Skipper's blog

Fishing reports

3rd February 2012

Water Temp : 19.8oC

These past few weeks have seen frantic Snapper fishing trips in the warm water and mainly on the sand, although the odd day has proved that fishing is never reliable as we all know. At the moment the ocean is alive with bait fish all being chased by the Kahawai and Kingfish; the wharf at Mangonui has seen some great catches recently. Further out, the Marlin are starting to bend a few rods with temperatures not quite at their peak yet, but still plenty of Skippies to be found even in 30m.

1st January 2012

Water Temp : 18.8oC

Happy New Year to everyone and to good fishing this new year. December was a good month for fishing when we could go, the weather played a big part in keeping the boat in port especially just after Xmas but now finally seems to have settled. The past few days have seen some awesome catches of Snapper; most people getting their quota to feed the family and friends. I tried a few trips around the reefs and found some big Trevelly, Kahawai and the odd John Dory. Marlin have been spotted fairly close in around the 200m line - a good sign of warm water moving in and bringing the good fish.

2nd December 2011

Water Temp : 16.4oC

The past month has been a varied one as far as Snapper catches are concerned. The beginning of November saw good catches of good size Snapper, 2kg -5kg. One particular evening saw a 30lb come on board, unfortunately he had swallowed both main and keeper hooks plus a whole Kahawai head so he was off to the smoker. Also been taking some good Terekihi off the sand in around 20-24m. Then as good as it was they seemed to go off the feed, some 4 hour charters ended as 7 hours tryng to get everyone a good feed but thankfully this period ended after about 5 days and the fish are back taking baits and getting in the fish bin. Still the Barras are ever present but not in huge numbers; and just to mention the good old Red Gurnard are making a bit of a show.

2nd November 2011

Water Temp : 16.6oC

The Snapper fishing has really stepped up the last 2 weeks - good sizes from 5lb-9lb filling the bin with the odd moocha, the biggest at 27lb and several over 20lb. Happy to say most of the bigger ones were released after the photos were taken. Good size Trevelly and Porae taking pilchard and squid baits, although the softbaits have struggled recently. I haven't targeted the Kings for a little while but reports of a few being caught in 60-80m in the middle of the bay on livebait, but unusually the jigs haven't bit hit as often as they were a few months ago.

28th September 2011

Water Temp : 15oC

Well its been a lean couple of weeks on the Snapper front - a couple of days produced a few nice fish but mostly small stuff. The Kingfish have played their part on livebaits providing some welcome excitement. There are signs of Snapper moving in to some parts of the bay now and, with the water temp. gradually rising, it can only get better. Tarakihi, Blue Cod and Porae have been the main fish on the dinner plate lately taking small squid baits between 20-30m. Also some solid patches of Slimey and Jack Mackerel near the entrance but unfortunately surrounded by the Barras but still good to fill the bait freezer or for livies on the way out to deeper grounds. Well enjoy the rugby and I'll let you know what's going on in the bay in a couple of weeks.

14th September 2011

Water Temp : 15.1oC

Cold southerlies and slack fishing filled most of the past two weeks. Very temperamental, a couple of awesome days on the Snapper and Tarkihi alongside days where the fish just did not want to feed, not the decent ones anyway. Still, on a more positive note a good storm has pushed through with strong wind and swell hitting the Bay. This should give everything a bit of a stir up and hopefully get the fish back on the bite. A good amount of Skippies are in the bay so a good time to stack the bait freezer or maybe try and find a Black Marlin hanging around the place.

Just to add - Pisces Charters and Mangonui Hotel have a special promotion at the moment. NZ$150 gets you a half-day charter, a night's accommodation in the hotel and any of your fish smoked for free.

Hope to have a more fish-filled report for you in a couple of weeks.

