A day on the Kaipara harbour

Mid February on a Saturday I decided to take my neighbour Mark and his son Luka for a fishing trip on the harbour. With a 1-15 high tide and a leisurely 9-30 start I knew the Shelly beach boat trailer park would be over full especialy as light NE was forecasted, so I decided on a small local ramp only known by a few.
We were a little early for the tide, so waited for some more water



The ramp is not quite what you will be used to, a very muddy creek amongst the mangroves and a tide of only 3.6m.



While we were waiting, along the road came, there was a dog with them as well.



This is a no exit road to a couple of farms, and I like the bare feet on a crushed gravel road



Down the creek



And into the Makarau river, and then to my spot a muddy bottom in 2m of water only 30m from the mangroves, about a 20 minute trip.

Luka had the first fish



In fact he caught the first 2, then Mark and I caught up, and along with a few undersize and a few legal but returned fish, a couple of hours passed quickly.
The wind that was suposed to die off was still steady and with the tide due to change into the wind, it was time to head back into a rising chop. Back at the river mouth we tried a couple of spots, but only a few small snapper and one small hammer head shark to Mark.



Back at the house a very happy young fisherman



And the catch for the day

We were the first at the ramp, but when we returned just after high, two 5m boats followed us up the river, and there was one other trailer there.

Some for tea, and the rest bread crumbed and in to the freezer.

Very nice
I always thought you were up the creek

You will note I had 2 paddles

Them hammer head sharks can be a right nuisance at times

Some happy fishermen there by the looks of it well done.

Superb report Rhod

That is apart from using the word "only" !

Nice work Rhod

Great report Rhod, you must be really missing our weather.

Rhod Lloyd wrote:

You will note I had 2 paddles

Haha,so you weren't up the creek without a paddle

You might need some new glasses Rhod,that's a goat dancing on your bonnet,not a dog

Ah, the dog was out of the picture

Rhod Lloyd wrote:

Ah, the dog was out of the picture

look

Haha,my apologies.

Looks a good day out,the young guy looks well pleased,I bet he has got the fishing bug now.

Luka has had the fishing bug for years, but his dad can only ocasionaly take him and also does not know this area well. I have taken them out a few times rock fishing before, but conditions suitable for a young lad often mean few fish.

Rhod Lloyd wrote:

Luka has had the fishing bug for years, but his dad can only ocasionaly take him and also does not know this area well. I have taken them out a few times rock fishing before, but conditions suitable for a young lad often mean few fish.

Looks a tricky spot,especially with the sharks,your experience will be an asset to him and keep him safe.