Weekly report 25/04/08

BREAKING NEWS

Mark (Mango) Mangold has just won the Club Marine Gippsland Lakes Bream Qualifier and also taken away a $10,000.00 pay cheque. Congratulation Mark.

For any further information on the results and much more about bream fishing you just need to go to http://www.bream.com.au/


ALSO SOME MORE BREAKING NEWS

The Squidgy Summer Series has been run and won. Here are the results.

1st TEAM SHIMANO(5) - 4.304kg

2nd TEAM COWANS BOAT(5) - 4.264kg

3rd TEAM HIGHLAND SCOTCH WHISKEY & COLA(5) - 4.146kg

4th TEAM CULBURRA BAIT & TACKLE(5) - 4.064kg

5th TEAM KINGRODS(5) - 3.888kg

6th TEAM PFLUEGER(5) - 3.724kg

7th TEAM CENTURY BATTERIES(5) - 3.304kg
8th TEAM BIG/S.F.B.A(5) - 3.194kg

9th TEAM CHEW ON THIS(5) - 3.036kg

10th TEAM SQUIDGIE(5) - 2.816kg

11th TEAM TERRIGAL BAIT & TACKLE(5) - 2.556kg

12th TEAM SEETO(3) - 2.306kg

13th TEAM JAPAN TACKLE/COMPLEAT ANGLER(5) - 2.272kg

14th TEAM SCUMLINE(5) - 2.204kg

15th TEAM BREAM IT ON(5) - 2.194kg

16th TEAM BUDGET(4) - 2.140kg

17th TEAM HOOKED UP(3) - 1.818kg

18th TEAM MAKO EYEWEAR(2) - 1.192kg

19th TEAM NITRO(2) - .784kg

20th TEAM EBT TEAM A(1) - .448KG

As TEAM Pflueger Carl Dubois and I had the best day on the water in the Squidgy Summer Series. We caught around 20 legal fish, up graded about 6 times and only travel From Hen and Chicken Bay and up to Gladesville Bridge. Trying flats, boats, a couple of bays and deep water to get out bag of 3.724 kilos.

All up there was 85 bream caught for a total weight of 54.69 kilos. That is an average weight of 643 grams each. Not bad for Sydney Harbour.

Carl has put a report together for our challenge of the Squidgie Bream Challenge Grand Final. This is how our day unfolded.

At 7.00am 20 boats were ready to set off from Bayview in Hen & Chicken Bay at 7am for 7 hours of exciting fishing. They ranged from humble tinnies to $50,000 fibreglass imports.

Up for grabs was a $1,000 entry fee into the Forster Megabucks Tournament plus $3,000 dollars worth of tackle for each angler. Some well known names were amongst the teams and Gary and I were out to try and upset them. The first thing I had to do was catch a bream! The Lake Macquarie round was a thing of the past and I was sooooooo relieved (not as much as Gary though) when I landed our 1st bream for the day that just made the 25cm fork minimum length. We landed a few more just under size and ventured into Exile Bay to fish the flats.

Gary tied on one of Ecogear VX40's (a metal blade lure) and hooked up within the first few casts. Next cast he's on again and I switch from the SP's to a VX40 as well.
And that's when the fun started. The bream were climbing all over these things and after two drifts we had our 5 bag limit. Only 8:20am and we were ready to start upgrading. Gary gets a good hit but it's a lousy, rotten flathead of 58cm's. Normally a great catch but not today! ) More upgrades come over the side when I get our first kicker fish, a 35cm fork beauty that weighs 900 grams. We couldn't believe how good these lures were working. All we had to do was cast them out as far as we could, then double-hop them back to the boat. Often the fish would come back 2 or 3 times if they didn't hook-up the first time.

Once the bite shut down we moved off to a few other bays. We'd take turns swapping between Gulp SP's and Lucky Strike HB's, but the VX's were snaring most of the fish. At one stage Gary and I had a double hook-up and it took us a few minutes to decide which fish in the well had to be returned to the river. I only wish we had choices like that every tournament we fished in!

With 90 minutes to go, we figured we had a bag of about 3 kg's. We still needed a couple of kicker fish as we knew you'd need a bag over 4 kg's to win. Gary suggested Gladesville Marina where there was some deeper water and a chance to hook some thumpers. As we were fishing, Gary noticed a lot of water in the boat, and I mean a lot. We quickly discovered that one of the fish in the live well had its tail over the water outlet and the water was just running over the top. Gary said, "I'll sort this out, you catch a horse."

On one of my retrieves I felt a nudge and then 'whoompf', there was some serious weight on the end of my line. "Gary," I said as this thing swam under the marina. I dipped the rod to keep the line free of the barnacle-encrusted pontoon and called out again, "Gary...net!" But Gary, who had his head down near the bilge pump, didn't hear me. Very quickly the fish swam to the surface and when he came out from under the pontoon I yelled out "GARY! GET THE NET!!!" This thing was a monster. He had huge blue lips, looked about 3 inches across the back and I guesstimated he would've been at least 45cm's. He took one look at me and with a few big tail beats he shredded me on the pontoon before I could dip the rod again. Oh, the agony! So close but not close enough.

With no time to lose, we quickly got back to the fishing. Then, it's Gary's turn and his rod bends until the tip is in the water. This time we're ready and we move away from the marina into open water. Gary backs off the drag now that we're clear and we know this is another big bream. Then woe is us again, the line goes limp and we've dropped him. Oh, double the agony. We check our watches and still have 20 minutes to fish, so cursing under our breath, we return to the edge of the marina.

5 minutes later I'm on again and this feels like another bruiser. Come on, 3rd time lucky we think and yes, Gary expertly slides the net under our biggest fish that stretches to 37cm's fork and 1.1 kg's. With 5 minutes to go, Gary lands another upgrade and we think we may have a chance. We hope we have about 4kg's and as we carry the fish to the weigh in there are a few 'Ooh, big fish' from the spectators. As they go on the scales we see that the leaders have 4.2kg's and we're shattered to only go 3.724 kg's.

The old adage of the one that got away really bit on us the bum today but in reality nearly every team drops a few good fish.

In the final wash-up we came in at 6th place, with the winners, taking it out with 4.3kg's, being Team Shimano, so big congratulations to Bill and Mark on a good win. I had one of the best days fishing ever and the biggest thanks go to Gary Brown who let me join his team for the series. Thanks Gary!

So there you have it a great day was had by all.

For further information you can go to http://www.ausbream.com.au/

AND FOR SOME MORE BREAKING NEWS.

