Water warms off Bermagui as deep water produces
WATER temperatures have been sporadic offshore resulting in mixed results for those pursuing albacore and yellowfin tuna in recent weeks.
While we weighed in a few in last week on the back of a push of warmer water moving down the continental shelf, strong winds immediately turned that water over dropping temperatures back below 18 degrees from a peak of 22 degrees.
This week temperatures of 19 plus were reached. There was little current on the continental shelf but little activity with respect to tuna.
In saying that not many vessels have been out game fishing aside from those pursuing the larger mako sharks through burleying in areas such as the ‘Kink’ and eastern edge of the 12 Mile Reef. We have seen some sizable specimens tagged and fish to 188kg weighed in.
Those fishing the deep water (150-550m) were plagued by barracouta this week and were often cut off on the drop before reaching the bottom.
If the bottom was reached some very big tiger flathead were landed. Stuart Hull caught a 6.1kg Tassie Trumpeter and a John Dory.
These fish were taken on strip baits but are more likely to be caught on live yellowtail or slimy mackerel.
Fifty to 80lb monofilament traces are sufficient but no mono leader will prevent the bite off by a marauding barracouta.
Most areas are producing good catches of tiger and sand flathead whether in 30, 50 or 80m of water. We saw these fish bite, readily in recent days, however, late last week these fish slowed down a little on the back of a push of cooler water (16.5 degrees) in close.
There have been captures of snapper at Montague Island and only the odd kingfish landed. The next push of warmer water with a bit more current attached from the north should see some of the latter start to show up or at least bite.
Local estuaries waters have warmed considerably and the mild evenings we’ve had of late have certainly motivated baitfish to get about along the weed edges in the river here.
Dusky flathead have readily taken plastics, hard bodies and soft or metal vibes over the past 10 days.
The run out tide proving the most productive and the metal vibes do deliver a variety of species including some luderick, whiting and some large trevally.
As we start to fish surface lures more over the next few weeks its important to remember to keep the lure coming if whiting are following it but should a bream be behind it pause the lure on occasion to entice the bite.
Good polarised sunglasses will often allow you determine which fish it is as you can pick up the black tipped tail and the body depth of the bream for example. Lures of choice for this summer will be the Luckycraft Gunfish 75, Bassday Sugar Pen 70, Jaz Lures Zappa 55, Bushy’s Top Dog for the sand flats and the Smith’s Towadi and Shirasu for short casting at snags.
Shimano have released the Starlo Stix Tournament 710 Flats Spin (7’8 in length and rated 2-5kg) for casting poppers and stick baits that bit further this summer and the new Samiki 7’6 flat cast looks impressive for this job also.
Wallaga Lake which has fished poorly most of this winter given it is a closed system has fished well on the edges where lures have been cast or trolled in 1-4m of water.
Two or three warm days straight with little wind will often warm bank edges considerably and draw a more active flathead out in to the shallows to feed on schooling bait fish.
Some legal size snapper have been taken on lightly weighted fresh baits and a mixed bag of often smaller fish prevails around the bridge area. Live baits such a Poddy mullet are prime for targeting size fish in particular flathead whether from the bank or slow drifting in a boat.
The beaches have produced a few smaller school size mulloway but we haven’t seen any larger models in recent weeks. Salmon remain a common capture and plenty of rays and the bronzies are there to be wrestled with whether you like it or not.
- Scotty, Cam, Milla, James and the ‘Rooster’
Bermagui Bait and Tackle
Narooma fishing report:
THERE were reports of some of the first legal-size kingfish caught at Montague Island particularly the northeast corner on the weekend. There were also good catches of snapper and morwong caught at the island and north of Potato Point on the weekend, while someone also caught a small yellowfin tuna on the shelf. There were also good catches of flathead at around the 40-metre mark.
The beaches are still fishing well for salmon and tailor when conditions are right, but whiting and bream from the beaches are scarce.
Bream catches in Wagonga estuary on the other hand are excellent with one fisher doing very well on bait up from the powerlines. Flathead fishing in the inlet is also improving.
- Darryl, Narooma Ocean Hut, 4476 2278
Kingies weighed in at Dalmeny competition
DALMENY Fishing Club enjoyed a large turn out for their monthly competition on the weekend.
Great weather conditions resulted in plenty of fish weighed in, with good catches of kingies on Sunday.
The results for the weekend were:
Juniors: Georgia Poyner, on 240 pts
Ladies: Enid Davies, on 80 pts
Men’s: Tony Davey, on 140 pts
As always, Bob Bennett proved a generous sponsor - the club would like to thank him for his continued support.
The great lunch was much appreciated. Patrice, Karen and Carol, and Stephen and John deserve a huge "thank you" and round-of-applause for all their hard work - each and every month. Their effort ensures that every one else gets to enjoy a lovely afternoon.
On Saturday, December 5, the club will be holding their Christmas Party. We need to finalise the juniors who will be attending, so that Santa can get their gifts ready! If you haven't already done so, please contact Michelle on 44767109 or Andrew on 44768185, to let them know if your child will be at the party.
On Friday nights, Dalmeny Bowling Club hosts the fishing club raffle, and the "Catch the Groper" draw, which has jackpotted to $450!
Someone has to win - why not come along and try your luck!
Finally, the club would like to wish new members Karen and Warren Stubbs, on acquiring "Lighthouse Charters" - good luck in your new venture!
The last competition for the year will be held on the weekend of December 19-20 - forget Christmas shopping - wet your lines instead!
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