Weekly report 8/08/08
Carl from http://www.kyakafishingsydney.com.au/ reports that work is still the bane of his existence, but at least it keeps the wolves from his door. It was a week and a half ago that Terry and Carl ventured out of the Cooks River and over towards the runway as during the week Terry bagged a half a dozen salmon on SP's over the flats. Showing the stability of the Hobie Outback, Terry stood to cast a popper at a few surface boils not far away, but to be honest, Carl thinks he was trying to temp the Qantas jet. Thank God he didn't hook up! : )
Carl from http://www.kyakafishingsydney.com.au/ reports that work is still the bane of his existence, but at least it keeps the wolves from his door. It was a week and a half ago that Terry and Carl ventured out of the Cooks River and over towards the runway as during the week Terry bagged a half a dozen salmon on SP's over the flats. Showing the stability of the Hobie Outback, Terry stood to cast a popper at a few surface boils not far away, but to be honest, Carl thinks he was trying to temp the Qantas jet. Thank God he didn't hook up! : )
Unfortunately, the boils only proved to be small chopper tailor that were no bigger than 25cm's. There were no signs of any salmon on the surface and our submerged SP's couldn't raise a scale either. They started to target the marker buoys and eventually picked up a few legal bream, but nothing to write home about. Carl hooked what felt like a nice trevally (thump, thump, thump coming back up the line), but he pulled the hooks on it 30 seconds into the fight. A minute later, Terry lands one but he's in a generous mood and sets it free to grow a little more.
Heading back Carl switched to a TT Switchblade and start working the flats, hoping for a flathead. No flatties, but he did manage to rack up another species on the blade, this time a Flounder that came home with me and tasted magnificent once filleted and dipped in a beer batter and served up with fresh lime wedges, Maldon Sea salt and cracked black pepper. Mmmm Mmmm...
Holly Cow something was hungreyLATEST NEWS
Yabbie Bait and Tackle is no longer. The shop has been brought by Marcus Unkuri and is now called Southside Bait and Tackle and is situated at 2a Toorak Avenue Taren Point. Marcus is opened 7 days a week and has plenty of winter special on at the moment.
So when you are next in the neighbourhood call in a have a look around. It may only be a small shop, but I am sure that Marcus will help you out and also give you a few spots that are worth fishing.
Yabbie Bait and Tackle is no longer. The shop has been brought by Marcus Unkuri and is now called Southside Bait and Tackle and is situated at 2a Toorak Avenue Taren Point. Marcus is opened 7 days a week and has plenty of winter special on at the moment.So when you are next in the neighbourhood call in a have a look around. It may only be a small shop, but I am sure that Marcus will help you out and also give you a few spots that are worth fishing.
PRESS RELEASE
USA: KING KIM BAIN WINS HER 2nd PRIZEBOAT
Globe-trotting Brisbane born fishing writer / photographer, Kim Bain, who grew up catching mackerel in Moreton Bay, has stamped herself as an international king mackerel angler of note with a nail-biting outright 2nd place finish in the prestigious Jacksonville King Mackerel Championship held over the weekend in Florida, USA. Kim, or 'Junior' as she is often referred to as the younger of the Bain fishing clan, took home a 6m boat package and $16,000 in cash winnings. The Jacksonville King Mackerel Tournament is the largest in the USA with 670 boats competing this year.
The versatile Bain, who earlier in the year in April became the first Aussie to win a pro bass fishing tournament in the USA (which came with a $50K boat prize), has the American's searching the record books to see if she is the first angler in history to win the benchmark 'prize boat' in both saltwater and freshwater in the same season. Bain's other multispecies angling achievements of note include being the only angler in US history to win prize money in bass, walleye, redfish and mackerel tours in the USA. Kim, Australia's greatest ever performing international tournament lure cast angler, also currently leads the Women's Bass Fishing Championships in the USA already qualifying for the 2008 grand final and has now qualified for 5 world championship finals in America.