30th August 2011

Water Temp : 14.2oC

A real cold snap at the beginning of the month really turned the fishing into a hit or miss affair, filling the bin one day then barely scraping a feed the next. Happy to report things have improved over the last 10 days or so with some good-sized Snapper found in deep water, 80m, and also in the shallows, 8m, with softbaiting showing good results around the reefs. Some good-sized Blue Cod and Terekihi have made a pleasant addition to the table. Also had a good few Kingy charters landing over 20 on average per trip, a fair few rats between the good ones along with the odd Barra but all good fun on the lighter gear. Spring feels it's just around the corner which should bring more fish on the bite with improving temperatures.

8th August 2011

Water Temp : 12.4oC

With the water temp. pretty low, the fishing has changed, the snapper definitely quieter in the daylight hours unless fishing in 40m+, otherwise first and last light are the go. But a few of my regular spots are producing some really nice Tarakihi and also some of the nicest Blue Cod I've seen for sometime. Unfortunately the razor gang have shown up in numbers throughout the Bay, hard to fish anywhere for too long before the found us, but the Kings are making a good show around the harbour and on some of the deeper reefs. Also good size Porae and Trevelly around the 20 - 30m marks.

14th June 2011

Water Temp : 16.6oC

The end of autumn has seen a dramatic drop in both sea and air temp., with several days of rough seas and high winds keeping most sane fishermen at home or in the local. But having said that, there has also been some awesome crisp mornings with no wind and perfect to head deeper and try for the deeper water species. This is my favourite time of year for Kingfish - in deeper water using jigs and liveys. I and a few friends popped out for a couple of hours just last week and scored over 20 decent Kings - keeping 7 between us; ranging from 13 -18kg.

Big Snapper have also made a show on the softbaits in recent weeks, especially over rocky, kelpy ground. Terakihi should start to move in a little closer now with the cooler waters.

13th May 2011

Water Temp : 18.3oC

I'm afraid to say that since Easter the weather has been mostly strong winds and fair-sized swells with the odd in between. I did manage to go out wide for a Marlin which ended up with 1 hook-up and quickly lost and one jumper. We only went out 140m but the water was real quiet, hardly any Skippies and no bird life. In closer waters, the Snapper have been constant the few times I have been out and some days we have scored well in Mangonui Harbour itself. We found a few Kingies in deeper water on jigs last week but like I say, only a few trips made recently, so hopefully the next report will have a bit more fishing info for you.

27th April 2011

Water Temp : 19.2oC

The past two weeks have been the definition of inconsistency, some charters were just too easy followed by hours of changing spots, bait type and rigs with limited success, but happy to say that the last few charters have improved a lot. Some stiff winds starting to come through lately, mainly from the NE gusting in the mid 20 knot range and more. Still taking a few Kingies (legal size) in the bay around 20m, and several John Dory have come up taking dead baits. Plenty of small Snapper on the bite with better results being on foul ground instead of sand. Strayling pilchards brought a few good fish on board just before sunset at the weekend. The game fish are still out there. I heard plenty of boats getting hooked up last week, so just hoping these winds relax over the next week and get another chance to get out there before the season's over.

13th April 2011

Water Temp : 19.5oC

The recent weeks have shown a slow but steady drop in water temperature; but that hasn't affected the fishing at all it seems. In fact, the past week or so has been the busiest for Snapper that I have seen for some time. The Kahawai are still in huge numbers and the Kingies are still here and there, but starting to thin out a little and heading to deeper water I suspect. The boats out wide are still hooking into plenty of game fish from the North Cape down, probably about prime time in this area before the end of the billfish season. With lots of settled weather around, it really is a great time of year to get out there and make the most of this beautiful part of the country.

30th March 2011

Water Temp : 19.8oC


Autumn seems just around the corner with cool mornings and dropping sea temp, but the fish are still here in good numbers and still in close. Mainly Snapper and Kahawai but the Kings are still around. The game fish are also in good numbers with 43 caught last weekend during the Doubtless Bay Sportfishing comp, a nice blue being the heaviest. Also reports of good Snapper in 30m marks in the bay so could be worth a check once the sun is high in the sky. Soft baits have been working well over the reefs lately but can be expensive with all the leatherjackets who love taking of the tails. Looking to target the Terakihi soon, one of my favourite table fish, will keep updated with the results.