Kim Bain has just won the Lake Lewisville Bass Tournament in Lewisville, Texis on April 10-12, 2008

Kim Bain over halls leaders to be first Aussie to win a BASS event in the USA Aussie Bain Wins in Texas.
Said Kim, catching her breath..." I was...luckily... just keeping in touch with the leaders each day, it certainly wasn't going to plan but I was glad to still have a chance; day one I lost a seven pounder and was 18th, day two I lost two big fish and slipped back to 20th place which was just enough to make the final day twenty pro shootout; ...oh boy... then in the shootout I was flippin' a beaver [a beaver is a reaction innovations soft plastic - reaction innovations is her own manufacturing company], I nailed a 7 pounder and a 6 pounder ....I thought ...that knocks over the deficit from the first two days....there was a chance....still a chance.....you are allowed to weigh your best five fish each day but I only scored two more fish today [the final day] so I was super nervous...for the rest of the day it had been tough for everybody; Being the last of the top twenty in the shootout I weighed in early to post what I think was the biggest bag of the tournament even though it was only four fish. And then the wait,....nervously waiting while everybody else weighed...in the end I'd won...by a few ounces....I still can't believe it " Aussie Kim wins a $50,000 USD boat...in the USA it's a bit of a benchmark to win fishing events that have a boat as first prize ....and Kim is the first Aussie to ever do it. Not only is Kim the first Australian ever to win a BASS event, she is also the first Australian to win any event in the USA.

If you would like to read more about Bass fishing in the USA you can go to http://www.bassmaster.com/, then go to the WBT and then click on the "live leader board"
I will be running another class starting on the Thursday the 5th of June at 7.00pm. 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.

NEXT FISHING CLASSES

I will be running another class starting on the Thursday the 5th of June at 7.00pm. 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

My next class will start on Wednesday the 2nd of July 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 and April

NEW PRODUCT RELEASE from TTLures

“SWITCHBLADE”

The new 1/8th ounce “SWITCHBLADE” vibration lure from TT Lures is the latest weapon of choice for anglers who simply want to catch more fish.
An extensive colour range has been developed and rigorously tested by many of the TT Lures tournament team anglers. Tim “the bream” Morgan, Darren “dizzy” Borg, and recent ABT Bream Grand Final winner, Ben Godfrey, are just a few of the team members overwhelmed by the increased numbers of fish that they are catching with this exciting new lure.

The edge that the Switchblade has when compared to similar lures is that it has three tow points which gives the lure three very different actions. This enables the lure to be cast and retrieved shallow, slow rolled deep and vertically jigged on deep structure.
Available in ten “must have” colours, rigged with Owner trebles and a quick change snap clip, this lure is ready to go, straight out of the box!

If you would like to view a colour chart of these great lures you can go to Bream at http://www.bream.com.au/ and click on the colour chart to have a look. These lures will be on the market in 2 weeks time.

Ron Osman from Estuary Fishing and Tours http://www.estuaryfishingtours.com.au/ ,
reports that he has only fished a couple of days last week but they were good days fishing with trevally to 40cm, bream to 35cm and a few 40cm leather jackets and a couple of salmon all taken on squid and peeled prawns in a burly trail on the northern side drop off at lion island, best day we got 10 trevally, 6 bream, 4 leatherjackets and 3 salmon in a few hours with 5 people fishing. Good to see the winter fish are showing up already. We caught 5 big blue swimmers in our witches near Juno on Saturday and a just legal kingie at west head while getting yakka’s. The kingies and the jewies have gone quiet but we only tried for them for a couple of hours. Still lots of big mullet at iron ladders with the pros getting heaps in their nets. A couple of my mates cleaned up on kingies to 75cm on Sunday at a spot they call the pinnacles (35meters deep) of blue bay and they said everyone at the boat ramp had kingies but none were real big.

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/ , email him at ron@estuaryfishingtours.com.au or phone Ron on 0407 661 397

Jason and Virginia Isaac from Ned Kelly’s Bait and Tackle jasned@ozemail.com.au reports that in the estuary, flathead numbers and quality remain quite good, with most locations in the lower reaches producing on a consistent basis. Whilst there are plenty of throwbacks to sort through, some bigger models to around 3 kilos have been taken on both bait and lures. Blackfish remain a little patchy, although by all reports the estuary is loaded with fish, with plenty more heading in from around our headlands. Once these fish begin to actively feed a little more aggressively, catches should be excellent.

On the bream front, some nice fish have been taken from around the break walls at night, with gut baits and yabbies achieving the better results. For those keen on chasing a mulloway, the break walls should be well worth a look over this weekend, with the combination of both a full moon phase, good tides and plenty of mullet in the lower reaches often a recipe for success. Needless to say, a well presented live mullet would not be worst bait you could offer.

Off the beaches, conditions have not been favourable, with consistent southerly winds and above average swells endured for the best part of near two weeks now. Those who have ventured out report tailor numbers are solid, with a slight improvement in the overall quality if anything. The southern end of Lighthouse and North beach remain the pick of locations locally, whilst the beaches south of Port continue to prove well worth the drive. The past week has seen numbers drop off a little, however there are some quality fish about, like the 1.67 kilo specimen Ian Cooper scored off Lighthouse earlier in the week. With the seas somewhat rough and an upcoming full moon, early morning sessions will be likely to produce the better results. Mullet or tailor strips, pipis and beach worms should all prove successful.

Off the rocks, tailor numbers remain excellent, with Plommer and surrounds in particular fishing quite well for this time of year. Drummer numbers remain encouraging for so early in the season, with increasing numbers of well conditioned fish being picked up by those putting in the time. In the absence of abalone gut following the recently introduced ban, cunjevoi and cabbage have been the baits of choice. On the bream front, numbers are continuing to improve, however with the full moon phase coming up, look for either dawn or dusk, rather than the night time hours to produce the better catches. On the land based game scene, longtail tuna remain pretty well everywhere, with Point Perpendicular producing multiple fish on a daily basis, whilst a trip to Hat Head could also result in a cobia encounter or two. With plenty of yakka’s and slimeys around our headlands at present, it is hard to see the longtails departing for at least a few weeks yet.

Outside action remains a day to day proposition with the seas and winds conspiring to make conditions awkward at best. Those who have ventured out report snapper numbers are solid on the close reefs off Plommer and Lake Cathie, with good numbers of fish to around 4 kilos taking both baits and plastics. On the pelagic front, Barries bay continues to hold longtails and mac tuna in good numbers, along with some solid cobia to around 25 kilos. As expected, live bait of pretty well any description is the way to go.

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.

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

Leatherjackets are giving everyone a headache on most of the popular reefs making it difficult to get the better quality species. The best fishing is for Flathead on the inshore grounds close to most beaches. North off Tilba is providing the best with a few good quality Gummy Sharks also being taken.

