We’ve finally got a bit of a break in the weather, which has delivered a few trips offshore and some awesome fishing.

The fishing offshore has been outstanding, with big patches of all species on offer, and this is typical of this time of year.

Pearl perch have been extremely thick and it has been easy to obtain a bag limit in a very short time. Pearlies go very well on the plate, so nobody is complaining about how thick they are. All baits and different rigs have been working, but the soft plastics have been picking out the bigger models.

We have had a couple of good runs of snapper and we’ve found that berleying up on gravelly bottom has gotten them interested. Once they’re in the trail and feeding hard, floating down whole pilchards has been a sure fire way to hook-up.

Red emperor have also made an appearance but at the moment the only bait that seems to fire them up is live yakkas. 

Out wide, the bommies are chock-a-block full of hussar, tuskies and Maori cod.

We have had good catches of Spanish mackerel and although they have been a little hot and cold, when they are hot on the bite, they really are red hot!

Beach fishing has been a little bit limited, as the notorious Mudlo Rocks have been exposed and hindered beach access to Double Island Point. 

There have however, been some good catches of whiting around the Oaks. The highlight of the beach fishing scene have been massive schools of longtail tuna, which have come in close enough to be caught on surf fishing gear near both sides of the swimming area.

May is another of my favourite months. In past years it’s proven to be one of the best pearl perch and coral trout months, so we’re keeping our fingers crossed.