Weekly report 30/07/07

New fishing bag and size limits announced

The Iemma Government has announced changes to saltwater and freshwater fishing rules after extensive consultation with NSW recreational and commercial fishers.
Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, said the bag and size limits for recreational fishing are reviewed periodically to ensure a sustainable future for high quality recreational fishing in NSW. The size limits also apply to commercial fishing.

The major change to freshwater fishing includes:

• Leaving a line unattended will now be prohibited; this aims to reduce the injury, stress and death of fish and invertebrates that result from being caught on unattended lines. However the distance a person can be from each line will increase from 10 metres to 50 metres.• Increasing the minimum legal length for Murray cod, to provide better protection for immature fish. The current legal length will increase to 55cm after 1 December 2007 and to 60cm after 1 December 2008.

• A new closed season for Australian bass and estuary perch from June 1 to August 31 each year to allow the fish to spawn.

• Simplifying the trout water classifications to two categories; artificial fly and lure only waters and general trout waters.

• The bag limit for unlisted native fish, which previously had no limit, will now be set at 10.

Rowan from the Windybanks Fishing Club is in the running for the fish of the month prize. So keep those entries coming in.

The major changes to saltwater fishing includes:

• Introducing a new minimum legal length of 30cm for pearl perch.

• Increasing the minimum legal length for yellowtail kingfish from 60cm to 65cm.

• Increasing the minimum legal length for luderick (blackfish) from 25cm to 27cm.

• Introducing a minimum legal length of 60cm for dolphin fish (mahi-mahi). Additionally, only one fish may measure over 110cm.

• Introducing new combined bag limit of 20 for bream and tarwhine.• A bag limit reduction from 20 to 10 will now apply to bonito, dolphin fish, octopus, rubber lip and jackass morwong.

• A bag limit reduction from 2 to 1 will now apply to highly prized billfish species, including sailfish and swordfish. A bag limit of 1 will also apply to each species of marlin. Reducing the bag limit will still allow for a trophy fish to be taken.

• A minimum legal length of 30cm will be introduced for blue groper. These fish mature as females between 24 and 34cm and change sex to males at about 60cm. The new size limit will protect females prior to maturity.

• The legal length for rubber lip morwong has been increased by 2cm to 30cm and the bag limit reduced to 10.

• The minimum legal length for red morwong will be increased from 25cm to 30cm. This aims to improve protection of small fish in shallow water.

• A combined bag limit of 5 will now apply to all shark and ray species, including only 1 tiger, mako, blue shark, hammerhead and whaler species. A zero bag limit will now apply to wobbegong sharks.

A full list of changes can also be found at www.dpi.nsw.gov.auMedia contact: Jason Bartlett, 0438 209 28

Carl Dubois reports that he had an outing on the Cooks River only to find that the water temperature started at 10 degrees. Even though the water was freezing he decided to give the Cooks River a go at places where he thought he could get a few fish. Carl tried a lot of his regular spots, but couldn't even tempt a nibble from a bream. He used HB's and SP's, fished the shoreline, deep holes, bridges and boats for a big fat zero. The water temp was very cool: 11 degrees in most places but he did find one tropical spot that zoomed up in temperature to 11.9. And guess where he caught the flattie? That's right, in that small pocket of warmer water.The fight, if you could call it that, was something akin to a wet towel that half swam up with him. It was only when Carl got him near the surface that the fish put in a few half-hearted tail flicks. The flattie went 42cm's on the lie detector and he probably hated him for putting him back into the cold water.

Scotty Lyons from Southern Sydney Fishing Tours http://www.fishingsydney.com.au/ reports that the fishing at this time of the year shore test most as the mornings are rather cool and the slight wind from the west cuts deep so rug up. Last week on the water Scott found trevally at Trevally Alley, just off the Oil Wharf. There is plenty to keep most anglers happy the only problem is the size they all seem to be a small run of fish, (So one Trevally and lots of chips). Tailor have seemed to have moved from the hot water this week, but still worth a look as they might just be there tomorrow morning one cast with a metal slice will tell you if any one is home.
Scotty has a MID WEEK SPECIAL of SIX HOURS FISHING THE PORT HACKING FOR BLACK FISH. NORMALLY $750.00 HE WOULD TAKE FOUR ANGLERS OUT AND SHOW THEM ALL THEY NEED TO KNOW AND HOW TO TARGET BLACK FISH. BUT IT IS NOW FOR $550.00.THESE SUPER DEALS ARE ONLY ON FOR FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST SO BE QUICK AND BOOK IN. For bookings you should call Scotty on 0418 169 439.

Gabes Bait and Tackle are now located on the corner of the Prince Highway and Holt Road at Sylvania Heights. 5100. It would be definitely worth a trip over to their new shop to have a look at the great range of tackle they now have. For those of you that brought tackle and tackle at the old shop you will be pleasantly surprised to see that the new shop is now 3 times larger. So get over there and have a look for yourself.

They are going to have a Grand Opening Sale from Saturday the 25th of August to Father’s Day the 2nd of September.

Rowan from Windybanks Bait and Tackle reports that the Windybank's club ventured off to Lake Lyell on the weekend. They braved the wind and the cold to not catch a great deal of fish. However, most people caught something. The dam is looking great compared to just a couple of months ago when you weren't even aloud boats on there. About 8 turned up, some for the whole weekend, some for just Saturday. Rowan fished the Saturday with his father and found it very slow. They spent most of the day trolling. Lures that they used were Tassie devils, deceptions, RMG’s, Halco’s and Rapala’s. The best lures were the Rapala's by far. They out fished all the others. For the Saturday night weigh-in Rowan managed the largest Brown trout which went 1.7kgs (Un-cleaned) and 1 small rainbow trout. Others caught rainbows.

The biggest around the 1kg mark. It was a pretty slow days fishing, but all in all it was just great to see the dam with a good quantity of water in it again. And excited expectations about the next couple of seasons.Rowan did here a good report of some blackfish off the rocks down at Curl Curl that was enough to excite the senses a bit. That customer bagged out in 45mins. Reports of Yellowfin quieten down a bit last week. There were still fish being caught, but not nearly as many as the week before. Again Browns Mountain is the place to be to tangle with a big yellowfin.The Hairtail are still a good prospect at the moment. Continued reports of big numbers being caught in Jerusalem Bay have led to the place resembling a car park on weekend nights. Bigger fish are starting to be caught now, although not the 6-7footers of years gone by, there are some big ones around, but not in the numbers of the small ones. Generally the guys with the big ones will only get the odd few fish compared to the guys getting the smaller ones.

So if you are after a bit more information on what is happening in Sydney or you would like to book into my next fishing class you can phone either Rowan or Annette on Ph (02) 9477 1501 at Windybanks Bait and Tackle (Next class starts the 9th of August) or call into 523 Pacific Hwy Mt Colah NSW 2079.

Dave Fletchers from Queensland with his best ever Barrimundi caught on a lure.

Paul Martin from Rock Marine Bait and Tackle (rocksmarine@tsn.cc) reports that plenty of fisho’s were out wetting a line last week with a break from the south westerlies blowing you out of the water. With the conditions on the water so good, anglers ventured out wide to chase bar cod. Wal Savin and Shane van Dyke got amongst the Cod with the best going 18.2 kg while young local Joseph Dall’acqua out with Rod Payne hooked a nice 12kg unit. Snapper are on the northern reefs but have been hard to find in numbers Pearlies are about if you can get past the millions of leatherjackets. Good green backed tailor around Green Island while Fish Rock has some fair sized kingfish.