Kim's two day aggregate mackerel catch out of Jacksonville north Florida, included a 29lb fish on day one and a 43lb fish on the second and final day for a 72.35 pound aggregate which earned her (and her Aussie named boat 'Crikey') second place overall. In dramatic fashion Kim says she was seriously a jittery wreck when the 43 pound fish tore the gaff out of the professional gaffman's hands at the side of the boat, breaking one of the guy's ribs, and then the gaff fell out, 'Fortunately we had a second gaff on board and I managed to stay connected to the fish and we got a second and successful shot...we might have lost a $100 gaff...but we could have lost a $40,000 fish.' 'My dad, Steve, normally gaffs the big fish for us but he had just returned to Australia' explained Kim.
The successful Bain father / daughter duo had previously won pro-mackerel prize money earlier in the American season. In doing so they became the first Australians to taste King Mackerel success. It seems king mackerel tournaments are full of action. In a previous event in the season the team was robbed of a second place prize-winning fish when a barracuda snipped the mackerel's tail off at the side of the boat. Fish with bites from other fish are unfortunately disqualified. All fish weighed in on the king mackerel tour are donated to charity. In the past four months Bain has amassed over $100K in tournament winnings. 'I used to have a job in the Myer centre in Brisbane when I was at high school,' she mused, 'but my boss said I had to make a choice between cooking and fishing'.
Not just an avid angler but a success story on TV, Bain formerly worked four seasons on fishing television in Australia before heading to the USA where she featured in the Emma Winning cast of presenters for the ESPN's Great Outdoor Games and won a Telly award for advertising and promotion with the Kellogg's fishing DVD. The outdoor face of Special K in America, the photogenic Bain's 'headshot' has also graced the side of Kellogg's cereal boxes and semi-trailers in the USA. Kim's Kingfish Ride, aptly named Crikey , is a 3x300hp Evinrude E-Tec Powered 120kph 36' Centre Console custom-built by Invincible boatworks in the USA. And it's trailered behind a dual wheel pick-up truck.
FISHING CLASSES.
My next fishing class will start on Thursday the 28th of August starting at 6.30pm and will run for 3 consecutive Thursday nights. 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, John and Luke
If you can’t make that class I will be running another class later in the year on 3 conconsective Wednesday nights. The class will start at 7.00pm and finish at 10.00pm.
For further information you will need to ring or pay them a visit at the shop.
The cost will be $80.00 per person.
Absolutely Hooked
174 Merrylands Road
Merrylands
Ph (02) 9897 3474
Mike and April
CHECK THESE OUT.
When you next get a chance have a look at the following on http://www.youtube/
No 1.
Here is a video of the world comp that was held on the weekend of the 28th & 29th of June were 92 casters from 14 nations took part. This fantastic event that was hosted by the Belgium club. There was one guy that cast a ¼ oz lure 266.29 metres.http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=dreoDJ3a6EE
No 2.
Terrific Bass action. Check out the way the angler works the worms & spinnerbaits action to entice the bass to bite. Brilliant! Interesting to see how the fish react to the lures too - sometimes grabbing the tail before inhaling the rest, or just gulping it down immediately!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RX9x7A_QE2I...ted&search=
FISHING CLASSES.
My next fishing class will start on Thursday the 28th of August starting at 6.30pm and will run for 3 consecutive Thursday nights. 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, John and Luke
If you can’t make that class I will be running another class later in the year on 3 conconsective Wednesday nights. The class will start at 7.00pm and finish at 10.00pm.
For further information you will need to ring or pay them a visit at the shop.
The cost will be $80.00 per person.
Absolutely Hooked
174 Merrylands Road
Merrylands
Ph (02) 9897 3474
Mike and April
CHECK THESE OUT.
When you next get a chance have a look at the following on http://www.youtube/
No 1.
Here is a video of the world comp that was held on the weekend of the 28th & 29th of June were 92 casters from 14 nations took part. This fantastic event that was hosted by the Belgium club. There was one guy that cast a ¼ oz lure 266.29 metres.http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=dreoDJ3a6EE
No 2.
