Keep your eyes peeled for Recfishwest’s Tip of the week, see below!
Your Fishing Photos
Picture: Riley with his first dhufish caught off Jurien Bay, great job Riley!
If you want to see yourself or your kids feature in our weekly state-wide Fishing Reports, send your best fishing photos and a description to bronte@recfishwest.org.au
Tip of the week banner images courtesy of Shutterstock Ruggiero Scardigno, Smiltena & Garry L.
Kununurra Catches
Picture: First time barramundi fisherman, Nick Bartholomew with a very well fed saltwater barramundi caught while fishing with Northbound Charters (Photo courtesy of Northbound Charters).
Shore based
With cooler nights upon us camping is a must. The Pentecost River has still been producing good numbers of barramundi caught on surface lures throughout the night.
Lake Kununurra
Still receiving mixed reports out of Lake Kununurra, generally, those who are putting in the time are reaping the rewards with a few good fish for an afternoon session being boated. Flicking mid ranged lures around the weed beds and structure is where the fish are hiding.
Broome Catches
Picture: Billfish are on most fishers’ bucket lists. If you are fortunate enough to catch one, ideally you would want to remove the hooks and swim it next to your boat rather than lifting it on board for a photo. This will maximise its chances of survival and is best practice when it comes to fish welfare.
Boats
Sailfish have started to turn up in big numbers west of Cable Beach and at the Willie Lumps. Pete Nielsen, of Broome Tackle World, encountered five dozen sailfish in small schools during a single session last week but found the majestic sportfish to be reluctant to strike at their offerings while they were feeding on masses of small baitfish. Spanish mackerel in 15kg to 30kg range have been responding to trolled rigged garfish and minnow-style lures. Nice catches of blue lined emperor, coral trout and rankin cod have been coming from 20m to 30m of water. The bigger boats and charter operators continue to do well on red emperor and saddletail seaperch out wide.
Shore based
The water flowing in the Fitzroy River is slowly clearing and with the improved water clarity has been an increase in barramundi catches at Telegraph Pool andLangis Crossing. Cherabin are still about in excellent numbers and there are a few mud crabs also being picked up in the system as well as in the local creeks. Bluenose and the occasional threadfin salmon have been caught in the creeks. Queenfish and varieties of trevally are striking at soft plastic and hard-bodied at Cable Beach and Roebuck Bay.
Exmouth Catches
Picture: @Coitourdoors is loving his little Saltiga/Metal Witch combo on which he caught this rankin cod. Thanks for sharing!
Boats
Billfish enthusiasts have been using a variety of methods including trolled skirted lures, switch baits and fly to catch black marlin off the west coast. Dolphin fish and varieties of tuna have also been encountered out wide. Spanish mackerel have been caught in better numbers south of Tantabiddi. Good catches of red emperor, rankin cod, spangled emperor and goldband jobfish have been picked up in 60m to 120m of water. Poppers and stick baits have been working well on queenfish and trevally in VLF Bay.
Shore based
Spangled emperor and bluebone have started to be caught in better numbers along the west coast. VLF Bay and Oysters are producing big queenfish and some nice size giant and gold spotted trevally. Squid can be caught at the marina and Learmonth Jetty, especially during an incoming tide. Good numbers of blue swimmer crabs are being picked up in the gulf.
Kalbarri Catches
Picture: As winter approaches more and more fishers start to plan their northern fishing trips with weather and fishing conditions improving from Kalbarri (Photo courtesy of Kalbarri Offshore & Angling Club).
Boats
Spanish mackerel have been found in shallower waters but the 8kg to 15kg fish are not in big numbers. Yellowfin and longtail tuna, which were encountered in a range of depths north and south of the river mouth, responded well to trolled bibbed minnows and skirted lures. Red emperor and dhufish to 65cm were picked up out wide while, in closer, there have been some nice catches of baldchin groper and pink snapper.
Shore based
Surf fishing guru Rob Tang landed a superb spanish mackerel on a popper from a shore based location north of the river mouth. Some nice catches of mulloway and pink snapper have also been caught from the northern beaches. A 33kg mackerel was caught on a balloon at Wagoe recently. Tailor and mulloway have been caught from Red Bluff, Wittecarra and Frustrations. Wayne Dewar, of Kalbarri Sports and Dive caught and released 30 black bream averaging 30cm near Dance Floor last Tuesday. Mud crabs continue to be picked up in good numbers.
Geraldton Catches
Picture: Fishing at the Abrolhos has been rewarding fishers with some great coral trout catches (Photo courtesy of Geraldton and Districts Offshore Fishing Club).
