Weekly report 1/11/08
LOCAL REPORT
Jake Whitlock went out on Cowan Creek for a fish with his dad and he managed to catch 3 jew on soft plastics. They were all caught on 2" Gulp banana prawn. Now Jake is 11 and he managed to cast and retrieve soft plastics to hook, play and catch these fish by himself. All up Jake and his dad caught 4 jew, 2 flatties and a tailor.
LOCAL REPORT
Jake Whitlock went out on Cowan Creek for a fish with his dad and he managed to catch 3 jew on soft plastics. They were all caught on 2" Gulp banana prawn. Now Jake is 11 and he managed to cast and retrieve soft plastics to hook, play and catch these fish by himself. All up Jake and his dad caught 4 jew, 2 flatties and a tailor.
I was sent an email from Rowdy of a picture of his girlfriend Sue Burns with a 78cn dusky flathead. It was caught using a Berkley 3 inch watermelon grub on 4 kg line in 1.5 metres of water near Towra Point. The fish was released in great conditions after a few happy snaps.
If you are after a few striped tuna and bonito there have been a number of anglers getting amongst a few while trolling in kayak’s in close to the washes off Coalcliff, Bulli, Stanwell Park, Bellambi Point, Wollongong Harbour, Port Kembla, Hill 60 and Bass Point. Now these anglers have been trolling Rapalla CD 7’s and 9’sand also skipping a few saltwater 7 inch Gulp Jerkshads (Pearl White, Blue Pepper Neon Glow and Anchovy. They have also been jigging the ¼ oz Switchblades.
There also been a number of schools of Australian salmon and tailor off the coast from the entrance to the Port Hacking to Box Head at the entrance to the Hawkesbury River. The best way to get amongst these fish is to think small when you are selecting a metal lure or soft plastics. I have been flicking around 3 inch Gulp minnows in the sardine colour on a 1/0 and 2/0, 1/16th to ¼ jigheads.
Botany Bay has started to pick up on the silver trevally and yellowfin bream scene, but it has been a fairly bit slow over the past few weeks. Scotty Lyons from Southern Sydney Fishing tours also reports that is has been a bit hard in the bay over the past few week, but has started to pick up. Scott was out last Saturday and fished Trevally Alley, Yarra Bay, the Sticks, The Oil Warf and the Patches off Towra for silver trevally, bream, tailor and dusky flathead.
The trevally taken on bait and the tailor were all caught trolling deep lures in Yarra Bay. Scott did mention that the trevally are in small numbers along the wall at Trevally Alley and along the Oil Wharf. The Drums in the middle seemed little off this weekend, but loads of good size yellowtail for live bait if you are heading off shore.
The bream are now starting to show and I pick up a few at the Sticks on Nippers, first for this season but from now on they will improve. Spinning with soft plastics is proving worth while with a few nice flathead wide from Towra and across the middle of the Bay.
Kingies are also starting to show and the odd one has been landed around the head lands and north from the Bay on Squid and Live baits. Luderick are still on the bite in the rivers but good green weed is needed.
DEEP SEA
If you are after a few striped tuna and bonito there have been a number of anglers getting amongst a few while trolling in kayak’s in close to the washes off Coalcliff, Bulli, Stanwell Park, Bellambi Point, Wollongong Harbour, Port Kembla, Hill 60 and Bass Point. Now these anglers have been trolling Rapalla CD 7’s and 9’sand also skipping a few saltwater 7 inch Gulp Jerkshads (Pearl White, Blue Pepper Neon Glow and Anchovy. They have also been jigging the ¼ oz Switchblades.
There also been a number of schools of Australian salmon and tailor off the coast from the entrance to the Port Hacking to Box Head at the entrance to the Hawkesbury River. The best way to get amongst these fish is to think small when you are selecting a metal lure or soft plastics. I have been flicking around 3 inch Gulp minnows in the sardine colour on a 1/0 and 2/0, 1/16th to ¼ jigheads.
Botany Bay has started to pick up on the silver trevally and yellowfin bream scene, but it has been a fairly bit slow over the past few weeks. Scotty Lyons from Southern Sydney Fishing tours also reports that is has been a bit hard in the bay over the past few week, but has started to pick up. Scott was out last Saturday and fished Trevally Alley, Yarra Bay, the Sticks, The Oil Warf and the Patches off Towra for silver trevally, bream, tailor and dusky flathead.
