has been reported near the Kaipara Harbour mussel farms, while the Manukau Harbour is providing a nice mix of decent snapper and gurnard, especially to anglers fishing thin strip baits.

Tight Lines everyone!

NORTH SHORE HUNTING & FISHING – HERE TO HELP YOU

Please call into North Shore Hunting and Fishing store (1 Holder Place, Rosedale) for any tackle advice, or give me a ring on 0278056056.

If I’m not around, introduce yourself to the fishing staff. The guys have a wealth of Knowledge and decades of experience. The fishing team consists of Mark Kitteridge (famous Kiwi angler and fishing journalist), Justin Russell, Chris Ackerman and Al Mair (who are also very experienced fishermen).

We can also advise you on where to fish and the best techniques to fish for each area. We are always happy to provide you with the latest fishing intel and show you the gear you need to ‘get out there doing it’.