If you explore out deep in 40 to 50 metres fishing the ‘diamond between Kawau, Anchorite/Little Barrier and the top of the Coromandel, it would be very surprising for you to not find enough good fish for a feed.  Even if you can’t find workups, there will often be tell tale sign from birds lurking about, and the trusty sounder will identify snapper on the seafloor if you just slow down and be patient.

Probing sign with a quick drop will often tell whether they are on the chew.

That’s another point.  They can often be there but just not in their bite time.  The answer is often to wait it out, and repeat good looking drifts until things eventually kick into life with the movements of the currents.

Although the weather has been pretty rugged, and it’s still a bit spicy next week, there have been a few morning windows to get a quick inshore session tucked away before breakfast!

Here's the Espresso Report for this week:

There’s no such thing as inappropriate weather, only inappropriate clothing, apparently, I would add ‘attitude’ as a key ingredient at the wintry moment.

Either you’ve succumbed to the negative of it’s cold, dark, wet, nothing to do, bored…OR it’s a wonderful day of exploring, new adventures, wrapped up warm and dry, beanie and proper gear on, a plan hatched among you and your mates/family…and an unexpected FANTASTIC TIME is had!

New unplanned thrills for sure, but only because you had the right attitude to start. Fishing is the epitome of when having a touch of positive attitude - is often enough, whether you are a big game chaser, which right now can mean massive tuna off the coast peeling line at an alarming rate or perhaps a deep drop for more good eating measure.

Maybe a kingfish mission is what lights your fire – whether using a weather window, or using the grey mater and hunting them in the shallows, straylining with a new approach like Livies (softbaits or mackerel) and stick-baits .

Similarly with all types of fish – it’s in your attitude. Kahawai – oh yes, what a thrill, plan your attack of where and when…and how? Try a tiny 20gm stick-bait  for surface action, look out though, it’s very addictive!

There’s a fishing fraternity dedicated to small game, yes indeed and the smiles and thrills are no different, and much more easily accessible and an option for any skill level of angler, PERFECT for a young angler or two to get hooked on fishing, bring home some excellent fish to smoke, sashimi, ceviche and more. Again attitude is everything.

Your enjoyment of fishing is entirely in your hands, and with the school holidays upon us, time to have both quality and quantity time aka a holiday with family and friends.

Time to donate some old gear you haven’t used in quite a while and probably never will? Pass the thrill on and revel in that feeling, it’s something special.

Doing the same ol’ same ol’ – even sounds dull, do it a little differently – O.K. so it’s showers a strong wind, why not take a walk and prospect with a squid jig, a microjig, a softbait.

Check this beauty of a snapper caught by Mark Pandelidis land based doing just that!

Whether it’s your son or daughter, with/without a mate or two, a niece, nephew, brother…or even get your Dad/Mum into it.

The fun doesn’t begin when you’re out fishing, it begins well before that, with the idea, the plan, an alternate plan, the gear preparation (teaching all sorts of good things to young ones on holiday), and of course the day itself. And then there’s after-party, fresh fish, many stories, cleaning sorting and admiring gear prepped and ready for next time.

Whether in a month, a week – or how about tomorrow!? And how about throwing in some old school values for the youngsters – some chores/lawns/pinecone collecting for the fireplace – a few jobs to earn a few dollars – and then a cheap second hand rod/reel from Marketplace of their very own!

Magic.

Also isn’t it about time you treated yourself to some new gear and tackle? Of course it is you haven’t bought anything for so long! You are quite right in lending or giving some of your old gear away, new gear is essential then, keep that cycle of passing the thrill of fishing and all that it involves on www.catchfishing.pro .

How about enjoying learning more about using softbaits lures and all things bait-free, free! Two coaching seminars in Auckland are imminent, worth their weight in gold, and saves years of ‘learning the hard way’, just get straight into great fishing. Ladies Night Fish City Albany July 11, Maraetai Boat Club July 20.

Adventures, good ones at that are simply waiting for you to start, take just the first step and you’re away laughing. Nike coined the phrase - you know what it is!

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Cheers

Captain Espresso

www.catchfishing.pro

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For Wave Dancer Charters: Visit www.wavedancer.co.nz

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