Snapper and morwong are responding to both bait and soft plastics along our local reefs off Boyd’s Tower near Eden as well as the usual marks at Haycock, and Long Point near Merimbula and White Rock out of Kianinny.
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As shown, beautiful pan sized fish of 1-2Kg are on the chew. How do these compare to a magnificent 7.6Kg snapper taken in Port Phillip Bay? (recorded by club member Peter Haar). What is the difference between the Sapphire Coast and elsewhere?
Recent scientific studies, passed on to us by the DPI, confirm the observations of DPI fisheries officer Matt Proctor of Eden; that there are two genetically different snapper stocks off the Australian coast, where it was previously believed all snapper were part of a single stock.
The two stocks meet and mix around Eden. Mr Proctor considers local snapper to be plentiful but they tend to be smaller than those in Victoria or to the north that are of similar age. Our local snapper are older weight-for-age. This could mean that just like the long-lived orange roughy, they could be the best table fish.
Matt’s preferred fishing technique is to anchor and berley in waters of 30-40m adjacent to reef structures, in the zone he terms the “Snapper Highway”. Matt’s advice is to fish dawn and dusk with evening fishing his preference. Because of the depth he fishes, tides are not important. Only during high tide should one try closer in.
Ocean flathead remain tentative. Try all the usual flathead marks off Tura Beach, Bournda, White Rock, Kianinny and Bithry Inlet. Depths of 18 to 25 fathoms give results but large fish are few and far between. Watch out for voracious schools of Couta.
Tailor together with some bream, trevally and dusky flathead are active in the Merimbula Lake. At Pambula, summer fish like trevally and red bream have made an appearance. Schools of Australian salmon remain in the Broadwater. Fishing the beaches can bring good results and club member Graham Bywaters reports really great 3kg plus Australian salmon near Bournda Island.
At Mogareeka with the Bega River closed excellent angling is anticipated. Club member and kayak angler Herb Betar has reported a beautiful catch and release 84cm dusky flathead. Herb notes that the duskies are lying in deeper water than usual. A 94cm jewfish was also reported from the Mogareeka area.
The government sponsored “Gone Fishing Day” on Sunday 15 October passed successfully with anglers enjoying beautiful weather conditions and utilising DPI supplied fishing tackle distributed by the club. Anglers who have joined the national recreational fishing register are helping to build a bright and sustainable future for recreational fishing in Australia.
The Club’s annual trip for 2017 is on this coming weekend at the Wonboyn Lake Resort. This trip and its main feature the “Mex Williams Memorial Fishing Competition” is free and open to all comers. All prizes will be based on photographed length on a brag mat so catch and release is the game. Fishing is scheduled to start at 12 midday on Friday and will end at 6pm on Saturday. Enquiries Merrily Bell on 0427 011 074.
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. John McKay 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!