There’s nothing quite like checking past patterns to help predict future catches. With many years of Espresso Reports under our belts, here’s what’s likely dead ahead. It’s your heads-up—and head start—on what to prep for and how to squeeze the best from your next winter fishing adventure.

🌕 Tuna time & moon magic

If you’re into winter’s big game, the southern bluefin tuna are here—and it looks to be a cracker of a season!

Check out this 70kg beauty landed by Jason Grimmett off the east coast right on change of light.

With a big, bright full moon lighting up the nights this week, it’s prime time for tuna action. Whether you’re joining a charter or heading out with your mates, those change-of-light periods—coinciding with moonrise and moonset—offer ideal conditions and strong omens for a hook-up. The planets have aligned. The big barrels are waiting.

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🧊 Gulf update: frost fish vs. ’couta

Back in the Hauraki Gulf, winter brings both joy and the occasional bite you’d rather avoid. Frost fish are a treat to catch and delicious to eat—but barracouta have also arrived, especially around the gates of Little and Great Barrier islands. 😬

Anchoring around Little Barrier is off-limits for now due to the spread of aquatic invaders—specifically the Caulerpa variety.

🔧 Quick tips for winter lure fishing success

Here’s your shortcut to more bites and fewer blank stares:

Drag the small stuff:

Use little tungsten jigs well behind the boat—let them puff mud as they lift and drop at a 45-degree angle during your drift. Out east of the cable zone in 45m+, this distinct action tempts lethargic snapper to bite.

Lighter leader, smarter fight:

Dropping from 20lb to 10lb leader might feel risky but can be a game-changer in fooling wary winter snapper. You’ll need to finesse the fight—but that fish bin will thank you later.

Charge ahead:

A trickle charger might not seem like a fishing tool, but when that winter window clears and your battery’s dead… well, the fish won’t wait. Be ready to launch at a moment’s notice.

🪞 Fishing reflections & future memories

Remember those lockdowns back in the early 2020s? Hard to forget—especially when past Espresso Reports showed full-on workups right off the shoreline. It was as if the fish and birds carried on without us, echoing our absence from the waves.

Right now, those intense Auckland Bay workups seem rare, replaced by a quieter, true winter mode. But don’t be fooled. Some of the best fishing memories are created on crisp, clear, calm winter days. They’re coming… and you just need a little preparation and a slight change in approach to be grinning from ear to ear.

Lure Secrets Seminar at Gulf Harbour, sponsored by www.fishingcoachpro.com – packed with pearls you can apply right now. It’s free—be there and enjoy!

Tight lines,

Captain Espresso

P.S. And here’s how to turn your old, shredded assist hooks with no flasher left—into your advantage!