Snapper shape up best in triangle off Kawau

Experienced snapper fishermen know that the yellow-brown mackerel make just about the best bait for the big ones. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Fishing for snapper has been patchy, in spite of water temperatures up to 20C, and the biggest concentration of fish is south of Kawau Island in "the triangle", between 25m and 30m of water.

The bottom end of Waiheke Island and surrounding reefs have fished well at times, and the Firth of Thames has been running hot and cold.

A little fish which is important to snapper fishermen is the yellowtail, or more correctly jack mackerel. The humble "jack" has a symbiotic relationship with an ugly little creature called a sea louse, which hitches a ride while hanging on inside its throat and no doubt helps itself to the jack's dinner as it goes past. These loathsome white parasites desert their host when it dies and crawl out in search of another vehicle. Jacks always seem to die with their mouth wide open.

Experienced snapper fishermen know that the yellow-brown mackerel make just about the best bait for the big ones. That is what has been happening in the Firth of Thames, out off the Whangaparaoa Peninsula and in the Bay of Islands. Kingfish love them, too, and they are often referred to as "kingfish candy".

When hoping for a snapper of 5kg or more anglers will use the whole jack as a bait. They can be hooked with a single hook inserted under the pectoral fin on one side, hook facing forward, and rolled back so the shank rests against the flank and the point sticks out with the eye of the hook facing the tail. The trace can then be looped around the tail with a couple of half-hitches to secure it for casting.

At popular spots like Flat Rock, Shearer's Rock and the reef south of Shearer's where several large snapper were caught and released last week, a butterflied yellowtail is a favourite big-snapper offering. This is a jack with the backbone removed, leaving two flaps of flesh hanging from the head and leaching juices which are a magnet. It can be rigged with one hook through the bony part of the head, and a second hook reversed halfway down one of the fillets.

Tarakihi are also around in good numbers in 40m of water off Little Barrier Island, and in top condition. They can be targeted with small hooks and baits, fishing along the edge of weed beds or patches of foul.

Freshwater

In Rotorua the opening of the trout streams was quiet, with plenty of room for anglers. Those who were on the water early did well, but fishing was hard during the day. Some nice trout were caught in the Ngongotaha Stream, with a 2.5kg brown trout and a 3kg rainbow reported. Some anglers are also starting to fish the cold-water stream mouths like the Awahou Stream.

Tip of the week

Old socks make good bags for carrying reels inside a tackle box. This prevents them bouncing around.

Bite times

Bite times are 4.45am and 5.10pm today and tomorrow at 5.40am and 6.05pm. These are based on the phase and position of the moon, not tides, and apply to the whole country.

More fishing action can be found on Rheem Outdoors with Geoff , 6.30am Saturdays, TV3, and at www.GTtackle.co.nz.