Bay of Islands Fishing Report – Snapper & Kingfish Highlights
Finally! The Bay of Islands is officially on fire! I’m pleased to report multiple workups have been observed, showcasing some fantastic school snapper beneath them. This is a story too good not to be told! Just last Tuesday morning, we ventured out in a brisk easterly wind with swells exceeding 1 meter—definitely a ‘sporty’ experience to say the least! I was using a slow pitch jig when I hooked into a solid pull but, unfortunately, lost my lure due to a knot failure. A crucial reminder to double-check your rigs!
In a surprising turn of events, Barbara was fishing on the other side of the Stabi and managed to net a beautiful fish. To our amazement, my lost jig was hanging out of its mouth! Lesson learned—I tied my lure properly this time!
There have also been sightings of kingfish busting up near Centre Foul, where dense schools of jack mackerel are prevalent. Recently, Carl from the Longbeach Coffee Cart took Lauren from Zimbabwe for her first fishing experience in New Zealand. She is now officially ‘hooked,’ having caught a first fish weighing 17lbs and a second one at 15lbs! I hear her father, an avid fisherman back home, is feeling quite envious!
Last weekend, the Rockhoppers competition was a resounding success, with 73 adults and 23 children competing for a prize pool exceeding $11,000! A record nearly 200 kgs of fish were weighed in, with the heaviest snapper weighing in at around 22lbs. Next on the calendar is the Top 10 Ice Breaker Comp, set for December 6-7, boasting cash prizes for Snapper, Kingfish, and Game fish. This should be an exciting event!
And let’s not forget the game fish! Some excellent yellowfin tuna have been taken, including a striking 57.2kgs specimen caught by junior fisherman Tyler Davey. Rumor has it, a big blue marlin was hooked but unfortunately lost after a 35-minute fight. It’s time to check your gear for the fishing season ahead!
Visit our shop to discover the latest gear, get your bait, ice, and berley, and most importantly, grab some genuine intel! We are operating on our summer hours, open 7 days a week from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and closing at 4 PM on Sundays. As always, if you urgently need supplies after hours, don’t hesitate to call me!