Boating New Zealand Boat Reviews
Reviews
Boating New Zealand News
News
Boating New Zealand Sports
Sport
Boating New Zealand Lifestyle
Lifestyle
BOAT-REVIEWS-MOBILE
Boat Reviews
BOAT-NEWS-MOBILE
News
BOAT-SPORTS-MOBILE
Sports
BOAT-LIFESTYLE-MOBILE
Lifestyle
HomeFishingWinter on hold

Winter on hold

Published
Bookmark post
Bookmarked
Bookmark post
Bookmarked

According to the calendar summer is well and truly over, but in fishing terms it’s still hanging in there, reckons John Eichelsheim.

After a spring and summer of incredibly warm sea surface temperatures, there’s a good chance late summer/autumn fishing patterns will extend into June or even July this year. Game fishing, which has been very good so far, is certainly showing no sign of tapering off.
As I write in early April, coastal water temperatures around New Zealand are still two to five degrees warmer than historical averages (air temperatures remain above average too). And since water takes much longer to cool than air, it could be a while before the onset of typical winter fishing.

This seems to be the case in my local fishery, where marauding kingfish continue to patrol the Hauraki Gulf’s harbours, estuaries and inshore reefs as though it were midsummer, and school snapper are still spread far and wide.

TOO WARM FOR ANCHOVIES?

Locally, the normal autumn pattern is for snapper, kingfish, kahawai – and to a lesser extent, predators like jack mackerel, trevally and john dory – to shadow the anchovy schools that come inshore at this time.
There’s not much known about anchovy migrations, but it’s thought they move inshore in response to changes in water temperature which affect plankton abundance and may trigger spawning.
Scientists think anchovies need water temperatures of between 15 and 20°C to successfully spawn; in Australia anchovies spawn in the open water of sheltered bays, inlets and estuaries, so they probably do the same here.
Whatever the reason for their inshore migrations, anchovies present a seasonal bonanza for fish and fishers alike, providing anglers with spectacular multi-species fishing that’s easily accessible.
So far, the inshore anchovy run hasn’t really got going – at least not where I fish. Skipjack tuna are feasting on anchovy schools in open water, but anchovy work-ups closer to shore have been sporadic at best.
The intense predatory fish and bird activity associated with schooling anchovies in Hauraki Gulf normally peaks in March-April, but with the water temperature hovering around 22°Celsius, I’m not convinced the ‘run’ has properly started yet.
Different regions of New Zealand experience anchovy migrations at different times of year. As noted above, in the Hauraki Gulf it’s usually between late February and early April, which fits with the region’s usual water temperature profile, but in the Bay of Islands and the Far North, it’s later – May or June, with sporadic runs possible all winter long.
So, given that local waters are still well over 20°C, it’s not surprising the anchovy run has been disappointing so far. The good news is that the best may still be to come: it wouldn’t surprise me if the Gulf’s anchovy run peaked in April-May this year, or if I’m still chasing anchovy workups in June or July!

WATCH FOR BIRDS

Though the run has been patchy, when you can find anchovy schools the fishing is good. And, if my hunch is right, it will only get better as the water cools.
The easiest way to find anchovy action is to look for birds. Diving terns is a sure indication of predators below – usually kahawai, but sometimes kingfish and snapper – pushing anchovies up to the surface.

Fluttering shearwaters indicate lots of bait in the vicinity, so when you come across them you know you are ‘in the zone’. Penguins are another indicator of bait fish close by and shags can be useful as well.
Sometimes you can see anchovy schools plankton-feeding on the surface with no birds or other fish in attendance. There are probably predator fish nearby, but if nothing is molesting the bait, it can be a waiting game until nature throws the switch and a feeding frenzy begins.

SMORGASBORD

The beauty of fishing around anchovy schools is the variety of predators they attract. Kahawai are usually the most obvious, pushing the bait to the surface and slashing through it, but all kinds of fish get in on the action.
This is especially true if the carnage has been going on for some time, or the bait has been concentrated in a restricted area – predators often trap anchovy schools against the shorelines of bays and coves where they are more easily picked off in the shallow water.
As well as kahawai, expect to encounter snapper, kingfish, john dory and trevally around anchovy schools. You might also hook blue cod, jack mackerel and gurnard. Depending on the location, skipjack tuna might also figure in the mix.

If the bait has been pushed up against a rocky shoreline, a variety of reef species like pig fish, scarlet and sandagers wrasses – even spotties and parore – can also be taken.

- Advertisement -

THINK SMALL
It’s lure-fishing heaven during the anchovy run, though you should adapt your approach to ‘match the hatch’ by presenting lures that approximate the size and shape of the anchovies the predators are eating.
Anchovies range in size from very small to around 10 or 12cm, so small lures are the order of the day. These include soft plastics, especially small ones, micro-jigs, small sinking stick baits and saltwater flies in silver/blue/green ‘baitfish’ colours.
Fly-fishing during the anchovy run is the ultimate buzz, offering consistently good catches of kahawai, snapper, trevally and kingfish.

