Fishing report Far South Coast NSW | May 25

Young charter skipper Nick Cowley reports kingfish have been quiet last week at Montague with only a couple fish each trip, but things seems to be improving after the full moon with 10 plus kingies last weekend with the biggest a fat fish around 85cms.

“Hopefully the big 10kg models we had been seeing turn up again soon! Few gummy sharks starting to make an appearance managing a nice 8kg fish on last Saturday’s trip while flattie fishing, it's coming Into that time of year for tuna, we went for a look out wide mid week and did see some 40-50kg yellowfin tuna busting up but unfortunately didn't manage a bite, still early in the season and hopefully we have a good run on yellowfin the next month or so then leading into bluefin tuna.”

Nick’s latest report from Sunday is as follows: “The weekend saw improvement in the kingfish at Montague island with Saturday keeping around a dozen kingfish and leaving them biting to chase a feed of reef fish, jigs working well and with the best fish in the mid 80cm range although the majority of fish in 65-75cm range, tougher going today only finding 4-5 legal Kingies although the seals made it tough going still plenty of bonito around along with a feed of reef fish and flatties!

“Out wide Tuna remain very quiet with next to no fish caught today with 57 boats fishing out of Bermi in the Canberra yellowfin comp, water remains green and lots of current out wide, will update if any changes as the first chance of yellowfin tuna and we will be out there!”

Thanks Nick!

Bermi Bait & Tackle staff member Kevin Facey got his bag of legal kings on Wednesday at Montague, with a few bonito and snapper mixed in amongst them. All fish were taken on livies however jigs have been producing lately too.

Graham from Tackle World Moruya has sent in his excellent report. On the Moruya River, as the cooler months roll in so do the clear waters and downsizing your leader is a must for those finicky fish.

The southern rockwall is fishing well for bream at the moment and again the Cranka Crab will be sure to see you boat a few. The perch are still on the bite around the bridge early morning and late afternoon. The Jackson range of surface lures are working extremely well.  Baits such as worms, prawns and blue bait are also catching plenty. Some decent flathead are being caught drifting the channels with most baits and soft plastics.

On the Tuross River, whiting have been hanging around on the sand flats at high tide and live nippers and worms have been doing very well. A run in tide has been producing some good bream rolling the ProLure range of D36 crank baits over the flats and drop-offs. A few big flathead and jewies have been caught in the deep channel along the front of the boatshed on live bait such as poddy mullet and also on 140mm squidgies in both fish and wriggler.

Rocks and beaches have seen the salmon have started to slow down a little but there are still a few being caught.  Early morning, late afternoon and the change of tide are the key times. Bream have been fishing well off the beach and rocks on mullet fillet and peeled prawns. Drummer have been caught off the stones out at Bingi with crab and peeled prawns working well. Squid are still on the bite around south heads and also south Broulee.

Offshore, some good sized snapper have been caught on the full moon last week around the Congo area. Flicking plastics around the bombie's at Pedro Point and Congo area should produce some reds. Plenty of small kingfish have been caught around Montague with a few arm stretching 20kg models thrown in as well. The flathead along North Head beach are still biting.  Squid, pillys and prawns on a paternoster rig is catching good numbers this week.

Bermagui Country Club Social Anglers – A very successful weekend fishing competition for members of the Bermagui Country Club Social Anglers’ Club resulted in a win for onshore Robert Brown and offshore Ian Reid.  A wet and rainy Friday did not deter the enthusiasm of members who also enjoyed the barbecue at the Club on Sunday.  A contribution of fish cakes made by Ian added to the pleasure.  Quietly accepting the raffle prize was Elaine.  A big thank you to the cooks of the day with notice that our next fishing weekend is June 16-18, which will be a casserole luncheon. AGM on the Sunday. – HOOKED