Cracker bream are still being caught in the river with plenty over the kilo mark. Flathead are about with the Gulp Plastics working extremely well on these fish. Blackfish are there in masses at the moment but were tough to catch in any numbers
over the last week, it did seem cabbage was the preferred bait but it can change on a daily basis. Good bream and dusky flathead were reported at Smithtown along with some smaller Bass.

Rock Hoppers are doing well on good bream and a few silver trevally, while the tailor fisherman have been cleaning up with good size fish. Smoky is still hot spot if you fish the surf. There has been bream in most gutters and reports of big whiting all the way down to Hat Head. Tailor are still around but not in big numbers. Beach fisho’s should dust off their bigger gear because the salmon are coming to give you a work out.

Jason and Virginia Isaac from Ned Kelly’s Bait and Tackle jasned@ozemail.com.au reports that in the estuaries, the big news over the past week has been the opening of Lake Cathie. Since council sent in the excavator last Saturday, some bumper whiting have been on offer, and this can only improve once the clean water begins to flush back in. Live worms have proven the bait of choice; however yabbies and particularly live prawns if you can find them will also produce results. In the Hastings, blackfish remain on the chew, with the break walls still fishing well and areas further upstream now producing more consistently. Flathead numbers remain excellent, with Blackman’s Point and the flats around Pelican Island well worth a go. On the bream front, the lower estuaries after dark have been excellent with fish to well over a kilo common. As for bait, look no further than those delightful substances being either mullet or blackfish gut, although yabbies will also produce excellent results. Those throwing lightly weighted yabbies are also encountering some solid tarwhine and blackfish during evening sessions.

On the beaches at present, this week has at last seen conditions which are conducive to fishing areas other than the protected corners. Bream numbers remain consistent although with the upcoming full moon, the morning tides may prove the more productive time slot. Tailor numbers and quality are reasonable albeit inconsistent, whilst there are still some plump winter whiting to be scored from the shallow spits on the northern ends of both Lighthouse and Shelley’s. Still no startling results on the mulloway front, although conditions at present should at last see the optimum tides this weekend fishable from the location of your choice. Fresh tailor or a bunch of live beach worms as usual will be the morsels to use when seeking these big silvery critters. Salmon numbers continue to escalate and should be everywhere by now.

Of the rocks, consistent reports on drummer are still coming in, with Point Perpendicular giving up some nice bags over the past week. Locally, Rocky’s, Shelley’s, Nobby’s and Lighthouse too have all produced fish. On the tailor front, good reports continue to filter in from Point Plommer and areas further north, with solid greenbacks to around 2 kilos remaining on offer. On the bream scene, Plommer and Hat Head have been giving up plenty of top fish to well over a kilo, with yabbies and tailor strips achieving the better results. Plenty of blackfish around too for those keen to toss a bit of cabbage, with Miners and Nobby’s giving up some top bronzies early in the week.

Offshore access has at last improved with this week finally seeing the seas back down for a few successive days. Results have been basically the same as per the last few weeks, i.e. reasonable snapper in close, good flatties around the 50 meter mark, and stacks of jackets just wider. Wire is an absolute essential unless you have an unlimited supply of terminal tackle. Wider out, those bottom fishing the shelf report little current of late, and as result, some nice bar cod to around 15 kilos, together with some back breaking kings thrown in for good measure.

When you are next up in Port Macquarie call into the shop and have a look at their great selection of tackle and bait they have on offer. You could also ask Jason and Virginia for their daily report on what’s happening on the fishing front. Call them on (02) 6583 8318.

Peter Le Blang from Harbour & Estuary Fishing Charters http://www.estuaryfishing.com.au/
Reports that last week has seen some wonderful calm days on Pittwater and some good fishing as well. The main catch of Pittwater recently has been trevally. These feisty little fighters have been devouring squid pieces and peeled prawns whilst using light tackle to drift down the burly trail. Most of the trevally have been taken at many of the wrecks around Pittwater with Botham’s Reef and Jacks being the better areas. A fair amount of fine burly is required to attract and hold the schools of these fish. The average size is 30-35cm and are great fun on lighter tackle.

Kingfish have been caught on most of our recent charters. There have been a couple of days that these bruisers were seen on our cameras, but refused to eat anything that was presented to them. By using their downrigger camera they are normally able to track down kingfish and usually able to hook at least one up. The kingfish that we have been able to tempt have been between 65cm and 75cm. This has been a little disappointing because being the adrenaline junkie that Peter is he loves to hear screaming reels from big fish. We have had our chances with some freight trains mind you, but they have busted us off amongst the ever-present moorings of Pittwater. Places to try for these kingfish are amongst the wrecks of Pittwater and at West Head and Barrenjoey Head.

With colder water temperatures the fish don’t need to eat as often and will often be seen “playing with their food” instead of their usual smash tactics. If you don’t want to catch kingfish in Pittwater then there are still a few other species that can be caught. Besides trevally the mouth of Pittwater still has some nice flathead and flounder to be caught whilst drifting. The better flathead have eaten live yellowtail but smaller just keeper models have eaten whitebait or pilchards.

Bream are starting to be caught amongst the moorings at Palm Beach and Mackerel Beach at night or in the first few hours after sunrise. The better bream have taken a liking to live nippers or fresh well-presented prawns. John Dory have been caught by a few locals over the last week at Careel Bay Wharf and Palm Beach Wharf. Although they are not in great numbers the deeper holes in the bays along Pittwater may be worth trying. The best area for boaties to try for a john dory is The Basin. This area has a fair amount of structure thanks to the mooring blocks and holds a lot of smaller fish that these slow moving fish prey on. The best baits to use are small yellowtail or sweep or mado’s. Suspend the bait a metre from the bottom using a long trace and large sinker above the swivel.

Peter is going to target HAIRTAIL in the coming weeks. If anyone wishes to join in, please book now as we are only running them for a short time. The things that you will have to supply for these charters are a tolerance of the cold, lots of warm clothing including a wind and waterproof jacket in case of fog or unpredicted winds. A headlamp is also needed. Peter will supply everything else that is needed for the afternoon/evening charter including, food, hot drinks and cup-a-soups. The charters will start at 2.30pm and you will be dropped off back at the pick up point at around 9pm. The charter will start by catching our live baits of yellowtail and squid before heading off to one of the many hairtail grounds of Cowan Creek to watch the sun go down and plunge the river into total darkness. The targeted species will be hairtail but we will also have a line out for a mulloway and bream incase one of these by catches are hungry.

Peter's Winter Specials Have Started.
$330 For the CHARTER. 1, 2 OR 3 PEOPLE.
That equates to $110 each for a 3-person charter.
Book now and don’t miss out.
Special lasts until 31st August 2007.
0410 633 351

Weekly report 23/07/07

Bill and Eric from Gabes Bait and Tackle would like to let everyone know that their shop is now located on the corner of the Prince Highway and Holt Road at Sylvania Heights. Their new phone number is (02) 9522 5100 and it would be definitely worth a trip over to their new shop to have a look at the great range of tackle they now have. For those of you that brought tackle and tackle at the old shop you will be pleasantly surprised to see that the new shop is now 3 times larger. So get over there and have a look for yourself. They will also be having a grand opening on the weekend before Father’s Day.

