It’s coming up to big bream season and the estuaries are a highlight at the moment. The fish are about seeking out the warmth on the flats and there is not much boat traffic around.
From the Narooma Ocean Hut Compleat Angler we hear that Mark “Hippie” Carradus scored a nice little amberjack among plenty of tailor, salmon, trevally, bream and a few flathead from Wagonga Inlet. Corunna meanwhile was quiet maybe because it continues to get heavy netting pressure.
Out wide there’s been more bonito at Montague Island and also off the rocks down at Bermagui, while there have been some reports of big snapper in deeper water off Tuross and the 12-Mile as these reds swim north on their migration. There have also been some good squid off the rocks.
Graham up at Tackle World Moruya reports the Moruya River has also seen some good bream sessions this week mainly on Cranka Crabs fishing the rockwall down the front of the system and the bridge pylons up the top. The weedy flats across from preddys wharf have been producing bream also.
There has been some large whiting hanging around the sand flats at the bridge but have been extremely hard to tempt on both live bait and lures. Flathead are still being caught around the sandy edges of the channels on both bait and soft plastics.
In the Tuross River, whiting have been caught around the sand flats at the front of the system with freshly pumped nippers proving to be the most productive bait. A lot of average size flathead are being caught at the front of the boatshed on both bait and soft plastics. The oyster racks are producing some great bream early in the morning.
The beaches have slowed down a little bit compared to last week but they are still producing some good salmon. The odd whiting, bream and flathead are also being caught on worms and pillies. The rocks at both Moruya Heads and South Broulee are still fishing well for squid. Schools of salmon and tailor are also hanging around in both of these areas.
Green toads have been terrorising anglers the past few weeks with soft plastics chewed to bits and line bitten off. Some rat kings have been caught just off Pedro Point Moruya but have just fallen short of the 65cm legal length. Some big kings are out and about at Montague with a 22kg model speared last week. Some pan sized reds are coming in just off Pedro Point and drifting the windsock beach with bait is still producing good numbers of flathead.
Fishers are being reminded that the annual zero bag limit closure for Australian bass and estuary perch from all rivers and estuaries commenced on May 1. Catch and release fishing for Australian bass or estuary perch is permitted in rivers but fish must be returned to the water immediately.
Also, the annual trout spawning season fishing rules now apply to the Thredbo River and its tributaries and the Eucumbene River and its tributaries, upstream of the Lake Eucumbene dam wall and including Providence Portal. A minimum size limit of 50cm, daily bag limit of one and possession limit of two trout will apply to these rivers from May 1 to the end of the Queen’s Birthday long weekend on Monday, June 12.
NSGFC report: A great weekend thanks to the organizers of the oyster festival. The fabulous fireworks display Friday night viewed from the clubhouse back deck was a treat enjoyed by the members and guests. Great response for our 'Saturday Oyster Festival Cafe' at the Narooma Sport and Gamefishing clubhouse with the ladies cooking and serving delicious Devonshire teas and assorted cakes and slices.
The casting competition was well attended with several adults trying to show off their skills and even our esteemed newspaper journalist having a go, but the prize went to young 7-year-old Scarlet Leone. She took home a fishing rod and reel and we hope to see many more young ladies having a go next time. The boys also tried, but no winners!
Earlier in the week thanks to Les Waldock and his boat some of us older boys went out to the island chasing the ever elusive kingfish, but only caught an undersized one. We did catch several bonito and I may add this was a first for me. As usual the Narooma Sport and Gamefishing club rooms, situated on the inlet near the restaurants, will be open for drinks and snacks from 4pm till 9pm on Friday. Visitors most welcome. – Jan Hemmingsen
Stan Gorton
Walkley-nominated journalist based at The Islander on Kangaroo Island with an interest in the local community and the environment.
Walkley-nominated journalist based at The Islander on Kangaroo Island with an interest in the local community and the environment.