Game
Fluctuating water temps has a changing of the guards offshore in the form of lots of small to medium Yellowfin Tuna being taken around the edge of the Continental Shelf. There are also plenty of Striped Tuna and the odd Albacore, while the Marlin are still hanging in there with several fish being captured recently with the best 145 Kg.

Estuary
Cooling weather is starting to see the Estuaries slow down with most of the better fish being taken in the lower reaches of the tidal estuaries on the change of the tide with the first of the run in. Bream, Flathead and Trevally have been the main stay while the purists fishing for Luderick are achieving nice bags on the last of the run out.

Freshwater
Things are starting to get difficult with the land mass and water temps cooling. Trolling in Brogo Dam is probably the most productive at present although Lures of an evening after a warm day will still produce fish in the shallower margins. Again those cooling conditions are having an effect in the mountains with the fish not rising as regularly as they were a month ago. Nymph fishing is still producing on the lakes for the Fly Fishos, while trolling is the most effective form of fishing at present.

Rock and Beach
Salmon are dominating most captures both off the rocks and beach whether you use lure or bait. There are plenty of Bream, Mullet and Tailor adjacent to the rocks meeting the beach with a variety of baits working, like Tuna, Pilchards and Worms. With the cooling water some reasonable Drummer are being captured from the rocks.

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.

I never thought that the DVD’s that are put out by Offshore Productions from Tewantin in Queensland would have been much. Boy was I so far from the truth. I now have the 10 DVD’s that have been produced by this company and I can tell you, I haven’t just watched them once. I have viewed them several times. Over the next few reports I will let you what is in each of them and then you may like to go to your local tackle shop or new agency to get yourself a copy.

Not only do they have some great footage and fishing information, they also have information on how to use your sounder, boat and motor tests, 4 wheel drive tips, plus much more.

DVD Review

The Fishing DVD Number 5 has the following titles;

Northern Territory

Mulwala Murray Cod

Top Water Bream

Baitfish and Predators

Cania Dam in South East Queensland

Salmon off the Rocks

DVD Review

The Fishing DVD Number 6 has the following titles;

Deepwater Salmon

Fly fishing in impoundments

Northern Territory Bluewater

Catching Tailor

Impoundment Barra on Squidgies

How to go Jigging Wrecks

The DVD’ run for around 120 minutes and only cost between $10 to $12 each.

Paul Martin from Rock Marine Bait and Tackle (rocksmarine@tsn.cc) reports that
it has been a tough week at the Rocks with conditions outside horrible. Another week of southerlies meant most fisho’s stayed in the close grounds. Grassy has had no spotted Mackerel over the last week just the odd Snapper while guys are heading further north past Scotts for fair catches of Trag, Sampson fish, Snapper and Pearl Perch.

There are still tons of Mac Tuna with the odd Yellow fin around down towards Fish Rock. Trolling metals are working on Tailor in close and around Green Island with some nice Green Backs amongst them. The Lighthouse or Flathead grounds have been producing good numbers of flathead, just remember you bag limits. The Gaol Peak Grounds has been giving up a few Cobia and one or two Wahoo if you put in the hours.

There has been good tailor coming in off the Breakwall over the last week with late afternoon being productive. There’s always a good chance of Bream feeding under them. Flathead are about along the walls with some early local Blackfish. Bass are on the bite from Fredo to Kempsey smashing a wide variety of lures. There has been some reports good Bream and Flathead around Smithtown.

Poor conditions on the beaches have slowed the catches with Hat Head end of Smoky beach fishing well for tailor, dart, some small whiting and the odd flathead. The Rock ledges have been slow apart from a few tailor about.

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

Weekly report 4/4/08

Adam Sczepaniak fished the Parramatta River last week and managed to get 24 yellowfin bream on Saturday and 31 on Sunday the biggest was 41cm and Adam also got busted off 3 times. I hope that these bream are around when Carl and I fish the Parramatta River in the Squidgie Grand Final in April. Yellowfin bream have also been coming in front the Sow and Pigs, Balmoral, Manly Cove, the Spit Bridge, Bradley’s Head, Luna Park and Pier 1. Most fish have been caught on either blood worms, pink nippers or pilly tails.

There are still a number of kingfish about, but there are more responsive during the quieter parts of the weekend. During the week would be a better time to chase them in the harbour. There have been a few schools of Australian salmon, tailor and bonito feeding between the heads and just offshore. Frigate mackerel, kingfish and tailor have been chasing the bait schools around in Middle Harbour.

Dusky flathead and mulloway have been on the chew up past the Roseville Bridge. Leatherjackets and luderick have been feeding along the shoreline on the eastern side of the Spit Bridge.

The kingfish in Botany Bay have been breaking some angler’s hearts and rods. Mark Higginbottom is using 40 kilo braid and a 50 kilo leader to try and stop some of the kingfish that are holding up in the bay. So far this year he has lost 20 kings, but has still managed to land a good number of them.

There are plenty of silver trevally, yellowfin bream, slimy mackerel, tailor and dusky flathead about in the bay. Try the usual places, but if you are not berleying you are behind the eight ball before you start. Just try tossing a few chicken pellets over every 5 minutes, this should do the job. If you have a berley bucket that is attached to your boat I would be putting them in the bucket along with some smashed up pilchards and a bit of bread.

FISHING CLASSES

I will be running another class starting on the Thursday the 5th of June at 7.00pm. 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

My next class will start on Wednesday the 2nd of July 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

NEW PRODUCT RELEASE from TTLures

“SWITCHBLADE”

The new 1/8th ounce “SWITCHBLADE” vibration lure from TT Lures is the latest weapon of choice for anglers who simply want to catch more fish.

An extensive colour range has been developed and rigorously tested by many of the TT Lures tournament team anglers. Tim “the bream” Morgan, Darren “dizzy” Borg, and recent ABT Bream Grand Final winner, Ben Godfrey, are just a few of the team members overwhelmed by the increased numbers of fish that they are catching with this exciting new lure.

The edge that the Switchblade has when compared to similar lures is that it has three tow points which gives the lure three very different actions. This enables the lure to be cast and retrieved shallow, slow rolled deep and vertically jigged on deep structure.
Available in ten “must have” colours, rigged with Owner trebles and a quick change snap clip, this lure is ready to go, straight out of the box!

If you would like to view a colour chart of these great lures you can go to Bream at http://www.bream.com.au/ and click on the colour chart to have a look. These lures will be on the market in 2 weeks time.