And while individual anchovies are small, taken together they present a lot of food, so they attract large numbers of predatory fish in a range of sizes. You never quite know what you’ll hook.
It’s unusual to encounter large kingfish feeding on anchovies, though they may prey on the kahawai and mackerel that are, so it doesn’t hurt to throw a few large topwater lures around. Generally though, kingfish tend to be under the 750mm legal size limit, unless you are lucky enough to come across mixed schools of anchovies and pilchards, which can mean larger kingfish and larger snapper too.

GETTING PAST THE KAHAWAI

Kahawai are great fun to catch and pretty good eating when treated right, but fishing around the anchovy schools, it can sometimes be difficult to catch anything else.
If it’s snapper you are after, the best strategy is to fish around the fringes of the action rather than casting to the splashing kahawai and diving birds at the heart of it. You’ll still hook plenty of kahawai out on the edges, but you have a much better shot at snapper and other species.
Kingfish tend to be an incidental catch, but you can specifically target them with small stick baits, metal jigs/micro-jigs and larger soft plastics. Like everything else during the anchovy run, kingfish tend to be keyed in on small baits, but sometimes throwing a larger or different lure can trigger a kingfish bite when a small lure only catches kahawai and snapper.

SHARE:

Related Articles

Comments

This conversation is moderated by Boating New Zealand. Subscribe to view comments and join the conversation. Choose your plan →

This conversation is moderated by Boating New Zealand.

Boating New Zealand
Boating New Zealandhttps://www.boatingnz.co.nz
Boating NZ is New Zealand’s premier marine title devoted to putting its readers behind the wheel of the latest trailerboats, yachts and launches to hit the market. It inspires with practical content and cruising adventures, leads the fleet with its racing coverage and is on the pulse of the latest maritime news and innovation.

More from Boating New Zealand

Henri-Lloyd returns to the Auc...

Since October 2024, The Chandlery has been the exclusive New Zealand stocki...
Auckland Boat ShowThe Chandlery

20 days until the Auckland Boa...

The Auckland Boat Show is back this March, returning to the Viaduct Events ...
Auckland Boat Show

NZ marine companies exhibiting...

The Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show 2025 is making waves. Op...
Miami International Boat Show

Sail like a Prince: A Superyac...

For those who demand nothing but the finest, the Wildcat Project is a super...
News

Classic boats and historic cul...

This incredible spectacle and crowd favourite—experience the Australian Woo...
Australian Wooden Boats Festival

Lofty goals and big sails: Can...

With just under 20 days until the third edition of the PIC Harbour Classic,...
PIC Harbour ClassicSports Artices
-- ADVERTISEMENT --

Follow Us

Weekly Newsletter

Stay up to date with the latest developments shaping New Zealand's Boating world.

Social Media

Follow us on social media to stay in the loop with the latest trends and news shaping New Zealand's boating scene!

-- THINGS WE LOVE --

GET
STARLINK
HERE

-- DIRECTORY LISTING --

NZ Events Worth Adding to Your Calendar

Have an event you'd like to list on Boating New Zealand. Contact us with the details.

Catch all the action of the Vendée Globe Race, starting 10 Nov, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. Follow along with excitement at Boating New Zealand.

FISHING

Stabicraft Fish N Chicks Tournament, 6 - 8 Feb 2025 in Tauranga. Dress up theme is “Ladies of their Time”. Raising funds to help find a cure for Breast Cancer.

Surtees Annual Fishing Competition, 28 Feb - 1 Mar 2025 in Whakatane

Hook Me Up Fishing Competition - Matakana vs Hillside, 7 Mar 2025 in Whakatane

The Kubota Billfish Classic, 12 - 15 Mar 2025 in Mercury Bay, Whitianga

ITM Fishing Competition, 13 - 16 Mar 2025 in Whangaroa

NZ Lure Masters (Catch, Measure and Release competition), 3 & 4 Oct 2025, New Zealand wide

Stabicraft Te Anau Manapouri Fishing Classic, 25 - 27 Oct 2025 TBC in Te Anau Manapouri

REGATTAS

New Zealand Sail Grand Prix, 8 & 9 Feb 2025 in Sydney

Toyota Youth International Match Racing Cup, 26 Feb - 4 Mar 2025 in Auckland

PIC Harbour Classic, 28 Feb - 1 Mar 2025 in Auckland

Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race 2025, starting 11 Oct 2025 TBC from Sydney Harbour

