Offshore Fishing
Offshore reefs in the area are still in pristine condition, as there is very little fishing pressure from other operations or from local fishermen. Our policy of encouraging catch and release is also helping to keep local fish stocks in good condition.
The sea bottom drops away very quickly on our part of the coast, offering deep water and productive reefs within close range of the lodge. It is not unusual to find water depths of 25 to 30 metres just behind the backline.
Our boats are fully equipped with GPS and fishfinders and have a range of trolling tackle and vertical jigging tackle for our clients to use. Offshore charters are an extra and need to be booked and paid for at the lodge.
Trolling over, around and between reefs with lures, live or dead bait and skirts, is very successful and the following species are commonly caught this way:
- Sailfish,
- Marlin,
- King Mackerel,
- Queen Mackerel,
- Wahoo,
- Dorado,
- Kawakawa,
- Bonito,
- Yellowfin Tuna,
- Barracuda,
- Cobia and many more.
Vertical jigging from the boats is also very rewarding. Jigging with light to medium tackle with bucktail jigs, dropshot or small metal jigs is a fine way to catch a wide variety of species including:
- All Kingfish species,
- Rockcod species,
- Snappers,
- Queenfish,
- Kawakawa,
- King & Queen mackerel,
- Wahoo and many more.
Deep vertical jigging with specialised tackle has produced a number of amberjack, GT’s and some small dogtooth tuna to date.
Casting large poppers or stickbaits from a drifting boat at the reefs or around schools of baitfish is also a great way to target some big GT’s and other game fish species.
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