Terrific Bass action. Check out the way the angler works the worms & spinnerbaits action to entice the bass to bite. Brilliant! Interesting to see how the fish react to the lures too - sometimes grabbing the tail before inhaling the rest, or just gulping it down immediately!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RX9x7A_QE2I...ted&search=
No 3.
Just check out how this angler can skip the soft plastic on top of the water and into the back of the snag.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcusiZFxjKY&NR=1
NEW PRODUCTS
DVD No 1.
Long Range Samson Fish
Approximate running time is 50 minutes
RRP $24.95
DVD No 2.
Just check out how this angler can skip the soft plastic on top of the water and into the back of the snag.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcusiZFxjKY&NR=1
NEW PRODUCTS
DVD No 1.
Long Range Samson FishApproximate running time is 50 minutes
RRP $24.95
DVD No 2.
Hooked with Dave Butfield Series 2Approximate running time is 7 hours
RRP $39.99
MORE REPORTS
I would like to welcome onboard Scott Thorington from Haven Sports Fishing Charters http://kingfishjigging.com/ who fishes out of his Custom built in 1995, the Freedom was designed with one thing in mind - chasing marlin!
I would like to welcome onboard Scott Thorington from Haven Sports Fishing Charters http://kingfishjigging.com/ who fishes out of his Custom built in 1995, the Freedom was designed with one thing in mind - chasing marlin!
Scott Haven Sport Fishing Charters was established in 1987 and is owned and skippered by Scotty, who has fished throughout the Pacific including locations such as Hawaii, New Guinea, Fiji, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
In Australia, he has logged thousands of sea hours as skipper or crewman on commercial and sport fishing boats from Eden in the south to Lizard Island in the north. During one of Scotty's charters you may encounter one of his regular ride along guests. These may include tackle industry reps, TV hosts, tackle shop proprietors & designers, game fishing crew & captains from Australia and around the world, all who are only to willing to share their tips techniques & experiences with Scotty.
The boat has a fast cruise speed and is dry and stable on the troll and at anchor. She has a clean, bubble-free wake that makes her perfect for lure or 'bait and switch' fishing for bill fish. A bow thruster adds to her nimble manoeuvrability.
The Electronics onboard include GPS, Depth Sounder (fishfinder) 27meg & VHF radios. A Next G mobile phone is also carried ensuring phone communications at the continental shelf.
For up to date reports on what is happening offshore on the central coast go to Scotty’s blog at http://havencharters.blogspot.com/
Scotty Lyons from Southern Sydney Fishing Tours (http://www.fishingsydney.com.au/.) reports that what’s coming up on the fishing trip scene;
Last Friday was a cold and wet out on the Bay, Trevally are still rather good at Trevally Alley but Sunday morning I couldn't`t find them, They might be better on the run in tide.
Scored a few nice Flathead on soft plastics just wide from Towra these were the first for a while and we had to work to fine them, Both caught on a Squidgie Blood worm wriggler.
Saturday Morning it was the deep sea singles day, Nathan had the boat for this trip and filled up with the small Slimy Mackerel and head to the Peak, and what a day high speed jigging and live baiting well the photos tell the story.
Sunday I had the Botany Bay Singles day so I started at Trevally Alley, but no good, trolled Yarra bay and pick up a few small Tailor but dropped one right at the boat and a lure with it.
Headed to the drums and filled up with Slimies and then push just out of the mouth in around 46metres as last weekend we did well on the sand Flathead.
Today they were all in 45 to 47 metre and a little slow but a few good fish in the mix two of them both up around 57cms great for sandies, We ended up with a nice catch of around 20 fish for the day.
WHATS COMING UP
*WEATHER IS LOOKING GREAT FOR NEXT WEEKEND
AND THE KINGIES ARE ON, I HAVE SUNDAY OPEN.
*AUGUST THE 9TH IS OPEN, BOTANY BAY OR DEEP SEA.
*AUGUST FISHING SCHOOL IS ON THE 18TH 6PM TO 9PM AT HUNTS MARINE THIS INCLUDES A FULL DAYS FISHING.
