Fished with my son about three kilometres off the Napier foreshore this morning. Sad to say small spiny backs were there is large numbers, a take every drop down, but these were mixed with nice size (for eating) tope.

Kahawhai were conspicuous by their absents, especially when considering the huge numbers about just a week or so back. One small fish, ideal for the pan, one large fish, 2.5kgs ideal for the smoker.

One unusual visitor, I caught a very solid stargazer, I fish I know very little about. It was very heavy for its size and would guess it would not have been far short of a kilogram. Sympathy won out, it was returned unharmed.

I appreciate there will be some members who will be pleased to read of the reappearance of the spiny backs.