Local Knowledge Charters is Havelock’s newest charter business operated by Ryan Phillips & is based in Havelock Marina.  The purpose built vessel ‘Sounds Reel’ is a 9 metre alloy Altec with an inboard Yanmar engine.

Ryan has lived & worked locally for 15 years & spent a lot of time in the Pelorus Sound as a child.  Being a qualified skipper he worked in the mussel industry for many years so his knowledge of this area is vast. Fishing, diving & hunting are Ryan’s expertise, so we welcome his tips this season on how to have a bountiful trip out with mates.

Havelock is right at the doorstep of the Pelorus Sound & with the Kenepuru Sound just minutes away, it’s the perfect place to base your adventurous weekends. King fish frequent the Kenepuru Sound throughout the summer months & Cod fishing is always abundant further up the Pelorus Sound.  Snapper can be caught in some very unexpected places sometimes, so it’s worth a try anywhere!

Snapper Fishing Tips…

1. Check your location – Snapper love to feed on the edges of channels & drop-offs, the movement of the current uncovers food for them.
2. Snapper don’t like a lot of noise so if anchoring, lower it as quietly as you can, they also don’t like to be in the shallows on a bright sunny day.
3. Always check the tides & wind direction in advance as these play a huge part if you are drift fishing, which is sometimes better for snapper fishing as there is no noise from your anchor chain to scare the fish away.
4. Big tides & a new moon are the best combinations for fishing with dawn & dusk being the best times of the day, so a well planned trip is almost always the most rewarded.

Follow Ryan and Lisa on their adventures around the Sounds here.