Gary Brown's Weekly Reports

Weekly report 10/02/08

My next class will start on Wednesday the 26th of March at 7.00pm and run for 3 consecutive Wednesday nights. The cost will be $80.00 per person. To book in and pay you will need to either ring the shop or pay them a visit at

Absolutely Hooked
174 Merrylands Road
Merrylands
Ph (02) 9897 3474
Mike

If you can’t make that class I will be running another class starting on the Thursday the 10th of April at 6.30pm. The cost of $95.00 includes a fish barbeque and the class. To book in and pay you will need to either ring the shop or pay them a visit.

Windybanks Bait and Tackle
523 Pacific Hwy Mt Colah NSW 2079
Ph (02) 9477 1501
Annette and John

Ron Osman from Estuary Fishing and Tours http://www.estuaryfishingtours.com.au/ reports that he has been flat out over Christmas holidays and is only just starting to get a few days off. Ron has come across a report of the catch statistics of the professional fisherman from the Hawkesbury and Pittwater region off the Department of Primary Industries (Fisheries) through freedom of information.

Ron has never said a bad word against the pros because he didn’t know how much they caught but now he knows and it shocks him to think this is still going on week in week out and surely it can’t go on for to many more years before the Hawkesbury is totally out of fish. Anyway to the numbers and this includes Mesh netters which account for most of the fish and also Trappers, Trawlers and Beach Haulers with the Beach Haulers catching the majority of the mullet.

This if for the 2006 – 07 financial year, 24,200kg of bream (and at an average of 1/2kg per bream that’s 50,000 Bream being taken out in one year and that’s not including the small ones they feed to the pelicans or the dead ones they throw back.

Whiting is 15,000kg, Mulloway (Jewfish) is 5,200kg, Flathead 1,400kg, Trevally 4,700kg and the big one Mullet which is 230,000kg (no I didn’t write too many zeros on the Mullet that’s the number), then there is Blue Swimmers 1400kg and Mud crabs 1,250kg to my surprise there were only 260kg of Kingfish and there was also 700kg of Flounder.

Ron has only listed the bread and butter fish that he mostly fish for, but if you want the full list he will happily send them to you if you email him. The number of pros in the river has increased since they have been kicked out of Sydney Harbour by a lot, you can tell by the amount of traps around now and they come from the Hawkesbury, Pittwater and Brisbane Water and there are a lot more coming from Sydney and putting there boats in by trailer at Mooney in the Hawkesbury or Bayview in Pittwater and mostly work of a night time so they don’t get abused by fishos who are just trying to catch a feed.

Apparently Sydney Harbour hasn’t fished this good for 20 years since they got rid of them and Ron wishes they would find dioxins in the Hawkesbury so they would ban them from there too. When the fishing license first got brought in the government bought out a few trawlers licenses from the Hawkesbury River and the next day the trawler owners went and bought a license from the old bloke down the road who hadn’t used his license for years and made a very nice profit, about $50,000 so Ron is led to believe. If the government did there homework first they would have bought out the licenses not being used first for a lot less money, anyway that’s my rant for this month now to the fishing report.

Anyway now to the report, finally some surface action in Broken Bay with schools of tailor and smaller schools of Frigate Mackerel and bonito smashing baitfish. You just have to move around and find them and wait for them to pop up. Some days they are at the box and sometimes at Flint and Steel or right up in Pittwater near Scotland Island and other days been in front of Lion Island.

7 gram Gillies baitfish lures are the best he has come across, they are small but still weigh enough to get a good cast on them with 9lb line. Flatties are a very reliable feed this time of year with the sand banks in front of Lobster Beach being the best place to get some and we have caught them up to 80cm there all on soft plastics but if it’s a terrible day weather wise so is the Flathead fishing usually drifting in front of Patonga with bait will catch a good feed of Flatties too if you are down the Hawkesbury. Use Whitebait for bait because there is plenty of baitfish around at the moment. Bream and Whiting have been great one week and quiet the next and I don’t know why we are using the same baits and fishing the same spots with Hardies Bay one of the most consistent but the Little Beach on the eastern side of Patonga has been producing some Whiting to 42cm on Pink Nippers and Tube Worms with a few Bream and Flatties chucked in.

