Although they could be bonito and not the elusive kingfish...

Scott at Bermagui Bait & Tackle reports that there were a few albacore landed over the weekend by a handful of boats off Narooma as well as down at Tathra.

The Paulines of Tathra landed a six bluefin up to 15-30kg, but they travelled out wide to get them.

There was another report of some yellowfin tuna down at Merimbula.

The water has looked good for some weeks now, it has just not produced fish, Scott admits.

It wasn't fantastic fishing by any means, but there are a few makos still on the edge with “Footloose” tagging a 150kg model.

The inner reefs produce a few, mostly small snapper among the morwong, but there were also a few bigger models around the 2kg mark.

Kingfish remained hard work with no real reports of any around but one pro fisher did manage one kingfish and a few boxes bonito encountered at Montague Island on Sunday.

Apparently the bonnies came up to the surface each time the sun broke through the fog.

It's almost marlin season and the 2013 Bermagui Bait & Tackle Bluewater Classic is only eight weeks away, Scott reports.

In the estuaries, flathead are still the go, especially in Wallaga Lake where some bream have also been cruising the shallows recently.

Narooma Sports & Game Fishing Club report

 WHAT strange weekend weather with sea mist rolling in on Sunday around 11am and remaining until late afternoon.

The majority of fisher persons coped well with the conditions, but one couple in a “tinny” who ventured out to Montague Island had a problem getting back as they were disorientated by the sea mist.

Luckily they were able to attract a larger vessel and followed it to across the bar.

A few concerned persons at the entrance observed their progress across the bar and reported their safe passage to Marine Rescue.

A disaster was averted and I hope that they gave thanks to the good Samaritans.

Another vessel almost ended up at Surf Beach but discovered their misdirection, and finally safely navigated the bar.

Overall, a good, but lucky result that shows the necessity of logging on with Marine Rescue when going out to sea.

The fishing over the weekend provided good catches of Flathead; these were found out from the bar, at Montague Island and north to Potato Point.

Gurnard, gummy shark, leather jacket and Australian salmon were also on the bite.

Bonito were caught around Montague Island and further out to the Kink, while a couple of albacore were caught at the Kink on Saturday, but still no sign of the elusive kingfish.

The fishing club is going to be busy over the next few weeks as we lead in to Christmas.

The week after next is our Christmas party, as well as the December bottom fisher’s competition.

Next Saturday the hall will be used by Narooma Marine Rescue for their Christmas party

Call in each Friday evening to enjoy the hospitality of the club. The bar is open from 4.30pm and we look forward to seeing you there!

- Terry Vincent

Paxevenos: Cod season opens

The first of December sees Murray cod season open in NSW and the ACT, and for the keener freshwater anglers targeting the impoundments it can seem like a race for the best spots.

Big old Lake Burrinjuck, which is fed by large rivers such as the Murrumbidgee, Yass and Goodradigbee Rivers, is a classic example, but put the word race into the quest for big Murray cod in any impoundment and you’re starting off on the wrong foot.  These fish can take many days to catch, even when conditions are perfect.

Many people also ask me where my secret spots are…well they aren’t that secret: large rocky outcrops, single overhanging rocks, or big snags with less other snags about are the go.  You just have to work them over slowly and methodically, from afar (long casts), and without making too much noise on the bank or in your boat.

Once you’ve worked one spot, try the next, and be prepared to go home empty handed.  This holds true in other big fish lakes such as Googong, Blowering and Lake Burley Griffin.

Good lures include deep divers, chatter baits, rattlin raps, surface walkers and spinner baits.  I sometimes sweeten my lure with a yabby for extra effect where possible.

Please let cod go, especially the big ones, you are very likely to catch a few golden perch along the way, and these are a much more sustainable fish to take for the table.

Meanwhile on the coast there is some easy surf fishing for good sized salmon and tailor in the gutters and adjacent to deep headlands.  Metal lures and pilchards are best, especially if fished in the lead up to the high tide. If you need any more pointers on how to get stuck into these fish, e-mail at robpax@netspeed.com.au

SAFETY COMES FIRST

With the big increase of people hitting the water over the next month or two, I must STRESS that mobile phones and spot devices DO NOT take the place of an emergency beacon in a distress situation. 

An emergency beacon is the only way of guaranteeing your distress signal and position is received quickly and accurately by search and rescue, especially if it is GPS enabled.

An EPRIB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) is required by law for anglers heading offshore in many instances, check the boating regulations in each state you intend to visit.  I carry one even where not required by law-the ocean can turn dangerous quickly even when you’re well prepared.

The smaller PLB’s, or personal locator beacons, are typically not required by law, but are increasingly being carried by anglers, myself included, who are bush walking, four wheel driving, kayaking, mountain biking etc into remote areas.  For more information on EPRIBS and PLBS visit www.gme.net.au

 See you on the water

Rob Paxevanos