This fits perfectly with what happened at Narooma last week, according to Graham Cowley.
“Last week the snapper were not only big in size, they were also big in numbers,” he said.
For some reason, maybe water temperature, the snapper were on in a big way.
And to rub salt into the wounds, all around Montague Island the kingfish were likewise in big numbers and also big in size.
“Metre-long kingfish were small and the average size was a metre and a half and most anglers were smashed off by these fish,” Graham said.
For those unfamiliar with the bar at Narooma, be warned — it can be unforgiving for those who are unskilled in boat handling.
I have seen many a boat come to grief attempting to cross the entrance, both leaving and entering.
When it’s too rough to cross, there is still good fishing on the lake.
Large flathead, bream and blackfish can be caught around the oyster leases and other structures.
Coincidentally, Graham’s son Nicholas has an interesting job.
He tends the high-tech drum nets for the NSW Government.
These are used to protect swimmers on the South Coast.
When a shark is hooked, it is registered, tagged and then towed offshore where it is released.
The drum net is then replaced and reset.
According to Nicholas, the majority of sharks being caught are great whites; mostly juvenile, but still big enough to be a menace.
By the way, in case you didn’t catch it, it is the 40th anniversary of the release of the film Jaws.
Just coincidence, I would imagine.
Down south at Eden, John Liddell said the boys from Freedom Charters were catching snapper and morwong from Boyd’s Lookout to Green Cape near the Victorian border.
“There were some early signs of bluefin tuna starting to move up from the south, but the northern yellowfin tuna were still scarce and kingfish were also around,” John said.
The Australian National Sportfishing Association reports from Rod Lawn at Queenscliff were about the same as last week, with pinky-sized snapper on the inshore reefs off Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads, and even on some of the reefs inside the heads.
But these were the small, resident fish, not the big breeders, which are still a couple of months from moving in.
Rod said there were flathead on the sandy stretches between the reefs.
Western Port Bay is fishing well around Hastings, as well as at Cowes and San Remo.
Pinky snapper, gummy sharks, flathead and leatherjacket are providing the action.
Freshwater fishing around our region sees plenty of cod, yellowbelly and some redfin biting in the Goulburn, as well as in the dams.
Eildon is probably the best, with the river arms fishing the best.
The Hume is providing redfin, while Waranga Basin and Nillahcootie are also worth a try.
Dartmouth is fishing well for trout.
But remember, Macquarie perch are now fully protected and must be released.
There is also Lake Mulwala, which is in NSW, so you will need a licence from that state not only to fish, but also a boat licence as well.
Fishing in the Murray also needs a NSW licence.
The trout season for most rivers and streams is now in force.
Details are in the Victorian Recreational Fishing Handbook.
Stay safe and happy fishing.
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