Bay of Islands Fishing Report: Kingfish and Snapper Updates

The McDonald’s Northland 56th International Yellowtail Tournament kicked off last Sunday with 32 teams comprising 114 anglers, including 21 Juniors, all targeting kingfish with 6kg or 8kg line. So far, a total of 90 kingfish have been weighed, making for an exciting competition. The heaviest catch to date is a whopping 20.6 kgs on 6kg line. On Day 1, amidst the buzzing atmosphere, I also weighed a stellar 7.5kg snapper for Christine Moses.

Day 1 was particularly remarkable for the Whakatane Juniors team, who fished aboard the launch Opportunity II with Greg Morgan. They brought in 4 pending World Records, with each junior angler landing a record fish on 8kg line. What an achievement! The excitement in the air was palpable, and it’s a rare highlight in the world of fishing contests.

Despite my duties as weighmaster, I’ve stayed busy. However, customer reports reflect excellent conditions for local fishing. Anglers are reeling in large snapper off the rocks, while local Terry continues to catch tasty pannies in the shallows around the islands. If you’re thinking of heading out, now is a great time to get in on the action!

Don’t forget to stop by our shop for the latest fishing gear, bait, ice, and berley, plus insider tips. We’ve reduced our operating days from May through September for efficiency: closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays; open Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9 AM to 4 PM, and Sundays from 9 AM to 3 PM. Come by or call us for more fishing intel—your next big catch could be just around the corner!