The trevally taken on bait and the tailor were all caught trolling deep lures in Yarra Bay. Scott did mention that the trevally are in small numbers along the wall at Trevally Alley and along the Oil Wharf. The Drums in the middle seemed little off this weekend, but loads of good size yellowtail for live bait if you are heading off shore.
The bream are now starting to show and I pick up a few at the Sticks on Nippers, first for this season but from now on they will improve. Spinning with soft plastics is proving worth while with a few nice flathead wide from Towra and across the middle of the Bay.
Kingies are also starting to show and the odd one has been landed around the head lands and north from the Bay on Squid and Live baits. Luderick are still on the bite in the rivers but good green weed is needed.
DEEP SEA
Nathan headed out on Sunday and fished wide form Yellow Rock for a top bag of trevally then headed out to the Peak to look for Kingies but the Leatherjacket gave all a hard time but they caught a few and a mixed bag of the bottom and lost a Kingie.
Trolling back towards the Bay they found Stripe Tuna working and scored a few losing one at the boat. So all in all pretty good day off shore.
FISHING CLASSES.
My next fishing class will run for 3 consecutive Thursday nights. It will be starting on Thursday the 13th of November. 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
If you can’t make that class I will be running another class at Watto’s Tackle shop. The first of the 3 conconsective Wednesday nights will start on November the 19th. 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.
For further information and to book in and pay you can contact Sean at
Email: wattosfishing@bigpond.com
Phone: 0416 203 507
Address: shop 1 & 2 LOT 9 KURRAJOMG AVE ST MARYS NORTH
And while you are at it you could go to their web site and see what special they have on at the moment http://www.wattosfishing.com.au/
NEW PRODUCTS
Fishing Hand Wipes
Since the last tackle show at the Gold Coast I have been testing out a new product that came onto the market. Now, as you realize many things that are out there in the fishing world attract the angler, but doesn’t help that angler catch more fish or make their fishing any easier.
Well Fishing Hand Wipes do work. Fishing Hand Wipe does not need any fresh water to work. There is no need for soap. They remove the grime from your hands and kills the stink. They also remove unwanted smells (eg sun cream) from your hands before you touch your bait or lures. It contains fish attractant and tea tree oil.
During my fishing classes and demonstrations I handle a lot of fresh bait. I show other anglers how to put worms, pilchards, prawns, squid, stripped tuna and much more. It is during this time that my hands get very grimy and smelly, so much so that after a week I some times have a couple of my fingers peel.
And while you are at it you could go to their web site and see what special they have on at the moment http://www.wattosfishing.com.au/
NEW PRODUCTS
Fishing Hand Wipes
Since the last tackle show at the Gold Coast I have been testing out a new product that came onto the market. Now, as you realize many things that are out there in the fishing world attract the angler, but doesn’t help that angler catch more fish or make their fishing any easier.
Well Fishing Hand Wipes do work. Fishing Hand Wipe does not need any fresh water to work. There is no need for soap. They remove the grime from your hands and kills the stink. They also remove unwanted smells (eg sun cream) from your hands before you touch your bait or lures. It contains fish attractant and tea tree oil.
During my fishing classes and demonstrations I handle a lot of fresh bait. I show other anglers how to put worms, pilchards, prawns, squid, stripped tuna and much more. It is during this time that my hands get very grimy and smelly, so much so that after a week I some times have a couple of my fingers peel.
Since using Fishing Hand Wipes this has not happened. I have also been using it while I have been fishing and it has not affected me in catch fish. I have even wiped some of the bait, soft plastics and lures I have been using and it hasn’t affected the catch rate at all and as it is stated on the packet it is great for getting the sun cream off your hands. So when you are next in your local tackle shop as to have a look at it.
Lucky Craft LuresThere are so many different hard bodied lures on the market now days and for the novice angler to pick one that will give you consistency when you go fishing it can be very frustrating and costly. For a couple of years now I have been using a number of hard bodied lures from Lucky Craft and if you refer to the picture you can see which ones and you can also have a look at the colours I have been using, so my next report will have an extensive report on what I have been catching on them.
TACKLE SHOP AND FISHING CHARTERS REPORTS FROM AROUND THE STATE.