Ron Osman from Estuary Fishing and Tours http://www.estuaryfishingtours.com.au/ reports that there are heaps of squid in Pittwater and Brisbane waters they have been catching 6 or more an hour just inside Pittwater on jigs and catching some in Brisbane waters while flicking plastics for flatties.

There are still some good kingies to 78cm and lots of small rats at west head, Barrenjoey and inside Pittwater on live squid and yellowtail, best day last week they got 6 keepers and 5 throw backs in a few hours in the morning. Ron has caught some nice bream to 38cm at Lion Island with a few tailor (not schooling) to 45cm on squid and peeled prawns in our burly trail.

There are heaps of mullet around at the moment at iron ladders and Patonga. We are still getting flatties to 50cm and a few flounder on plastics at lobster beach, pretty beach and hardies bay with the best day 8 keepers and about 5 throw backs in 2 hours with 4 people fishing, run out is usually the best.

There are a few frigate mackerel at flint and steel and Lion Island but you have to be quick. The jewies have been quiet this week with only small throw backs from Mooney creek and everywhere else is very quiet.

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/ , email him at ron@estuaryfishingtours.com.au or phone Ron on 0407 661 397

Jason and Virginia Isaac from Ned Kelly’s Bait and Tackle jasned@ozemail.com.au reports that on the beaches, tailor are now better than they have been for many months, with most beaches now holding fish. Best results locally have come from around Lake Cathie; however the beaches further south have been producing a better grade of fish. Lures, pilchards and whitebait have all proven effective. Bream numbers remain reasonable as to are whiting, although we are drawing towards the end of the better whiting period. For those drifting baits around the edges of close in gutters, there are stacks of flathead about, with an unusually high proportion of them being legal. Mulloway however remain most disappointing, however with good quantities of food now present, and plenty of fish holding formations, it is hopefully only a matter of time until these after fish revisit our shoreline in better numbers.

Off the rocks, tailor numbers are now excellent with most local headlands now producing fish during dawn and evening sessions. To date, most fish are only in the chopper class, however there is the odd greenback now haunting the washes along with good numbers of small to medium bonito. Bream numbers remain reasonable and will only improve with the passing of the full moon, whilst those fishing the washed during the day report big numbers of blackfish and better than usual numbers of drummer. On the land based game front, longtail tuna are pretty well everywhere and will most likely stay for a while longer given the quantity of bait around at present. For those looking to try their luck with these terrific land based sport fish, best bet would be to head south to either Bonny Hills or Point Perpendicular.

In the estuary, blackfish have been reasonable off the break walls with some solid bronzies to around a kilo on the chew. Despite the full moon, bream numbers remain excellent and should further improve from this point onwards. Flathead numbers remain reasonable, as too have whiting, whilst garfish schools remain abundant around the police station and Pelican Island. Reports have also come in of plenty of mullet moving into the lower reaches, with their annual seaward migration now not too far off. Plenty of crabs still about for those keen to set the traps, with areas upstream producing solid muddies, whilst the blue swimmers have noticeably improved from Blackman’s Point downstream.

Offshore reports have been quite good with snapper to over 4 kilos from the close in reefs off Nobby’s, Lake Cathie and Plommer. Wider out, pearl perch to 3 kilos have been taken from northern reefs, with a few solid kings mixed in with them. For those keen on some pelagic action, Barries Bay has been worth investigation with cobia and longtail tuna to around 20 kilos, and a few isolated spanish mackerel mixed for good measure. As usual, live slimies, yakka’s or pike have been the offerings of choice.

On the beaches, tailor dominate catches with most beaches now producing well. Lures, pillies, garfish and whitebait have been equally successful, with dawn and dusk producing the better catches as normally is the case. Bream numbers are also on the improve with north beach and Lighthouse giving some nice fish, whilst the beaches around Laurieton and south have been yielding some bumper specimens to around one and a half kilos. Day time angler’s report whiting numbers are steady at best, although soaking a live worm over a shallow sand spit at high should continue to produce a few fish over the next month or so. On the mulloway front, a few whispers are beginning to surface from both North Beach and Dunbogan, although by and large the consistency is not what is generally the norm for this time of year. However with the amount of baitfish and tailor increasing almost daily, don’t be at all surprised if the action picks up noticeably in the latter part of this moon phase.

Off the rocks, tailor and bonito are common, with Point Plommer and surrounds producing some better quality fish. A few reports on drummer continue to filter in, whilst blackfish numbers remain solid, with several quality fish and bags taken. Bream numbers too remain above average, with Racecourse among other ledges giving up some nice fish. From land based game perspective, longtail tuna remain active around most renowned ledges, with fish taken from Hat Head, Point Perpendicular and Grants Head throughout the past week. Live bait has been the most successful option, however big lures or popper are also worth a go for the energetic.

In the estuary, good bream are again on the chew following the recent full moon, with the break walls and Limeburners giving up some nice fish during evening sessions. Live yabbies and either chicken or mullet gut have produced the better results. Flathead numbers remain reasonable although the better action now appears to be coming from upstream of the Dennis Bridge, whilst garfish and mullet schools remain abundant in the lower reaches. Blackfish numbers are on the improve, and judging by the numbers of fish congregating around our headlands at present, the season ahead could be a cracker. For those keen on tangling with a decent mulloway, live mullet, break walls and change of tide are the three main phrases you should fish by for the next month or so.

On the prawning front, Lake Cathie is now producing as well as has been seen for some years. As is usually the case, word spreads pretty quickly with the participation rate doubling just about every night over the past week. Anywhere from the Perch Hole down to where the entrance was is worth a look, however a bit of patience and courtesy will be key requisites in the more congested locations.

Offshore reports have been quite good, bottom bouncers reporting good numbers of snapper from the closer reefs, along with the usual assorted reef species. The best action however remains in Barries Bay, with cobia to around 20 kilos in good numbers along with mac tuna and longtail tuna. With the waters still quite warm and plenty of bait schools still about, the action should continue for some time yet.

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 he has Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th are both free for a morning trips. You can fish Botany Bay targeting a wide verity of species or head offshore and fish the FADs for Dolphin Fish and live bait the Peak for Kingies.

Two out standing days out on the water, the weather was spot on and the fishing was up there to, Bream are still on the bite wide from Towra Point and Scott found both the run out tide on both Saturday and Sunday early morning the best time and they seemed to slow a little as the sun got higher in the sky, Nippers for bait.Still no surface action from one end of the Bay to the other. They also trolled lures along the Runway on Saturday to see if the odd tailor could be found but still no good, Scott hasn`t trolled a fish up in the Bay for about month.