I fished in a Pro Bream tournament in the Parramatta River / Sydney Harbour area over the weekend with Daniel Bray. We fished areas like Rose and Rushcutters Bays, Birkenhead Head Point, Five Dock Bay, bridges in the Parramatta River and only managed to get 1 out of 6 legal fish for the day. We had a shocker. The biggest bag of 6 bream was approximately 6.3 kilos. Day two saw us fish some of the same spots, plus many more, and yes we did get our bag of 6 bream and our total was approximately 2.760 kilos for 7 fish. Due to the fact that I had to go to a soccer game I don’t know who won the weekend, but as soon as I do I will put up the results. I do know that we were in the bottom half of the field.

We found that the areas that we fished were very cold. The water temperature ranged from 11 to 14 degrees and the fish were just hanging onto the soft plastics. Making it very hard to hook them. Daniel and I fished rocky shorelines, shallow flats, boats in deep and shallow water, marker poles, mangrove and deep holes.

The Harbour has been producing silver trevally at the entrance to Iron Cove and Sow and Pigs on the run-out tide on peeled prawns, half pilchards and pink nippers. You could also try using tube or blood worms for bait. Bream and luderick have been feeding along the shoreline at Fairlight and Manly Cove. You could also try fishing for leatherjackets in the same stretch of water.

Middle Harbour is still producing the odd kingfish off Seaforth and Sugarloaf Points in the deeper water. Live squid and yellowtail are the go. Middle Head has a few squid on the chew, but you will need to watch the swell. Clontarf beach is producing the odd whiting or two on the rising tide.

Dusky flathead, mullet and bream have been caught near the bridge at Wellington Street in Narrabeen Lakes. Try using peeled prawns, nippers and blood worms. You could also try using those soft plastics for the dusky flathead.

The rocks off Ben Buckler and south Maroubra have been producing luderick and drummer on the rising tide. Especially now that the seas have settled down a bit. The beaches off Cronulla are worth a shot for salmon and tailor in the early part of the morning. Whiting have been caught in the deeper gutters off Greenhill’s and beach and blood worms.

Botany Bay still has plenty of silver trevally and leatherjackets at the usual places. Tailor and Australian salmon have been feeding in the washes off the northern and southern side of the bay. You could also start scouting around Bate Bay for them at first light. The Hot Water outlet has squid, slimy mackerel and tailor. Make sure that you have a berley trail going.

The Port Hacking has the ever reliable luderick and leatherjackets on the chew. Snapper have shown up at the entrance to Yowie Bay and South-west Arm. Try using strips of tuna and whole pilchards or garfish for bait.

Rowan from Windybanks Bait and Tackle reports that there has been a few hairtail catches from Cowan Creek. Reports are not of big fish, mainly around the 4-5ft in size. Reports have come from Jerusalem and Waratah bays. On the beaches some good tailor and salmon have been frequenting the newly formed gutters on the northern beaches. There is the odd yellowfin bream and also some good whiting that is if you’re prepared to persist in finding them.The river has been fishing well around Dangar Island with bream to 1.2kgs cleaned being caught and dusky flathead to 2kgs. A great time of year to fish the Dangar Island Shoals with lures and Soft Plastics for a feed of dusky flathead.Browns Mountain, when the weather has been friendly, has produced good catches of Blue Eye Cod for the bottom fisherman and some very good reports of yellowfin for the cubing guys. One customer boated 7 yellowfin last Tuesday in near perfect conditions. The size was mixed, from 15kgs to 30kgs. Nor huge fish, but all the same, a lot of fun.

So if you are after a bit more information on what is happening in Sydney or you would like to book into my next fishing class you can phone either Rowan or Annette on Ph (02) 9477 1501 Windybanks Bait and Tackle (Next class starts the 9th of August) or call into 523 Pacific Hwy Mt Colah NSW 2079.

Darren from Bermagui Ocean Hut Fishing Tackle, Dive and Charter Fishing Service
mailto:%20(%20enquiries@bermifishinghut.com.au reports that there has been plenty of morwong on the Four and Six Mile Reefs as well as out wide from Goalen Head. The run of Snapper still continues with some very nice fish of up to 4 Kg. These fish have been taken in the same areas as the morwong plus there is a variety of other species with the Jackets still seemingly quiet.

Due to the offshore winds out wide the sea conditions have been very rough not allowing anglers a chance, however a couple of boats did venture out and hooked a couple of Southern Blue Fin Tuna which where not landed. Water temps are still around 17 - 18 deg. and we suspect there should be still Yellowfin and Albacore mixed in with the Bluefin, plus a very strong chance of sharks in burley trails.

The water colour is improving in the rivers and lakes resulting in a few more fish being taken. For the kids there is silver trevally, yellowtail and mullet in the Harbour. Blackfish seem to be moving back into the Bermi system, which are being taken on Cabbage Weed and there has been some nice Bream at the entrance of both Wallaga and Cuttagee Lakes.

Due to recent rain and floods virtually no bass Fishing is being done in either the River or the Dam. The floods will mean the Bass will have the opportunity to move around throughout the systems and therefore the fishing in the spring months should be very good, especially in the rivers.

Offshore winds have allowed angler’s access to both the Rocks and the Beaches. From the stones there are plenty of Drummer, a few groper, bream and trevally which have been stirred by the rough weather. Salmon and tailor are also around both from the rocks and the beaches. There are some good bream and mullet moving along the beaches with most of them holding their share of fish.

If you are planing a trip down Darren’s way check out his web site at http://bermifishinghut.com.au/aboutus.htm You could also give Darren and the boys a ring on (02) 6493 4688 to find out what is coming up in the next week or so.

Paul Martin from Rock Marine Bait and Tackle (rocksmarine@tsn.cc) reports that
if the fishing wasn’t so good at the moment you would be wishing for summer to warm up the cold mornings so rug up and get them while their here. The catch of the week has got to be Bill Wheeler from Armidale, while pulling metal lures for tailor around Green Island the explosion on the business end of his line was a 30 kilo kingfish that fortunately headed out to sea instead of back to the rock. There has been some good snapper up north with the best Geoff Gardiner’s 7.5 kilo cracker. Pearl Perch are out a little wider with plenty of leatherjackets as well. There are still some nice yellowfin bream around Green Island while Fish Rock has been quiet.

If you can brave the freezing conditions the beaches are fishing well for tailor, whiting and the odd yellowfin bream. The rock hoppers are hooking up tailor most mornings along with bream and the odd drummer.

Put some hours in the river and you well get yourself a feed. Mulloway have made a welcome return falling to plastics working the Break wall. Greg “the box” Henry used mullet bait to get a good bag of bream. Dusky flathead are a little hard to find but we have had reports there are a few around Clybucca. Luderick are in very good numbers in their usual haunts along the walls. These fish are quality fish like Taree’s Ian Brentnall respectable 1.5 kilo luderick amongst his bag. There are a few silver trevally, yellowfin bream and the odd tailor at the end of the breakwall. For daily reports and special call Paul on (02) 6566 6726.

There is no report from Steve Williamson from Lake Jindabyne Trout Fishing Adventures this week, but for more information on the latest fishing conditions you could call the Shop at Snowline Centre, Kosciusko Road Jindabyne on (02) 64 561551 for the latest update or you could cotact Steve at mailto:swtrout@airlan.com.au

Pambula / Merimbula Fishing Report.
Steve has also started up fishing classes offering fishing lessons and tuition at Pambula on the south coast based at 'Holiday Hub Beach Resort'. Shortly we will also be offering the same tuition at Wallaga Lake and Eden. Barry Hein who works for 'Steve Williamson's Fishing Adventures' is a local to Merimbula and fishes the area regularly. I have also been fishing down on the South Coast for the last 10 years and have experience in areas from Narooma to Eden. Together Barry and Steve, with help from other locals, are now offering up to date fishing reports for the south coast as well. These reports are formulated from our own personal experiences and with input from local tackle shops.