*DON`T FORGET THE LAST SATURDAY AND SUNDAY IS THE SINGLES DAY JUST GIVE SCOTT A CALL AND JUMP ON FOR THE DEEP SEA TRIP OR THE BOTANY BAY TRIP.
*HEAD OUT MIDWEEK WHY WAIT FOR THE WEEKEND.
Give Scotty a call on 0418 169 439. For more information and some great photos you should go to Scotty’s web site at http://www.fishingsydney.com.au/ and have a look.
Ron Osman from Estuary Fishing and Tours reports that fishing has picked up a lot with 7 bream to 35cm, 4 trevally to 35cm, 4 pike to 40cm, 3 leatherjackets to 38cm and 1 red morwong 45cm all caught at lion island in 4 hours and caught on squid, mackerel and peeled prawns in our burley trail. Then went jewie fishing for nothing.
Flicked plastics in Brisbane waters on sat with a mate as I had no booking, we caught 2 large 40cm whiting and 4 flatties to 45cm with a few throw backs all in the channel in front of lobster beach, then tried the rip on the turn of the tide for only small jackets and reds but I did drop a big flattie as we were trying to net him I reckon he was over 90cm and would have loved a photo with the big girl before release but my mate poked it off the line with the net, and all he could do was laugh.
Scored a few nice Flathead on soft plastics just wide from Towra these were the first for a while and we had to work to fine them, Both caught on a Squidgie Blood worm wriggler.
Saturday Morning it was the deep sea singles day, Nathan had the boat for this trip and filled up with the small Slimy Mackerel and head to the Peak, and what a day high speed jigging and live baiting well the photos tell the story.
Sunday I had the Botany Bay Singles day so I started at Trevally Alley, but no good, trolled Yarra bay and pick up a few small Tailor but dropped one right at the boat and a lure with it.
Headed to the drums and filled up with Slimies and then push just out of the mouth in around 46metres as last weekend we did well on the sand Flathead.
Today they were all in 45 to 47 metre and a little slow but a few good fish in the mix two of them both up around 57cms great for sandies, We ended up with a nice catch of around 20 fish for the day.
WHATS COMING UP
*WEATHER IS LOOKING GREAT FOR NEXT WEEKEND
AND THE KINGIES ARE ON, I HAVE SUNDAY OPEN.
*AUGUST THE 9TH IS OPEN, BOTANY BAY OR DEEP SEA.
*AUGUST FISHING SCHOOL IS ON THE 18TH 6PM TO 9PM AT HUNTS MARINE THIS INCLUDES A FULL DAYS FISHING.
*DON`T FORGET THE LAST SATURDAY AND SUNDAY IS THE SINGLES DAY JUST GIVE SCOTT A CALL AND JUMP ON FOR THE DEEP SEA TRIP OR THE BOTANY BAY TRIP.
*HEAD OUT MIDWEEK WHY WAIT FOR THE WEEKEND.
Give Scotty a call on 0418 169 439. For more information and some great photos you should go to Scotty’s web site at http://www.fishingsydney.com.au/ and have a look.
Ron Osman from Estuary Fishing and Tours reports that fishing has picked up a lot with 7 bream to 35cm, 4 trevally to 35cm, 4 pike to 40cm, 3 leatherjackets to 38cm and 1 red morwong 45cm all caught at lion island in 4 hours and caught on squid, mackerel and peeled prawns in our burley trail. Then went jewie fishing for nothing.
Flicked plastics in Brisbane waters on sat with a mate as I had no booking, we caught 2 large 40cm whiting and 4 flatties to 45cm with a few throw backs all in the channel in front of lobster beach, then tried the rip on the turn of the tide for only small jackets and reds but I did drop a big flattie as we were trying to net him I reckon he was over 90cm and would have loved a photo with the big girl before release but my mate poked it off the line with the net, and all he could do was laugh.
