Mount Maunganui Fishing Spots
Hooking You Up...
🎣 Fishing in Mount Maunganui: From Calm Bays to Rugged Rocks
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Mount Maunganui is a top-tier fishing destination in the Bay of Plenty, offering a perfect blend of accessibility, variety, and scenery. Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and Tauranga Harbour, “The Mount” provides anglers with the unique advantage of fishing both calm inner-harbour waters and exposed ocean-facing beaches — all within walking distance.
Whether you’re flicking soft baits from a wharf, casting into deeper water from the rocks, or setting up for a day of surfcasting, Mount Maunganui has a spot for you. Snapper, kahawai, trevally, and even kingfish are regular catches around the town’s coastal points, channels, and reefy ledges.
Moturiki Island (Leisure Island) is one of the most popular rock-fishing locations and is easily accessed on foot from the main beach. For those with a boat or kayak, nearby structures like North West Rock provide exciting offshore-like fishing close to shore.
For calmer sessions, Pilot Bay and Salisbury Wharf offer great land-based access with excellent conditions for beginners and families. These sheltered areas are ideal for flounder, kahawai, and smaller snapper—especially on the incoming tide.
Before heading out, check the local tide charts and weather forecast. Whether you’re chasing a quick morning mission or planning a full-day adventure, Mount Maunganui delivers reliable fishing, stunning views, and some of the best land-based access in the Bay.
🛶 Mount Maunganui Wharf & Bay Fishing Spots
Easy Access, Calm Waters, and Consistent Fishing
Mount Maunganui isn’t just about beaches and waves — it’s also home to some of Tauranga’s most reliable wharf and bay fishing. These spots are perfect for land-based anglers, families, or anyone looking for a casual session without heading far from the shore. The waters are calm, the views are stunning, and the fish are there if you time it right.
🎣 Salisbury Wharf – Iconic Wharf Fishing for Snapper and Trevally
Located at the end of The Mall in downtown Mount Maunganui, Salisbury Wharf is a tried-and-true favorite among local anglers. Extending into relatively deep water, it gives land-based fishos a chance to hook into decent snapper, trevally, and even the occasional john dory.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Easy to access with ample parking nearby
- Well-suited for both bait and lure fishing
- Night fishing under the lights can be very productive
- Family-friendly but can get busy on weekends and holidays
Best Tips:
- Fish the change of light (sunrise or sunset)
- Try straylining a pilchard on a light leader near the pylons
- Soft plastics work well around the wharf edges at high tide
🎣 Pilot Bay – Flounder and Kahawai in Calm, Sheltered Waters
Just a short walk from Salisbury Wharf lies Pilot Bay, a calm, west-facing shoreline perfect for low-key fishing. With its sheltered setting and easy beach access, it’s great for beginners, kids, or anyone after a laid-back fish with views of the harbor and port.
What You’ll Catch:
- Flounder cruising the shallow sandy bottom
- Kahawai during the tide change
- Yellow-eyed mullet near moorings and shallows
Angler’s Advice:
- Best fished around high tide for deeper water close to shore
- Cast soft baits or use light rigs with small chunks of bait
- Great for using bait nets or catching livies for nearby rock spots
🌊 Mount Maunganui Rock & Island Fishing Spots
Hard-Hitting Fishing from Iconic Coastal Rocks
For anglers looking to get closer to deeper water without heading offshore, Mount Maunganui’s rocky outcrops and island ledges offer prime conditions. These spots provide access to deeper channels, bait-rich currents, and submerged reefs — perfect for targeting big snapper, kahawai, and even kingfish from solid ground.
🎣 North West Rock – Boat-Access Rock Fishing for Snapper
Just off the tip of Mauao (Mount Maunganui), North West Rock is a rugged formation that delivers excellent results — if you can get there. Accessible only by boat or kayak, this isolated rock is surrounded by deep water and drop-offs, making it a reliable place to target larger snapper and occasional kingfish.
Why It’s Worth the Effort:
- Remote = low pressure = big fish potential
- Snapper hold along the rock’s edge and kelp zones
- Fish respond well to both bait and soft plastics
What to Bring:
- Strayline gear with strong mono or fluorocarbon
- Soft bait rod for casting into wash zones
- Life jacket and anchor if kayaking (conditions can shift quickly)
When to Go:
- Early morning or just before dusk
- Best fished on a rising tide with light swell
🎣 Moturiki Island (Leisure Island) – Kingfish and Snapper from the Rocks
Connected to Mount Maunganui Main Beach via a walkable land bridge, Moturiki Island (commonly known as Leisure Island) is a favorite among land-based anglers. The seaward side of the island offers elevated rocky ledges perfect for casting into deeper water, where snapper and kahawai feed — and in summer, kingfish patrol.
Fishing Highlights:
- Easy on-foot access from Mount Maunganui Beach
- Snapper close to shore at high tide
- Kingfish potential during baitfish runs (especially December–March)
Tips for Success:
- Use heavier gear if targeting kingfish — they’ll run you fast around the rocks
- Try a live bait rig or topwater stickbait on calm days
- Avoid big swell days — the rocks can get slippery and dangerous
Tauranga Tides
It goes without saying, if you’re interested in fishing throughout Tauranga, you’re most certainly interested in the tide times. Whether you’re after the high tide or low tides, you can see them all by clicking below. The tide times will be generally the same for most places throughout the Bay of Plenty.
Tauranga Tides & Times
Local times for tides including High tides and Low tides in Tauranga.
