Weekly report 27/01/08
It is great to hear from former students who attended my fishing classes tha
t I run at Windybanks Bait and Tackle at Mount Colah and how they have improved their fishing. Peter & Tyler Morley (8 years old) had the chance to fish in the lakes area of Forster/Tuncurry whilst on holidays. Tyler managed to land a 77cm dusky flathead from the shore of a sand island. He did it using a full pilchard and with no sinker on 3 gang hooks size 4/O using 6 kilo mono-filament line. The outfit Tyler used was a Daiwa Procaster-V graphite rod and Shimano Symetre 2500FI reel.
It is great to hear from former students who attended my fishing classes tha
t I run at Windybanks Bait and Tackle at Mount Colah and how they have improved their fishing. Peter & Tyler Morley (8 years old) had the chance to fish in the lakes area of Forster/Tuncurry whilst on holidays. Tyler managed to land a 77cm dusky flathead from the shore of a sand island. He did it using a full pilchard and with no sinker on 3 gang hooks size 4/O using 6 kilo mono-filament line. The outfit Tyler used was a Daiwa Procaster-V graphite rod and Shimano Symetre 2500FI reel.
Dave Steele had a great time fishing up in Yamba with his family and he manage
d to get around 30 yellowfin bream in about 40 minutes fishing. He kept 10 (see picture) and threw back about 20 more. Dave used G loomis rod, Shimano twin power 4000, 20lb braid down to 20lb leader small 0 ball sinker, thin wire gamy hook and peeled prawns. (the reason for high lb leader was that he was fishing along wall in boat.) Dave also managed to get a feed of mud crabs.Carl Dubois and I competed in the Squidgy Bream Challenges up on Brisbane Waters last weekend. We have only fished there once before so we took some advice from a good mate of Carl’s who pointed us in the direction of some weedy sand flats and assured us we'd get stuck into the bream as the tide fell.Upon arrival, we could see another 3 boats working the area. We gave them plenty of room and starting working various SP's and surface lures, including a new one for Carl, a Towadi (and yeah, yeah, for you experienced guys, I know they've been around for ages...).
Only about 10 minutes into the fishing Carl landed his first. "Aaarrrgghhh!" 24cm's to the fork...bummer, as it has to be 25cm's, so back it goes. Soon after he get another: 23cm's this time. Both were legal fish as far as the fisheries are concerned but they're no good for these comps.I finally lands one that is 25cm's on the button. Carl picks up another one that's just under, then Carl gets a much better and he's a shoe-in at 29cm's. That's two in the well and its only 10am. The bite went a bit quiet after that so we decided to leave the flats for the other boats and try somewhere else.
While motoring around we passed a nice little lagoon running off into deeper water and Carl flicked a camo sandworm into the current. A 42cm whiting came on board, was photograph and let go. We landed the usual assortment of by-catch (flathead, tailor, flounder) and lost a few good bream, but we were never really in the running to take out the comp. To rub salt into the 
wounds, the guys that won the day were one of the boats working the same flats as us. They just hung around a bit longer and finally the bream went on the chew and they bagged out with their best 5 fish weighing in at 2.9kg's. Good on 'em, I say.
wounds, the guys that won the day were one of the boats working the same flats as us. They just hung around a bit longer and finally the bream went on the chew and they bagged out with their best 5 fish weighing in at 2.9kg's. Good on 'em, I say. Carl with his 42cm sand whiting that was caught on a 6 inch Berkley Camo Sand Worm
Ron Osman from Estuary Fishing and Tours http://www.estuaryfishingtours.com.au/
reports that over the past two weeks the flatties are still there in numbers there are some to 40cm on the sand banks at lobster, but the bigger ones to 65cm are in the channel just past lobster. Ron has been drifting down the middle of the channel bouncing plastics off the bottom and moving out of the way when a boat comes through, most days they have caught 10 keepers in 2 and half hours and they have been over 50cm and some over 60 and mostly big females. Blue swimmers, bream and whiting have been a bit slow this week but Ron has still managed a few at Hardies Bay racks.