Blue Swimmers are still around with most days getting 6 to 10 in our traps and if you’re lucky you may get a muddy down the Hawkesbury, but he hasn’t targeted them in Brisbane Waters for a long time. Jewies are still a bit quiet but we usually catch a few when we target them but they are only about 2-3kg and taking fresh Squid or Slimy Mackerel fillets and the best spot has been down Mooney Creek or the road bridge at Mooney. We had a good 2 weeks on the Jew at the Rip Bridge in Brisbane Waters where they were there every day at the top of the tide for about an hour. We got them every day we were there on fresh squid but they were only 40-60cm but everyone was still happy and once the word was out there were lots of boats there for the tide turn.

Kingies are still very disappointing down in Pittwater and Broken Bay. We have caught them but not in numbers and mostly throw backs, bait hasn’t been a problem with plenty of Squid and Slimy Mackerel around West Head but the Kings have been quiet even around all the wrecks down in Pittwater which Ron finding more of every time Ron is down there but it still isn’t helping. Maybe next week they will turn up because they are outside on the 40m reefs and we have had our best ones come from West Head, Barrenjoey or the Box so it might just be a late season for them. The Frigate Mackerel are at Terrigal Haven too, but be prepared to fish shoulder to shoulder with everyone else and watch out for the Divers.

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 it has been a little damp over the week or two, but the fishing all week was rather good. Early in the week Kingies were in good numbers around Cape Banks and they provided great action for Matt and Tina. This was there first shot at Kingies, Matt works in the fishing game at Explore Outdoors in Dubbo. Matt and Tina are both keen fresh water fisho`s so if you are in there area drop in and Matt will point you in the right direction for Cod and Goldern Perch in the area. Charlie caught this pair of bream while fishing with Scotty at the Sticks.

Bream are a standout at this time of the year Scott has found good numbers around the sticks and all the way back to Towra point just anchor any were between these to spots and fish with Nippers, Blood Worms or Peeled Prawns. If you anchor and all is slow just move about 100metres and try again, Both tides working well.

Try anchoring at the Drums for kingfish, trevally, dusky flathead and bream. Run-out tide seems to produce the better fish.The Oil wharf is fishing well for bream and trevally. Burley and fish the run out tide.

Matt from the Explore Outdoors shop at Dubbo caught this 76cm kingfish while flicking soft plastics around the Botany Bay marker bouys.

There was no report from Peter Le Blang from Harbour & Estuary Fishing Charters, but he has updated his website http://www.estuaryfishing.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 or call 0410 633 351 or 9999 2574.

This dolphin fish was caught by one of Peter's clients while fishing off Broken Bay.

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
Although not great the fishing has been consistent with the highlight being the amount of Flathead around out from the beaches. These are mostly Sand Flathead, although the wider you go the more Tigers you will find. For other Reef Fish like Snapper. Morwong and Kingfish, Goalen Head is still the prime spot, producing in various depths of water.

Game
Over the past week there has been several marlin caught, although they hadn’t been in any great numbers. That was until Sunday when two of the local boats tagged 7 fish between them with a few visitors also catching a fish or two. There is still plenty of bait out there, in the form of both Striped Tuna and Slimy Mackerel to attract the large predators.

Estuary
The rivers and lakes have been consistent all along the coast with most Estuary species willing to feed. However as I put this together we are coping large rain falls which in turn may have an effect on the future fishing within the Estuaries. Providing we don’t get floods and just a good drop of rain we should see even better fishing in the near future.

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.

Rock and Beach
Camel Rock beach over the last week has seen some very nice Bream been taken on Beach Worm plus a few smaller Whiting and Mullet. Most of the Beaches and Rocky Headlands are showing signs of plenty of Salmon for those who wish to either toss a lure or bait. Tailor are still persistent around the entrance to Bermagui Harbour.

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.

VIDEO REVIEW 1 – Pure Fishing / Berkley with Adam (Mad Dog) Royter

RRP $19.99

If you have always wanted to get into fishing with Soft Plastics, then this DVD by Pure Fishing is a great one to have in your library. Adam Royter delivers the information that you need to make your soft plastic fishing more enjoyable, while at the same time helping you catch more fish.

I have watched this DVD a number of times and I keep on learning more things out of it. Adam takes you through how to tie different knots to join your line to the reel, end to end, leader and jig head on.