To find out what type of fishing has been happening in the Hawkesbury, Pittwater and Brisbane Waters area you could have a look at the reports that have been put up on http://www.estuaryfishingtours.com.au/ web site or you could email him at ron@estuaryfishingtours.com.au
Jason and Virginia Isaac from Ned Kelly’s Bait and Tackle jasned@ozemail.com.au reports In the estuary, blackfish numbers remain as good as they have been all season, with both break walls still giving up plenty of fish to around a kilo and varying catches all the way further upstream. Flathead numbers and quality remain quite good for this time of year, with both whitebait and lures enjoying equal success. Bream remain in solid numbers, with night time bait soaking achieving the better results. Many long term bream enthusiasts believe the colder the better for bream, so conditions right now should suit perfectly, especially given the good tides and moon at present. Lure enthusiasts too are doing well during the daylight hours, with blade style lures in particular achieving excellent results. These lures are certainly the flavour of the month at present, and based on their results, it’s hard to see this changing. At least until the next new toy is released that is.
On the mulloway front, whilst the odd good specimen has been encountered, such as Craig Mulley’s terrific 30.6 kilo model, what has been interesting is the sharp increase in incidental captures or juvenile fish from several Mid North Coast waterways of late. There have been numerous reports of multiple fish in the 20 to 50cm bracket being caught over recent weeks, something we have not seen for quite some time. This is a terrific sign, and perhaps signifies a repopulation of this species, which is most welcome. If you manage hook any of these juvenile fish, please ensure they are released in the best possible condition, so they can grow to the size many anglers look forward to as perhaps the catch of a lifetime. Alternately, if you intend keeping a feed, bear in mind the minimum legal size in NSW is 45cm, although realistically, their table quality significantly improves in models at least twice that size.
Off the stones, drummer numbers remain solid although the seas have seen quite a bit of sand moving around our headlands over the past week. Drummer rarely fire up when there is a lot of sand in the water, so searching for locations where the water is clean will generally pay dividends. Bream have picked up following the recent full moon, with Hat Head and Plommer giving up good bags, whilst Lighthouse locally has also held some quality fish. Tailor numbers haven’t been great, although the odd solid fish has been encountered during early morning sessions. Better results have been reported from the ledges around Hat Head and Point Plommer. Once the seas back right down, testing the back out chasing a few groper could be well worthwhile.
Of the beaches, once again conditions have not been kind, as they have been for most of the year to date. Once the seas settle, bream will your best bet with either live worms, pipis or mullet strips likely to achieve the better results. This weekend’s tides are excellent so hopefully conditions will be at least reasonable.
As for offshore fisho’s, a similar story with the seas not being at all friendly on most days. Best bet would be to look for a few snapper of the closer reefs, or alternately head wider for a quick feed or leatherjackets.
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.
Paul Martin from Rock Marine Bait and Tackle (rocksmarine@tsn.cc) reports that
on the beaches at present, bream remain the star performer, with some terrific fish on offer from most local beaches. In particular, North Beach and the lower end of Lighthouse have produced some top fish, with the vast majority in excellent condition as is usually the case at this time of year. With the full moon and big night time tides now on the wane, the next couple of weeks could prove excellent as long as the seas and winds remain reasonable.
Tailor numbers however remain somewhat disappointing with a few small choppers here and there, the odd big greenback after dark, and few consistent results in between. Salmon numbers are slowly increasing, although this season to date has seen the numbers and size down significantly from recent years. Few seem to be complaining though. On the jew front, the recent full moon phase once again did not produce the results many had hoped for. For whatever reasons, they simply have not shown up in any numbers at all this winter.
In the estuary, blackfish have been the main attraction, with the break walls in particular fishing well on most days. Both the run in and run out tides have proven productive in different sections of the walls, with fish to around and over a kilo now on offer. Flathead numbers remain quite good, with Blackman’s Point and the flats around Pelican Island well worth a go on either whitebait or lures. On the bream front, this coming dark should again be excellent, with Limeburners and areas further upstream now at their prime. As for bait, gut baits have been particularly successful as often is the case at this time of year; however we have also had some terrific results from those using the humble school prawn. On the whiting front, the Hastings remain a little on the quiet side, however Lake Cathie has been producing some good fish, particularly after dark, along with plenty of nice flatties.
