No matter the season or your experience level, you can always enjoy great fishing at Mangawhai Heads Holiday Park. With a range of options for fishing from the beach, kayak, boat or charter, you can cater your fishing experience to the gear you have. The ease, variety and accessibility make Mangawhai one of the best Northland fishing spots around.
What You Can Catch
- Kahawai
- Snapper
- Crayfish
- Kingfish
- Trevally
- Tarakihi
- Gurnard
- John Dory
Where to go Fishing in Mangawhai Heads
Beach
Starting straight from the shore, many people like to drop a line in the sheltered estuary, or surfcast right from Mangawhai Heads Surf Beach. If it’s low tide, you can walk all the way out to Head Rock and try your luck from there. Otherwise, if you walk north along the beach, you’ll come to The Rail. This is a rocky shoreline and reef area, so it is another great fishing spot.
If you’re looking for a beach to go fishing from the main Mangawhai township, you can also head out to Pacific Road Beach, off Blackswamp Road.
Kayak
If you’ve got the kayak handy, there are a few more decent fishing spots within your reach. During the summer months, paddle straight out from the sand dunes for a popular snapper hangout. If you’d like to head out a bit further, McGregor Rock is just under 4km from the harbour entrance. On from there, keep heading north (left along the coast) towards Waipu/Langs Beach. You’ll find a great fishing reef between McKenzie Cove and Andersons Cove.
Boat
For many people, fishing in Mangawhai means getting out on the boat. If you’re in this crowd, we’ve got a few recommendations for you as well. The easiest place to launch into the harbour is at 1 Alamar Cresent, just in front of the Mangawhai Fishing Club. Here you’ll find an all-tide concrete ramp, truck & trailer parking, and a floating pontoon.
Renowned fishing spots in the area include Hen & Chicken Islands and Sail Rock, directly northeast of Mangawhai Heads. If you’re after a bit more of a voyage, Mokohinau Islands are about 1 hour from the Mangawhai bar.
Charters
If you haven’t got your own boat, the best option is to head out on a charter. Not only can you visit multiple spots, you’ll also be guided by Mangawhai fishing experts with a heap of local knowledge. Fishmeister, RnR Charters and Offshore Adventures are among the top fishing charters in Mangawhai Heads, so give them a call
Fishing Gear
If you’re in need of bait, tackle or any other gear for fishing in Mangawhai Heads, there’s a one stop shop based locally. Drop in to Mangawhai Fishing and Tackle at 8 Wood Street, or call Darryl on 09 431 5385.
For more information and upcoming events, visit the Mangawhai Fishing & Boating Club.