We often refer to the relationship between small bait fish and the species we like to catch. This is particularly relevant with the common jack mackerel, or yellowtail, and snapper. But there is another pairing that few people may know about. It involves diving, or setting pots, for crayfish.
Where there is a large reef structure, it is pretty obvious that it is good country for crays. But in some places, like much of the Bay of Plenty, there is a huge amount of water with no serious reefs. What the local divers do is look for a rock on the depth sounder. It is usually a single, round rock sticking up from the flat seabed. And if it has fish on top, then you stop and jump in. The fish are commonly maomao or tarakihi or mackerel. But if there are no fish then don't bother, as there won't be any crayfish either.
People often ask, "Where can I find some crayfish around Auckland?" You can forget about checking the piles under the Harbour Bridge but there are certainly crays around the Waiheke Island coast, and some of the foul bottom between Maria Island and Durville Rock is reputed to hold crays. Kawau Island has been hot this summer for crayfish, according to some of the local fishermen. And the Manukau Harbour, inside the entrance, is well-known but divers have to work the tides and avoid strong currents; also watch out for the jungle of fishing lines trapped in the rocks, and visibility is not great.
Snapper will be in the middle of their spawn and may not be partial to baits, but the spawning takes place over a long period and the fish that have finished will be hungry.
The inner channels and the Waitemata Harbour should pick up with recent hot weather, and the number of rods sticking out off Devonport Wharf is always a clue that the fish are in the harbour.