reports that over the past two weeks the flatties are still there in numbers there are some to 40cm on the sand banks at lobster, but the bigger ones to 65cm are in the channel just past lobster. Ron has been drifting down the middle of the channel bouncing plastics off the bottom and moving out of the way when a boat comes through, most days they have caught 10 keepers in 2 and half hours and they have been over 50cm and some over 60 and mostly big females. Blue swimmers, bream and whiting have been a bit slow this week but Ron has still managed a few at Hardies Bay racks.
They also caught a few salmon while fishing for bream at Lion Island and there was a school of small tailor on the surface there on Saturday, good fun but no keepers, it is the first school of fish Ron has seen in Broken Bay except for slimies for about 2 months. Still heaps of slimies at Iron Ladders. The jews at the Rip Bridge have gone, but they caught a couple of small ones (50cm) at the Mooney Road Bridge.
If you are after more information about Ron’s estuary fishing and tours you can either have a look at his web site http://www.estuaryfishingtours.com.au/ or email him at ron@estuaryfishingtours.com.au
If you are after more information about Ron’s estuary fishing and tours you can either have a look at his web site http://www.estuaryfishingtours.com.au/ or email him at ron@estuaryfishingtours.com.au
Scotty Lyons from Southern Sydney Fishing Tours (http://www.fishingsydney.com.au/.) reports that a charter out on the bay and offshore brought a little more than expected. One of his clients not only caught some bream and kingfish, he also netted a $100.00 note that was floating in the water. While catching bait one of the boys yelled out, “get the net quick”, as Scott raced to his side of the boat thinking he had a good bream on one of the bait lines, he pointed to $100.00 note just floating past the boat. That's one to remember. Scott told me he had to catch the rest of the bait as all the boys were looking for more floating money. (Botany Bay has it all).
The Wednesday afternoon trip, 4pm to 10pm the plan was catch bait, target kingies then onto the shallow grounds to target bream before heading back to one of the bridges to set a few live baits in the hope of landing another Jew fish or two. Bait no problems at the end of Yarra Bay, The plan was to stay in side the Bay as the sea was up and all of my spots around the mouth of the Bay were out of control, The rest of the trip was down hill from there, No Kingies, One nice Bream and no Jews one of the toughest trips I have in a long time had sorry boys. The next day was a total turn around the sea had drop off and the day was plan to fish off shore so we filled up with live baits and headed out and scored quite a few good Kingies most fish around 6ocms with 5 nice fish 65th 70cms a top day on the water.
Peter Le Blang from Harbour & Estuary Fishing Charters has updated his website http://www.estuarfishing.com.au/ all you need to do is click on the prices button to view the many available charters and different styles of fishing available. The fishing offshore that Peter has experienced with a few mates last week was amazing. They started the day collecting live yellowtail and slimy mackerel at Broken Bay. The schools of baitfish were thick and within 10 minutes Peter was off to Longy to chase some dollies. The conditions were sloppy, but the big new boat handled it with ease and at a speed of 18 knots we were at the FAD in quick time.
Upon arriving they decided to have a run around with pushers to see if any fish could be found. The close by current line was our first target and on the first run they caught a 6kg dollies. The second run produced the same results so the livies were placed out. They moved no more than 50m before the first of many decent fish were caught. Alex was the first to catch a bigger model and by the 11am the guys had caught one fish that was a neat 10kg and another couple of fish that were just under the double figure mark.
The action lasted as long as the livies did and the guys landed 20 decent fish with only enough taken for an immediate feed. These bigger fish had even larger fish shadowing them all the way to the boat but refused to eat anything that was dangled in front of them. All the kept fish were females, which was a bit unusual and the bigger bulls that were following these fish were easily 15kg.
