Current conditions & hotspots

Inner Gulf snapper

Schooling snapper are active around northern Waiheke and into the Firth of Thames. It’s reasonable action for late winter/early spring—dolphin pods are stirring things up, gannets are diving like missiles, and snapper are responding to jigs. Mostly just-legal-sized fish, but numbers are modest and still in winter mode.

Outer Gulf workups

Out past the Happy Jacks toward Coromandel and Fantail Bay, deeper waters are producing better snapper. Dolphins are trapping pilchards at the surface, triggering explosive workups. Kingfish are cruising just below—solid 1m specimens are there for the taking. When a Bryde’s whale joins the chaos, expect bigger snapper to arrive from afar.

Tip: Turn off your sounder to give baitfish a break and let your hull act as shelter—it’s a wild, swirling spectacle.

Anchorite & half-day missions

Similar action is playing out near Anchorite. With short weather windows lately, there’s just enough time to head out, hook up, and return in comfort.

Little Barrier & squiggles

A reliable spot for drift fishing over undulating terrain in winter and early spring. If whales show up—and they often do—your fish bin can fill fast.

Kahawai mayhem & inshore options

Rakino & surrounds

When wind and tide make open areas tough, Rakino has been delivering. Big, fat kahawai are on the hunt, showing up all around the island. Follow the terns for a fast heads-up. Troll a couple of lures while scanning—try a surface micro-jig and a diving bibbed lure (Rapala-style) near your prop wash.

Minimal tidal current lately has made these channels prime feeding zones. Mid-tide, especially post-full moon, is well worth targeting.

Short, sharp & sweet

• Snapper are in great winter condition—no milky flesh, which bodes well for spring.
  
• Solid bait schools are showing on the sounder in 42m—a promising sign for upcoming snapper-fests.
  
• The deeper you go into the Gulf, the bigger the snapper right now.
  
• Low tidal currents are ramping up ahead of next week’s full moon—perfect timing for an early spring snapper session.
  
• This full moon is known by some as the Full Fish Moon—with a full eclipse early Monday (8/9, 06:00), sounds like a perfect excuse to go fishing!
  

Sunrise, sunset—picture yourself out there.

Book now: Fishing tutorials & Father’s Day ideas

On- and off-boat fishing tutorials are already filling up for November at www.fishingcoachpro.com. With unpredictable weather, availability is tight—so if you want to improve your fishing success with 30 years of experience behind you, get in touch now: fishingcoachpro@gmail.com

It could be an extraordinary Father’s Day gift, too.

Coming soon…

A new dead bait rig (for pilchards or mackerel) that makes them come alive—fast, easy, and deadly effective at any depth. Stay tuned!

Cheers!

Captain Espresso