Jason and Virginia Isaac from Ned Kelly’s Bait and Tackle jasned@ozemail.com.au reports that off the rocks, excellent reports on drummer continue to come in, with Point Perpendicular, Diamond Head and most ledges around Plommer still giving nice bags over the past week. Locally, Rocky’s, Shelley’s and Lighthouse have all produced fish albeit not quite as consistently as enjoyed over recent weeks. Bream numbers remain excellent, with the combination of good tides and no moon last weekend resulting in plenty of fish well over a kilo. On the tailor front, the action has been a little patchy, however there remains enough fish in the kilo plus bracket to keep the pillie or lure tossers amused. For those willing to brave the pigs and float a bit of cabbage, blackfish numbers and quality are first class, with reports in particular from Hat Head indicating numbers are thick as they have been for some time.

On the beaches at present, until a bit of respite arrived early in the week, conditions have been challenging with bigger than ideal seas and a strong current heading north on most days. As such, the more protected southern corners as well as the small beaches around Port have provided the better results. As expected, bream dominate most catches, with pipis and chicken gut achieving the better results. Oddly enough, there are still some top whiting about however I suggest their days this season are rapidly drawing to a close, courtesy of unstoppable tide of salmon gorging its way up the coast. Tailor remain fickle and largely below expectations, although the odd greenback has been snared during evening sessions. Mulloway numbers remain disappointing, and with plenty of sharks now accompanying the salmon run, after dark sessions may prove expensive from a terminal tackle perspective.

In the estuary, blackfish remain excellent, with the quality and consistency of fish arguably the best for a couple of years. The break walls, coal wall and Limeburners have been fishing well on most days, although areas further upstream should be well worth a look by now. Flathead numbers remain excellent, with Blackman’s Point and the flats around Pelican Island well worth a go. Gone are the days when flatties were considered a summer only species, with the past 5 season’s in particular seeing results just as good in the middle of winter as in any other part of the year. On the bream front, numbers remain solid albeit not quite as good as recent weeks. Investigating further upstream could well prove worthwhile in the coming weeks.

Offshore results over the past week have been down as you would expect with the seas not being at all friendly on most days. Those who have managed to get out when conditions allowed report the leather jackets have multiplied and grown, with wire an absolute essential. If you wish to avoid them, fish the shallow reefs or target flathead no deeper than the 50 meter mark. The closer reefs are also worth prospecting for snapper, with some top fish coming from around the 30 meter mark off Plommer. For game fishos, a trip to the shelf in search of yellowfin could be worthwhile, as good numbers have been around in past years at this time of the season.

When you are next up in Port Macquarie call into the shop and have a look at their great selection of tackle and bait they have on offer. You could also ask Jason and Virginia for their daily report on what’s happening on the fishing front. Call them on (02) 6583 8318.

Weekly report 16/07/07

Bill and Eric from Gabes Bait and Tackle would like to let everyone know that their shop is now located on the corner of the Prince Highway and Holt Road at Sylvania Heights. Their new phone number is (02) 9522 5100 and it would be definitely worth a trip over to their new shop to have a look at the great range of tackle they now have. For those of you that brought tackle and tackle at the old shop you will be pleasantly surprised to see that the new shop is now 3 times larger. So get over there and have a look for yourself.

Over the weekend I ventured out onto the Cooks River to chase a few yellowfin bream. I couldn’t believe it when I turned on my sounder and the screen read 11 degrees. I gave the sounder a tap as I thought it was broken, but no it was 11 degrees in about 1 to 2 metres of water and it was about 10.30am and the sun was on the water. No wonder there was no bream biting.

On the other hand Botany Bay has water temperature from 15 to 18 degrees, so to get amongst the fish you will need to find the warmer water. Silver trevally and yellowfin bream are being caught at Trevally Alley, the drums and the oil wharf. Best times have been on the run-out and the best baits have been peeled prawns, pilly tails and pink nippers.

The Port Hacking has plenty of luderick and leatherjackets. They are mainly feeding around the edges of the shoreline where it drops off a bit. Squid and whiting can also be caught in the channels. Estuary perch and Australian bass can be lured up in the back reaches of the Port.

Coalcliff and Stanwell Park rocks have been producing some great catches of drummer and silver trevally. There has also been a few yellowfin bream and tailor caught as well.

Darren from Bermagui Ocean Hut Fishing Tackle, Dive and Charter Fishing Service
mailto:%20(%20enquiries@bermifishinghut.com.au reports that the week there has been plenty of morwong on the Four and Six Mile Reefs as well as out wide from Goalen Head. The run of snapper still continues with some very nice fish of up to 4kg. These fish have been taken in the same areas as the morwong plus there is a variety of other species with the Jackets still seemingly quiet. Due to the offshore winds out wide the sea conditions have been very rough not allowing anglers a chance, however a couple of boats did venture out and hooked a couple of Southern Blue Fin Tuna which where not landed. Water temps are still around 17 - 18 deg. and we suspect there should be still yellowfin and albacore mixed in with the Bluefin, plus a very strong chance of sharks in burley trails.

The water colour is improving in the rivers and lakes resulting in a few more fish being taken. For the kids there are silver trevally, yellowtail and mullet in the Harbour. Blackfish seem to be moving back into the Bermi system, which are being taken on Cabbage Weed and there has been some nice bream at the entrance of both Wallaga and Cuttagee Lakes.

Offshore winds have allowed angler’s access to both the Rocks and the Beaches. From the stones there are plenty of drummer, a few groper, yellowfin bream and silver trevally which have been stirred by the rough weather. Australian salmon and tailor are also around both from the rocks and the beaches. There are some good yellowfin bream and mullet moving along the beaches with most of them holding their share of fish.

Recent rain in the mountains has meant the water levels have risen in the impoundments. Shore based fishing has improved with both rainbows and browns being taken on worms and Powerbait. Trolling is still very good for both Eucumbene and especially Jindabyne, in which levels are rising quicker than other dams.

If you are planing a trip down Darren’s way check out his web site at http://bermifishinghut.com.au/aboutus.htm You could also give Darren and the boys a ring on (02) 6493 4688 to find out what is coming up in the next week or so.

Paul Martin from Rock Marine Bait and Tackle (rocksmarine@tsn.cc) reports that conditions improved a little at the end of last week so our holidaymakers could fish without being blown of their rock. Blackfish are here and there in big numbers. These hard-fighting tasty fish are along the north and south breakwalls biting on green weed and cabbage in moving water. It is shoulder to shoulder around the Jew Bite at the moment with most fish well over legal. Good bream are on the bite in the river and some are cracker fish. Shez from Woy Woy hooked one well over a kilo on her favourite bream bait, blackfish gut.

Local James got among the trevally on the end of the wall with the best going around 4kg. A few tailor are making their way into the river, good fun on light gear. Bream have slowed down off the rocks but tailor are about in good numbers. Good reports from Hat Head coming in as well. Fishing the beaches has been good with the run of blue nose whiting continuing off Smoky on worms and pipis. There have been a few tailor of the beach with the odd bream.

Not much is happening outside mainly due to the windy conditions. Terry Adey and his crew from Lake Macquarie have fished Grassy and Scotts in about 30m for some quality snapper with the best going a brutal 9 kilos using pilchards. Leatherjackets are still in masses out past 30m.

