First of all, consider joining WSAC or at the very least head along to their weigh ins which will give you a good handle on what is being caught throughout the season.

You'll find the sea takes a long time to warm up and cool down so the fishing early season can be slow and still fire late in the season, even though the weather is warm/cold.

You'll find red cod and spotty sharks around most of the year. If you are fishing the wairarapa for cod consider baiting one rod with crab.

Moki generally disappear around May/June and don't return until Sept/Oct. The initial run at this time can provide the best fishing for big moki as they feed up post spawn. They then settle into the reefs for the rest of the summer. Use mussels or crabs.

Gurnard are around most of the time but prefer clean, calm water off the beach which is why winter fishing will be hard for them as the continuous southerlies really mess up the beaches. You will find them at their best around November on the big open beaches in the wairarapa.

The same applies for blue cod though they prefer to be close to rocks and weed or some type of shelter, the bigger ones will move in close in spring.

Snapper prefer the warmer water temps and are best targeted in the harbour and west coast though paliser bay will throw up a few from time to time.

Now and through spring would be a good time to try for trevally in the harbour and on the west coast.

Tarakihi seem to be around most of the time, once you have sussed out how and where to catch them in the harbour, they can be relatively easy to come by. Night time is best.

Hope this helps.