Bay of Islands Fishing Report 11Jan24
Where did the last 4 weeks go??? I’m happy to report that it’s been a busy period with sales of salt ice, berley and bait through the roof! Reports from customers indicate that the fishing has been a hit and miss affair but there have been some notable catches. Johnny and his family have been enjoying some great fishing including a couple of 20lbers off the Tapeka rocks.
I’ve managed to get out a few times and we haven’t missed yet although it’s been a bit harder to find where the fish are holding. Again, it’s been a case of find the bait and drift fishing through it.
Last weekend was the Bay of Islands CMP Juniors competition which featured 91 anglers and 34 teams. The results were:
Heaviest Kahawai – Ataaria Peita, The Kraken, 2.55kg Kahawai
Longest M&R Kahawai – Milly Cleave, Gamechanger, 57cm Kahawai
Heaviest Kingfish – Toby Paterson, Danger Mouse, 10.25kg kingfish
Longest M&R Kingfish –Mila Reid, Espada, 111cm Kingfish
Heaviest Snapper – Jacob Simmonds, Reel Evolution, 4.06kg Snapper
Longest M&R Snapper – Danny Cleave, Gamechanger, 72cm Snapper
Tagged & Release Marlin most points – Bella Dixon, Defiance, 1000 points
Top Female Angler Most points – Bella Dixon, Defiance
Top Male Angler Most Points – Oscar Haines, Nammu
Top Team Most Points – Defiance
Top team skipper and Deckie – Defiance – Guy, Jesse, Zane
Recently I have found that the snapper have moved out deep and we have had some success at the 60 meter mark with heavy slow jigs. Pink or orange jigs are working the best for us and so too with any pink or orange softbait. The orange Squidtrex continues to the deliver the biggest fish each day.
The gamefish are certainly here and early this month I was the weighmaster for a 42kg yellowfin and a 104kg striped marlin on the same day. The weighbridges at Russell, Paihia and Whangaroa seem to show fish being hoisted up daily on their social media pages.
Story of the month has to be Mitch Hughes catching his first marlin at the age of 80. Mitch (aka Uncle) was fishing with Mick Jepson on Kat n Fiddle and landed a 95kg striped marlin – what a great achievement but this was overshadowed by Mitch managing to fall overboard the next morning while cleaning out a chillybin. He managed to miss all the hooks in the lure spread and was subsequently rescued with only his pride a little dented!
Come into the shop to check out the latest in gear, get your bait, ice and berley, and most importantly, some genuine intel! We are open from 8.00am to 5pm, everyday. As always, if you urgently need some supplies after hours just give me a call.