We should know within weeks if the radical decision by the Conservation Council to close Fish Rock and Green Island to all forms of fishing is a disappointing reality. Let’s hope sanity prevails. There is a meeting on the 21st July at Kempsey RSL at 4pm to protest against this, all are welcome. For daily reports and special call Paul on (02) 6566 6726.

Steve Williamson from Lake Jindabyne Trout Fishing Adventures reports that worms off the bottom and a power bait dropper will be the best middle of the day. Bardi grubs are also good. Mudeyes haven’t been too bad if you fish in the night. The orange, lemon and lime twist ‘Powerbait’ have been the best flavours however the rainbow nuggets have also been good. Best areas for bait fishing at the moment have been, ‘ Stinky Bay’, ‘Wollondibby Inlet’ (deeper water), ‘Curiosity Rocks bay’, ‘ Creel Bay’ and ‘ Rushes Bay’. The ‘Claypits’ is still fishing well also.

Spinning
The rivers and streams have low water at the moment and the fish are very spooky the storms have put a little more colour into the Thredbo River so that might improve over the next week. Best spinning is now on the lakes and even Island Bend pondage and Guthega pondage have been fishing OK. Minnow lures are still the favourite with anglers at the moment. Rainbow and brown trout patterns are always favourite colours in the following lure brands but these other colours are also worth trying. Baby Merlins in BM5, 6 and 18. Sinking Rapala’s in the perch pattern. Legends in any colour that has red and orange in it. Stump jumpers in colours 42 and 43. Rebel Crickhopper in orange or yellow colours.

Spinning on the lake, it is best to fish early in the day. Spin close around rocky outcrops for best results during in the day and use smaller lures like ‘Celtas’ or ‘Gillies Spinners’ around the shallow bays after dark. The best lake lures have been ‘Tasmanian Devils’ in number 48 ‘Brown Bomber’ and number 26 ‘Yellowwings’ as well as the ‘yellowwing 23 sparkler Tassie Devil. Minnow lures are also producing some nice big brown trout but you will need to find the yabby banks to get these fish. The best lures have been Rainbow trout and the Black and gold Rapala.
Those of you that fish Lake Jindabyne will know that there are some small ‘goldfish’ in the lake and if you ever catch big brown trout you can also bet that they are often eating the goldfish. The goldfish start to breed over the next month and so the trout will be on the look out for these little fish. The ‘River to Sea Baby Vibe 35’ is a good imitation and the colours that are best are the HA09 or the HA12. Well worth spinning with these lures especially in bays like ‘Wollondibby Inlet’, ‘Widows Creek’ and ‘Mill Creek Inlet’ and ‘Rushes Bay’ to name a few.

Dry fly action on the warmer evenings has been good with Mayfly, beetles, white moths and hoppers about in abundance the last couple of days. Middle of the day fishing has been harder with all the hot weather. Nymphs fished through the faster runs in the middle of the ‘hotter days’ is producing some small rainbows and browns but the trick with fly fishing in the faster water is to make sure the fly is on the bottom and you may need weighted flies or maybe even a sinking leader. There is also a big advantage in using a sinking ‘fluorocarbon’ leader at least.
The smaller streams have been hard with the low water level and some of the better fishing has been on the lower Mowambah (Moonbah) river early or late in the day. The streams are very testing in the hot weather in the middle of the days. Up in the high country when fishing the alpine streams, small size 12 yellow ‘Humpies’ have been excellent and ‘White Wulff’, hopper and beetle patterns are also flies worth having on hand.

The lake has been fishing well and the early morning and late night fishing has been best. Best flies have been green/olive nymphs or stick caddis patterns in the shallows early and late and if fishing into the night, you can’t go past a black Woolley Bugger or a ‘Williamson’s Gold Fish’ around the creek mouths and shallow bays. Try adding a little ‘glow bead’ in front of the fly when fishing nights but don’t forget to ‘charge up’ the bead with a torch as the fluorescence will help attract the fish to your fly.

For more information on the latest fishing conditions, please call into –
STEVE WILLIAMSON’S TACKLE SHOP
Shop 1 Snowline Centre, Kosciusko Road Jindabyne 2627
Fishing Charters – Bait and Tackle Supplies- Marine Supplies
E-mail mailto:sw-trout@snowy.net.au
Shop – (02) 64 561551 Fax – (02) 64 561342

Pambula / Merimbula Fishing Report.

Steve has also started up fishing classes offering fishing lessons and tuition at Pambula on the south coast based at 'Holiday Hub Beach Resort'. Shortly we will also be offering the same tuition at Wallaga Lake and Eden. Barry Hein who works for 'Steve Williamson's Fishing Adventures' is a local to Merimbula and fishes the area regularly. I have also been fishing down on the South Coast for the last 10 years and have experience in areas from Narooma to Eden. Together Barry and Steve, with help from other locals, are now offering up to date fishing reports for the south coast as well. These reports are formulated from our own personal experiences and with input from local tackle shops.

Jason and Virginia Isaac from Ned Kelly’s Bait and Tackle jasned@ozemail.com.au reports that off the rocks, drummer numbers remain well above average with pretty well all local ledges continuing to produce well. The better fish however continue to be taken from the ledges south of Port although a trip north too should prove worthwhile. Morning and evening sessions are also yielding some stud bream, with tailor strips proving the bait of choice. Tailor numbers and quality remain solid with Lighthouse producing well locally. Big Hill, Plommer and Crescent Head as usual are also fishing particularly well. Blackfish numbers have been excellent, with Shelley’s, Nobby’s and Miners all producing some top bronzies to well over a kilo.

Now is certainly the time to float a bit of cabbage around the washes, with this style of luderick fishing certainly a class above standard estuary fare when it comes to excitement, particularly with the ever present drummer being quite partial to a stray piece of cabbage. Just make sure you take a spare float or two.

Off the beaches, just when the seas had begun to settle, this weeks large swells have somewhat upset the applecart for the time being. With excellent tides now upon us, the more protected corners of most beaches should be well worth investigating. Before the seas rose, both north beach and lighthouse were producing some excellent bream and big late season whiting. Worms and pipis have proven the morsels of choice. Tailor have been reasonable with north beach producing the better results although by and large results are below expectations. Good news however with a few stray mulloway beginning to show up on north beach after an extended absence. If the seas settle, this coming week could be well worth soaking a worm or tailor slab in search of one these big silver critters. On the flip side, salmon numbers are now outweighing the palatable species, and the coming months could prove frustrating if the volume of fish my southern spies have seen indeed arrive to our part of the coast.

In the estuary, blackfish numbers continue to be excellent with the break walls continuing to provide the bulk of the action. The quality of fish remains above average with plenty of kilo plus specimens on offer. Flathead numbers remain quite good despite the water cooling, with whitebait and lures achieving the better results. Bream numbers too remain excellent, and with no moon and good tides at present, the action from the lower reaches should remain first class. The diehard crabbers are still reporting some nice muddies and a few blue swimmers about, so don’t discount the traps or dillies simply on account of calendar.

For outside fishos, the leather jacket swarms have now well and truly arrived, with considerable loss of terminal tackle now a common complaint. Best bet is to fish closer than the 40 meter mark if you wish to avoid them, otherwise ensure there is plenty of wire on board. Those who managed to avoid the jackets report snapper and pearl perch numbers are excellent, particularly on the closer reefs off Plommer.

When you are next up in Port Macquarie call into the shop and have a look at their great selection of tackle and bait they have on offer. You could also ask Jason and Virginia for their daily report on what’s happening on the fishing front. Call them on (02) 6583 8318.

