Fishing: Best onshore fishing spots

Auckland's North Shore beaches are an often unexplored fishing opportunity.

Snapper come in to feed amid the volcanic rock during the warmer summer months.

As water temperatures rise, some of the best December/January fishing can be in close, over sandy bottoms that are warmed by the sun during the day and are full of baitfish and juvenile trevally and flounder.

From Castor Bay to the marine reserve at Long Bay, reefs protrude from the shore. It's shallow water but snapper come in close on warm, still evenings on a rising tide and in the early morning before the light gets up to show lines and boat and other water movement scares them away.

Big, bloody floating baits are best. Try fresh-caught piper or use pilchards with the head removed, two or three saury threaded on and fixed with a half-hitch, large strips of salted bonito or fresh mullet.You'll get more bites without a trace.

The Pohutukawa Coast is another spot that offers a great family evening barbecue as well as the chance of a fish.

Follow the road through Maraetai south and pick your spot.

* Peter Jessup is a Herald sports reporter and fishing columnist.