Gary Brown's Weekly Reports

Weekly report 24/02/08

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

Ron Osman from Estuary Fishing and Tours http://www.estuaryfishingtours.com.au/ reports the fishing has been great over the last week at Flint and Steel with jewfish to 90cm and dusky flathead to 85cm coming on board. The best time to fish has been the last of the run-out tide, with fresh squid and slimy mackerel as bait. If you are after kingfish you could try West Head and the Pittwater. They have been taking live slimy mackerel and yellowtail. The biggest that we have caught over the last week has been a 5 kilo, 85cm model.

Ron also suggests that you put the witches hats down for blue swimmer and mud crabs. There has also been a few small schools of frigate mackerel at Iron Ladders and West Head, but they have been a bit hard to get. Try using very small metal lures or soft plastics.

Ron Osman holding his

85cm dusky flathead.

Ron's 85cm kingfish.

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

Jason and Virginia Isaac from Ned Kelly’s Bait and Tackle jasned@ozemail.com.au reports that of the beaches, there have been good numbers of bream with both the quantity and quality excellent for this time of year. No doubt the constant flow of dirty water exiting our estuary systems has assisted in this regard. Whiting remain reasonable although perhaps not as consistent as they been in recent weeks. Tailor unfortunately remain elusive, although there are encouraging reports from the beaches south of Port. Perhaps when the seas settle and the water clarity improves we will begin to see a significant improvement. No sensational reports on mulloway although the odd fish has been taken from North Haven and Lake Cathie recently, which provides far more encouragement than we have seen for some time

Off the rocks, reasonable numbers of bream have been taken, with both Point Plommer and Lighthouse fishing well, particularly at night. The current full moon phase however will likely see the better results revert to morning sessions. Pick of the baits have been either mullet or tailor strips. Tailor have been reasonable with Point Plommer and surrounds achieving the better results, although Lighthouse locally should not be overlooked. A few encouraging reports have also come in from Point Perpendicular and Lewis’ Rock regarding blackfish together with the odd drummer hell bent on making a mockery of standard blackfish gear. No real news on the land based game scene although the arrival of better numbers of sea garfish is a good indication that improved action is not to far away.

In the estuary, bream numbers throughout the lower reaches have been excellent as is often the case when the river is significantly off colour. Flathead numbers to have been solid, however the consistent story coming in is in regards to the number of juvenile fish in the Hastings. Whilst somewhat annoying, this in reality is a great sign and testament to the current health of the river. Elsewhere in the estuary, a few blackfish continue to be extracted from the coal wall and surrounds, although results are patchy at best and below what is expected for this time of year. For light line enthusiasts, garfish numbers are excellent around Pelican Island.

On the crustacean front, it will be interesting see how the Lake Cathie prawns go this dark. Last month saw a significant improvement in numbers, although the quality was largely questionable. Hopefully this dark will see the average size up a little. On the crab front, a few solid muddies remain active in the Hastings despite the continued presence of dirty water. If we don’t get any significant rainfall over the coming week, I would expect numbers to be excellent once the current full moon phase begins to wane.

On the outside front, bottom bouncers continue to score mixed bags of reef species, with snapper to around 6 kilos, kingfish to around 8 kilos and some solid Sampson fish taken from off Plommer. Those venturing out to the FAD, report plenty of mahi mahi remain present, although the ratio of juveniles to adults remains poor. No real signs of spanish mackerel as yet, although the period following Februaries full moon is often when a few of these prized fish begin to show up. In the meantime, Barries Bay is beginning to produce a few better cobia which will certainly keep those who seek a bit of light sport fishing well and truly occupied.

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.

Scotty Lyons from Southern Sydney Fishing Tours (http://www.fishingsydney.com.au/.) reports that he hasn’t fished for just on two weeks due to weather and the colour of the water. This is the first real flush that Botany Bay has had in many years, now that all is starting to clear up the fishing should be at its best the rain seems to fire all up. Let’s hope we have a little surface action over the next month or so. Bream should be good this weekend and Kingies will be worth targeting on the run up tide.
All the fresh should improve the spinning for dusky flathead with soft plastics, the rain moves them around in search of food. So the next three month should be great fishing as long as we can have the weather with us.

Scott has the following dates avaible if you would like to do a trip with him.

EASTER FOUR DAY WEEKEND 21th, 22nd, 23rd,24th

BOOK EARLY FREE WEEKENDS IN MARCH MORNING TRIPS 2nd AND 22nd.

Afternnons trips 1pm to 7pm there are still a few free.

SINGLES DAY IN MARCH SATURDAY 29th & SUNDAY 30th he has spots still open if you are finding hard to put a group together just join the other keen anglers on the day.

