Catching Fish Up In Northern Coast of Coromandel Peninsula

Definitely need luck to be catching or getting fish! As some of you might have known we have yet to catch our first fish with our rod that we bought on Boxing Day. Have tried four times now and lost all four tackles Patience is key they say; and with enough of it we were given some big fillets of snapper and kahwais from some of our neighbours that successfully caught some fish when we were camping up in Fantail and Fletchers DOC campsites. Definitely lifted some pressure off Steve to be catching our own fish for a little bit.

- Steve casting our new rod for the first time -

Those three campsites up on the northern coast of coromandel peninsula are amazing and have their own attraction. All of them are just 20 mins drive from one to another but yet so different.

Fantail Bay

Pick a good spot and you get some of the ocean view and one of the best sunset view for this trip so far. Good spot for fishing just off the rocks by the shore. We even tried snorkelling and boy was it cold. Too cold for my liking and it was just weird for us snorkelling and seeing lots and lots of kelps instead of corals, grey fishes instead of the colourful reef ones like we have back in Asia. Being so far away from civilisation and pollution we had the most beautiful sky. That just continued on throughout the whole trip.

- First sunset of the trip at Fantail Bay -

Fletchers Bay

A bit more crowded of a campsite as compared to our first one but still beautiful. The highlight of this campsite for me is definitely being given the two pieces of kahwai pretty much as soon as we got there we did a sunrise walk the next day to Poley Bay which took us 50 mins one way. It was a tiny secluded bay and we were the only ones there the whole time. Should have brought our tramping stove and made proper breakfast while we were there. Would’ve been perfect. Still had our granola bars, fruit and hello dolly’s to snack on so it wasn’t too bad!

- Post sunrise at Poley Bay -

Port Jackson

Most crowded campsite but still our personal favourite out of the three. Beach front campsite, crystal clear water, and we were able to get some tuatuas at low tide 🤤 perfect! We even went out snorkelling and there was a mini boat wreck.

- Rumbles at Port Jackson campsite -

Fee: $15 per night /pax

Amenities: long drops, shower, non potable water, compost bin