Good weather has provided plenty of
opportunities to enjoy the top fishing the Mokes offers at present.
Snapper are pretty much spawned out now, but still congregating in large
numbers on the low foul around the 50m mark in many places around the
Mokes. These areas include the foul ground surrounding the pinnacles near
Simpson’s Rock, and on the reefs that run from Maori Rocks toward Burgess
Island and Fannel Island. Snapper can be seen on the sounder from the mid
water mark down, stretching to just off the bottom of the foul at 70m.
These snapper are best targeted on the drift and are taking the baits on
the drop & running hard with them. If you’re not successful on your first
drop to the bottom wind in and try again.
John Urlich's 20.5lber which
was caught at Groper Rock.
Rat Kings are still about in plague
proportions on most pinnacles and will take your dead baits bound for that
xos snapper. Larger kings of 10 – 15kg can be successfully targeted with
livey's. Our most successful rig has been a 3m 60lb trace, small re-curve
hook with yellow tail nose hooked with 3-4 ounce sinker above the swivel,
drifted over pinnacles at mid water. A tooth pick in the hole of the
swivel helps to stop the sinker sliding up the main line. When the king
hits your livey, at times it is best not to strike hard while you are on
top of the pin. Reposition the boat off the pin before you start to
collect line.
Trevally are biting hard at present and
offer an excellent challenge on lighter tackle. With many good specimens
of 3kg and over about as well as golden snapper.
