Fishing, Diving & Boat Launching

There are many areas in and around Fletcher Bay that offer superb fishing and diving all year round by boat, or off the rocks. Snapper, Kingfish, Kahawai, John Dory, Cod, Trevally, Tarakihi are all frequently caught.

Fishing -

  • Off the rocks at the left or right hand ends of the beach
  • Back up the road to Lone Pohutukawa Point and a steep walk down to the rocks
  • Back up the road to the cattle crossing, and again a steepish walk down to the rocks

  • Along to the Pinnacles (30+ mins walk to the right of the beach). It's an even longer walk back when you have a huge Kingfish or Snapper on your back !

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Diving, snorkelling, spearfishing -
  • Scallops & Crayfish are common in these waters along with a wide variety of fish species.

 

Boat launching -

  • The beach at Fletcher Bay has a sandy base with small smooth gravel just on, and above high water mark. While it is certainly possible to easily launch small boats (aluminium up to 5 meters), care is needed, and 4 wheel drive vehicles are necessary unless you use a very long tow-rope and are experienced. The sand and gravel can move depending on the tides, weather, storms etc, so it a good idea to walk the area you plan to launch from to make sure your boat and vehicle can cope. 99% of boat launchings go without a hitch, but there is always the odd time someone gets caught out, and some strong bodies may be necessary.
  • Helpful tips for boat launching: 
  • Get your boat ready to go in the water before you are on the beach.
  • Back-up your trailer to the waters edge and waste no time in getting the boat off the trailer so you can move your vehicle up the beach.
  • When retrieving, back-up your trailer towards the boat, keep vehicle well clear of water and on firm sand, unhitch trailer and move trailer to the boat, winch or lift the boat on the trailer, check the sand again just in front of the trailer, and if firm, back vehicle to hitch trailer. Once hitched, drive steadily forward to clear beach.
  • If you have trouble pulling the boat up the beach with your vehicle, unhitch the trailer without delay and drive your vehicle further up the beach to firm ground, attach a tow-rope or your anchor rope securely to the trailer and the tow-bar of your vehicle and slowly pull the boat and trailer up to firmer gound. Keep well clear of the rope when towing as high tensions can be dangerous.