The weekend of 9-11 June, Merimbula Big Game and Lakes Angling Club’s annual Open Yellowfin Tournament will be in action.  This is a very popular event and sees a significant tourist influx into the town.  

Latest news from DPI is that Merimbula’s artificial reef will be placed at the head of Merimbula Bay in August.  The reef will be constructed from two steel towers, similar to structures already in use off the West Australian coast. These purpose built reef towers are an impressive 12.5m high or the same size as a four storey building!  As well as its height, each reef tower weighs a massive 70 tonnes and is 10m long and 7.8m wide.  

Reef towers were specifically designed to attract an array of pelagic top-water fish in a similar way to FADs. The lattice-like steel upper part of the reef will provide structure and concentrate small baitfish, attracting predatory pelagics such as kingfish and possibly tuna. The purpose built design will also allow demersal species like snapper, morwong and gummys to shelter amongst the large base structure with its various shapes, crevasses and vertical profile.

Catches of morwong and snapper continue to reward anglers off our local reefs such as Long Point and Haycock.  Other active reef areas include White Rock out from Kianinny, Horeshoe, Lennards Island, North Head, Boyds Tower and Mowarry.  Try around the 14 fathom mark.  Beside the reefs gummy sharks are active, liking the full moon.  Gummys are best attracted using bottom burley.  Ocean flathead have become a little patchy at the usual spots off Bithrys, Bournda Island and Tura Headland.  Good salmon are gracing Tura Beach as well as Aslings at Eden. 

At the Merimbula Fishing Platform there has been a late run of luderick which has entertained a few of the locals all using artificial weed.  After dark some excellent Calamari squid respond to slow sinking jigs. 

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.  With the Bega River closed fishing the best place to try is at Mogareeka. 

The Club is open every Friday evening commencing 6.30 pm.  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