Back in Pittwater the fishing has been great one day but a shocker the next. The fishing has gotten to a point where it is better to fish Broken Bay at the moment. The fishing in Pittwater is patchy, but the fishing around the various headlands of Broken Bay has seen more consistent captures. Barrenjoey Head has seen some great fish lost and quite a few smaller fish caught. We have been targeting the Lion Island area with better results. The better baits have been slimy mackerel or yellowtail and by using the downriggers the fish can normally be found. There have been a few kingfish also caught at Flint & Steel so this normally means that West Head will have a few fish to be caught until the mesh netters get them.
In past years when kingfish have been caught at Flint & Steel it normally means that these fish are on the way into Cowan Creek to harass the many bait schools that are in the river. This is normally when fish can be caught at Cottage Point as well as Smiths Creek and the various points that have a fair amount of current. Live squid or yellowtail will catch decent kingfish in this system once they are located. The only problem with fishing Cowan Creek is that the waterway is so good for the fish. There are almost too many areas for these fish to hide.
Back in Pittwater there are a few kingfish to be caught but these are spoilt fish and on most occasions refusing to eat anything. Last Wednesday saw kingfish found on both the cameras and the sounders and they refused live squid, dead fresh squid, squid guts, squid heads, yellowtail, slimy mackerel, garfish, soft plastics of all varieties as well as hard bodied and metal lures. They really threw everything at them but were unable to trigger a bite. When you hold over feeding fish and can’t produce a bite you know that they are fixated on a specific prey and unless you match it you have no hope.
Bream are in Pittwater and can be caught around the moorings at Bayview and Newport as well as Barrenjoey Head. Barrenjoey Head on the ocean side has seen local’s fish near the traps and on more occasions than not come home with their bag limit. The fish are from 28cm through to 35cm and are thick at the moment. The better baits to use have been oily fish like tuna or pilchards. Fresh yellowtail strips are also catching a fair amount of fish. Burly is required and a Burly Bomb is the best way to get these fish onto the chew. If fishing in Pittwater for bream try using live nippers as this may see you catching some big whiting that are also about.
If you are thinking about getting into popper fishing for whiting in Pittwater, now may be your time. Towlers bay is the place to try as is Mackerel Beach and The Basin. Try using small poppers with cup faces in gold colours. Although this lure won’t guarantee you a whiting, if used properly it will certainly see you in with a great chance. The flathead are starting to show themselves along and over the sand banks in Pittwater. These fish are responding well to drift fishing with live yellowtail and even pilchards. Soft plastics are also accounting for a few fish and can be a very effective way to catch a feed. The areas to try are Mackerel Beach as well as Palm Beach and right up at Bayview and Newport.
Darren from Bermagui Ocean Hut Fishing Tackle, Dive and Charter Fishing Service
mailto:%20(%20enquiries@bermifishinghut.com.au reports that there have been a number of great catches over the past week or two.
Back in Pittwater the fishing has been great one day but a shocker the next. The fishing has gotten to a point where it is better to fish Broken Bay at the moment. The fishing in Pittwater is patchy, but the fishing around the various headlands of Broken Bay has seen more consistent captures. Barrenjoey Head has seen some great fish lost and quite a few smaller fish caught. We have been targeting the Lion Island area with better results. The better baits have been slimy mackerel or yellowtail and by using the downriggers the fish can normally be found. There have been a few kingfish also caught at Flint & Steel so this normally means that West Head will have a few fish to be caught until the mesh netters get them.
In past years when kingfish have been caught at Flint & Steel it normally means that these fish are on the way into Cowan Creek to harass the many bait schools that are in the river. This is normally when fish can be caught at Cottage Point as well as Smiths Creek and the various points that have a fair amount of current. Live squid or yellowtail will catch decent kingfish in this system once they are located. The only problem with fishing Cowan Creek is that the waterway is so good for the fish. There are almost too many areas for these fish to hide.
