November Fishing Forecast

November has to be one of the hottest fishing months of the year, especially for the inshore angler. As the days increase in length and the weather continues to warm, these environmental cues push fish into their annual routines, the main one, putting on condition before they spawn. While some exciting angling opportunities present themselves, it’s also a time to fish sustainably and look after the fishery through a vulnerable time. Releasing bigger fish that are in good condition and only taking what you need is a good start to looking after the fishery and enjoying the exceptional fishing November can offer. 

The Hauraki Gulf continues its form of unbelievable fishing, as to be expected over spring. Baitfish pour into the gulf, resulting in absolute mayhem. It’s certainly a sight to behold when there’s hundreds of gannets raining down, whales, dolphins and seals feasting on a Pilchard school. The action below the surface can be just as crazy, with Snapper, Kingfish and Kahawai throwing themselves in to the maelstrom with reckless abandon. There’s very few fishing scenarios that can provide the red hot action a work up can. As per the intro, enjoy the moment but also respect the fishery, if we look after it, it will be there for years to come. 

While a lot of emphasis is put on the workups at this time of year, the influx of Snapper inshore makes them easily accessible for the inshore angler. Bait, softbaiting and metal lures can produce exceptional results. Snapper start to fill in to Kawau Bay, the worm beds off the East Coast Bays and the Firth of Thames. Amongst these early runs can be some stonking fish, a fresh butterflied Jack Mack or a live one will put you in good shape for hooking into a spring monster. 

With the water warming around NZ, kingfish will ramp up in activity and numbers. Spring is one of the best times to target fish stick baiting, as baitfish become more active and congregate, the Kings will be hot on their tails and willing to smash a well-presented stick bait. All the usual haunts will light up from now on and be worth a cast, particularly as the water continues to warm through November. While we tend to focus more on top water fishing at this time of year, jigging and live baiting will also yield great results. Kings are in the same boat as Snapper, packing on weight before they spawn, so remember to fish responsibly and let the bigger well-conditioned fish go to do their thing. 

For the freshwater fraternity the opportunities also increase. More waterways will open up after being closed for the spawning season and the fish will be looking to pack on condition. Various conditioned fish will be encountered and some fish will still be spawning, so the fishing can be a little inconsistent but putting in the time can usually result in some good fishing. As the whitebait run, the browns are usually in hot pursuit. This is a great time of year to target these fish with a 2.5” BaitJunkie Minnow, Chinook or Crusader spoon. The browns that chase the bait can be solid fish in top notch condition. Trout jigging will also kick in on the lakes, as mentioned before the early season fishing can be a mixed bag due to the condition of the fish, but putting in the time will result in a few fish. 

Other species that are worth mentioning to target over November are Hapuka, they usually push in a bit closer and become a bit more accessible. Some keen game fisherman will undoubtedly start to look for a Yellowfin, which unfortunately have become more elusive over the last decade. Also for the surfcasters and landbased fishos, as the warmer water pushes in, all the summer species will increase in numbers. 

November is a great month to dust of the fishing gear if you haven’t already and get prepped for an epic season ahead. 

Good luck out there!