The Insider's Guide to New Zealand
Fishing
Grant Dixon, editor, NZ Fishing News
The greater Bream Bay area is one of those locations recreational anglers dream about due to the variety of species and abundance within the fishery.
The region is bordered to the west by a stretch of white sand beach punctuated only by the Ruakaka and Waipu river mouths and the entrance to the Whangarei Harbour; the Hen and Chicken Islands are a bountiful diving and fishing destination offshore to the east. If snapper is the main target, Bream Bay will not disappoint.
This iconic Kiwi fish can be found in the shallows or over one of the many offshore reefs that form the underwater landscape.
Beach longlining, with either a kite or electric ‘torpedo', is popular in Bream Bay The northern Bream Bay launching ramps and beaches are accessible by vehicle but the beach south from Waipu River mouth to Waipu Cove is closed to vehicles due to dune restoration and the presence of rare nesting seabirds.
Baitfish are plentiful in the bay and at times these are worked up by predators from above and below, providing a great opportunity to bag a kingfish on either a topwater lure or live bait.
Diving opportunities are varied too. There are scallops in Smugglers Cove to the north with beds offshore towards the southern end of the bay in 20m of water. Crayfish can be found at the northern and southern end with the Hen and Chicks a popular spot for free divers chasing kingfish and big snapper.