Of the rocks, good reports on drummer continue to come in, with Hat Head again giving up some nice bags over the past week. Locally, Rocky’s, Shelley’s and Lighthouse have all produced fish. On the tailor front, some reasonable reports continue to filter in from Point Plommer and areas further north, with a few isolated greenbacks on offer. On the bream scene, the full moon saw results down a little as is to be expected, although the odd big fish was taken, including a magnificent 2.44 kilo model by Cameron Doak. Plenty of blackfish still around too for those keen to toss a bit of cabbage, with Miners giving up a few nice bags of bronzies early in the week.
Offshore results over the past week have been quite good however the swell which has built in the early part of this week may keep a few boats at home for a few days. Ocean Star has been continuing to achieve some great catches for their customers, with plenty of good sized snapper and pearlies, along with a steady stream of difficult to avoid leather jackets. As per recent weeks, make sure you have plenty of wire on board if you plan to fish between 40 and 80 meters.
The return of rotten the weather at the end of last week meant the fish had it to themselves outside apart for a few die hard’s fishing the close reefs for a few Snapper, the odd Pig Fish and small Pearl Perch. Heading south there has been Mac Tuna and good Tailor in close down to Fish Rock where the odd King Fish and Snapper have been coming in. Early last week the calm conditions brought some better results like Ronny Vandriest and his 1 meter 10 kilo classic Snapper between Grassy and Scotts while Bar Cod are in the wider locations. Jackets were out there again but not in big numbers.
Flathead were on the bite last week with Back Creek producing some good fish while through the cut to Stuarts point and the entry to Spencers Creek have been productive as well. Nice Bream have been caught along the Break Wall early mornings biting well on live worms, nippers and chicken gut. Black Fish are still biting on the rising tide but fisho’s have had to work for them because it’s been a little tougher to find them over the last week.
Richard Pitt and the boys from Walcha fishing club fished Hat Head beach and rocks for fair Tailor to 1 kilo but most of the action came from Smoky Beach with some monster Salmon and good Bream, their highlight, three unstoppable runs on tailor slabs during the night.
It has been a very quite time out on the ocean over the last week with only a few fisho’s coming back to the ramp with something to run a fillet off. Reports from the charter guys are the Leather Jackets are back with vengeance past about the 30 meter mark. There were a few Snapper out of the northern reefs with a return of some reasonable Pearl Perch with one crew of visitors doing really well on the 5 and 7 inch Gulp Jerk Shads. The only other highlight was a few keeper King Fish around Fish Rock along with heaps of rats to get your bait past.
Blackfish have been keener to take a bait over the last week with a lot of fisho’s getting near their bag. Jew Bite along to the wire fence are still the hot spots and if you can get on the water the walls along the Cut Through and further up to Stuarts Point also have been productive. Bream and Flathead have been a little tougher to find, with once again locations up river have been more productive.
There were Tailor and Salmon back on the beaches last week with the Hat Head end of Smoky working well. The North end of the beach has had nice Bream in the gutters on the bigger tides. Gap Beach has been fishing well for Salmon and a few Tailor and Bream. Salmon have been caught of Back Beach which is great fun on light gear. Rock hoppers are pulling in some big Tailor off the rocks around the Lighthouse casting metals or floating Pilchards.
For daily reports and special call Paul on (02) 6566 6726.
Steve Williamson from Jindabyne sent me a news letter about The Discovery Holiday Parks Family Fishing Challenge 2008/9 NSW Series which will be held at the following places.
