Sand flounder
Rhombosolea plebeia · Pātiki (Māori)
Sand flounder (te reo Māori: Pātiki), Rhombosolea plebeia. Fished from the shore, from a boat and spearfishing. In October it is in season in Auckland / Kermadec, Central, Challenger, South-East, Kaikōura Marine Area and Southland.
Season by fishing area
| MPI area | Months | Spawning |
|---|---|---|
| Auckland / Kermadec | All year · now | Jun–Nov |
| Central | All year · now | Jun–Nov |
| Challenger | All year · now | Jun–Nov |
| South-East | All year · now | Jun–Nov |
| Kaikōura Marine Area | All year · now | Jun–Nov |
| Southland | All year · now | Jun–Nov |
Winter and spring (MPI).
Size and bag limits
Minimum sizes, daily limits and closures depend on the area and change over time. Costaviva does not copy them: check MPI for each area.
- MPI fishing rules: Auckland / Kermadec
- MPI fishing rules: Central
- MPI fishing rules: Challenger
- MPI fishing rules: South-East
- MPI fishing rules: Kaikōura Marine Area
- MPI fishing rules: Southland
- NZ Fishing Rules app (MPI, free)
Rāhui (temporary closures placed by tangata whenua) can apply at any time and are not in any dataset: respect local signs and notices.
How it is fished
- Shore fishing
- Boat fishing
- Spearfishing
Where it lives
Shallow sandy bottoms; part of the same flatfish (FLA) complex.
Source: Fisheries New Zealand / MPI (CC BY 4.0).
When is sand flounder biting today?
- Hour-by-hour fishing index and the best window of the day
- Condition alerts and SOS with your location (dials 111 in New Zealand)
- Fishing log with the conditions of every catch
- Private groups to share spots and trips
No card needed. Then €3.99/month or €39.99/year, charged in euros.
Where to catch sand flounder
Northland
- Cape Reinga / Te Rerenga Wairua
- Ninety Mile Beach (Ahipara)
- Houhora Heads
- Whangaroa Harbour
- Paihia (Bay of Islands)
- Russell (Bay of Islands)
- Tutukaka
- Whangarei Heads
- Kaipara Heads (Pouto)
Auckland & Hauraki Gulf
- Mangawhai Heads
- Leigh
- Gulf Harbour (Whangaparaoa)
- Half Moon Bay (Bucklands Beach)
- Kawakawa Bay
- Muriwai
- Manukau Heads (Awhitu)