Coromandel Fishing Spots

New Zealands Coromandel Peninsula has some great locations for fishing.  Whether fishing from a boat or from the shore there are plenty of options.  The most common fish species are snapper, kahawai and kingfish.  Bait fish such as sprats and yellowtail mackeral are also plentiful.  I will focus more on the landbased fishing opportunities as that is where I've had the most experience.

Eastern Side

Homanga Bay  

A bit of a walk to get there but the scenery and good fishing from the rock ledge make it well worthwhile. 

Whangamata

Kahawai can be caught from the harbour by lure casting at the mouth of the estuary.

Tairua

Whitianga 

John Dory, parore, snapper and kahwai can be caught off the wharfs on either side of the harbour. 

Stoney Bay

Stoney is located on the far north of the eastern side of the peninsula. You can fish from the stoney beach that gives the bay its name but the rocky shoreline on the southern side of the bay is usually better.  There is a DOC campground here which makes for a cheap and convenient place to stay while on a fishing holiday.

Western Side 

Mussel Farms 

The mussel farms are good spots to fish for snapper.  They areparticularly good for inexperienced fisherman because they are veryeasy to locate.  It's much easier to tie up to the bouys of the musselfarm than it is to try to anchor over an unseen submerged reef.  Anotherplus is that you don't have to bother with an anchor.  The maindownside with fishing amongst the mussel ropes is that it's extremelydifficult to land large snapper and kingfish because they will bust youoff on the ropes.  This is most unfortunate as there are some verylarge fish to be found in the mussel farms. 

Thames Coast 

As you drive leave Thames and drive along the coast up the westernside of the peninsula there are many easily accessed fishing spots. The small rocky outcrops are very popular.  Some of the shingle beacheson the northern part of the coast just after Waikawau are also popularand can often produce a feed of snapper.

Coromandel Town

There is a boat ramp at Te Kouma on the southern side of the harbour. This is an all tide ramp but the parking area can get quite full overthe busy summer period.

Papa Aroha

There is a campground here with walking access to some good fishing spots. 

Fantail Bay

A nice DOC campsite here tucked away in amongst Pohutukawa and other native trees.  There are some great rock ledges that are easily accesible from the road heading north from fantail bay.

Fletchers Bay

Boats can be launched off the beach here.  There are also a variety of beaches and rock outcrops that provide fishing opportunintues along the coast.