Hauraki Gulf
fishing report
July 23, 2020
The Espresso Report: Full steam ahead with all things fishing – by land, sea or otherwise! First up – how about catching up at the Ti Rakau Drive Boat Show in Auckland this Fri/Sat/Sun, the best alternative if you’re not actually out catching fish on all of the next few days. The big jig tank from Catch Fishing will be there of course, so you can see what the fish see, the deep water lure action from what you do to your rod/reel – right in front of your face. See for yourself the difference great tackle and presentation makes and why fish would aggressively strike your lure, or not!
The Catch team will be there sharing top advice that’ll help you catch the fish you’re targeting, whether softbaiting, jigging, top water, inchiku, and the rest i.e. all things for bait-free fishing!
https://www.tirakaudriveboatshow.co.nz/
Some great fishing weather dead-ahead!
Tidal currents are ramping up nicely which may well offset the wind swing to the southern quarter – which can bring a possible closed mouth attitude from many fish i.e. a slow bite if it gets just too still.
But with that tidal current swinging into action it should waken most fish into some good strong snacking at least.
Gurnard are well spread in the inner areas, out over the sand they should be willing and able to strike, their sizes are looking good and they’re being caught all over the gulf. Microjigs and small softbaits grubbed along behind on the drift is a great way to target them.
If you’re using micro jigs, try having the hook trailing the lure rather than up front tied to your leader.
Sudden drop offs from high speed/gale force winds down to an eerie calm are highly likely, you know the ones - that sudden stillness, be prepared so you’re ready to be out there on the drop. Workups will be ON!
Excellent looking workup action has been in the Firth of Thames, and out from the Noises/Ahaas area. If you are after snapper under (or near) the workups it pays to remember that there are only so many snapper, and trying to keep up with a fast moving workup may leave the red brigade behind.
This means that the area should be good to fish in, there is natures spark the wake-up alarm for fish in the area to get some fast food. However, some workups may be mainly kahawai and baitfish based with perhaps a few kingfish thrown in for a surprise.
It pays not to be fishing with blinkers on with only snapper in sight – winter especially. There are other fish to fry. The further out into the gulf, generally the more snapper will be sticking around near workup activity, I would expect the previous week’s workups south of Little Barrier may have calmed down.
So it is over to you fellow fisho for the next few days - browse around some beautiful boats with all the toys and trimmings, catch a few Show-Only tackle bargains of course, scope out the new product releases. Remember lockdown? Well now we’re not confined, it’s time to get out and about and see what’s what.
So it could be one very rewarding 3-day weekend, fish a day, and have a gander at the latest greatest at the Show, the next with fish on the BBQ…sounds like win:win to me!
Cheers, Captain Espresso.
For Wave Dancer Charters: Visit www.wavedancer.co.nz to make a booking
Stop Exotic Caulerpa!
Stop the spread of exotic caulerpa seaweed. If boating in the upper North Island, check your anchor and gear before moving location and if you find any seaweed, Bag it, Bin it! Legal controls are in place at Great Barrier Island, Great Mercury Island and Bay of Islands.
Free online dive training for all!
Have you played Survive the Dive? The free online diver training and certification platform is live today for all divers, spearfishermen and recreational skippers of diving boats.
Comments