Back in Pittwater there are a few kingfish to be caught but these are spoilt fish and on most occasions refusing to eat anything. Last Wednesday saw kingfish found on both the cameras and the sounders and they refused live squid, dead fresh squid, squid guts, squid heads, yellowtail, slimy mackerel, garfish, soft plastics of all varieties as well as hard bodied and metal lures. They really threw everything at them but were unable to trigger a bite. When you hold over feeding fish and can’t produce a bite you know that they are fixated on a specific prey and unless you match it you have no hope.
Bream are in Pittwater and can be caught around the moorings at Bayview and Newport as well as Barrenjoey Head. Barrenjoey Head on the ocean side has seen local’s fish near the traps and on more occasions than not come home with their bag limit. The fish are from 28cm through to 35cm and are thick at the moment. The better baits to use have been oily fish like tuna or pilchards. Fresh yellowtail strips are also catching a fair amount of fish. Burly is required and a Burly Bomb is the best way to get these fish onto the chew. If fishing in Pittwater for bream try using live nippers as this may see you catching some big whiting that are also about.
If you are thinking about getting into popper fishing for whiting in Pittwater, now may be your time. Towlers bay is the place to try as is Mackerel Beach and The Basin. Try using small poppers with cup faces in gold colours. Although this lure won’t guarantee you a whiting, if used properly it will certainly see you in with a great chance. The flathead are starting to show themselves along and over the sand banks in Pittwater. These fish are responding well to drift fishing with live yellowtail and even pilchards. Soft plastics are also accounting for a few fish and can be a very effective way to catch a feed. The areas to try are Mackerel Beach as well as Palm Beach and right up at Bayview and Newport.
Darren from Bermagui Ocean Hut Fishing Tackle, Dive and Charter Fishing Service
mailto:%20(%20enquiries@bermifishinghut.com.au reports that there have been a number of great catches over the past week or two.
Reef
Down south off Goalen Head there has been some excellent Snapper up to 4 Kg been taken as close in as 16 metres water depth. Most have been taken on bait however fishing with soft plastics has also produced and in doing so has seen some reasonably sized Kingfish also encountered. There is also plenty of Flathead to be targeted out to sea.
Down south off Goalen Head there has been some excellent Snapper up to 4 Kg been taken as close in as 16 metres water depth. Most have been taken on bait however fishing with soft plastics has also produced and in doing so has seen some reasonably sized Kingfish also encountered. There is also plenty of Flathead to be targeted out to sea.
Game
Recent tournament at Batemans Bay didn’t produce the goods anglers were expecting with only a handful of Marlin being captured. However south out from Bermagui the Twelve Mile Reef is holding vast bait schools of Slimy Mackerel which in turn seems to have plenty of Marlin and Sharks following them.
Recent tournament at Batemans Bay didn’t produce the goods anglers were expecting with only a handful of Marlin being captured. However south out from Bermagui the Twelve Mile Reef is holding vast bait schools of Slimy Mackerel which in turn seems to have plenty of Marlin and Sharks following them.
Estuary
Still the estuaries are fishing extremely well with some of the systems south of Bermagui producing better. Southern Yellowfin Bream and Dusky Flathead are the most common catch although Whiting, Trevally, Blackfish and a host more species are all abundant. Whether it be bait or lure it is not hard to achieve a good catch.
Still the estuaries are fishing extremely well with some of the systems south of Bermagui producing better. Southern Yellowfin Bream and Dusky Flathead are the most common catch although Whiting, Trevally, Blackfish and a host more species are all abundant. Whether it be bait or lure it is not hard to achieve a good catch.
Freshwater
A little cooler temps seem to have the Bass back on the chew in Brogo Dam. Fish are being taken more of an evening and early morning, although recently more fish are being encountered thru the daylight hours. Evenings are the prime time where the insect life is at its’ prime thus firing the fish to feed closer to the surface.
A little cooler temps seem to have the Bass back on the chew in Brogo Dam. Fish are being taken more of an evening and early morning, although recently more fish are being encountered thru the daylight hours. Evenings are the prime time where the insect life is at its’ prime thus firing the fish to feed closer to the surface.