Holiday Hub Beach Resort - Pambula Beach
5th, 6th and 7th September 2008
Gerroa Shores Beach Resort – Gerroa
3rd, 4th and 5th October 2008
Shadrack Beachfront Resort – Two Fold Bay, Eden
7th, 8th and 9th November 2008
Snowline Holiday Park – Lake Jindabyne
20th, 21st and 22nd February 2009
If you are interested in finding out more about this great competition you can email Steve at swtrout@airlan.com.au or just pay a visit to his web site at www.swtroutfishing.com.au
Jason and Virginia Isaac from Ned Kelly’s Bait and Tackle jasned@ozemail.com.au reports In the estuary, blackfish numbers remain as good as they have been all season, with both break walls still giving up plenty of fish to around a kilo and varying catches all the way further upstream. Flathead numbers and quality remain quite good for this time of year, with both whitebait and lures enjoying equal success. Bream remain in solid numbers, with night time bait soaking achieving the better results. Many long term bream enthusiasts believe the colder the better for bream, so conditions right now should suit perfectly, especially given the good tides and moon at present. Lure enthusiasts too are doing well during the daylight hours, with blade style lures in particular achieving excellent results. These lures are certainly the flavour of the month at present, and based on their results, it’s hard to see this changing. At least until the next new toy is released that is.
On the mulloway front, whilst the odd good specimen has been encountered, such as Craig Mulley’s terrific 30.6 kilo model, what has been interesting is the sharp increase in incidental captures or juvenile fish from several Mid North Coast waterways of late. There have been numerous reports of multiple fish in the 20 to 50cm bracket being caught over recent weeks, something we have not seen for quite some time. This is a terrific sign, and perhaps signifies a repopulation of this species, which is most welcome. If you manage hook any of these juvenile fish, please ensure they are released in the best possible condition, so they can grow to the size many anglers look forward to as perhaps the catch of a lifetime. Alternately, if you intend keeping a feed, bear in mind the minimum legal size in NSW is 45cm, although realistically, their table quality significantly improves in models at least twice that size.
Off the stones, drummer numbers remain solid although the seas have seen quite a bit of sand moving around our headlands over the past week. Drummer rarely fire up when there is a lot of sand in the water, so searching for locations where the water is clean will generally pay dividends. Bream have picked up following the recent full moon, with Hat Head and Plommer giving up good bags, whilst Lighthouse locally has also held some quality fish. Tailor numbers haven’t been great, although the odd solid fish has been encountered during early morning sessions. Better results have been reported from the ledges around Hat Head and Point Plommer. Once the seas back right down, testing the back out chasing a few groper could be well worthwhile.
Of the beaches, once again conditions have not been kind, as they have been for most of the year to date. Once the seas settle, bream will your best bet with either live worms, pipis or mullet strips likely to achieve the better results. This weekend’s tides are excellent so hopefully conditions will be at least reasonable.
As for offshore fisho’s, a similar story with the seas not being at all friendly on most days. Best bet would be to look for a few snapper of the closer reefs, or alternately head wider for a quick feed or leatherjackets.
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.
Paul Martin from Rock Marine Bait and Tackle (rocksmarine@tsn.cc) reports that
on the beaches at present, bream remain the star performer, with some terrific fish on offer from most local beaches. In particular, North Beach and the lower end of Lighthouse have produced some top fish, with the vast majority in excellent condition as is usually the case at this time of year. With the full moon and big night time tides now on the wane, the next couple of weeks could prove excellent as long as the seas and winds remain reasonable.
Tailor numbers however remain somewhat disappointing with a few small choppers here and there, the odd big greenback after dark, and few consistent results in between. Salmon numbers are slowly increasing, although this season to date has seen the numbers and size down significantly from recent years. Few seem to be complaining though. On the jew front, the recent full moon phase once again did not produce the results many had hoped for. For whatever reasons, they simply have not shown up in any numbers at all this winter.
In the estuary, blackfish have been the main attraction, with the break walls in particular fishing well on most days. Both the run in and run out tides have proven productive in different sections of the walls, with fish to around and over a kilo now on offer. Flathead numbers remain quite good, with Blackman’s Point and the flats around Pelican Island well worth a go on either whitebait or lures. On the bream front, this coming dark should again be excellent, with Limeburners and areas further upstream now at their prime. As for bait, gut baits have been particularly successful as often is the case at this time of year; however we have also had some terrific results from those using the humble school prawn. On the whiting front, the Hastings remain a little on the quiet side, however Lake Cathie has been producing some good fish, particularly after dark, along with plenty of nice flatties.