PIC Insurance Brokers Coastal Classic, 24 Oct 2025 TBC from Auckland to Russell

Rolex Sydney to Hobart, 26 Dec 2025 starts in Sydney, Australia

Bay of Islands Sailing Week, end of Jan 2026 at Bay of Islands

NZ Millenium Cup, Feb 2025 at Waitemata Harbour

HYDRO THUNDER

Lucas Oil Hydro Thunder Race - Karapiro, 7 - 9 Feb 2025 at Karapiro

Lucas Oil Hydro Thunder Race - Lake Rotoiti, 8 - 9 Mar 2025 at Nelson Lakes

Lucas Oil Hydro Thunder Race - Lake Twizel, 29 - 30 Mar 2025 at Twizel

JET BOAT RACING

UIM World Jetsprint Championships, 25 Jan -2 Feb 2025 at Wanaka (25 & 26 Jan) and Wanganui (1 & 2 Feb)

2024/25 NZ Jetsprint Championship R4, 23 Feb 2025 at Wanganui

2025 NZ Marathon Coast-to-Coast, 16 to 25 Mar 2025 starting at Greymouth ad finishing at Christchurch

2024 Golden Homes NZ Jet Boat Marathon, 2025 dates TBC on Southland Rivers (Oreti, Waiau and Mataura)

National Jet Boat Rally 2024, 2025 date TBC at Oliver Road, Bendigo (near Cromwell)

WATERSPORTS

Yamaha Rollo's Marine Bridge 2 Bridge, 2025 dates tbc Staged on the Waikato River between Cambridge & Taupiri, based in Hamilton, New Zealand

ANTIQUE, CLASSIC & RETRO BOATS

25th NZ Antique & Classic Boat Show , 1 & 2 Mar 2025 at Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes

SHOWS

Moana Auckland - New Zealand's Ocean Festival, 27 Jan to 9 Mar 2025 in Auckland

Auckland Boat Show, 6 - 9 Mar 2025 to be held at the Viaduct Events Centre and Jellicoe Harbour, Auckland

The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show, 15-18 May 2025 to be held at the Viaduct Events Centre and Jellicoe Harbour, Auckland

NZ Boat, Fish and Dive Show, 30 & 31 Aug 2025 to be held at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Waipa

-- DIRECTORY LISTING --

Houston Boat Show, 29 Jan - 2 Feb 2025 to be held at the NRG Center, Houston, Texas

International Boat Shows

COMING EVENTS

Dubai International Boat Show, 19 - 23 Feb 2025 to be held at the Dubai Harbour

Miami International Boat Show, 12 - 16 Feb 2025 to be held in Miami

Palm Beach International Boat Show, 19 - 23 Mar 2025 to be held along Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach

International Multihull Show, 23 - 27 Apr 2025 to be held in Terre-plein Ouest du port La Grande-Motte (34), France

Palma International Boat Show, 30 Apr - 3 May 2025 to be held at the Superyacht Village, Palma, Spain

Barcaly's Jersey Boat Show, 3 - 5 May 2025 to be held in the Channel Islands

South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show, 9 - 11 May 2025 to be held in Ocean Village Marina, Southampton, Hampshire

The British Motor Yacht Show, 15 - 18 May 2025 to be held at the Swanwick Marina, Southampton, Hampshire

The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show, 15 - 18 May 2025 at Auckland Showgrounds, Auckland

Sanctuary Cove International Boat show, 22 - 25 May 2025 to be held in Sanctuary Cove, Queensland

Sydney International Boat show, 31 July - 3 Aug 2025 to be held at ICC Sydney & Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour

Hiswa Te Water, 3 - 7 Nov 2025 to be held in Bataviahaven Lelystad, The Netherlands

Southampton International Boat Show, 19 - 28 Sep 2025 to be held in Southampton, UK

International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX), 7 - 9 Oct 2025 to be held in Tampa, Florida

Annapolis Sail Boat Show, 9 - 13 Oct 2025 to be held at City Dock, Annapolis, Maryland

Newport International Boat Show, 20 - 23 Nov 2025 to be held in Newport, Rhode Island

Cannes Yachting Festival, 9 - 14 Sep 2025 at Cannes – Vieux Port & Port Canto

Genoa Boat Show, 18 - 23 Sep 2025 to be held in Genoa, Italy

Melbourne International Boat Show, Oct 2025, TBC to be held at New Quay Promenade Harbour Esplanade Seven Marinas

Biograd Boat Show, Oct 2025, TBC to be held in the City of Biograd, Croatia

Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 29 Oct – 2 Nov 2025 to be held at several locations in Fort Lauderdale

METSTRADE 18 - 20 Nov 2025 to be held at the Rai, Amsterdam

Antigua Charter Yacht Show 4 - 9 Dec 2025 to be held at the Nelson's Dockyard UNESCO World Heritage Site, Antigua

Boot Düsseldorf 17 - 25 Jan 2026 to be held in Düsseldorf, Germany

New York Boat Show, Jan 2026 to be held at the Javits Center, New York

Bahamas Charter Yacht Show, Jan - Feb 2026 to be held at Nassau, Bahamas

Monaco Yacht Show, 24 - 27 Sep 2025 on Monacco