WEEKLY REPORT 9/07/07

One of these days I will work out how to position myself when I am using the self timer on my camera. The fish weighted in at 1kg and 880 grams. Not bad for the Port Hacking.

I have ventured out a few times over the past week and have had really great results. Catches of 5 yellowfin bream for 2.46 kilos over a period of 4 hours. All were caught on Berkley 3 inch pumpkin seed minnows that were cast very close to the edge of the marinas in Gunnamatta and Yowie Bays. I did allow them to sit on the bottom for about twenty seconds before I gave them a twitch. The Port Hacking has cleared up a fair bit from last weeks rain, but the rain that we have had today will dirty it up a bit more.

A couple of the guys who work at the Amazon Outdoor Centre tackle shop at Wetherill Park ventured out onto the Port Hacking during the week for a few mulloway. They did manage to get a couple of 5 and 7 kilos, but did manage to lose one in the 12 to 15 kilo range right next to the boat.

Botany Bay is still fishing very well for dusky flathead and silver trevally at the end of the third runway, Monoilex Point, the oil wharf and the deeper water just off Towra Point. Don’t forget to try using chicken and mullet gut for bait. Mullet and tuna strips would also be worth using.

The Cooks River breakwall is producing a few yellowfin bream on the run-out tide on half pillies.

The Georges River is still fairly dirty, but that should not deter you from getting out there and chasing a few yellowfin bream and dusky flathead. Col Peters fished the entrance to Salt Pan Creek for 4 dusky flathead and 7 yellowfin bream. All were caught on Tube Worms.

In Sydney Harbour there are still a few kingfish around, but there a more up in the middle Harbour area. Sow and Pigs is worth a shot on the run-up tide for silver trevally and yellowfin bream. Once the water does clear up a bit there should be a few more luderick about.

Aaron Truesdale and his mate Chris managed to get amongst a few drummer on abalone gut. The biggest was caught by Aaron and it pulled the scales down to 2kg.

Bill and Eric from Gabes Bait and Tackle would like to let everyone know that their shop is now located on the corner of the Prince Highway and Holt Road at Sylvania Heights. Their new phone number is (02) 9522 5100 and it would be definitely worth a trip over to their new shop to have a look at the great range of tackle they now have. For those of you that brought tackle and tackle at the old shop you will be pleasantly surprised to see that the new shop is now 3 times larger. So get over there and have a look for yourself.

Palm and Maroubra Beaches have produced a few mulloway on the rising tide. The best bait has been whole tailor or fillets of mullet. There have also been a number of sharks caught as well.

Daniel Knell reports that he and his fishing buddy got into some 1.5 - 2kg Salmon off the rocks on the Northern side of Whale Beach on Saturday.

They fished the rising tide until about 10am for 5 solid fish (bag limit for Salmon). They let the rest go and lost a 3 - 4kg fish that spat the hooks out while jumping out of the water. Daniel and his mate used pilchards on a basic rig of three ganged hooks on a half meter 45lb Fluro-carbon leader tied to a swivel, and a large running led on a 20lb Fireline main line.

Darren from Bermagui Ocean Hut Fishing Tackle, Dive and Charter Fishing Service
mailto:%20(%20enquiries@bermifishinghut.com.au reports that the week seen rough seas out wide. This has virtually meant no Game Fishing during the past week. The offshore winds that have been occurring has allowed anglers to fish close in and the Snapper fishing is hot. Due to the offshore winds out wide the sea conditions have been very rough not allowing anglers a chance at what we suspect is a reasonable run of Southern Bluefin Tuna. Water temps are still around 17 - 18 deg. and we suspect there should be still Yellowfin and Albacore mixed in with the Bluefin, plus a very strong chance of sharks in burley trails.When the swells have subsided the Rock and Beach fishing is very interesting.

Offshore winds have allowed angler’s access to both the Rocks and the Beaches. From the stones there are plenty of drummer, a few groper, bream and trevally which have been stirred by the rough weather. Salmon and Tailor are also around both from the rocks and the beaches. There are some good bream and mullet moving along the beaches with most of them holding their share of fish.

The Four Mile Reef is the prime area for snapper at present with plenty of fish coming from the bottom end averaging around the 2 Kg mark. The other reefs out from the Brothers and Goalen Head are also producing although you don’t have to travel that far. There is also plenty of morwong mixed in with them and for the present time the leatherjackets seem to have "buggered" off.

Due to the mini floods being experienced around Bermi at present fishing in the estuaries is likely to be difficult over the next week. Tailor may be an option around the edge of the dirty water at the entrance to Bermi Harbour; however Darren doesn’t expect fishing to be any good until the flood waters clear slightly. Now virtually all lakes and rivers are open to the ocean, this will mean good fishing in spring and the summer months.

Due to recent rain and floods virtually no Bass Fishing is being done in either the River or the Dam. The floods will mean the Bass will have the opportunity to move around throughout the systems and therefore the fishing in the spring months should be very good, especially in the rivers. Recent rain in the mountains has meant the water levels have risen in the impoundments. Shore based fishing has improved with both Rainbows and Browns being taken on worms and Powerbait. Trolling is still very good for both Eucumbene and especially Jindabyne, in which levels are rising quicker than other dams.

If you are planing a trip down Darren’s way check out his web site at http://bermifishinghut.com.au/aboutus.htm You could also give Darren and the boys a ring on (02) 6493 4688 to find out what is coming up in the next week or so.

Paul Martin from Rock Marine Bait and Tackle (rocksmarine@tsn.cc) reports that things are really picking up here at the rocks with some good catches outside and inside. Snapper between 2 and 5 kilo are about in good numbers off Scott’s in about 30 to 40 meters trag, mulloway and a few Tuskies are coming off the reefs in the same area. Leatherjackets are out there in huge numbers in about 50meters from Hat head right up to Coffs Harbour. Small rat kingfish are around Fish Rock with some snapper but, the current is strong through there. Trolling in front of the jail has been producing good Tailor on metal spinners or Gar Fish if you can get them. Green Island is a hot spot for fantastic yellowfin bream if you can throw some bait in close, great fun on light gear.

Smoky Beach has fired up this week with some cracker winter whiting coming in with odd one up to 40 cm. Anthony Thoma from Cessnock was fishing for Bream with pippies and a 2/0 hook, landed a classic 24.5 kilo Jew Fish off the Hat Head end of the Beach. Bream and dart are in good numbers on the beach as well. A few tailor have been on Smoky and Gap beach most days. Rock hoppers are still amongst the Bream and Tailor with plenty around in the white water.

Luderick are in good numbers along the Breakwall with the majority of these fish well over legal. Holiday makers are having a great time with the Bream being caught off the banks of the river. If you can get around the oyster racks expect some monsters.
For daily reports and special call Paul on (02) 6566 6726.

This dusky flathead was caught by the author on a Berley 5 inch Powerbait.

Steve Williamson from Lake Jindabyne Trout Fishing Adventures reports that over the last few weeks, they have experienced very cold weather including snow and many windy days which has meant that there is now more snow on the mountains than on all of last season. While that sounds good for the lakes there is still not enough water to get us out of trouble next summer, but things improve daily and if they can just get some rain in the Murray Darling systems then things would be better.

With the weather the way it has been, there have not been many boats out fishing on the lake but anglers fishing from the shoreline have been doing very well. Bait by far has been the best method however there has been some fish also caught on lures. If you are going down to the mountains over the next month remember they are now into the busiest time of the season for snow spots and the town is very busy. As you reach the town early in the morning, be careful of black ice in areas there is no sun on the road. There have been a few cars that have spoilt there holidays by going too fast for the conditions. Heavy 4WDs are just as likely to slip on ice as smaller vehicles.