16th March 2011

Water Temp : 19.8oC

The fishing in the past two weeks has continued to be consistent in the shallower waters for Snapper and Kahawai - the Kings are still in the Bay but just a little less frequent now. The tsunami has obviously dominated the news and the effects were certainly felt here; the premature ending to the Snapper Bonanza and powerful surges in Mangonui harbour for most of the day and several boats dragging their moorings to new locations but no major damage reported.

The silt and mud deposited in the Bay has now settled and the fish are on the bite with an excellent charter just this morning, some good Snapper and in good numbers. The Houhora One Base Marlin Classic kicks off today and the Doubtless Bay Sportfishing Club Marlin comp. commences on the 26th. Good luck to all and I will list the results in my next report.

2nd March 2011

Water Temp : 22.5oC

A huge swell hit the east coast from the north and pounded the shores for 3 days, but unfortunately the fish seemed to close their mouths for a while after. Just days prior to the storm, the snapper fishing was awesome, good size and quality just jumping on the hooks. Now the water has settled and the brown water has now returned to blue the fish are back on, the Kingies in numbers but a lot of rats, some good Snapper in 15m and the ever presence of good sized Kahawai in huge shoals. The game fish are still abundant and weigh masters busy with recording some great fish, especially one stand-out, a Big - Eye Tuna at 136kg on a 15kg line, probably a world record for the lucky angler on 'SaltShaker'.

15th February 2011

Water Temp : 22.4 oC

If you're keen to get out wide and drag a few lures, now's the time. The temp. is way up and the water is the bluest in ages - only tonight a Blue Marlin at 192 kg was weighed at Mill Bay with heaps of other reports of good catches up and down the coast. Personally looking forward to the Hihi Marlin Classic taking place later this week hosted by Keith at the Motorcamp. As for the inshore fishing, the Snapper have been biting, a lot of small stuff to get through but patience does pay and a few decent sizes have been coming aboard; plus the added bonus of good size Kingies taking squid in the shallower waters around 15m. Also a good time to stock the freezer with a few Skippies and the Albacore for dinner. Just a quick mention that the Red Gurnard are liking the slack tides and still finding Terakihi in 20m -35m in parts of the Bay.

1st February 2011

Water Temp in the Bay : 21.5 oC

The weather has certainly played its part over the last couple of weeks and as a result has made the fishing a bit tricky to say the least. The amount of muddy rainwater that flowed into Doubtless Bay caused most fish to go off the feed for a day or two, but now, happy to say they seem to be back and hungry. Good catches of Snapper and Kingfish have brought smiles most days and the game fish have definitely arrived; several weighed in last week. Congrats. to Chris from Coopers Beach Sports who's Stripey hit 102 kg. Hoping to get out there myself over the next few days.

19th January 2011

Water Temp in the Bay : 21.5 oC

The fishing: the past 2 weeks has been surprisingly inconsistent with some of my favourite spots firing one day then dead the next. There could be more than several reasons why; but here's a few of my thoughts - over fishing one spot but I do try not to target one area too often, post-spawn time, consistent swell the last week, lots and lots of boats in the bay, moon, and probably the most likely '' its fishin!". Even so, we have had some mighty Kahawai on board along with some reasonable Snapper and some good size Trevelly. Marlin are also starting to get hooked up on a regular basis which means the water temp is getting up and the game season is upon us. Looking forward to the HiHi Marlin Classic next month 17th-19th Feb. Still have places available for those who want to try and hook a biggun.

6th January 2011

Water Temp in the Bay : 21.5 oC

Fishing : The Snapper certainly turned up on the sand during the past month - fishing in close between 8 - 15m, last-light being especially productive. The Kahawai are everywhere in numbers and good sizes up to 7lb along with plenty of Yellow Tail in the mix. Kingfish and the dreaded Barracuda have been smashing the gear at times giving everyone a thrill but busting the lines more often than not. Also finding some nice Red Gurnard near the Mangonui entrance taking pilchard baits. The Marlin are here and I'm looking forward to a few trips out wide soon. A Stripey of 128kg was weighed at Mill Bay last week and a few reports of a Blue and Stripey being caught over the past few days.

