Now that the “secret” of daylight broadbill capture has been publicised and NSWGFA has allowed the use of braid, anglers can fish during daylight, probing the depths with fluro lit squid baits.

The Merimbula Big Game & Lakes Angling Club’s 25th Broadbill Swordfish and 5th Southern Bluefin Tournament starts this Friday, July 7.  Members of NSWGFA, GFAA and ANSA clubs can all compete with briefing scheduled for 7pm on Thursday, July 6,  at MBGLAC’s Spencer Park clubrooms in Merimbula. 

The event runs over two weekends from 7pm on Friday till 7am on Monday, July 7-10 and July 14-17.  Boats may leave from their own Ports, but must abide by the fishing boundaries which are due east of Goalen head 360 33”S and due east of the southern end of Disaster Bay to the south at 370 19”S. 

As for southern bluefin tuna, there are reports from Bermagui of fish up to 168kg.  Longliners talk of catches of more than 300 per set with fish of around 50kg, well out. 

Chinamen leatherjacket are moving southwards and it is quite a battle to get a rig to the bottom.  Good flathead are on the chew but it is a costly battle.  Try plastic coated multistrand stainless all the way, together with hard bodied plastics! 

Snapper and morwong remain about the reefs together with large Port Jackson sharks, all the way from White Rock near Kianinny to North Head off Eden.  Both soft plastics and pilchard baits are very effective.  Schools of couta can be a problem for reef fishers.

With the waters cooling, slimey mackerel have deserted the Merimbula Fishing Platform, though there are a few garfish.  Small whitebait are deadly for Gars.  A few salmon are about early and only an occasional squid. No sign yet of large kingfish.   Squid are still reporting from Tura headland though less than before.  Along the beaches some salmon are about and early on and at dusk good size tailor come on the chew.

The Merimbula Back Lake has cooled considerably to about 10 degrees and dusky flathead have really slowed down.  Now is the time for tailor with salmon expected.  In the front lake the run-in from the sea is about 5 degrees warmer and a great time for trevally and bream over the shallows on the last part of the tide.  Keep in mind the deeper channels stay cool. 

Reports from the Bega River, which remains open, include some large whiting along the shallows.  Best results when the wind ruffles the surface, try poppers and soft plastics.  Bream are better now further upstream on soft plastics. At Pambula; trevally, bream, tailor and good size mullet remain on the bite.

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 inquires to John McKay on 0427 639 585.  Membership Application, Membership Renewal and everything you need to know about local fishing is on the club’s website www.mbglac.com.au.  Keep your rods bent!