Trevally slow, but most fish are around .7 to 1kg in size and loads of fun on light tackle. Scott did well around the Drums both days on Nippers and cut Pilchards on the run in tide. Spinning with Squidgies both days while targeting flathead proved a winner with a few fish caught the best was about 55cms on Sunday, Sorry no photos this week as my camera decided to play up.

Scott and his crew fished both days looking for kingies but no good and this is from one end of the Bay to the other. Mick from Fishing World scored one nice fish that smashed a popper, but he said that was the only action he had on them. But Scott still thinks we will have one last wave of Kingie action before Winter sets in. Nathan headed off shore on Sunday afternoon and did rather well with a mixed bag of fish, No Dolphin Fish from the FADs as they would have liked and the Kingies are hiding some were, Nathan and the boy head back in closer and work the reef areas for a mixed bag and did rather well.

Dylan Skinns from Western Australia fished with a few of his mates at Exmouth and managed these couple of beauties.

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
Reef fishing has probably been the pick of all forms of angling although the Leatherjackets can at times be annoying. There are some nice Snapper on most reefs with some good Morwong mixed in, while over the sand there are plenty of Flathead, both Sand and Tigers, with the odd Gummy Shark and Red Gurnard mixed in.

Game
Game Fishing has been poor to say the least, there are a few Marlin being captured most days, the odd small Yellowfin, some Striped Tuna and Dolphin fish, plus if you burley there has been a few Makos coming up the trails. Kingfish are in good numbers at Montague Island, although you have to do some weeding for the better sized fish.

Estuary

Recently in the Estuaries fishing has been difficult mainly due to a drop in water temp. However things seem to be stabilizing bringing both Blackfish and Bream back on the chew. Flathead are in the lower parts of the estuaries now as are some very nice Tailor which seem to be concentrating near where the entrance normally would be in Wallaga.

Freshwater
Up at Brogo Dam Bass are still on the chew and seem to be feeding more in daylight hours. Casting lures or fly early of a morning is producing fish, while trolling or going to bait throughout the day will keep on producing. Below in the river the fishing is not good in the upper reaches.

Rock and Beach
Some very nice calm autumn weather is allowing easy access to both the Rocks and the Beach. Large schools of Salmon are frequenting both areas where they can be taken on either bait or lures, with fish reaching up to 4 Kg. Mixed in has been some lovely Southern Yellowfin Bream and quite a few small Jewfish.

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.

I never thought that the DVD’s that are put out by Offshore Productions from Tewantin in Queensland would have been much. Boy was I so far from the truth. I now have the 10 DVD’s that have been produced by this company and I can tell you, I haven’t just watched them once. I have viewed them several times. Over the next few reports I will let you what is in each of them and then you may like to go to your local tackle shop or new agency to get yourself a copy.

Not only do they have some great footage and fishing information, they also have information on how to use your sounder, boat and motor tests, 4 wheel drive tips, plus much more.

Video Review

The Fishing DVD Number 3 has the following titles;

Stanage Bay with Ed Vander Kruk and Lumpy Millson who give you tips and techniques on catching a variety of tropical species in an area that remains relatively untouched.

Steve Starling takes you drummer fishing off a south coast fishing spot. He shows you how easy it is to add a little bread to your berley to get those drummer on the chew.

Shannon Watson and Leanne and Rob Payne explain how to target dusky flathead while casting and trolling lures during the spring time.

Steve Starling chases one of his favourite estuary fish species, the Estuary perch.

Peter Morse joins his old mate Alan Philliskirk for an incredible session using fast sinking fly line around bait school for Spanish mackerel.

Shannon Watson and Ed Vander Kruk fishing for Australian Bass while using spinner baits.

Video Review

The Fishing DVD Number 4 has the following titles;

Lure casting for Impoundment Barra

Sand Whiting on Wriggler worms

Mangrove jacks on lures
Soft Plastics at Narooma

Trout in Small Streams on dry flies

Fishing at Hervey Bay with Maniacs and Raider lures

The DVD’s run for around 120 minutes and only cost between $10 to $12 each.

Paul Martin from Rock Marine Bait and Tackle (rocksmarine@tsn.cc) reports that they have great conditions here at the moment, nice blue water, good currents and a mixed bag of fish coming in. Spotted Mackerel were very finicky last week making them hard to hook up but there were the odd quality fish caught. Wahoo are about in good numbers up to 20 kilo off Grassy down to Fish Rock smashing live baits. Snapper fishos are using plastic baits for great results early morning with some monster Pearlies finding their way into the fish box. Yellow fin and Mac tuna are also in good numbers while Fish Rock has the odd King like Denis Morton’s 19.2 kilo cracker one of the biggest. Cobia have been coming in off the gaol Peak with some around the 30 kilo mark.

Fishing the beaches has been a mixed bag with Whiting on Smoky with some nice Trevally caught late last week. There were a few Tailor caught along the beach while flathead have been pulled out at the Hat head end of smoky. Still down at the Hat some big Tuna have been coming in of the rock ledges.

It has been a little tough in the river over the week with fishos battling to find a productive area. Flathead are in fair numbers, Whiting are in good numbers around the oyster barn at Rainbow while if you’re chasing Bream, drifting the north wall to the Cut has been successful. Good reports from Smithtown for Whiting and Flathead and Bass are on the bite from Kempsey up smashing surface lures. If you haven’t tried that before I highly recommend it.

South West Rocks has had some Quality fish coming in over the last week but most fisho’s are saying there’s too much ocean between them. Dirk Mittor and Don Murray on Sea Scout charter hooked a 21and 36 kilo cobia off Grassy. Mac Tuna are around in big numbers while Yellow Fin are hitting lures and live bait up to about 6 kilo with a few bigger units to 15 kilo. Spotted Mackerel are doing what they do best and that’s frustrating fisho’s with their on and off feeding. The odd Wahoo are still smashing baits up north while a few good Snapper are being caught despite the amount of traps in that area. The Gaol Peak and Black Rock has been producing some Cobia while Fish Rock has had Snapper, a few Kings and plenty of Tuna.

Smoky Beach is fishing well for Tailor early morning, Bream, Whiting and some monster Dart while good numbers of Flathead have come in along the beach. There has been some Whiting on Main Beach at Trial Bay. Rock hoppers are getting the odd Drummer, Tailor and a few Tuna but they are working hard for them.

The Fisho’s around Stuarts Point are getting early Blackfish and some nice Flathead. Closer to home The Break wall has been the spot for some nice Flathead and the odd Bream. The locals have forgotten what a Jew fish looks like so with the river crystal clear again low tide should be the go. Spear fishermen are working the Break wall, this is illegal so put the fisheries number in you mobile and call them.