Rock and Beach
Due to the poor conditions Rock Fishing has been difficult although there are a few nice Tailor, Salmon and the odd Kingfish at the entrance to Bermagui Harbour. On the Beaches, shallow gutters are producing good catches of Whiting and bream with an odd Jewfish an occasional catch. Nearly all beaches are holding reasonable stocks.
Due to the poor conditions Rock Fishing has been difficult although there are a few nice Tailor, Salmon and the odd Kingfish at the entrance to Bermagui Harbour. On the Beaches, shallow gutters are producing good catches of Whiting and bream with an odd Jewfish an occasional catch. Nearly all beaches are holding reasonable stocks.
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.
BOOK REVIEW 1 – GPS Handbook Revised – Fishing Marks Australia Wide by Jim Harmon & Fred Studden
RRP $29.99
The GPS Handbook Fishing Marks Australia Wide is an invaluable companion to all boating anglers. It is a complete guide on how to use and get the best from your GPS and it also tells you where you can fish around Australia.
Almost every angler who fishes on the water around Australia either uses a GPS or wishes they did. However, many users find mastering their GPS difficult. Fred Studden is one of Australia’s foremost angling electronics experts and in this GPS handbook he clearly explains just how to use and get the best from your own GPS.
Using these instructions the GPS enables the angler to determine their latitude and longitude out on the water to help them locate reefs, drop-offs, sand and gravel patches. It also will help you to be able to navigate to a special location you may have. This book has 2000 marks listed (offshore – Inshore – Bay – Estuary – river) and it would take you a life time to fish them all. Some you may already know.
BOOK REVIEW 2 – Fishing Guide to Western Australia by Kurt Blanksby & Frank ProkopRRP $29.99
This edition contains updated fishing maps to give you the best and most comprehensive details on fishing in WA. The Fishing Guide to Western Australia is a complete guide to fishing Western Australia’s offshore, coastal and estuarine waters, including some of the most spectacular and isolated spots in Australia. This book is a when, where and how to catch various fish species and is outlined with detailed maps identifying specific fishing areas from the Kimberley’s down the coast and around to the South Australian border. There are also details of boat ramps and tackle shops included in this book.
So if you are ever going to do a bit of travelling, both of these books would be well worth having as reference books. I would suggest that you get yourself a copy of this book. So once again AFN have brought out a great couple of books that would definitely be worth having in your library. Try your local tackle shop or call up Joy at AFN on (03) 9761 4044.
Paul Martin from Rock Marine Bait and Tackle (rocksmarine@tsn.cc) reports that better late than never, we finally have some fish in close. Over the last few days, Cobia have been on the bite just off the Jail in some good blue water, feeding on live yakkers and slimies. There not huge at this stage but they are there in good numbers. Small Blacks are starting to show up around the 11 fathom reef with a few bigger Blues out wider.
The Fad is working well for Dolphin Fish with The Rocks Fishing Charter boat landing a 28 kilo Bull amongst some nice fish. Ken Lyons and Bob Laws fished out the front for a 22 kg Spanish mackerel and a nice Cobia head after a Shark had a feed. Fish Rock has had some cracker Kings around it while Yellow Fin are in good numbers between the Jail and the Rock. Grassy and Scotts still hasn’t started to fire yet with no signs of the Spotties.
Whiting are still being pulled out of Smoky and Gap Beach with the odd Bream as well. Front Beach towards Trial Bay has had some smaller Whiting. With the river slowly clearing up Bream have come on the bite. The popper phenomenon continues to lure some big Whiting amongst the shallows and sandy flats. Peter O’dell from Kempsey has landed some great Flathead up to 4 kilo while one of his Bream went 1.10 kilo. The oyster racks at Rainbow and Clybucca has been a hot spot using soft and hard bodied lures for Bream and Whiting.
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