Fishing remains steady lately, with most of the action happening out in the deeper waters, around 60-65 meters off Marakopa. It's a bit unusual for this time of year; we'd normally be closer in, within the 20-40 meter range. For some reason, that usual hotspot hasn't been firing. For the past eight years the shallower depths would be our go-to. It's hard to say why, as the water temperatures haven't changed much. Maybe the best is yet to come.

Out at 60 meters, the fishing has been excellent, with both good sizes and numbers of fish making it so that just three hours of fishing can fill the boat. The catch has been clean, mostly snapper with a bit of gurnard and kahawai thrown in, and the odd spiny dogfish making an appearance.

There was one trip this week that might just be the worst in my career, but hey, that's fishing for you. I had high hopes for a spot I thought would do well, but it just wasn't to be.

On the brighter side, the game fishing season has been phenomenal, with the Kawhia club's one base event seeing a total of 44 marlin caught, 8 weighed and 36 tagged and released, which is outstanding. Albacore tuna have been scarce closer to shore, and most days we're trolling without much luck. However, most of the marlin action has been in the 100-meter area, though we've also seen them around the 60 meters while snapper fishing, so they're pretty spread out.

I had a go in the harbour a few days back and was pleasantly surprised. We pulled in over 20 decent snapper in just a few hours, all very good pannies.

Cheers, Rob.

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