LAKE LEVEL and TEMPERATURE
We must be back to about 48% after the level of the lake has continued to rise with the snow and rain that we have experienced. The water temperature is now just about 7 degrees C, so pretty cold! The rainbow trout have been friendlier and surface trolling is going a treat using small minnow lures trolled slowly over the weed beds. Lead core lines at two colours (20 metres) to three colours are good also. (20 to 30 metres of line out will get your lure down an extra 2 to 3 metres). There is no doubt that lead core lines were catching most of the fish in the middle of the day, over the last week.

The best lure over the last week has been number 82 yellow wing Tasmanian Devil preferably in Duel Depth (20 gram) The Y48 duel depth is worth a try on dull days. Bigger jointed lures, like Rebels and Rapala’s in 9cm and 13cm are the best if you want to target the spawning brown trout up in the Snowy Arm or Creel Bay at Waist Point. East Jindabyne islands, Hayshed Bay, Lion and Cub Islands and the South arm have been fishing very well.

Berkley’s Powerbait in orange twist or rainbow nuggets have continued to be the best baits over the last week. We do have limited supplies of Lime Twist at the moment and we do have the new ‘Gulp’ Powerbait which is also looking like being another winner and as more people use it we will see just how good the new stuff is.

Tiger worms under a float have been doing very well for rainbows and Atlantic salmon. Scrub worms off the bottom and a power bait dropper will be the best middle of the day for the brown trout. The big secret at the moment is to fish with bail arm open and make sure you grease the line to make sure you keep it out of the slime on the bottom of the lake. Best areas for bait fishing at the moment have been, ‘The Haven’, ‘Hatchery Bay’ (deeper water because there isn’t any water in the creek any more), ‘Curiosity Rocks bay on the northern side’, The Snowy Arm and East Jindabyne pumping station. Baits suspended under a float are a more productive method early and late in the day.

For more information on the latest fishing conditions, please call into –
STEVE WILLIAMSON’S TACKLE SHOP
Shop 1 Snowline Centre, Kosciusko Road Jindabyne 2627
Fishing Charters – Bait and Tackle Supplies- Marine Supplies
E-mail mailto:sw-trout@snowy.net.au
Shop – (02) 64 561551 Fax – (02) 64 561342

Pambula / Merimbula Fishing Report.

Steve has also started up fishing classes offering fishing lessons and tuition at Pambula on the south coast based at 'Holiday Hub Beach Resort'. Shortly we will also be offering the same tuition at Wallaga Lake and Eden. Barry Hein who works for 'Steve Williamson's Fishing Adventures' is a local to Merimbula and fishes the area regularly. I have also been fishing down on the South Coast for the last 10 years and have experience in areas from Narooma to Eden. Together Barry and Steve, with help from other locals, are now offering up to date fishing reports for the south coast as well. These reports are formulated from our own personal experiences and with input from local tackle shops.

Jason and Virginia Isaac from Ned Kelly’s Bait and Tackle jasned@ozemail.com.au reports that off the rocks, drummer numbers remain well above average with pretty well all local ledges continuing to produce well. The better fish however continue to be taken from the ledges south of Port although a trip north too should prove worthwhile. Morning and evening sessions are also yielding some stud bream, with tailor strips proving the bait of choice. Tailor numbers and quality remain solid with Lighthouse producing well locally. Big Hill, Plommer and Crescent Head as usual are also fishing particularly well. Blackfish numbers have been excellent, with Shelley’s, Nobby’s and Miners all producing some top bronzies to well over a kilo. Now is certainly the time to float a bit of cabbage around the washes, with this style of luderick fishing certainly a class above standard estuary fare when it comes to excitement, particularly with the ever present drummer being quite partial to a stray piece of cabbage. Just make sure you take a spare float or two.

Off the beaches, just when the seas had begun to settle, this weeks large swells have somewhat upset the applecart for the time being. With excellent tides now upon us, the more protected corners of most beaches should be well worth investigating. Before the seas rose, both north beach and lighthouse were producing some excellent bream and big late season whiting. Worms and pipis have proven the morsels of choice. Tailor have been reasonable with north beach producing the better results although by and large results are below expectations. Good news however with a few stray mulloway beginning to show up on north beach after an extended absence. If the seas settle, this coming week could be well worth soaking a worm or tailor slab in search of one these big silver critters. On the flip side, salmon numbers are now outweighing the palatable species, and the coming months could prove frustrating if the volume of fish my southern spies have seen indeed arrive to our part of the coast.

In the estuary, blackfish numbers continue to be excellent with the break walls continuing to provide the bulk of the action. The quality of fish remains above average with plenty of kilo plus specimens on offer. Flathead numbers remain quite good despite the water cooling, with whitebait and lures achieving the better results. Bream numbers too remain excellent, and with no moon and good tides at present, the action from the lower reaches should remain first class. The diehard crabbers are still reporting some nice muddies and a few blue swimmers about, so don’t discount the traps or dillies simply on account of calendar.

For outside fishos, the leather jacket swarms have now well and truly arrived, with considerable loss of terminal tackle now a common complaint. Best bet is to fish closer than the 40 meter mark if you wish to avoid them, otherwise ensure there is plenty of wire on board. Those who managed to avoid the jackets report snapper and pearl perch numbers are excellent, particularly on the closer reefs off Plommer.

When you are next up in Port Macquarie call into the shop and have a look at their great selection of tackle and bait they have on offer. You could also ask Jason and Virginia for their daily report on what’s happening on the fishing front. Call them on (02) 6583 8318.

WEEKLY REPORT 3/07/07

Last weekend Carl Dubois had thought about chasing yellowfin bream in the Cooks River, but those thoughts were dashed when he saw the colour of the water on Friday. It was still muddy, murky, full of logs and other debris and recalling previous lack-lustre attempts when the water was like this, he decided to give it a miss. Luckily for him, as he managed to get two more kingfish while using soft plastics over near the oil refinery at Silver Beach.

Within three casts Carl managed 3 tailor. Not long after that he boated a 72cm kingfish. Not to be out done Carl then managed to pull in a PB kingfish of 75cm’s. Not bad from a kayak. Scotty Lyons was on the other side of the bay pulling in a few yellowfin bream at the end of the third runway, the drums, Monoilex Point and on the western side of Bare Island. He has also been jigging up a few dusky flathead off Brighton and Dolls Point.

At the same time that Carl was fishing in Botany Bay I was chasing yellowfin bream in the Port Hacking. The main area I was targeting was anywhere there was a pontoon that had a bit of current running under it. In three hours I caught 5 yellowfin bream. They range from a 36cm, 1 kilo to a 25cm 330 gram fish. All were caught on Berkley Camo sand worms and 1/20 once TT Jig Heads.

This hairtail was caught while spinning with a Tropic Angler hard bodied lure.

I don’t have much else to report from Sydney this week, but now that I have a few days off work I will be out there getting amongst a few fish.

Darren from Bermagui Ocean Hut Fishing Tackle, Dive and Charter Fishing Service
mailto:%20(%20enquiries@bermifishinghut.com.au reports that last weekend allowed anglers a chance to go offshore and do some reef fishing. The only reports to come back was of some excellent snapper on the bottom end of the Four Mile Reef. These fish where taken on the drift and where fish up to 3 kg averaging 2 kg. There were also some morwong and ocean Perch also taken.

