Bay of Islands

fishing report

December 3, 2021

Supplied by

Darren Knapping

Days Out Fishing Charters

Note: If map is showing it is created by LINZ / New Zealand Hydrographic Authority and made available by Creative Commons 3.0. Maps should not be used for navigation

As we like to expect in summer, up here in the bay, the fishing has been on fire, with some solid snapper being landed both locally in the shallows, and a bit further up the coast. This time of year also brings the on-water traffic, and there can be a great number of boats charging around which can make the fish bite a bit softer.

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Patience is the key, and if you persevere, they will eventually come on the chew in our experience.

Last week was all go up in the bays between Rocky Point and the Cavalli Island's, with good numbers of kingfish smashing baits and jigs on the 35 to 60 metre reef areas.

There’s been some really big snapper boated all the way along the east coast, and this is the best time of year to fish softbaits that have been largely responsible for our best fishing.

Softbaits have been my go-to thing for some time now, and we have really enjoyed some epic success. Some of our clients just can’t believe how successful this method of fishing is, and on light gear, it’s awesome fun.

Our favourite terminal gear, either the big Catch 10-inch tom-tom or bruised banana coloured jerk shads, or the hot orange colours are often great especially at change of light.

Good places to try from now until Christmas at least, are the patches of foul between Tapeka Point and Roberton Island.

Out in the 40 to 50 metre zone there are some nice anchovy schools that are attracting snapper and kingfish that will both respond to jigs and other lures.

Also, in the middle ground around Centre foul, and Mitas, a persistent effort will usually be well rewarded.

If you like fishing live bait, you can find them in fairly good numbers schooling up and down the water column out in the middle ground, around 30 metres.

Mostly they are either slimy or jack mackerel schools, and if you are looking for bigger jacks to use as XXOS king baits or even marlin pitch baits, you’ll often find them off Battleship Rock.

One thing to note, the Bay of Island's will become a marine mammal Sanctuary as of the 15th of December, so to be sure and make yourself aware of the new rules and safe zones that the Department of Conservation have outlined.

You can check out their web page HERE

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Be safe, tight lines

Regards Darren

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This report provided by Darren Knapping, Days Out Fishing Charters

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