Wattle Downs Pahurehure Inlet

[LittleFella]

Hi, a noob here, just recently started getting in to kayak fishing with my Prowler13 and loving it.
I live out Wattle Downs way and would like go kayaking/fishing around Pahurehure inlet and surroundings Manukau harbour.
I am bit worried about the current and big tidal movements there though.
Can any one here give some advice on kayaking and fishing in Pahurehure inlet and surroundings. Even better is there any one I can go out kayaking with in Manukau harbour to gain some confidence.

I have only been out to calmer waters of Maraetai (tamaki strait) on the east coast few (10-12) times.
Any advice or invites to get this noob seasoned will be much appreciated ..

cheers

[Schecter]

Hey Little fella.

I use to fish in the Pahurehure inlet when I first started. Fishing near Shark island is where I catch my pannie snapper, although the area is a shark and skate habitat! The current is strong and the fishing window seems short because the incoming tide will push you to Conifer grove, and the outgoing will pull you out to Clarks beach - fishing around the slack tide is ideal. You'll also have to contend with the foul around the Weymouth inlet that'll snag your line, and the oyster bed below that can cut your line.

So overall not a lot of positives in the Pahurehure inlet/Manukau harbour for kayak fishing, but the harbour is abuzz with kahawai and mullet during the winter months.

There are a few of us that live in or near Wattle downs. Have fun and welcome to the addictive world of kayak fishing.

[keentofish]

Hey LittleFella just got a kayak two days ago so I'm a noob at kayak fishing too. I live in wattles also and went out for a couple of hours this morning just to practice and casting soft baits but no bites. Had a quick chat to a commercial flounder fisherman gutting his catch at Kauri pt at slack tide. He said the same thing about winter fishing with the kahawai. Looking forward to that.

Keen to get out for advice or just a bit of fun trying to catch fish!

[Schecter]

I wouldn't mind doing another little mission out from Weymouth in the coming Autumn -Winter months. I've seen some surf casters land some gnarly Kahawai and Mullet just off the inlet during the incoming tide.

[sk8e8]

I started fishing there too, as I also live in the area. Never caught much of size, and only bait fished. Fish the end of the incoming and get back before the outgoing picks up too much.

[LittleFella]

Hi Guys, sorry for a late reply, didn't realize I have had some bits in this post . happy to report I have been out 5 times now and have had mixed results. In late late Jan, caught 2 snappers in mid 30's and a 45cm Kahawai with heaps of little fellas. Have to say though even the east coast around Maraetai was very quite and small back then. Then its been very active with little fellas until last week, when I landed a 44cm Snap with 3 other mid-high 30's. So 2/5 productive days. Looks like big ones are feeding and very active now.
Also hooked a juvenile hammer head and bronzy but they manage to spit the hook out them selves.
If any one is keen to paddle out (may be you KeenToFish) together at the inlet please let me know.

[sk8e8]

I'd be happy to go out for a paddle and a fish with ya at some point. I used to tie up to the channel markers straight out. Flick me a PM

[keentofish]

Hey guys. Just stumbled upon this topic again. Yes keen to try fishing out in my front yard some time as I always see boats anchoring in the channel. Good to hear you've had some success. Let me know when you're out next and where do you launch from? I've launch from the beach at the back of Kaanapali place reserve.

[timbo]

Hi Guys,

Another reasonably new kayaker from the Downs.
Been out fishing towards Karaka with success - best haul of 7 snapper ave size 32cm. Most have had crab in there stomachs when filleted so the mudflats provide a lot of food for them.
Usually fish over the turn of high tide before the currents get too strong. Havent yet ventured past Kauri Point but might do when more confident.

[LittleFella]

Hi Timbo, good to hear more success stories in WD.
if you keen to head out on the inlet together some time, please flick me a PM.

[maseofspades007]

Good to hear there are other Yakkers in the area. I've moved over from pakuranga, and wanna do some fishing in the pahurehure inlet. Thinking of going out 2 hours before full tide to allow me a 4 hour yak out on the water. Does anyone else in the area still fish this area. I see there's a set of steps on the pahurehure Esplanade walkway where you can launch. There was a guy sitting there that reckons he saw kingfish jumping out in the water, maybe chasing kahawai. I'm keen to give it a whirl in the next few weeks. Not as confident as most yakkers, but I've had my pedal drive Yak for a few years now and used to go out on the tamaki river. If anyone is keen for a trip to bottletop bay boat ramp, or to launch off the esplanade walkway let me know. I'm keen to test my new Penn rod, and just get out and get amongst it. Won;t catch anything without a rod in the drink #TightLines

[Schecter]

There are lots of kahawai at Karaka at the moment and you’ll most likely see mullet jumping out of water too. I haven’t fished Pahurehure in years. But let us know how you go

[maseofspades007]

There are lots of kahawai at Karaka at the moment and you’ll most likely see mullet jumping out of water too. I haven’t fished Pahurehure in years. But let us know how you go

Good to know, looking at heading for a fish early next week, would it be ok to take a pedal drive yakk in there. Just don't want to go through shallow spots with the pedal drive propeller below and then get stuck. I could imagine using oars would be a little more different in the papakura inlet torrents.

[BigMuddyYakka]

Maseofspades007

[BigMuddyYakka]

Have you been out much as of late mate let me know when you go out I will come out with you I also use a PDL can put you onto some good fish if you havent already found them

There are lots of kahawai at Karaka at the moment and you’ll most likely see mullet jumping out of water too. I haven’t fished Pahurehure in years. But let us know how you go

Good to know, looking at heading for a fish early next week, would it be ok to take a pedal drive yakk in there. Just don't want to go through shallow spots with the pedal drive propeller below and then get stuck. I could imagine using oars would be a little more different in the papakura inlet torrents.

[maseofspades007]

Wicked stuff, good to know. I've been out on the Yak at bottletop bay boat ramp a couple weeks ago. Seems to be mullet out there, but just got me a fishfinder so keen to use that. I also tried my luck off the concrete wharf thing there and a filipino guy reckons he uses small hooks and can get yellowtail off there, he uses chicken as bait. I"d be keen to go out again soon. I saw a sign there also that said to be careful of the sandbars on the pahurehure inlet when heading out. Is that something I should be worried about as a Yack fisherman, or mainly a heads up to boats? I noticed it was quite rough out there on the water that day, quite windy in the channel and swinging my yack around. Might need to invest in a Yak anchor