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

Weekly report 21/03/08

Okay, normally I try and put out a report each week and as you would see I haven’t had one for around a month. Well hopefully this weeks report will make up for that. Over the past couple of months Carl Dubois and I have been competing in the Squidgie Summer Series. There has been six rounds (we fished five) with the last two being up at Lake Macquarie on the 16th and 17th of March. Well I am pleased to say the Team Pflueger (Carl and I) came 18th out of 65 teams and made the Grand Final, which will be held on the 19th of April. The start (7.00am) and finish (2.00pm) will be from the ramp at the end of Burwood Road at Concord in Hen and Chicken Bay. So if you are interested in having a look at what was caught pop down and say hi.

Sydney Harbour and its off chutes have been firing over the past week and will continue to do so over the next month or two. Sow and Pigs has silver trevally, bream, leatherjackets, kingfish, tailor and the odd dusky flathead. Best time to fish this area is either early in the morning or later in the afternoon on a run-out tide. This will be when the boat traffic will be at its least. Anchor on the sand so that the back of your boat is about 20 metres from the reef. Berley is essential here. Fish as light as the conditions will allow and try using peeled prawns, pink nippers, strips of squid and mullet for bait. If the water is a bit dirty, due to the rain, try using chicken and mullet gut, strips of tuna and slimy mackerel for bait. Pilchards are also worth a shot.

The Lane and Iron Cove Rivers have been producing bream, dusky flathead and whiting in the shallower parts of these rivers. I have been using Lucky Craft suspending Hump Backs and NW Pencils in about a metre and less of water. Remember to use them very slowly. I have also been getting a number of bream while casting Gulp 3 inch Pumpkin Seed and Lime Tiger Minnows up against the pontoons at the front edge of the marinas in the Parramatta River.

Middle Harbour is still turning on a great run of kingfish. Try working the points up stream of the Spit Bridge. Squid and yellowtail are the gun baits at the moment. If you are after squid and yellowtail you should try working the shoreline at the back of Balmoral and the shoreline down stream of the Tunks Park boat ramp.

Botany Bay is going off at the moment and if you are not getting amongst them you must not have your line in the water. Monoilex Point, Henry Head, the Hot Water Outlet and the end of the third runway are all worth a shot for bream, silver trevally, dusky flathead, tailor, Australian salmon and kingfish. Just remember you will need to have a berley trail going as this will keep the fish interested in your baits.

Towra Point and the shoreline along Brighton are also worth a fish from the boat or from the shore. Bream, whiting and flathead are the main fish species that would be caught here.

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

After such a good session last week, we had to hit the Cooks again. Carl was under really tight time constraints (and I mean REALLY tight), so we only fished for an hour. The tide was running in this time which funnily enough, has never fished as well as the run out. Well, for me anyway.We started off slowly with Terry landing a few undersize bream and it wasn't until we neared one of the bridges with some nice eddies swirling about that Terry landed a keeper on his faithful SX40. Carl was casting a 3" minnow in pumpkinseed towards the base of the pylons when he also landed a bream, this guy going 30cm's.

Terry then hit a purple patch and landed 3 bream for almost as many casts. Lucky swine! Carl was still landing them but they were definitely a lot smaller than last week’s bruisers. Unfortunately, the 60 minutes flew by (they only seemed to last an hour or so) and they had to head home.

As Carl scooted back, he kept flicking a minnow in front of me towards the shore. On one of the casts, the SP landed and promptly the line shot back out towards the middle of the canal. 'Hmmm, that's not normal,' he thought, so I lifted the rod which set the hook into something that felt fairly decent. There were a few solid thumps that came up the line and Carl thought, 'Oh, sweet, it's a jewfish!' but these thumps turned into a rhythmical thump, thump, thump and I knew straight away that it was a trevally. But at least he was a beauty! Carl took his time as they have fairly soft mouths and he stretched out to 52cm's which is a new PB for him. A few quick photos and back he goes to grow even bigger.

Ron Osman from Estuary Fishing and Tours http://www.estuaryfishingtours.com.au/ reports since the last report Ron has had some of the best days fishing I have had for a long time. The Kingfish are back in Pittwater around all the wrecks down there but the best spots have been West Head (if there isn’t too much boat traffic) and Barrenjoey Head. We have caught them to 5kg (90cm) and some days we have caught over 20 fish, but most of them have been throw backs with just a few keepers.

Ron has even been catching a few Amberjack to 68cm and Sampson Fish to 50cm and even seen a massive Tuna smashing Garfish at West Head. Most days they will take live Yellowtail but they do prefer live Squid and they have been easy to get latterly with 9 in 1 hour our best day. Best spots for Squid are just inside Pittwater on the western shore from West Head to Mackerel Beach and over at Palm Beach as well. If you are having trouble catching Squid buy a Yamashita 2grm Squid Jig they are by far the best jig I have come across. I don’t bother with all the other jigs in my tackle box anymore they cost $18 but are worth every cent and you don’t loose many if you are careful. We have also caught the odd Bonito and huge Tailor while down rigging live Squid and Yellowtail for Kingfish.

They also had a good week on the Jewfish at Flint and Steel in the Hawkesbury River but they were gone by the weekend so most people missed out. During the week there were only 2 or 3 boats there a day and everyone was catching them. Most were 50-70cm but there were a few just over 1 meter and they were taking fresh squid and live Yellowtail. The best day was the Tuesday with over 20 fish caught, there were that many we were throwing them back under 60cm and we also caught some massive Flathead there too with 92c, the biggest one. It was just after all the rain we had so I would say that was the reason they were there eating all the bait that got flushed out by the fresh water. We were catching Kingfish in the early morning then going to Flint and Steel and catching Jewfish and huge Flathead mid morning. Fishing doesn’t get much better than that.

There has also been a few shark coming on board with a 6 foot Hammerhead the biggest taken at Lion Island and there have been plenty of those pesky green toads around as well, biting of hooks, one day at Flint and Steel we went through about 15 hooks. The Kingfish are still there everyday now but the Jewfish have gone quiet with only a few being caught now and mostly down the river at the Bridges and down Mooney Creek in a few of the deep holes there.
The Flathead have gone a bit quiet in Brisbane Waters but we still manage a few on soft plastics when ever we try. Most are just keepers up to 50cm.

Bream are everywhere at the moment, around Lion Island, Broken Bay and the headlands with a good burly trail and peeled prawns or up in the oyster racks in Brisbane Waters and Mooney Creek with Pink Nippers and Cockles. The bigger ones are around the headlands and we have caught them to 41cm but most are 30 – 38cm. Frigate Mackerel haven’t had much of a show at Broken Bay this year with only small schools popping up here and there and you have to be lucky enough to be there when they surface to get some. Even the Slimy Mackerel are gone now after only being around for about 3 weeks.

