With the moon full, now is the time to target gummy shark (flake).  Best locations are along the reef edges; Horseshoe, Haycock, Long Point and White Rock.   Anchor and use a burley bomb (these fish are bottom feeders).  Gummies like slimy mackerel and pilchards but go ape over hermit crabs and small crabs. Try the new soft plastic crabs that are now locally available.  

Morwong and snapper remain about the reefs with some exceptional size morwong again reported from the Haycock Reef.  Both soft plastics and pilchard baits are very effective.   Flathead are patchy but remain our staple with catches reported all along the coast from the Horsehoe Reef area to north of Tathra. 

Salmon remain patchy, we have reports of salmon and tailor at evening time from Tura Beach near Bournda Island and the entrances of Pambula Lake and Womboyn.  As noted by Al McGlashin in Friday’s Daily Telegraph of  August 4; “their numbers have dwindled since NSW Fisheries allowed open netting for the species for nothing more than low grade trap bait.”  It’s a pity fisheries did not follow the SA example where netting is banned “as their value is much greater for recreational angling”.

The DPI is asking for submissions on the location of the new artificial reef to be built within Merimbula Bay in 2018.  The reef is likely to be constructed of up to 20 concrete modules or a steel tower.  It will have 20 metres of safe vessel clearance above the structure. The actual footprint area of the reef will be up to 320 square metres with modules that can weigh up to 25 tonnes each, deployed in a patch-like arrangement.  Situated 1,250m south of Long Point the proposed centre point of the artificial reef is 36° 54.867′ S, 149° 56.251′ E.

Recent rain should see better catches in the river mouth areas for the Bega River and Merimbula and Pambula Lakes. Most active at present are tailor.  Warmer waters can be found on the run-in near the estuaries’ entrances.  This brings in some large tailor and it is the time for trevally and bream over the shallows.  Nippers without a sinker or soft plastics will get results. 

The Merimbula Big Game & Lakes Angling Club’s presentation night is scheduled for this Saturday, August 12, at 6.30pm at the Wharf Restaurant.  The Club’s AGM is scheduled for Monday evening 7pm,  August 14.

The club in Spencer Park is open every Friday evening from 6.30pm.  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.  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!