You will also learn how to cast, retrieve and fish for trout, bass, bream, flathead and mulloway. While at the same time being advised at what type and colour soft plastic to use.

While you are looking at Pure Fishings "Berkley Soft Plastics" you should also have a look at the Berkley Blue Water - The Gulp Experience.

So if you have ever thought, “I would like to have a go at fishing with Soft Plastics” This DVD will get you started. 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 the conditions last week were less than ordinary mainly due to our angry bar crossing. Boats got out at the end of last week to a green ocean with the water temp about 21 degrees. Cobia were in limited numbers with the best around the 20 kilo mark. Small Blacks were hard to find but there was some success from guys down rigging in about 30 meters. All looks promising with plenty of bait around and strong southerly currents bringing warmer water down. There were no spotties last week off Grassy to report but the odd nice Snapper came out of that area.

That dirty water just keeps coming down from the mountains with a couple of weeks still before we get some clear water. At the end of the Break Wall good Bream up to a kilo are coming in along with some big Flathead. One of our visitors picked up an 8 kilo Cobia around Jew Bite on dead bait while there were a few smaller Cobia around the Jerseyville Bridge. Whiting are on the bite around the shallow flats in the same area. Fisho’s playing with lures are smashing the Bream in the dirty water around any sort of structure, some are small but good fun if you’re waiting for the seas to calm down outside.

Whiting are on Smoky Beach, not in big numbers but they are quality fish. The odd Bream are coming out of Back beach on an incoming tide with a few Whiting as well. You need to pick your day but there are Tailor and Bream off the rocks and a walk down to the Lighthouse should be worth while.

For daily reports and special call Paul on (02) 6566 6726.

Jason and Virginia Isaac from Ned Kelly’s Bait and Tackle jasned@ozemail.com.au reports that the in the estuaries the fishing has been quite consistent, primarily from the lower reaches. Flathead remain in excellent numbers with the coal wall and Limeburners producing the better results. Limeburners and Big Bay were also holding some solid bream, with night time sessions producing the more consistent results. Whiting have been a little quiet which is not unusual when there is a bit of colour in the water, however high tide sessions around the Back Channel and Pelican Island have been quite productive. If whiting are your preferred target, a trip to Lake Cathie with either worm or yabbies during the day, or better still, live prawns at night, will however be your best option. No news yet as far as mulloway from the break walls is concerned, however if the river really dirties up, I expect lure tossers will be out in force hoping for a more significant showing than the last few mild freshes have produced.

On the crustacean front, Lake Cathie has produced a more significant run of prawns this dark than we have seen for some time, although the general quality remains variable. I expect the next two or three darks will see the average quality improve significantly. On the crab scene, blue swimmers have been a little hit and miss as is usual when the river is off colour, however to date the fresh has not worried the muddies, with plenty of good crabs active right throughout the system.

Off the beaches, once again the swell has picked up and will make conditions awkward in the short term. Before the swell picked up, some reasonable formations were beginning to develop on both Lighthouse and North Beach, with bream and whiting the common targets. Best results have been achieved during the evening session with live worms as bait, although make sure you have plenty as the rays are particularly ravenous at this time of year. Still no real signs of tailor on the beaches as yet, although reports from further south indicate we may see improved numbers within the not too distant future.

Off the rocks, reasonable numbers of bream have been taken, with both Point Plommer and Lighthouse fishing quite well, particularly during evening sessions. Pick of the baits have been either mullet or tailor strips. Tailor numbers are quite reasonable, with Point Plommer and surrounds continuing to produce the better results locally. Also on the chew have been a few solid blackfish, with Point Perpendicular and miners locally giving up a few bronzies. On the land based game scene, no news yet as far as long tails are concerned, however a few small cobia have been reported from around Hat Head. This weekend sees a bit of a southerly predicted, so it will be interesting to see if this brings some much anticipated warm currents back onto the coastline.

On the outside front, results continue to be a little mixed, with plenty of warm water now here although it has yet to gain that real cobalt colour game fishers like to see. Bottom bashers have been achieving reasonable results with snapper to around 5 kilos and plenty of pearl perch on offer. Kingfish numbers have slowed a little however there are still plenty of rats around for those inclined to chase them.

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.