Blue swimmers have gone quiet with only about 3 or 4 a day in our witches hats now and we even caught a few nice mud crabs after the rains we had (don’t they make a mess of a witches hat).

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/ , email him at ron@estuaryfishingtours.com.au or phone Ron on 0407 661 397

Jason and Virginia Isaac from Ned Kelly’s Bait and Tackle jasned@ozemail.com.au reports that in the estuary, bream numbers have remained above average with both break walls and Limeburners giving up plenty of solid fish to around a kilo. The full moon phase may see the action slow down a little during night time sessions, however late afternoon and early expedition should prove rewarding. Let’s hope this is a pointer to a terrific bream season in the months ahead. Blackfish numbers are reasonable albeit with plenty of throwbacks, whilst flathead remain on offer throughout the system. Upstream around Rawdon Island in particular is fishing quite well at present, with whitebait achieving the better results.

Reasonable numbers of good sized whiting have also been taken, with the lower section of the Maria down to around Blackman’s Point producing the better results. On the crab front, better numbers of blue swimmer are currently in the lower estuary than we have seen for some time, whilst muddies remain active further upstream and are well worth chasing.

Off the beaches, tailor numbers are now as good as they have been since last winter, and with the bulk of the bait schools yet to arrive, the best of the season is still to come. Locally Lighthouse and Rainbow beach have both been holding fish, as too have all beaches further south. We have also received a couple of longtail reports from the sand, including an eight kilo model from Lake Cathie, and another lost from Lighthouse. This certainly adds a bit of spice to the standard tailor session. On the jew front, the news remains unusually quiet; however were plenty of bream around in the lead up to the moon. This certainly bodes well for the season ahead.

Off the rocks, tailor numbers are excellent for those out at dawn or dusk, whilst night time anglers have been scoring increasing bags of well conditioned bream. Lighthouse locally has produced good numbers of both species, as too has Point Plommer. Morning session chasing tailor have also yielded excellent numbers of bonito, which not only are great sport, but great bait too. On the land based game scene, longtail tuna are now around in big numbers however close encounters far outweigh actual fish landed. Best results over the past week have been from around Grants Head and Point Perpendicular.

On the offshore scene, reasonable snapper remain on offer from the closer reefs, with fish to around 4 kilos taking lightly weighted pilchards, live baits and of course soft plastic lures. Up north, trag rock has produced a few kingfish, whilst the wider reefs have also given up some nice pearl perch to just under 4 kilos. We have had a few reports of Leatherjacket schools from the wider reefs, so it may pay to enure there is some wire on board. On the surface fishing front, good numbers of marlin are still hanging about, whilst Barries Bay has producing reasonable numbers of cobia, albeit not always on consecutive days.

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 this weekend again was Hot and cold and he found that they had to work hard to find fish. Saturdaythe bream were mainly wide from Towra Point and across to the Third Runway. Nathan score a few good fish on the afternoon run off shore with Dolphin fish, Salmon and a mixed bag at the Peak of the bottom and Sundays trip for the afternoon was much the same.
Scott had the morning trip and had a shit start as I was running late as the bloody alarm didn`t go off. Picked the boys up and explained my self and headed to the bait grounds with them all giving me heaps, Started well with a nice Kingie that smashed a Pilli fillet. Also caught good Flathead ffrm Trevally Alley and then all went quite.

Scott then headed to the Bream grounds and fished five spots for two small Bream this is tough fishing for this time of the year. With live baits on board and one hour to go I decided to target Kingies, We landed 67cm, 80cm, 90cm now that the way to finish tough day on the Bay.

The last few day on the water has been rather good, No wind above 10knots or rain but the fishing proved a little hot and cold and I think it might have been the big tides over the weekend. Bream not to bad from Towra point across to the third runway most fish only small around 26cms to 30cms with the biggest Bream just on 35cms caught at the bait grounds.
Deep water for Trevally and Bream, spots like Bare island, Trevally Alley, Drums and Kurnell point all fished poor due to the big tides, to much run in the water, only small numbers caught. King fish prove even hard to find, I caught two good fish on Saturday both around 75cms and lost a ripper, Nathan found it hard on his trip hooking more kingies than I did but lost a few rippers busting up big time and then landing a few smaller Kingies tough for this time of the year, very strange.

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
Out from most beaches Sand Flathead are in large numbers providing plenty of table fare; further a field Tiger Flathead are out from the Six Mile and Four Mile Reefs. Mixed in are plenty of Morwong the odd Snapper and unfortunately plenty of Leatherjackets. Kingies have been good at Montague Island with fish up to 10 Kg.

Game
Marlin have turned up in good numbers over the weekend with lots of Stripes and the odd Black, of which the best has weighed in at 156 Kg. Both Lures and Bait are working, with most of the fish concentrated around the Twelve Mile Reef. Mixed in have been the odd Mako, Hammerhead and Whaler Sharks.

Estuary
Most of the tidal Estuaries along the coast are fishing consistent with large schools of Bream, quite a few Flathead, plenty of Blackfish and a mix of other species. Bream encountered have been up to 43 cm, most of the Blackfish are being taken around the entrance of Bermagui Harbour on Weed or up the river with Nippers.

Freshwater
Warm weather still has the Bass on the chew in Brogo Dam with early mornings and late afternoons being best although fish are still being caught throughout the day. Trolling is best thru the day while casting of lures or fly producing morning and evening. Black crickets are still in numbers and provide a bait fishing option.

Mudeyes hatching in the Monaro Lakes has seen some very good Fly Fishing late evening and thru the night. Eucumbene seems to be fishing the best at present while the hatch is continuing. Those anglers trolling are still getting good fish and most of the Trout have conditioned nicely following the increase of the food supply.

Rock and Beach
Most beaches are fishing well of a night for Tailor, Salmon, Bream and a few small Bronze Whaler Sharks. The best beaches are Camel Rock, Barragoot and Murrah. From the rocks Salmon, Frigates and Tailor are regular catches for those tossing Lures while Drummer and Groper are starting to make more of an appearance.

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.

I never thought that the DVD’s that are put out by Offshore Productions from Tewantin in Queensland would have been much. Boy was I so far from the truth. I now have the 10 DVD’s that have been produced by this company and I can tell you, I haven’t just watched them once. I have viewed them several times. Over the next few reports I will let you what is in each of them and then you may like to go to your local tackle shop or new agency to get yourself a copy.

Not only do they have some great footage and fishing information, they also have information on how to use your sounder, boat and motor tests, 4 wheel drive tips, plus much more.