WEEKDAYS OPEN IN FEBRUARY 27th 28th 29thFISHING SCHOOL.

He has two spots still open in the March class and spot free in April class this is a night plus a full days fishing. Scott will turn your fishing around so you will bring home some fish after every outting.

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.

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
As mentioned things have been tough around most Reef complexes with the southern reefs producing best. Nice Snapper are coming from Goalen Head along with the odd Kingfish, and the Morwong being taken further out to sea. Sand Flathead are in good numbers out from most beaches and Tiger Flathead are abundant in the deeper water.

Game
Out wide the anglers chasing Marlin have discovered the water has rolled over to a horrible green colour. This featured for most of the week although changed on Sunday allowing anglers to find a couple of fish. Bait schools are in good numbers with plenty of Mackerel concentrating around the Twelve Mile Reef.

Estuary
As the rivers and lakes clear following the rain fish are coming back on the chew with a fair bit of intensity. Bermagui River is producing some excellent Blackfish on both weed and nippers and there are plenty of Bream to be taken over the flats. Mixed in with them has been some nice Whiting, Mullet and some exceptional Flathead.

Freshwater
Following the rains Brogo Dam is spilling over at a reasonable rate. Fishing below the dam would not be recommended at present until water flow eases. Fishing in the dam is still consistent with more fish now being encountered throughout the day as well as of an evening and mornings. Most forms of fishing are producing. The catchments in the mountains are remaining steady at the moment, if not slowly increasing. This is providing some excellent Fly Fishing in the shallows over the freshly covered ground. Trolling is also consistent in most dams, while Bait Fishing from the bank, using mudeye and worms, will account for plenty of fish.

Rock and Beach
Activity on the beaches has increased in the form of some very large Bream and Whiting being taken in the newly formed gutters. On the higher tides Salmon are also a regular visitor and there has been the odd small Jewfish also encountered. Best baits are worms, pippies, and nippers for the Bream and Whiting with fish baits best for the Salmon.

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 and 2

Fishing and Camping Murrumbidgee River (Gundagai to Narrandera) and Fishing and Camping Murrumbidgee River (Narrandera to Belranald) by Jamin Forbes and Martin Asmus

RRP $19.99 each

These books have detailed maps of the Gundagai, Wantabadgery, Oura, Wagga Wagga, Currawarna, Galore, Narrandera, Yanco, Darlington Point, Yarrada, Benermban, Cattathool, Uardy, Hay, Maude and Balranald regions.

Now even though I have fished in many different places throughout Australia, there are a lot that I have never fished, let alone heard off. So I approached the review of both of these books as if I was a beginner to fishing and that I was going to have a holiday down in the region.

Near the front of these books there is a “How to use Guide” which gives you a 1 to 5 star rating on the following items; Access Roads, Boat Ramps, Camping, Swimming, Shore Based Fishing, Toilets, Shade, Bins, Barbecues, Firewood, Tables and seats.

So as an example you could go the Bird Cage Rest Area 13 3 km west of the Gum Creek Bridge and find that the Access Roads (4 star), Boat Ramps (3 star), Camping ( star), Swimming (2 star), Shore Based Fishing (5 star), Toilets (5 star), Shade (4 star), Bins (5 star), Barbecues (none), Firewood (2 star), Tables (5 star), and seats (5 star). This information will make it so much easier if you have never been to the place before.

So if you have ever thought, I would like to have a go on a fishing holiday in one of these regions or you are just a local I could see how handy these books would be to have.

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 once again our river bar lived up to its reputation with big pressure waves creating havoc with the boaties. If you can get out the ocean conditions are OK with some good fish about. Kings have been good value around Fish Rock with plenty over legal. Grassy and Scotts fished well for snapper in the dirty water between 20 and 30 metres with the odd Pearl Perch. One or two small Blacks have been spotted but at the moment their not interested in taking baits. Fair numbers of Cobia are being caught out in front with the average around 10 kilo. Live bait was easier to get last week with plenty off the jail reef and the buoys. The water temp has dropped again so the Dolphin fish are scarce around the FAD. There were only a couple of Spotties up north but lets hope the best is yet to come.

Rock Hoppers are getting a few Tailor and the odd Bream off the ledges while local Phil Saul hooked 3 Trevally around the 2 kilo plus mark and some Tailor on metal spinners. The Beaches have been a little slow with a few Whiting and Dart around off Smoky. Bream were on the bite towards the river mouth on the run in tide but there is no escaping the dirty water and clumps of weed coming down. Flathead are in reasonable numbers nailing the coloured plastic baits as well as livies. If you don’t mind fishing in the mud Smithtown around the bridge has been productive.

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