Snap Fishing Ventures

Joe goes tackle testing with Captain Snap

This time a few years ago, I was fishing out of Exmouth, Australia 🇦🇺🎣

I took the same Hauraki Gulf & Northland fishing gear I use on charter and recommend to my clients (Poseidon gear).

And it didn't disappoint! 💪🔥

A sailfish on my snapper gear, eating a 200g Kabura! 🤯

Proof that you don't always need massive gear to tackle serious fish. When the gear is right, the fight is even better.

We only use the very best gear! 👊🎣

The Hayabusa Jack Eye Shot Slow & Wide is a fantastic lure for deeper water, especially around 70–100m.

Here’s the Blue Mackerel 60g putting a red snapper in the boat last week. 🔥

I like using these smaller-profile lures on lighter 4kg gear with thin braid. It gives you the sensitivity to get down deep, find the bottom and, importantly, feel exactly what the lure is doing.

When the water is really cold and the snapper are lethargic and finicky, downsizing can make all the difference between fishing and catching.

Another great little weapon for the winter tackle box! 👊🎣

Cheers Capt Nik
monsterfishing.co.nz

After struggling in the colder water off the Hen and Chicks on Friday, we decided to head out from Tutukaka yesterday in search of some warmer water.

We were hoping to find the snapper in 90–100mtrs, and we found 14.7°C at 95mtrs. So we dropped the lures into that deep blue winter water… and the snapper were there! 🔥

We filled the bin in about an hour or so, with red snapper and gurnard also making welcome appearances.

First drop for Joe on his softbait setup, fishing a 120g Chartreuse Kabura, produced a nice fat pannie that took a bit of string! 👊

The smaller 60g lures worked best initially, but as the bite came on, the larger-profile lures started producing the bigger snapper.

You just can’t beat tackle testing when the fishing gets tough—especially on a beautiful, sunny, flat winter’s day on the briny! ☀️🎣

Cheers Capt Nik

Been tackle testing yesterday and today, and what a difference a couple of degrees can make! 🎣🥶

Yesterday was Reagan’s birthday, so we headed out with high hopes on beautifully flat seas. It was SOOOO cold! 🥶

The warmest water we could find was just 14.2°C in 84m, with most areas sitting in the 13s. That cold water really put the snapper off the bite, but we still managed a feed of snapper, gurnard and a blue cod.

The smaller 60–80g lures seemed to be the ticket in the deeper water while fishing around the Hen & Chickens.

Today I headed out from Tutukaka and pushed out to 95–100m, where I found 14.7°C water. I was sitting right on that cold-to-warmer water zone… and what a difference it made!

The snapper were there in numbers and the bins filled pretty quickly. 🔥👊

It’s amazing how just a small change in water temperature can switch the fishing on.

Full report tomorrow with the lures, tackle and what worked. 🎣

Gotta love tackle testing! 🤙

Cheers Capt Nik

Take a kid fishing this spring!🎣🐟

They will never forget their first fish!🤩

Cheers Capt Nik