Jason and Virginia Isaac from Ned Kelly’s Bait and Tackle jasned@ozemail.com.au reports that in the estuary, flathead remain the star attraction with some quality fish now on offer from most parts. The better catches have been acquired from areas upstream, with the Maria and around Rawdon Island fishing quite well. Lures and baits have been equally effective. Also on the improve are whiting numbers, particularly from around Big Bay and the back channel. Live worms and yabbies have been achieving the better results; however don’t forget how receptive these fish are to lures, most notably surface poppers and to a lesser extent, the blade types which have been extremely popular on many species since this lure concept was re-invented over the last year or two. A few bream are also on offer around Rawdon Island during the day and around the break walls at night, although by and large the results have been somewhat below expectations. Many of those competing in the upcoming Bream classic are somewhat glad the prefish ban is now in place, as their recent investigations have produced more frustrations than secrets.
Off the beaches, salmon dominate the scene, as has been the case at this time of the season for several years now. It would seem this species is the only one whose activity does not diminish when the cold currents of this time of year hug the coastline. If nothing else, they certainly provide great sport. Apart from the salmon, a few bream have been of offer from North Beach and Lighthouse, whilst Lighthouse and around Lake Cathie has begun to produce a few better whiting. Mulloway activity remains most disappointing, and the tailor front the same. Hopefully when the cool currents pass this activity will improve somewhat.
Off the rocks, still a few drummer on offer however the action has begun to slow significantly. Tailor on the other hand have improved a little with some reasonable fish to over a kilo on offer from most headlands, with Lighthouse locally being the pick of locations. A few bream are also on offer, and should be even better once the current full moon phase begins to wane. Blackfish numbers remain reasonable, whilst the odd groper is still on offer, with Diamond Head and Point Perpendicular the pick of locations.
Outside reports understandably have been somewhat quiet, although most bottom bashers have been managing a reasonable feed. The wider reefs off Plommer have been yielding a few reasonable snapper, pearl perch and kingfish although the odd patch of small leather jackets remain active to ensure hooks and sinkers are replaced at regular intervals. For those simply seeking a feed, the flathead numbers and quality around the 55 to 60 meter mark straight off the Port bar are apparently as good as anyone can recall. Good news too for Mahi Mahi fans, with the NSW Fisheries FAD back in place for the upcoming season. GPS co-ordinates are 31.24.567 / 153.04.725, which is pretty well where is has been for the last couple of years.
In the estuary, the action this weekend will centre on the Port Macquarie Bream Classic, with the event running on both Saturday and Sunday. Lets hope the bream are a little more cooperative than they have been in recent weeks, and good luck to all those competing. Over the past week, flatties are improving slowly but surely with a few nice lizards taken from around the coal wall and Pelican Island. Plastics and whitebait have been achieving the better results. Whiting too are one the improve, with Limeburners, the Back Channel and around Blackman’s Point all producing fish, including the odd bumper specimen. On the blackfish front, still a few nice fish around the walls and Limeburners, although no two consecutive days seem to produce similar results.
Off the beaches, results remain a little on the quiet side. This time of the season is not renowned for spectacular sessions from the sand; however there have been a few positive signs of late. Firstly, the water temperature has begun to rise a little, and the clarity has improved from that dull brown colour of recent weeks. Hopefully this should lead to improved activity from both bream and whiting. In addition, there has been a significant increase in the presence of baitfish close in, predominately small frogmouth pilchards. This should lead to an improvement on the tailor front that is of course if they are significant enough in either size or quantity to compete with the salmon schools still inhabiting our stretch of coastline.
On the rocks, drummer reports are now a little slow although areas around Diamond Head and Forster have been fishing quite well considering the time of year. Groper and blackfish however remain viable targets depending upon sea conditions and tide phases. On the tailor front, a few reasonable fish have been snared at first light however the bite has not been either long or consistent. Locally, Lighthouse again has proven the pick of locations, whilst Plommer and surrounds has also produced a few nice fish.
Outside reports have picked up a little, or at least they had before the southerly kicked in. Snapper numbers remain excellent in close; with Bob Dennington scoring a top red of 8.25 kilos close in off Port, together with a couple more just a tad smaller. Whilst two these fish were taken on plastics, the larger fell to a live slimies proving it is still possible to catch snapper on traditional bait sources. Wider out, a few nice kings to around 8 kilos have been taken from off Plommer, whilst the flattie grounds straight out are fishing as well as they ever have. On the pelagic front, a few isolated marlin whispers have begun to filter in from areas throughout the Mid North Coast, with more than a few game fisho’s predicting a very good and early season ahead.
