It’s been a cracking few weeks for kingfish. Workups have been fast-paced and widespread — often without dolphins, which explains why snapper numbers under the gannets haven’t been as thick as expected. ‍

Out by the Barriers and across the Gulf, anglers have enjoyed “now you see them, now you don’t” kingfish action, chasing tails across shifting workups.

Blue mackerel schools out wide have added to the excitement. These prized baitfish are often in survival mode, holding 20 metres down and 20 metres up, frustrating the hungry predators shadowing them from above and below.

Not keen on maxing out the Visa at the fuel pump? Plenty of smaller kingfish are lighting up inshore spots — marker buoys, channel markers, and with the kahawai schools around eastern Tiri, the Firth, Waiheke channels, and Rangi. Even under the Harbour Bridge, kahawai have been putting on a show — a kayaker’s delight.

Tip of the week: Don’t get stuck on one method. Slow-pitch and speed jigs? Weirdly slow hook-up rates. Right now, tungsten micro jigs and slow jigs are catching kingfish attention.

Light tackle + small jigs = epic fishing. Keep an open mind and you’ll outsmart them, even when they ‘just say no’.

For the adventurous, saltwater fly (SWF) around markers is pure adrenaline. Triple bonus points if you’re into this fishing style — check out the action shots and videos on the Auckland Saltwater Fly Fishing Facebook page.

🐠 Snapper with crispy skin BBQ-style?

Snapper fortunes have been mixed. Some days it’s “they’re everywhere,” other days it’s “where have they gone?” Deep-water drifts near Great Barrier have been steady, while mid-ground sounders have seen flatlines. Kawau, northern Tiri, and Happy Jacks have delivered both tales of woe and tales of all-go, with smaller workups included.

I haven’t ventured into the Firth much lately, but it’s bound to fire soon, if not already — at least in the upper areas. Snapper, kahawai, and kingfish should be flowing in through that northern gateway.

🎣 Kahawai sashimi or smoked?

Few sights beat kahawai surface-feeding in calm waters of 30 metres and less. But when they’re boiling the surface, they can be maddeningly one-eyed. Best trick? Throw a tiny jig (5–10g), the smallest soft bait you’ve got, or a saltwater fly as above.

🌊 One Ocean Protest.

New Zealanders turned out in force to show their passion for our fisheries and to sound the ecological alarm bells. The government’s latest script on ‘fisheries management’ — honestly, Monty Python couldn’t have written it.

🎄 Christmas & New Beginnings

With Christmas just weeks away and the New Year promising fresh adventures, I want to thank you all for your support, feedback, and encouragement. Becoming a professional fishing coach and teacher has been a wondrous journey, shaped by many lessons and mentors.

So, what’s your rabbit hole this summer? Mine includes diving deeper into SWF — a whole new awakening awaits.

Will yours be the challenge of ultra-light tackle, chasing tuna, battling striped marlin, or simply making new memories with family? Big ambitions or small joys, summer is the season to embrace them all.

✨ Tight lines, and here’s to new beginnings.

Cheers,

Captain Espresso

www.fishingcoachpro.com