Thankfully there are lots of fish on the chew in our estuaries as poor conditions limit returns outside. They include the ever present tailor and trevally, some good dusky flathead as well as bream and some breeding snapper.
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Soft plastics or burley and pilchards are the way to go. Good whiting respond to hard plastics and poppers on the flats in Merimbula Lake and at Mogareeka. Blue swimmer crabs are abundant in Merimbula and Pambula lakes.
Water temperatures at the offshore reefs have risen a little with the East Australian current flow now closer to the coast, however anglers are still reporting lots of chew-offs due to couta. There are even reports of schools of oceanic green toads (smooth golden puffer fish) in the warmer areas near Bithry Inlet and even more cut-offs!
Patches of morwong and snapper remain about our local reefs. As usual, best bait is pilchards. Ocean flathead have quietened down due to the cooler water. Some good flathead catches are coming from 14 fathoms off Cowdroys, north of Kianinny. Salmon remain patchy, probably best around Bournda Island and Short Point. For beach fishers try Haycock.
At the Merimbula Fishing Platform squid are plentiful again together with the occasional salmon and kingfish. Of interest is the arrival of bonito and more unusual; some small samson fish - a few being transferred by anglers to the Merimbula Aquarium.
The Merimbula Big Game & Lakes Angling Club’s next major event is the Caltex Merimbula Snapper Classic on May 27-28. For details contact Chris Young 0417 114 275. With the waters cooling snapper are moving up from the south and now coming onto the bite. We look forward to a very exciting tournament.
The club is open every Friday evening from 6.30pm. Visitors are welcome. Come and enjoy the fishing report, the ambience, friendship and lovely views with very competitive bar prices. Darragh Reynolds is your scheduled host. All inquires to John McKay on 0427 639 585. Membership applications and everything you need to know about local fishing is on the club’s website www.mbgalac.com.au.