MANUKAU/WEST COAST FISHING REPORT
We’re expecting the coast to be messy so give it a miss – mow the lawns
or try the harbour.
The early tide and improved weather will be a good opportunity to fish the harbour. Make sure you target those gurnard that are in absolute prime condition. Use dropper or flasher rigs, target the shallower areas under 10m and keep your baits small. My friends John and Cheryl Moran fished late last week and Cheryl nabbed a 52cm fish of just under 1.4kg, a very nice gurnard indeed.
I won’t be fishing this weekend, instead I’ll be preparing my boat for the Counties Sport Fishing Club’s Ice Breaker tournament. Anyone can fish the competition and you can fish anywhere in the country as long as you’re back at Te Toro for the weigh in on Sunday. Tickets are only available from DKM Fishing and Marine in Waiuku or Hooked on U in Pukekohe.
The Ice Breaker is July 7-8, or you could try the Manurewa RSA’s famous Gurnard Guru comp which is restricted to the Manukau Harbour but is a very popular event. This one usually gets around 400 anglers and has great prizes. This year it is on July 8 and if it gets delayed due to the weather I will fish it for sure, if I can still get a ticket. The Ice Breaker will not be cancelled – it happens in the first full weekend of July regardless. As you can fish anywhere in New Zealand there is always somewhere you can find some shelter. If it is terrible weather and no one can get out then prizes get drawn so everyone has a chance.
Another competition option is one online at www.fishingcomp.co.nz where you register and have a fold up measure sent to you for a small fee. A lot of people wish to release their fish and this concept allows for that. Although there are generous prizes on offer you can also use it for those all-important bragging rights within your own circle of mates. Check it out, my son and I have a few fish entered already.
The best advice I can give anyone about catching more or bigger fish is to get out fishing with as many different people as you can. Watch the people you fish with and see what they are doing that helps them to catch more fish or, conversely, watch someone who is having a hard time to see if you can work out why they are doing so badly – then don’t do what they do!
One of the best ways to get to fish with others is to join a club and fish a few competitions – the more you mix with other fishermen the more you will learn. I’ve been lucky enough to fish with some of the best and it has certainly paid off. Competitions are also a lot of fun and you never know, you may take home some sweet prizes.
See ya, Smudge
(Mike Parker from the Counties Sport Fishing Club)
See also
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2 comments
Hinerangi Himiona
2012-05-11 20:48:07.220085
Hey can you send a few of those fish up to Maunganui Bluff...not much up here!
smudge
2012-05-18 18:06:36.411668
OK they're on their way. Give it two weeks!