17th December 2010

Water Temp in the Bay : 20.5 oC

Well the summer has definitely arrived, the Snapper are in and about to spawn, the Skippies and Albies are in the bay and I saw my first Marlin of the season on the back of a truck in Coopers Beach. Fishing has been consistently good over the past few weeks, taking enough for a feed and returning the larger good breeding fish to keep the stocks up. Gurnard are also found on the sand and slack tide seems to be the go, still finding Terakihi and shoals of Kahawai are now turning up all over the place. Merry Christmas to all and enjoy the fishing.

29th November 2010

Water Temp in the Bay : 18.5 oC

Fishing : Now the summer feels it has really started to arrive, the sea temp is over 18 and the Snapper are well and truly in close. Change of light is the time to catch some good fish, so good at times that we have only been taking good eating size and letting the smaller and bigger one go, especially now spawning time is soon upon us. We've had a few Kingies but the Barras have been onto us and making trips expensive with lost gear. Terakihi are still in good numbers as shallow as 20m in some spots. Still waiting for the big work ups to start around the bay, there's plenty of bait fish around so it wont be long. Next report will hopefully include a segment on how we get on out wide in search for some early game fish.

7th October 2010

Water Temp in the Bay : 14.5 oC

Fishing : Signs of some good fish in the Bay especially evening time, snapper ranging from pan size up to 20bl coming on board using half pilchard and light gear. Also good Porae and Terakihi in the 30m range. With the weather seeming more settled than last month we should see the temperatures rising and the pre-spawn snapper coming in close. The Labour weekend was graced with fine weather and reports of some trophy fish being landed near the 3 islands have put a few smiles around, whitebait around but not in great quantities so I hear, the Baras are in close doing a fine job of biting off tackle and the odd shark popping up now and again.

29th September 2010

Water Temp in the Bay : 13.8 oC

Fishing : The past few weeks have kept most of us on dry land, strong winds from the north, west and south west have been a constant feature for over ten days straight. But the gaps did come and managed to get out in the bay, fishing in mainly around 20m with pillies and squid. Some good size porae up to 14lb and snapper to 8lb kept the fishos happy although it took a bit of time to find the right time and spot, fish seem very temperamental at the moment. Who knows, maybe something to do with the aftershocks; have heard reports that the fishing has gone around the 'quake area. Anyway, good fishing and lets look forward to summer.

9th September 2010

Water Temp in the Bay : 13.8 oC

Fishing : Nice to see the signs of spring in the air and some good catches from the sea. Some days have been temperamental but other trips have brought snapper up to 18lb, mostly in shallow rocky areas. These fish are in great condition and starting to feed up ready for the spawning season. Just to mention, I always encourage the return of snapper over 12lb for the benefit of future fish stocks. The kingfish have been the same, had a cracking day around the beginning of the month but alas they went off the bite for the local Kingfish Comp. last weekend where no fish were weighed in. Bigger baits and softbaits seem to be the go at the moment, trying to get past the the numerous leatherjackets and other small critters all too happy to peck away.

16th August 2010

Water Temp in the Bay : 14.1 oC

Fishing : With the water chilling down nearly a degree over the last month, fishing has been a bit patchy but still some good size snapper coming on board. The weather has also restricted the amount of trips the past month with high winds and moderate seas being a weekly occurrence. The dreaded Barras have shown up the last two trips but not in great numbers, some nice Grand-daddy Harpukas coming up in 50m plus areas. A competition this last weekend held at Mangonui Hotel was a huge success and reports of a 9kg snapper took the honours.

15th July 2010

Water Temp in the Bay : 14.8 oC

Well the past few weeks of cold southerlies have certainly changed things about. A big drop in both air and water temperature has affected the snapper fishing, making life a little more tricky especially with natural baits, although softbaits have been pulling in some good fish. Terakihi are about, anywhere between 20 - 50m, the Kingys still hungry for a jig and a recent showing of Barracuda have ended up as good bait. Reports of some good catches off the rocks this past week and several John Dory off the wharf at Mangonui.