Bay of Islands

fishing report

Supplied by

Darren Knapping

Days Out Fishing Charters

Bay of Islands 9th September
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

Ed note: Our Day’s Out skipper, Dazza, has just spent a good part of the Bay of Islands winter basking amongst the lovely crocodiles, snakes, spiders, jellyfish, and deadly poisonous octopus that inhabit the northern Australian Albany Island. Lucky for some right?

Well not all bad.

The solid yellowfin tuna breaching and feeding straight off the beach, and access to all the tropical species fishing you could want in 35 degrees of heat and all that summery feeling stuff certainly left us feeling a bit jealous during the wild NZ winter.  

Welcome back Darren, here’s the spring update for the fishing season we head into in the glorious BOI!

Bay of Islands spring fishing report:

Well after a great break, it’s back into some great fishing, as spring has to be one of the best times to chase big snapper up in the Bay.

With the massive amount of structure that features around our island land masses and reefs, which can vary from a distinct pin or big section of scrubby foul, to the  huge amounts of sand banks around the inner island's, there is a place to fish within everyone's comfort zone and most weather conditions.

For me it's either casting a softbait into the white wash, or finding some good structure to cube onto that are my favourite methods for this time of year chasing big snapper.

On the soft bait side, first thing in the morning around Capstan Rock off Long Beach, off the outer side of Roberton Island, and all the way along the seaward side of the southern islands are the places I’m finding are fishing best.

Depending on what your favourite softy is (everyone has their own fave) I’m liking to go big, with 7” Catch Livies, in Tom Tom colour wave, being a stand out performer

For the bait side there are plenty of places this time of year that will hold bait out around the 38 metre area, and straight out the middle is holding some good sized jack mackerel and slimeys, which are my favorite livies to get on board.

Anywhere inside 20metres of water with a good run of current as the tide starts moving is good at the moment.

The moon is full 10th September so on the drop the fishing will generally get better.

Out a little bit deeper there are some good terikahi probing around in 60 to 70 metres over any foul ground, with the odd pup hapuka always on the cards.

Bigger puka are also now moving into the shallows, and September is ‘puka month’ up this way.

I look forward to getting out after them.

Kingfish have been on all the reefs but as per usual, getting them past the  sharks has been the biggest problem.

Be safe, have fun get out there.

Regards Darren

This report provided by Darren Knapping, Days Out Fishing Charters

https://www.fishingdaysout.co.nz/

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