Geoff Thomas: Biggies best left behind

Fishing has resumed in some popular Bay of Plenty spots as the threat of oil pollution from Rena subsides. Photo / Getty Images

In the Bay of Plenty, more water is being opened to fishing as the threat of oil pollution from the stranded vessel Rena subsides. Commercial fishing for crayfish, crabs and snapper has been resumed and the exclusion zone reduced, and people can now fish around popular areas like Town Pt, Schooner Rock and Plate Island.

Fishing for snapper has been good at the Rau Rimu Rocks, and along the Matata beaches surfcasters are finding good fishing. Others using kayaks to paddle out long-lines are also doing well.

Off Tauranga, some good snapper are coming from depths of 50-60m and the size of the fish has been impressive. In Tauranga Harbour, snapper up to 65cm have been reported from Sulphur Pt, and night fishing in the harbour at Bowentown is producing some large fish. Trolling a Rapala lure at the entrance can also pick up the occasional kingfish.

Fishing around the Mercury Islands has been slow, with the best results still coming in the evening. Scallops have just spawned, so will need a little time to regain condition.

Around Auckland, the best results are still coming from the 40m mark out wide. Last Sunday, the cool south-westerly wind didn't help, and it was necessary to travel as far as Kawau Island, fishing in 45m beside the cable zone, to find the action. Large work-ups of birds and dolphins were scattered across the sea but were moving fast. However, drifting with a sea anchor out and dropping ledger rigs baited with pilchard did the trick.

Some anglers have reported picking up snapper up to 9kg and, while impressive to catch, these specimens are old fish that can contribute much to future populations and are far better off back in the water. You can take a quick photo, and such fish should be supported along the belly, perhaps resting on the forearm, so the guts don't sag down. They are not designed to support their body weight out of the water and should be returned as quickly as possible. The Ministry of Fisheries has some recommendations for releasing fish.

If possible, the fish should not be removed from the water at all. The hook can be twisted out with pliers, and if the fish is hooked deeply it is better to cut the line close to the mouth. It is surprising how they can recover and hooks soon rust out in seawater. If the fish must be lifted into the boat, it can be supported with a wet rag to avoid dry hands damaging the layer of slime which provides protection from infections. Fish should be slipped back into the water, not thrown. They aren't designed to fly.

In the Bay of Islands, there is plenty of fish sign and schools of baitfish in the bay, but the bite is short. Snapper up to 7kg have been taken from the Centre Foul, and there is plenty of fish and birdlife around Bird Rock and Cape Brett. Further out, skipjack tuna are being caught and albacore won't be far away, but there are few boats fishing out wide.

Trout up to 4kg are coming from Lake Tarawera and fly-fishing at Twin Streams is worth trying at night. Lake Rotoiti is improving, with well-known spots like the West Bank, Vercoes and the Hole starting to produce results to jigging, although the bite is short. Lake Okataina has been patchy and fishing is limited to small boats as the high lake level makes launching difficult. But the trout are in good condition and running up to 4kg.

On Lake Rotorua, the small stream mouths will be worth visiting. Large brown trout move into the shallows as the water warms and can be stalked. This is technical fishing requiring skill in placing the cast, but can produce large trout of 4kg or more.

It is a bit like hunting - first spotting a cruising fish then working out where to cast without spooking it with the line hitting the water. A slow-sinking line will sink with the fly resting bottom, then twitching as the trout swims towards it. Bully imitations like a Mrs Simpson or a Hamills Killer work well in this situation, and the green pattern also imitates the dragonfly larvae which are hatching around weed beds at this time of year. This style of fishing is also popular in November at Lake Waikaremoana when the brownies cruise the shallows hunting dragonfly nymphs. It is challenging fishing, but visually exciting and rewarding.

On Lake Rotorua, it is popular around the Ngongotaha, Waiteti, Awahou and Hamurana stream mouths. It will also work on Lake Tarawera at Rangiuru Bay, casting out over the drop-off with a fast-sinking line and retrieving slowly.

* More fishing action can be found on Rheem Outdoors with Geoff, 5pm tonight, and on the internet television channel www.FishnHunt.Tv