Back in the Saddle

December 4th 2017

After our previous trip to ‘the dark-side’, it felt good to be back on the home patch. It was only 8:30am, we had the whole West Coast to ourselves and the bin was stuffed with a dozen prime snapper.  We were back in the game  – and smashing it!

An early start saw us launching from Little Huia and crossing the bar while the sun was still glowing warm over the Manukau Heads.  As has been common of late, we had an Easterly breeze on our stern and the ride out to the 50metre mark was smooth as silk.  The ocean was a barren expanse until we neared our chosen depth and there we found a myriad of birds zigzagging to and fro in search of an early breakfast.  When there’s birds above, there’s often fish below so we took it as a sign we were in the right spot.

Sure enough, first drop and it was all on.  The fish were hungry for a feed and we were hungry for a fish.  Interspersed with the reds we saw the odd barracouta, a chunky gurnard and a few small kahawai.  Luckily there were very few sharks in the mix so tackle losses were low.   We even had a fleeting flypast from a dolphin and her calf to brighten the day further.  Some days West really is the best.

When the bite runs this hot and the snapper are surfacing 2 at a time, it doesn’t take long to fill the bin.  It wasn’t even 10am when we hauled anchor and headed for home.  Whilst crossing back through the harbour entrance a boil of water on the surface looked a heck of a lot like a pack of kings busting up some baitfish.  We motored over to take a look but the crime scene was empty save a few ripples. But it was hard to leave without at least lowering a bait . .  and with a live kahawai in the tank we had the perfect cheese for the trap.  We set up shop for another hour, but alas, the Manukau kings proved as elusive as ever.  My plan this season is to dedicate some effort on every trip to chasing the kingies.  Sooner . . . or later . . .  I’ll get those fellas figured out.  It’s just a matter of time on the water and dedication to the chase.  Watch this space folks . . . .