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 they have a flat ocean, good weather, keen fisherman; the only thing missing is the fish. All blue water fisho’s are struggling to find a feed in a week with not many highlights. Last weekend Fish Rock was boiling with life on the surface but the fish were not interested in taking baits apart from Dennis Morton’s 23 kilo unit and a only a few that made the boat. Mac tuna are making a return around the rock to the gaol. Snapper have been slow off Grassy and Scotts Head apart from the odd one on Plastics but they seem reluctant to take a bait. There were a few Pearlies caught wider out in the cleaner water. There is a block of warm water coming down the coast and with a bit of luck might kick start the summer season.
There were some nice Flathead weighed in through the week out of the river caught on the drift along the Break Wall. There were also some panners out of Spencers Creek and Stuarts Point. Only a handful of legal Bream were caught last week with fresh bait like worms and nippers working well early in the day. There are a few Whiting about but the numbers will improve over the next month.
Not much joy for the beach fisherman with fairly calm conditions and a jelly in the surf that has made fishing tough. Salmon, a few Tuna and the odd Bream were about for rock hoppers.
Unsettled conditions through the week meant some patchy results on the water. Fish Rock fished well for some nice King Fish along with Snapper up to 4 kilos. There were Mac Tuna and Bonito about around the same location if you’re after fresh bait. The northern reef fisho’s found a few Snapper off Grassy but there’s a lot of ocean between them. The odd Pearly and Dolphin Fish were bagged out wider. Michael Frith fished out of his kayak off the Gaol Grounds for a 3.6 kilo Snapper on Nuclear Chicken 7“Gulp plastic in very calm conditions on the day.
The river has been producing some monster Flathead. Local fisho Max landed an incredible 1.2 meter 20 pound lizard out of the Back Creek on whole Pilchards and released this mother back to the water to make more babies. There were a few Jewfish caught along the break Wall on plastic baits during first light. There are plenty of Bream about, getting the keeper is the problem. Quality Whiting are being caught around the rescue boats up from the Boat Shed on live Worms and Nippers.
Michael Kaoutaraui from Sydney fished Little Smoky for Jew with whole Squid and hooked a classic 2 kilo Bream that swallowed the lot. Smoky Beach is fishing well for nice Whiting along the beach with the odd Bream with a few Flathead out of northern corner of the beach. Gap Beach has Whiting and Bream coming in. Rock hoppers have had not much to smile about with the odd Bream and Tuna being caught.
With only 7 weeks till Christmas come in and have a wander around our fully stocked store for gift ideas with Lay Buy for your convenience.
For daily reports and special call Paul on (02) 6566 6726.
Steve Williamson from Jindabyne runs a fishing guiding outfit in the snowies and if you are interested in finding out more about where and when to fish in the Snowies you can email Steve at swtrout@airlan.com.au or just pay a visit to his web site at www.swtroutfishing.com.au
For up to date reports from Scott Thorington from Haven Sports Fishing Charters http://kingfishjigging.com/ who carries out fishing charters on the Central coast you can go to Scotty’s blog at http://havencharters.blogspot.com/ there are some great photos of kingfish that have been caught over the past few weeks onboard the haven charters boat.
Tackle World Goulburn www.tackleworld.com.au/store_pages/goulburn.html is about looking after anyone who would like to experience the enjoyment of Fishing & Shooting. We cater for all levels, from the humble first time worm drowner & can plinker to the big game angler and trophy hunter. Regardless of your taste they have the products and more importantly the advice you need to succeed in your chosen endeavours. If they can achieve this and you leave with the sense of fulfilment our job is done. Goulburn is located in a country area so we pride ourselves on personal service and friendship in a comfortable environment for everyone who enters the store therefore we have a motto by which we live. "There are no strangers here only friends they haven't met".
In the next few weeks they will also have a fishing report up for you to find out what is going on in their neck of the woods.
To view the latest Tackle Word Goulburn Fishing report you can subscribe by going to the following link http://www.noblemailer.noblecrm.com.au/download/forms/s/2894045/23812/146455/28286.html
Or by sending them an email at fns@tpg.com.au
Tackle Word Goulburn316 Auburn Street, Goulburn, NSW 2580Phone: 02 4822 1929 Fax 02 4822 1929
Ron Osman from http://www.estuaryfishingtours.com.au/ reports that until the last few weeks there has not being a lot to report about. Before now it was very quiet. We even had a couple of those no fish days but not anymore. The fishing has picked up a lot.
For more information on what is going on up Ron’s way you can either go to his web
Site at ron@estuaryfishingtours.com.au or just give him a call on mobile 0407 66197
