Bay of Islands Fishing Report 5Sep24

Finally!! Last week found a workup with a pod of dolpins and gannets smashing up a baitball of pilchards. With great anticipation we carefully approached and gently drifted towards it. And not a snapper to be found underneath!! Curious because only 15 minutes earlier we had dropped slow jigs and softbaits in a nearby area and got smashed by some good sized snapper. One string puller I lost crushed the softbait jig hook inwards – the power of a snappers jaw?

The next week we ventured out into the middle of the bay looking for birds but nothing to be seen. We decided to try slow jigging while drifting around the 60m mark in the hope of intercepting the school snapper as they move in. We dropped the usual 140g sliders with a small sliver of bait on the assist hooks and were plagued by gurnard! One after another going into the bin – pink and orange sliders seem to be the gurnards favourite treat! Then my “lazy” softbait drifting way out the back tightened up and I reeled in a respectable john dory that had completely engulfed the softbait.

Later in the same area I noted some fuzzy sign along the bottom and I was thinking tarakihi. I got 2 very good sized ones on the slow jig with bait and they put up a great fight on the light slow jig gear. We ended the morning with only 1 pannie but had a good assortment of other species – some of which I’d say are more tasty!

Local legend Bruce Smith reports he got a few nice pannies from his kayak the other day and Terry using a new micro softbait got a 15lb snapper, also in the shallows. Down at the local wharf I hear there are a few squid being caught in the evening – might have to give that a try!