W
ith the arrival 
of spring and 
the September 
– November 
period, this is 
my favourite 
time of the 
year to jig hard 
across the Hauraki Gulf from the 
north up around Mangawhai and 
down into the gulf and over to the 
western side of the Coromandel.
Spring’s arrival brings the huge 
baitfish schools of pilchards and 
anchovies, with the schooling 
snapper returning in numbers to 
feed hard on this natural annual 
event ahead of their spawning.
JIG COLOURS & STYLES
With so much baitfish encountered 
in spring for predators like 
snapper, this is the best time 
to use jigs which resemble the 
bait as the fish are homed in on 
feeding on this food source.
There are many types of jigs on 
the market, just pop into your 
local tackle shop and the walls are 
covered in them! However, my go 
to jigs over spring and especially 
when around workups are slim 
designed jigs that will reach the 
bottom faster and have a quicker 
action on the drop.  While slow pitch 
jigs are also favoured as the fish 
love their erratic action when on 
the drop through the water column.
It is a good idea to take a range of 
colours and weights from 60-150gm, 
however bright orange and yellow jigs 
have proven to be the best colours on 
our springtime trips.  The weight is also 
important as you will need to go up to 
heavier jigs in deeper water and when 
the current or drift speed increases.
The best action when using slim or 
slow pitch jigs is to simply lift them 
high off the bottom and let them 
drop back down, with their erratic 
action and flashing colours helping 
to attract strikes. I have noticed the 
jigs with twin assist hooks that use 
tinsel also help with hookups on 
slower days with the extra bling.
Hooked up in flat calm conditions off the 
Coromandel in spring 2025 when dropping 
jigs on to deep water sign (30m+).
Feature
10  FISHING IN GODZONE MAGAZINE

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