🐟 Kingfish steaks on the BBQ, anyone?
- captainespresso007
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
It’s been a cracking few weeks for kingfish. Workups have been fast-paced and widespread — often without dolphins, which explains why snapper numbers under the gannets haven’t been as thick as expected. Out by the Barriers and across the Gulf, anglers have enjoyed “now you see them, now you don’t” kingfish action, chasing tails across shifting workups.
Blue mackerel schools out wide have added to the excitement. These prized baitfish often in survival mode, holding 20m down and 20m
up, frustrating the hungry predators shadowing them from above and below.
Not keen on maxing out the Visa at the fuel pump?
Plenty of smaller kingfish are lighting up inshore spots — marker buoys, channel markers, and with the kahawai schools around eastern Tiri, the Firth, Waiheke channels, and Rangi. Even under the Harbour Bridge, kahawai have been putting on a show, kayakers delight.
Tip of the week: Don’t get stuck on one method. Slow-pitch and speed jigs? Weirdly slow hookup rates. Right now, tungsten micro jigs and slow jigs are catching kingfish's attention.
Light tackle + small jigs = epic fishing. Keep an open mind, and you’ll outsmart them even when they 'just say no'.
For the adventurous, saltwater fly (SWF) around markers is pure adrenaline. Triple bonus points if you’re into this fishing style — check out the action shots and videos on Auckland Saltwater Fly Fishing Facebook.
🐠 Snapper with crispy skin BBQ style?
Snapper fortunes have been mixed. Some days it’s “they’re everywhere,” other days it’s “where have they gone?” Deep-water drifts near Great Barrier have been steady, while mid-ground sounders have seen flatline. Kawau, northern Tiri and Happy Jacks have delivered both tales of woe and tales of all-go, smaller workups included. I haven’t ventured into the Firth much lately, but it’s bound to fire soon if not already at least in the upper areas— snapper, kahawai, and kingfish should be flowing in that northern gateway.
🎣 Kahawai sashimi or smoked?
Few sights beat kahawai surface-feeding in calm 30m waters and less. But when they’re boiling the surface, they can be maddeningly one-eyed. Best trick? Throw a tiny jig (5–10g), the smallest soft bait you’ve got or a saltwater fly as above.
🌊 One Ocean Protest.
New Zealanders turned out in force to show their passion for our fisheries and hit the ecological alarm bells. The government’s latest script on 'fisheries management' - honestly, Monty Python couldn’t have written it.
📖 NZ Fishing News – Summer Edition.
The new summer magazine is out now! Perfect for a holiday lie-in or a lazy afternoon before a nap. Packed with glossy photos and feel-good fishing stories, it’s guaranteed to lift your spirits.
And yes — there’s a feature on fishing while on vacation written by Captain Espresso. A great thank-you present for Mum or Dad.
🎄 Christmas & New Beginnings
With Christmas just weeks away and the New Year promising fresh adventures, I want to thank you all for your support, feedback, and encouragement. Becoming a professional fishing coach and teacher has been a wondrous journey, shaped by many lessons and mentors.
So, what’s your rabbit hole this summer? Mine includes diving deeper into SWF — a whole new awakening awaits.
Will yours be the challenges of ultra-light tackle, chasing tuna, battling striped marlin, or simply making new memories with family? Big ambitions or small joys, summer is the season to embrace them all.
✨ Tight lines, and here’s to new beginnings.
Cheers
Captain Espresso
@AucklandSaltwaterFlyfishing
William Preece