Video Review No 1

The Fishing DVD No 1 has fishing for Barra in Arnhemland, pelagic and reef fishing the blue water of Noosa, fishing for mid winter bass in South East Queensland, chasing trout at Jindabyne, off shore fishing at Maningrada and Tasmanian Fly Fishing.

Video Review No 2

The fishing video No 2 explodes the myths of impoundment Barramundi fishing, how to use soft plastics, beach fishing with Rob and Leanne Payne, some great offshore fishing while using down riggers and fresh baits. There is also a segment on fly fishing with Peter Morse and gorge country cod.

The DVD’ run for around 120 minutes and only cost between $10 to $12 each.

Paul Martin from Rock Marine Bait and Tackle (rocksmarine@tsn.cc) reports that
the locals have had to wait a while, but finally a week of perfect conditions to head outside or drop a line off the end of a jetty. What’s going on the elusive Spotted Mackerel off Grassy? It seems there on one day and then have two or three days off over the last few weeks, but you should still have a go as it might be your day. There have been a couple of reports of spotted Mackerel are on the bite on the grounds off Grassy head. Some of these fish are up to 9 to 10 kilo taking live baits and Pilchards. There has been the odd Spanish caught off these grounds as well as further north past Scotts Head.

Snapper have been there as a back up in close and out wider. Yellow fin are in good numbers between the jail and Fish Rock jumping all over bibles lures being trolled. King Fish are also around the rock but you struggling to get one over size. Visitors did well on the 60 fathom line for Kings up to 8 kilo. Wahoo are making an appearance playing havoc with trolled lures. Mac Tuna and bonito are in good numbers in close. Cobia are coming in again with a few crackers around Black Rock, the best going 35 kilo. Some quality Wahoo are being caught in a number of locations in close. Fish Rock is fishing well for Snapper, small King Fish and some nice Yellow Fin. There has been plenty of bait around; the slimies have been a little big if anything while Bonito are about in good numbers. Fisheries have advised us the FAD will be replaced before Easter. (We will see)

Gap Beach has slowed down with reports of a few Whiting while Smoky is where you should be for a feed. Whiting are in good numbers in shallow water and Bream are about in the gutters. Tailor are back in the surf, no size at this stage but in good numbers.

The river is clearing and Whiting have been a little more active in the shallows. Good reports of Flathead from Jerseyville to the mouth with small mullet and Herring being jumped on. One of our visitors caught three 15 kilo plus Jew last week but the location remained his secret. Bonito have been at Jew bite for a bit of fun with some good Bream along the Wall.

Good reports of Flathead with hot spots around Clybucca, Rainbow Reach and on the flats around Stuarts Point biting well on pillies, white bait and 4 inch plastics working well. Good Bream have been hard to find in the river with Oyster leases and rock walls your best bet. Whiting are taking worms, nippers and don’t forget those 50mm poppers in the moving tides.

Tailor have been caught on Smoky Beach morning and afternoons with some good Whiting on a rising tide. Gap Beach has had Whiting and Bream coming in with a few Tailor on the north side. Tailor, Bream and Tarwhine off the rocks while Hat Head has had a few Blue Fin off the ledges.

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

Steve Williamson from Lake Jindabyne Trout Fishing Adventures reports that
after 45 days straight over January and February, Barry and Steve headed up to Lemon Tree Passage to help set up the Beston’s Challenge there and have a fish, but guess what? It rained and rained and we only had the boat in the water for 4 hours before another storm had us run for cover. They then headed down to Gerroa Shores only to do a lot of sightseeing. The rain and huge seas kept us undercover most of the time. It was great to get back home to warm weather and sunshine. That sounds silly for the Snowy Mountains when it warmer here than on the mid coast of NSW.

Interesting enough while I keep talking about the Beston’s name it will not apparently be Beston’s for long with a name change possibly by the time you get this newsletter.
Not sure what happened however some reason they have to change their name so it’s going to be a big job to again market the new name whatever it will be.
As you can guess I have been flat out in February and not much time to get the office stuff done as when I am not on the water I have been in the shop.

SNOWLINE TROUT CHALLENGE RESULTS
Anglers from as far as Sydney, Melbourne, Albury, Canberra, and even South Australia, a total of over 50 competitors as well as their family attended the first of the Beston’s Family Fishing Challenges which was held at Snowline Holiday Park in Jindabyne.

The weather couldn’t have been better with a bright blue sky and a sparkling Lake Jindabyne.
Even with the perfect weather, some excellent brown and rainbow trout were weighed in.
I saw the biggest rainbow trout he had seen in many years weighed in. The fish was just over 2 kilograms in weight.

The Beston’s Family Fishing Challenge started off on Friday night with a BBQ registration and reading of the competition rules. NSW Department of Primary Industries Fisheries officers were also on hand to talk anglers through the local trout fishing regulations. Men, women and children took to the water on Saturday morning with the aim to catch a brown trout, Rainbow trout and an Atlantic salmon in each of the three fishing sessions.
Boat trolling, lure spinning, bait fishing and fly fishing methods were all allowed so that anglers could try to catch the longest fish of each species.

Each weigh in was attended to by Mark James DPI Fisheries event advisor. It’s Mr. James’s job with DPI to ensure that the organisers and participants in these fishing events operate in a safe, environmentally and socially responsible way. Competition rules and activities should demonstrate best practice and where possible, enhance the economic benefit for the community.
Hosts of the competition Snowline Managers Sean and Samantha Lawrence said that the event could not have been any more successful than what it was, with anglers stating the event was the best competition they had ever attended. Not one person complained about anything over the weekend and that must also be a first for a fishing competition!

Prizes were donated by Wilson’s Tackle, Tasmanian Devil lures, Australian T Shirt Company, Beston’s Parks and Steve Williamsons Tackle Shop.

Major Prize winners were Best Lady Angler – Kerry Webley of Wollongong, Best Overall Angler was Andy Baker of Pambula, Best brown trout caught went to John Fisk of Tura Beach with a 61 cm brown trout caught on fly. Longest overall rainbow trout went to Summer Carder. Longest Salmon went to Justin Gibb.

Best under 16 years angler went to Tylah Cooper who was all the way from South Australia.
Best presented Team went to the Tassie Devil Team. My Encouragement Award went to Matthew and Cameron Vine. The major lucky length draw went to Willo Cameron.

With the success of the Snowline Trout Challenge, all entrants will be again invited back on the 14th and 15th February 2009 to again compete in this fantastic event.

For more information on what is happening in the snowies you could call Steve on mobile 0408 024436,
SHOP – (02) 64561551, FAX – (02) 64572991 or just email him at swtrout@airlan.com.au

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.