Of the rocks, good reports on drummer continue to come in, with Hat Head again giving up some nice bags over the past week. Locally, Rocky’s, Shelley’s and Lighthouse have all produced fish. On the tailor front, some reasonable reports continue to filter in from Point Plommer and areas further north, with a few isolated greenbacks on offer. On the bream scene, the full moon saw results down a little as is to be expected, although the odd big fish was taken, including a magnificent 2.44 kilo model by Cameron Doak. Plenty of blackfish still around too for those keen to toss a bit of cabbage, with Miners giving up a few nice bags of bronzies early in the week.
Offshore results over the past week have been quite good however the swell which has built in the early part of this week may keep a few boats at home for a few days. Ocean Star has been continuing to achieve some great catches for their customers, with plenty of good sized snapper and pearlies, along with a steady stream of difficult to avoid leather jackets. As per recent weeks, make sure you have plenty of wire on board if you plan to fish between 40 and 80 meters.
The return of rotten the weather at the end of last week meant the fish had it to themselves outside apart for a few die hard’s fishing the close reefs for a few Snapper, the odd Pig Fish and small Pearl Perch. Heading south there has been Mac Tuna and good Tailor in close down to Fish Rock where the odd King Fish and Snapper have been coming in. Early last week the calm conditions brought some better results like Ronny Vandriest and his 1 meter 10 kilo classic Snapper between Grassy and Scotts while Bar Cod are in the wider locations. Jackets were out there again but not in big numbers.
Flathead were on the bite last week with Back Creek producing some good fish while through the cut to Stuarts point and the entry to Spencers Creek have been productive as well. Nice Bream have been caught along the Break Wall early mornings biting well on live worms, nippers and chicken gut. Black Fish are still biting on the rising tide but fisho’s have had to work for them because it’s been a little tougher to find them over the last week.
Richard Pitt and the boys from Walcha fishing club fished Hat Head beach and rocks for fair Tailor to 1 kilo but most of the action came from Smoky Beach with some monster Salmon and good Bream, their highlight, three unstoppable runs on tailor slabs during the night.
It has been a very quite time out on the ocean over the last week with only a few fisho’s coming back to the ramp with something to run a fillet off. Reports from the charter guys are the Leather Jackets are back with vengeance past about the 30 meter mark. There were a few Snapper out of the northern reefs with a return of some reasonable Pearl Perch with one crew of visitors doing really well on the 5 and 7 inch Gulp Jerk Shads. The only other highlight was a few keeper King Fish around Fish Rock along with heaps of rats to get your bait past.
Blackfish have been keener to take a bait over the last week with a lot of fisho’s getting near their bag. Jew Bite along to the wire fence are still the hot spots and if you can get on the water the walls along the Cut Through and further up to Stuarts Point also have been productive. Bream and Flathead have been a little tougher to find, with once again locations up river have been more productive.
There were Tailor and Salmon back on the beaches last week with the Hat Head end of Smoky working well. The North end of the beach has had nice Bream in the gutters on the bigger tides. Gap Beach has been fishing well for Salmon and a few Tailor and Bream. Salmon have been caught of Back Beach which is great fun on light gear. Rock hoppers are pulling in some big Tailor off the rocks around the Lighthouse casting metals or floating Pilchards.
For daily reports and special call Paul on (02) 6566 6726.
Steve Williamson from Jindabyne sent me a news letter about The Discovery Holiday Parks Family Fishing Challenge 2008/9 NSW Series which will be held at the following places.
Holiday Hub Beach Resort - Pambula Beach
5th, 6th and 7th September 2008
Gerroa Shores Beach Resort – Gerroa
3rd, 4th and 5th October 2008
Shadrack Beachfront Resort – Two Fold Bay, Eden
7th, 8th and 9th November 2008
Snowline Holiday Park – Lake Jindabyne
20th, 21st and 22nd February 2009
If you are interested in finding out more about this great competition you can email Steve at swtrout@airlan.com.au or just pay a visit to his web site at www.swtroutfishing.com.au
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