NEW KAYAK: Bermagui Bait and Tackle customer Col Beverage looks over the new Ocean Kayak Torque. A demo model is in store now!
NAROOMA CLUB: Garth Prince, from East's Van Park, with Narooma Sport and Game Fishing Club (NSGFC) president Mick Roberts, enjoying the air temperature on Friday at the club after coming back Jindabyne. Both men have mates from upcountry, Hayden Virgo from Canberra and Marty Hancock from Murrumbateman, who are looking to catch some fish from Narooma
REDBAIT SCHOOLS: Narooma wildlife photographer and fisherman Jon Poyner went out from Dalmeny last week and encountered birds and dolphins feeding on baitfish about 5km out. He dived in and was surprised to see what appeared to be schools of redbait, similar to yakkas, that are one of the key targets of the super trawler FV Margiris that is on its way to Australia. His photographs were subsequently published in the Daily Telegraph in the context that these schools of redbait and the fish and wildlife that rely on them could come under threat from the super trawler.
Bermagui fishing report: better reef fishing ahead
WE’RE seeing some better reef fishing this week with solid catches of gummy shark, plenty of large morwong and a few snapper.
Barracouta plagued the inshore reefs on Saturday but we’re gone this week and this allowed those in pursuit of a feed of flathead the chance to head out and do so.
The days are a little longer and dusky flathead are starting to move around a little more, they are certainly more aggressive in their chase for lures both hard and soft.
The bream fishing is steady and these fish can now be landed in numerous spots whether around the bridges, pylons, flats and nearby weed beds.
A few customers on Monday evening reported the salmon fishing to be still hot and the middle of Cuttagee being the pick of the locations as the deeper gutters close in allow for shorter casts and good concentrations of fish.
The AFTA Trade Show was held last week where all new product was on display. Healthy competition remains in the Bream market with stand-out items including Jackall Bros soft baits and slimline blades, Daiwa’s Generation Black rod series and the new K-Rack kayak loader.
We felt the standout reel in this market on a value for money approach was Shimano’s new look Symetre that is light, strong, of high speed (6:1) and had great spacing between the reel seat and bail arm on the retrieve.
This spacing will be a little more user friendly for the more awkward fisher such as myself.
As for combos, the new Daiwa Aird outfits will impress in particular the 9ft shore spinning options.
Major importers were heavily focused on rods for rock or beach spinning with plenty of models across each price point between 8-13ft on offer.
Your local stores are likely to have these goods in stock in the next few weeks.
Cheers
Scotty, Bermagui Bait and Tackle
Tuross/Moruya River report:
THE work being carried out at Town Wharf has now been completed and the ramp is now ready for use again.
Unfortunately we have been unable to get on the water this past week as we have been locked away in conference at a trade show – Australian Fishing and Tackle Association (AFTA). We are pleased to report that we have some brilliant new gear turning up and this will be appearing in store from now through to Christmas!
Congratulations to Paul Worsteling from IFISH with Tackle World on being awarded the “best of show” award for his book “The Fishermen’s Bucket List”!
Tuross:
Team Tackle World member Jade and his mate Tom headed out on Tuross this past week where they saw plenty of big bream however they couldn’t get them to bite.
Apparently the water is very clear and the bream were a little bit spooky, so head up to “Fourways” for some nice catches of luderick and flathead.
Beaches and Rocks:
Team Tackle World member Nathan caught himself a nice feed of lobbies after going for a dive this week. There are still plenty of salmon and tailor, with drummer and luderick being pulled in off the headlands.
Offshore:
Captain Ron on board Winda Woppa I and II reports good catches of snapper, large kingies and 2 kg leather jackets in 70 m of water straight off Moruya.
Motor down off Congo for good catches of flathead in the 30 metre mark. Ron caught all his fish on both squid and fish bait. Ron also advises using heavy sinkers as the barracoota have been pinching the bait on the way down.
Please check bar conditions before heading out as we believe there are some “swirly” winds around, however we have checked the forecast and it looks like it should be okay with seas abating.
Team Tackle World Moruya
Graham, Gaye, Bec, Mark, Nathan and Jade
Bass and EP season re-opens
Fishers can take to NSW rivers and estuaries from next Saturday to target some of Australia’s great native sports fish, with the annual three month closed season for Australian bass and estuary perch ending from September 1.
Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Senior Recreational Fisheries Manager, Cameron Westaway, said an annual zero bag limit for the species is in place in all rivers and estuaries (except in impoundments and in rivers above impoundments) from June 1 to August 31 to protect the vulnerable species during spawning.
"Both Australian bass and estuary perch form schools and migrate to parts of estuaries with the correct salinity over late autumn and early winter to trigger spawning," he said.
"When they are in these large groups they can be vulnerable to fishing, so a three month zero bag limit for these fish applies.”
The spawning period for these species has now finished with many returning to their spring and summer feeding grounds higher up in the catchment.
“From September 1, fishers are once again permitted to take these native species, however bag limits will apply,” Mr Westaway said.
“These include a total bag limit of two Australian bass or estuary perch per person or a combination of both with a possession limit of four.
“And only one of the fish is permitted to be over 35 cm in length when fishing in rivers.”
Before dropping a line, fishers should check they have a current NSW recreational fishing licence, available online at www.licence.nsw.gov.au or by calling 1300 369 365.