Striped and blue marlin have arrived off Merimbula and Eden and local temperatures up to 24 degrees have been recorded in the East Australian Current. So far the marlin are a bit shy with only a couple of hook-ups reported. Good size dorado (mahi mahi) in the 20-40kg range are providing excitement near the FADs. Deep drop bottom fishing along the edge of the shelf is returning ling, ocean perch and some harpuka.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
With the full moon gummy shark (flake) are back on the menu and some lovely fish have been taken near the reefs beside the regular flathead grounds. Gummies respond to a burley trail and can’t pass a fresh slimy. For bottom droppers the main catch remains ocean flathead. Good size sand flathead are plentiful in the area off the Tura Beach Golf Club, Tura Headland and Bournda, try 18 to 20 fathoms.
The barracouta plague seems to be passing and some snapper and a few morwong are reported from the Horseshoe Reef area past Haycock and at White Rock from Kianinny. Salmon are patchy, probably best at Haycock Beach, although some very large fish have been taken spinning from boats off Boyd’s Tower near Eden.
At the wharves; frigate mackerel and slimy mackerel continue to provide lots of fun for both locals and visitors together with a few squid. Best time for squid is early morning and evening to night. The larger squid are being taken with bait presented on or beneath a metal spike jig. Luderick are on the prowl being taken now, mainly on artificial weed. Best time is early morning on their way out or evening as the fish return from their days outing.
Bream and now trevally are both active around the oyster racks; here soft plastics are the way to go. The lakes are holding lots of mullet which are a delight to catch for juniors using a small float and prawn bait. Keep them excited with bread burley. Tailor remain on the bite and trolling small bibbed lures is the best option.
Trevally are very plentiful in the Merimbula front lake and are very responsive to a cubed piece of pilchard. Good whiting are being taken on worms off Fishpen during the run out. The Bega River remains closed. With high temperatures and lack of salt water many of the fish are quite stressed. They should be handled very carefully during catch and release.
Presentation of the Gala Monster Fresh Fish Auction proceeds of $3200 will be made on Friday evening to the Merimbula Rural Fire Brigade at the Clubhouse Spencer Park. The Merimbula Big Game & Lakes Angling Club is open every Friday evening commencing 6.30 pm. Visitors are very welcome. Everything you need to know about local fishing is on the club’s website www.mbgalac.com.au.
