b'HAURAKI GULF ANCHOVY SCHOOLSLike most keen Aucklanders, the inner Hauraki Gulf is our fishing go to and on one of our most recent trips out, after hearing lots of talk from friends about the autumn anchovy schools in the area. Justin and I decided we would head out for the weekend after work one Saturday late afternoon (our weekend is Sunday/Monday).This works perfectly for off peak launching, so we got all our things together and launched from Takapuna as the sun was starting to drop. Within just five minutes of travel towards Rangitoto we spotted good bird sign so dropped lines and drifted alongside the lighthouse, managing to catch our dinner and enjoy one of the most amazing sunsets we had ever seen, light up the sky like it was on fire over Takapuna behind us.We travelled a short way out to anchor up in Sandy Bay at Motutapu for the evening, filleting and cooking fish caught only the hour before, along with a couple of cold ones to enjoy while watching the amber sky descend into darkness. A stunning end to a working day and all within 15 minutes from our super citys backdoor!The next morning, we woke up to witness thousands of terns and mutton birds (shearwaters) sitting on the water only 50m from our boat! The birds were Trevally are also commonlysitting over massive schools of anchovies found under the anchovy schoolsand so we simply dropped lines before and will hit lures. coffee was even mentioned.Justin and I use this ramp most of theA stunning Hauraki Gulf sunset time but try to go our in non-peak hoursfrom Motutapu Island looking and only when sea conditions are good.back to Takapuna.Another ramp we frequent if we want to avoid Takapuna is Bayswater, a short drive to the other side of the harbour with good launch space, loading/fueling pontoons, and ample parking, albeit with a small fee.Other popular choices for launching further north of Auckland are Omaha and Sandspit or for Central/Eastern Auckland you have Okahu Bay and Half Moon Bay. Many of our affiliates and customers are members of OBC (Outboard Boating Club) and the public launch arrangement is worth considering for regular boaties with 15 purpose-built ramps, with 10 wash down stations and fish filleting station. They have annual memberships, but to find out more visit: www.obc.co.nzThis is something we are going to investigate also!26FISHING IN GODZONE MAY/JUN 2021'