Stray-lining in shallow water is producing the best results for winter snapper fishermen.
While the deep channels are bare of fish, the rocky foul bottom in close around islands like the Noises and the bottom end of Waiheke is worth trying.
A strong tidal flow is needed to carry berley into the
shallows and draw the fish to the fishing zone, and lightly weighted baits can be cast back away from the boat as the larger snapper will hang back in shallow water. For divers, reports indicate crayfish are shedding eggs and their shells are hardening.
Rivers at Taupo are low and clear and fishing has become harder.
Northland: The west coast has been hot - 90 minutes run up the coast from Dargaville fishing over foul in about 40m of water with flasher rigs for big snapper. Setting droppers in 400m of water 30 miles offshore is producing some huge hapuku.
Auckland: Trawlers are hammering Anchorite, but Flat Rock and Horn are fishing well; reef at the end of Whangaparaoa still producing.
West Coast: Fishing offshore has been excellent all winter when conditions allow boats to get out, from 90-Mile Beach down the coast to Wanganui. Conditions looking good for the west coast next week.
Coromandel: Top end of Coromandel is fishing well in close over foul, and some big kingfish are falling to shore-based anglers.
Bay of Plenty: Plenty of snapper around the Mercs, and school snapper in close, tarakihi in deeper water and some big snapper coming from Motitii and Mayor.
Avoid shiny tackle as barracouta are a problem when bottom fishing.
Rotorua: Trout fishing slow, with best results harling in shallows on Lake Rotorua, and some brown trout up to 4.5kg reported. A few dark fish coming from spawning beaches on the lakes. Blue Lake one of bet spots for smaller fish on the fly.
Flaxy Lake and upper Rangitaiki producing large spawning fish up to 6kg on pheasant and copper nymphs.
Taupo: Rivers and streams are clearing quickly with the low lake level, and fishing has slowed after the activity two weeks ago.
Any colour in the water helps, otherwise it is hard fishing in bright conditions and clear water; size 14 globugs or natural imitations on long, light leaders are needed.
Wet liners taking some good fish from the head of the pools on the Tongariro.
Stray-lining in shallow water is producing the best results for winter snapper fishermen.
While the deep channels are bare of fish, the rocky foul bottom in close around islands like the Noises and the bottom end of Waiheke is worth trying.
A strong tidal flow is needed to carry berley into the
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