Fishing Australia

I am having a bit of a breather this week, so guest writer Michael van Diemen is filling in for me, and judging by the various reports I have cited his info is spot on, here’s Michael:

NEW RAINS BRING NEW LIFE

On the South Coast of New South Wales, Australian Bass catches have steadily increased after recent downpours of rain. Some good areas to try are the upper reaches of Cobargo, Tuross and Bega rivers along with Brogo dam which collected an astonishing 120mm of rain in a 24 hour period which boosted water levels from 10 to 38 per cent. Continued rain since has sent it overflowing!

This is an excellent time to be using surface lures at Brogo as the fish have moved into new feeding grounds around the freshly flooded margins.

For best results fish structure in low light with shallow divers or surface lures that create a decent amount of commotion.

Heavy rains have also provided south coast estuaries with a sorely needed boost of fresh water; however, this has caused sand to unsettle, mucking up water and making fishing difficult at times, but those who look for new spots and choose the right lures are getting results.

Bright and noisy surface or small diving lures are having the most success. Anglers fishing the shallows at Tuross and other popular south coast estuaries have had good catches of bream, whiting and the occasional snapper with hopper poppers, husky jerks and 6 cm long X raps.

Fly fisho’s have also had some success fishing for whiting at Lake Illawarra. Flies mimicking small prawns are working best on the run out tides.

At the time of writing most estuaries along the south coast had either opened naturally to sea or were opened by excavator.

SEEING RED

In Canberras urban lakes and out at Burrinjuck and Googong yellowbelly and cod are being reported by experienced anglers on most days.

Yabbies threaded onto a size 4 hook circle on a running sinker rig are irresistible to Murray cod. Trolling the deeper areas or casting into submerged timber with a ½ or 5/8 ounce spinnerbait or large diving lure is proving productive, especially in the morning and evening.

Redfin are still prevalent and can be targeted throughout the day. It is common place for anglers to have 20 plus fish sessions with some larger specimens to 35cm in the mix. Smaller curl tail soft plastics and ever faithful celtas are both dynamite.

RISE OF THE KING

A mixture of increasing warmer waters and baitfish has improved the catch rate of kingfish along the coastline. Many are holding deep, 40 – 50 meters, so use a heavily weighted jig, the Kabura Style Yabais are ideal, and make sure they hit the bottom before retrieving back up with a slow squid like motion.

Similar conditions have brought Bonito, Salmon Frigates and Trevally closer to shore and they have been caught regularly off the rocks and beaches along the south coast.

Frigates seem to return to their regular haunts each year like the wharf at Tathra, the ledges off Jervis Bay, Currarong Beach and more. Interestingly Rob reported that anglers were catching them off the coastal patrol jetty inside Port Kembla Boat, a tiny little spot where they chase whitebait up into just a few feet of water!

Anglers chasing snapper on lure along the coastline have had a lot of fun with these summer fish while waiting for the big reds to bite.

Further out bottom bouncing has accounted for some nice sized snapper to 80cm along the south coast, the reefs around 40 fathoms seem to be a popular choice with successful anglers.

MOUNTAIN LAKES

Lakes Jindabyne and Eucumbene are trolling well early in the morning for larger sized brown trout in 2 to 4 meters of water.  Hard bodied 5-7cm rapalas in natural trout colours are accounting for most fish.

Bait fishing with grubs worms and mudeyes under a bubble float has produced rainbows averaging just under a kilogram. Some popular spots to try are seven gates, anglers reach and cemetery point at Eucumbene.

Trout fishing can be a game of patience and quite often anglers will catch several fish in a short space of time and then nothing for the rest of the day. Trout can be fickle and have a set menu for the day so keep trying new baits or lures and more importantly fish periods of low light to increase your chances.

Michael van Diemen

Great report Michael, ta!

Rob Paxevanos