Anglers in the Caltex Merimbula Snapper Classic last weekend were rewarded with some wonderful catches of great snapper along our local reefs, including Long Point, Haycock, Horseshoe, Lennards Island, North Head and as far down the coast as Disaster Bay.
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Most were taken by bait including pilchards, slimy mackerel and squid heads. Good returns came to those who anchored and burleyed and this method won the bag prize for the longest five fish.
Nevertheless, just as in the previous year, the winning fish, measuring 57.1cm from its head to the fork of its tail, was taken on soft plastic. Congratulations go to Team “Dripping Wet” Matthew Patrick and Stuart Pentin who claimed the $1000 cash first prize. Second prize; a $600 Tackle World voucher went to Steve Rankin of Team “Orange Ruffy” for a snapper measuring 54.5cm.
Team “Guardian” Chris Young, John McKay and Les Tudberry took the “bag of fish” prize of $400 cash at 232cm overall. In the junior section Nicholas Grobbelaar of team “Snap a Fish” took out first prize of $100 cash plus a Tackle World rod and reel combo.
Of note is that scoring is now based on measured length photographed on a DPI “brag measuring mat” allowing for catch and release.
Together with the snapper, morwong remain on the bite, but schools of voracious couta can make fishing difficult with tackle bitten off in the blink of an eye. Good ocean flathead can be taken well off Long Point and remain on the chew at the usual spots off Bithrys, White Rock, Bournda Island and Tura Headland.
At the Merimbula Fishing Platform, Australian salmon and tailor continue to provide excellent sport for locals and visitors. Best time is early morning. On occasion large schools of slimy mackerel shoal nearby and are a great bait fish.
Good trevally and tailor remain in Pambula Lake. In all the estuaries dusky flathead as well as trevally, tailor & bream can be found. Soft plastics or burley and pilchards are the way to go. Bega River is generally best for bream, however large schools of good quality bream are reported from Merimbula Top Lake.
The Merimbula Big Game & Lakes Angling Club’s annual Game Fishing event; the Merimbula Open Game Fishing Tournament, kicks off on June 10. Briefing and entries will be at the club on Friday, June 9, at 8pm.
The club is open every Friday evening. Visitors are very 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 enquires to John McKay on 0427 639 585. Website www.mbglac.com.au. Keep your rods bent!