Otamatea River

Cured some lockdown blues with a stormy afternoon surfcasting amongst the lightning, now that we are allowed to if it's in our neighbourhood and land based. Took the Chihuahua for his first beach walk in a loooooong time (like years) and he enjoyed it. I always feel a bit redundant when we fish from land, I'm only there to reel in if he's busy baiting or with one of the other rods, having the dog to distract me was good then. Video is of a fur seal (we guess?) playing in the distance. He caught two kahawai, the smaller one kept for bait and the larger one made into fish cakes for tea, which came out yummmmy but are nothing on the fresh gurnard and chips from the takeys down the road we have been hanging out for! Watched a guy down the other end of the beach drone fishing and while it seems to take some of the skill out of it we are definitely considering one for when we move and have to battle with west coast breakers instead of inner harbour "swells".

Adding to my list of "exotic" throwbacks, a baby hammerhead. Wouldn't be a day fishing on the Kaipara without a shark on the line!

Fairly eventful trip but only three fish stayed on the boat. I caught the smaller snapper, the other on the boat caught the bigger snapper, and this surprising yellow eyed mullet on the hook! Mullet kept for bait for next time.

Three on the boat, four keeper snapperss, three throwback snappers, plus "don't let those on the boat" by-catches of a baby bronze whaler, a baby hammerhead and another bloody stingray. Two snapped lines mean flasher rigs are back on the shopping list. Yours truly landed only one of these keepers, not the biggest today, much to the men's relief.

Second time out and my only keeper for the day. Some boat troubles so we were but a quick swim from shore just in case but well worth it in the end!