Fishing Australia

TROUT STREAMS CLOSED

Declared trout streams and rivers in NSW and the ACT closed a few weeks ago and remain closed until the long weekend in October. All Trout fishing is currently confined to the lakes and dams  Please visit the Department of Primary Industries website at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/info/closures for more information on trout fishing rules and closures.

It’s a little harder to find fish in these large bodies of water but it can still be very rewarding. Last week, I spoke about the benefits of sight fishing when it is calm and sunny, but some of the more relaxed methods are also producing a few trout in our main fisheries; Lake Jindabyne and Lake Eucumbene.

Two such methods at this time of the year are bait fishing from the banks, and trolling. When trolling, be sure to place your lure a long distance out. This means a minimum of 50 metres but some anglers will go up to 100 metres behind the boat.

There are theories as to why this works so well, but I believe the main reason at this time of year is that the fish are up very high in the water column and are more easily spooked by boats. In such scenarios, keeping your lure a longer distance from the boat gives the trout a better chance to find your lure before sensing the boat.

As for bait fishing, Powerbait and wood grub cocktails or Powerbait and Scrub worm cocktails, seem to work exceptionally well at this time of year. The term ‘cocktail’ refers to having a mix of bait on one hook.

Traditionally fish are keener to take a bait at night during the Winter months but anglers have found the first and last two hours of day light to be much more productive over recent weeks. Whilst most fish caught have been healthy rainbows between 1 and 5 pounds, the odd brown trout has also turned up.

REEF AND SURF

I’ve had numerous reports of good snapper fishing along the coast, and a few instances they have been following floating cuttlefish right in close to the shore. A few anglers have reported catching some quality kingfish over 85cm, whilst fishing plastics for snapper.  That's a very good by-catch for anyone, especially on light tackle.

On the beaches, the recent big seas have scooped out some magnificent big gutters. Such gutters are holding excellent numbers of salmon, tailor and even bream. And when things are working in your favour, there are some nice sharks to be caught as well, and if you are really lucky, you might even hook that elusive jewfish

INLAND

Well known local South Coast angler, Patrick Martin has been having a ball catching murray cod, but has had to travel further for best results.

If you are looking for a change of pace and don’t mind travelling, Lake Mulwala which is situated on the New South Wales/Victoria border is well worth a visit.  “Patto” found the murray cod and golden perch biting quite well over the last few weeks and this should continue for at least the next month or so.

Just remember the murray cod season closes on September 1st and re-opens December 1st of each year. Whilst not many large fish are being caught at the moment, Mulwala produces plenty of cod over a metre every year.

Most anglers fishing the lake are catching multiple fish per outing casting spinner baits in the shallows. If you want to catch your first cod, then Mulwala is easily one of the best places to get started.

THE AMAZING CLYDE RIVER

This Saturday on FISHING AUSTRALIA, my team and I follow the Clyde River in Southern New South Wales from its source in the magnificent Budawang Mountains, right down to the sea.

In the process, I put a few different fishing techniques for catching bass, estuary perch, bream, flathead, and bonito to the test, as well as some high tech fishing gear on the bigger jewfish in the river.

But along with a few pleasant surprises along the way, the highlight of this episode for me, was the opportunity offered by the trip to explain why the pristine catchment of this grand river is so important to its current and future health as a fish habitat and marine ecology. This, combined with the fact that my oldest daughter Caitlin also catches her first jewfish, on a piece of carp!

I reckon this is one of FISHING AUSTRALIA's best shows and I hope you enjoy it as much as I've enjoyed putting it together.  Be watching this Saturday afternoon.

See our TV Schedule for exact on-air times in your area.

See you on the water.
Rob Paxevanos