Last weekend quite a few southern bluefin tuna were encountered out over the 1000 fathoms with the best going 75 kg and a couple of better ones beating the anglers. Albacore where still there in reasonable numbers, as where a few yellowfin tuna, but we will have to wait and see what happens after the weather has settled down.

Due to the mini floods being experienced around Bermi at present fishing in the estuaries is likely to be difficult over the next week. Tailor may be an option around the edge of the dirty water at the entrance to Bermi Harbour; however Darren doesn’t expect fishing to be any good until the flood waters clear slightly. Now virtually all lakes and rivers are open to the ocean, this will mean good fishing in spring and the summer months.

Another Tropic Angler skirted lure was the undoing of this fish.

Strong winds, rain and big seas have really disrupted the fishing on the rocks as well as the beach. Once conditions settle down the rock fishing should be excellent and the drummer should be on the chew in good numbers. Hopefully we will see some good gutters created on the beaches and now with a couple of our lakes that have opened to the ocean fishing adjacent to these may be very good.

If you are planing a trip down Darren’s way check out his web site at http://bermifishinghut.com.au/aboutus.htm You could also give Darren and the boys a ring on (02) 6493 4688 to find out what is coming up in the next week or so.

Paul Martin from Rock Marine Bait and Tackle (rocksmarine@tsn.cc) reports that the it would be great to get a break in the weather with westerlies or southerlies blowing up the river or picking the swell up so outside fishing is uncomfortable. The only reports Paul has had this week have been off Grassy Head in close about 30 meters protected from the westerlies. Snapper are being caught up to around 3 kilo. A few guys have fished Fish Rock for a few kingfish and some hungry bonito. If you are heading down south it’s worth dragging some lures out the back of the boat for some of those big Green Back tailor.

If you haven’t already, dust off your blackfish gear because there on the bite in the river along the Breakwall. Most guys are fishing the end of the wall so it can be shoulder to shoulder. Good numbers are also being caught around the wire fence on a run in tide while at this stage there have been no reports of any blackfish further up river. Good yellowfin bream are also on the bite along the walls with the odd kilo fish amongst them. Dusky flathead are a little hard to get at this time of the year but they are there, with the cooler water they are lethargic so try shallower water that’s sun exposed for better results.

Fisho’s fishing off the rocks have been in their element with very good numbers of bream travelling north. Most of these fish are legal and are everywhere off the ledges. Tailor are still on the bite of the rocks while bream and tailor are in the gutters on the beach in good numbers. Once again garfish, pilchards and metal spinners are the go.
For daily reports and special call Paul on (02) 6566 6726.

Peter Le Blang from Harbour & Estuary Fishing Charters (http://www.estuaryfishing.com.au/) reports that the break in the weather has finally came.Yesterday he took out three SA members out for a Pittwater charter. The day started pretty slowly for Kingyfisher, Neil M and George (the Hoodster). They tried for squid unsuccessfully for about 2 hours with Kingyfisher having the only chance at a cuttlefish and it was missed. George trolled up a kingfish of about 2.5 kilos. The water temperature was about 15 degrees and the water quality was poor but it just goes to prove that kingfish still are a winter target. Neil caught a 50cm jewie on a fresh prawn floated down the burly trail. This feisty fish was caught on a 6lb mono bream outfit and in the shallow water put up a great fight.

The next day saw Peter back out on the water by himself. By 10am he had caught and released two 70cm kingfish and three jewfish at 65cm. All of these fish ate live yellowtail for breakfast. Mackerel Beach to West Head has some big bream on offer with the odd 45cm fish being caught near the wharf. The best bait is a live nipper closely followed by big fresh prawns.The squid are very hard to find at the moment but with a bit of luck a decent amount of squid can be caught near the mouth of the river.

They have also caught some big squid in previous weeks with the largest so far measuring in at a 45cm hood length. These larger squid are taking the larger squid jigs up to 3.5 sizes.The water temperature is perfect and The Basin area will see a few caught in the next week or two. Other areas to try are Careel Bay Wharf, Towlers Bay, Lovett Bay and Botham’s Reef. The best bait will be small live yellowtail, sweep or mado’s. Pin the bait in the shoulder and suspend the bait a metre off the bottom on a flexible rod. Peter will chasing bream at places like The Vines, The Bridges, Little Settlement and targeting jewfish at Gunya, Wobby, Juno and a host of other spots I have accumulated over the years. We will be down rigging as well as fishing at anchor.

Peter would also like to let you all know that his WINTER SPECIALS are on. The charter is for $330 for 1, 2 or 3 people. The special lasts until 31st August 2007.

If you want to target some of these bigger kingfish and or jewies then can I suggest you call NOW! The worst thing that can happen to you is that you will learn new techniques, new areas and take with you knowledge that you can use for the rest of your life. To book, PM Peter or contact him though his web site of http://www.estuaryfishing.com.au/ or call 0410 633 351.

Jason and Virginia Isaac from Ned Kelly’s Bait and Tackle jasned@ozemail.com.au reports that off the rocks, drummer are everywhere. All the local ledges have been producing fish daily, with Blueface and Lighthouse arguably the pick of locations. As you would expect, abalone gut has proven the bait of choice, however cunjevoi, hermit crab tails and even bread have accounted for plenty of fish. If you prefer to travel, Plommer, Point Perpendicular and Diamond Head are also producing well, with the ledges to the south if anything giving up a slightly better class of fish on average. Also off the stones, tailor remain solid although not quite in the quantities encountered during the past few weeks. Bream were down a little over the full moon period; however catches were consistent enough to suggest the coming dark should prove excellent. Plenty of blackfish around the washes with fish to over a kilo common.

Off the beaches, the news is quite mixed. On the positive side, the seas have settled and begun to reform which is most welcome. Bream numbers have been excellent, particularly from North beach, whilst Lighthouse continues to produce an excellent late season run of whiting.

Reasonable numbers of tailor are still about however by and large the better water is around low tide and as such, catches should improve in the latter part of this week. On the flip side, the winter inundation of salmon has begun. Now whilst no one doubts the sport fishing qualities this species offers, there numbers of late have multiplied to the extent whereby the more palatable species tend to evacuate on mass. Early indications are their numbers are even thicker this year, and with the bulk of the schools yet to reach this part of the coast, a complete infestation is imminent. It will be interesting to see the outcome of the current investigations being carried out by NSW Fisheries into re-establishing commercial harvesting of this species, as many are of the opinion selective harvesting is a must to restore the balance of what are considered the traditional winter beach species.

In the estuary, blackfish numbers and quality have been excellent, with pretty well all locations from the lower reaches producing fish. Best results have been achieved from the south wall, although the coal wall too is well worth a look. Bream numbers have been reasonable despite the full moon, and if anything, should pick up over the next few days as the moon wanes. Flathead numbers have been solid with good fish taken on both bait and lures. Again the lower reaches have produced the better results. There have also been several reports of mulloway belting into the mullet after dark, so targeting the walls with either lures or live baits could well prove most rewarding.

For outside fishos, as expected there have been some top snapper off the closer reefs which is generally the case after a period of rough weather. Live slimeys or yakka’s have accounted for the better fish, however cut baits and lures have also proven successful. Closer in off Plommer, still a few cobia about with fish to around 20 kilos taken over the past week. Perhaps with the odd trickle of warm water still remaining, the annual influx of leather jackets may be a bit late this year. Still, it would be advisable to ensure there is plenty of wire on board for all trips from now on.

When you are next up in Port Macquarie call into the shop and have a look at their great selection of tackle and bait they have on offer. You could also ask Jason and Virginia for their daily report on what’s happening on the fishing front. Call them on (02) 6583 8318.