By Jack Mangrove
HOT days, the threat of storms – and finally receiving one – has certainly kept the fish interested.
Starting at the lower reaches of the river has seen whiting taken on worms around Munna Point and the Dog beach stretching down to the current line at the start of Woods Bay.
If you do like to top water fish then make sure you give this area a go as it is easily accessible on foot.
Trevally are being caught in Woods Bay on surface lures like the River2sea skinny dog 65mm. Try to create a pulsing action while retrieving, followed by a pause, has seen to be getting the better strike rate.
Up the river further, the stretch between the lakes has seen school jewfish averaging around the 65cm mark and mangrove jack still being caught on live poddy mullet and herring, and if wanting to toss a lure around be sure to use a suspended type of lure such as the Zerek Tango Shad 69mm. Flathead have been taken while drifting baby blues or white bait over the shallows in the Frying Pan area and down to Munna Point.
The windy weather has certainly kept the offshore fishing during the week to a minimum with a surprise on Saturday producing glassed out conditions. Those who did get out have seen nice size Moses perch, snapper and pearl perch on North Reef.
Further south – down to Sunshine Reef – has seen the coral trout starting to bite the usual additional species such as sweetlip and tusk fish.
If wanting a feed of jewfish, maori cod and good-sized squire head to Chardons where these fish have been taken on whole pilchards and squid. If heading to the banks make sure you try the middle section on the high spots around 30 to 40 metres, as these have started to produce the famous red spot emperor.
The beaches have seen a few tailor still showing their heads on the incoming tide.
The shallow water gutters have been the location where the whiting are been taken.
If chasing some pan size dart, the gutters on the incoming tide and the white water one the edge of the gutter have been where the fish are caught.
On behalf of Jack Mangrove, best of luck on your fishing adventures.