Boats
Spanish mackerel and tuna have mostly been caught from the waters north of town. Dhufish and pink snapper have been picked up near African Reef while the ground between 10 and 15 miles northwest of the marina has also been producing fair catches of the latter species as well as baldchin groper and sweetlip. Reef fishing at the Abrolhos Islands has been rewarding with plenty of dhufish, pink snapper, coral trout and baldchin groper being caught near Southern Group.
Shore based
Some nice catches of tailor and the odd mulloway have been coming from the Flat Rocks to Greenough River stretch. Dhufish are also a chance along the deep holes there at this time of the year. The first and second points at Greenough have tailor, herring, pike and mulloway on offer. Black bream and yellowfin whiting can be caught at the lower and middle reaches of the river. There are still a few mulloway in the 10kg to 20kg category being caught at the back of The Lives. Bread and butter species, including squid can be targeted at the local rock walls. Pink snapper, mulloway and dhufish are a chance from the reefs north of Drummonds Cove.
Esperance Catches
Picture: Mitch with a nice kingy caught on a stick bait
Boats
Southern bluefin tuna to 10kg were encountered inshore together with plenty of sand whiting and squid. Jigs have been working well on nannygai, samson fish and breaksea cod near the islands and wider. Try the ground south-west of town for bigger pink snapper and yellowtail kingfish.
Shore based
A nice mix of herring, garfish, skippy and squid can be caught at the Taylor Street Jetty while Bandy Creek has black bream to 35cm, herring and skippy. Salmon were caught at Salmon Beach, Fourth Beach, Eleven Mile, Fourteen Mile and Stockyards. Dunns, Fourteen Mile and Poison Creek produced mulloway between 6kg and 8kg and gummy sharks.
Albany Catches
Picture: Sambos are a common catch in Albany but still enjoyed by the locals (Photo courtesy of Andrew Jarvis).
Boats
The southern side of Princess Royal Harbour is fishing better for King George whiting than Oyster Harbour. Boat limits of King George were achieved in these waters at the weekend. Squid catches have been slowly improving and there seems to be a fair amount of other bread and butter species, including herring, sand whiting, flathead and skippy around. Reef fishing enthusiasts scored reasonable catches of red, pink and queen snapper as well as harlequin fish and samson fish along the coral. Mulloway catches dropped in the King and Kalgan rivers. Black bream are responding well to baits and lures in both systems as well as in Oyster Harbour.
Shore-based
Salmon appeared in their biggest concentrations along the beaches this season. Surf fishers enjoyed terrific sessions on 3kg to 8kg fish right along the coast with Bluff Creek, Cheyne Beach, Nanarup, Cables, Mutton Bird and Shelley Beach among the spots where the popular fish were being pulled through the shore breaks by their dozens. Plenty of big herring are also around and there are more and more skippy showing up along the coast.
South West Catches
Picture: Along the south coast you can find so many bays that are perfect for beach fishing. Hillier Bay, near Denmark, is a popular one for both herring and salmon.
Boats
Minnow-style lures trolled along the bays and off the headlands on the west coast and in Geographe Bay are working well on the salmon schools that are frequenting the area. Bonito and small southern bluefin tuna are occasionally being caught along both sides of Cape Naturaliste, however the spanish mackerel that were being encountered up until a few weeks ago seem to have moved on. Pink snapper appear to be occupying the Four Mile and Eight Mile reef systems in good numbers. The crews who targeted reef fish at the weekend found dhufish, pink snapper and breaksea cod in depths starting at 20m off Canal Rocks and Cowaramup Bay. Squid catches have been increasing along the seagrass beds off Quindalup.
Shore based
Surf fishers have been scoring plenty of salmon right along the west coast and throughout Geographe Bay. Spots that produced salmon this past week included Injidup, Smiths Beach, Bunker Bay, Castle Rock, Eagle Bay and Meelup Bay. Most of the salmon that were caught were healthy fish that struck varieties of lures and whole fish baits with conviction. Herring are about in good numbers and there are some nice skippy and tarwhine also around the reef areas.
Mandurah & Surrounds
Picture: Squid are coming out of Safety Bay in good numbers with this great catch sent in by Bilbs Chandler.
MANDURAH
Herring and the odd salmon along with a few tailor have been caught along the beaches south of Mandurah. Reports from local fishers indicate that Avalon Beach and Roberts Point are the best spots to try for salmon from the beach with some good sized fish being caught. The Cut has been producing some nice salmon from the ocean end for anglers casting unweighted mulies. Tailor catches in the area are down but odd ones are still being caught from time to time. Tarwhine, tailor and herring, and a few whiting and skippy for variety, have been caught from the beaches around the Cut at Dawesville.
SECRET HARBOUR / PORT KENNEDY / WARNBRO / ROCKINGHAM / SAFETY BAY
The Rockingham jetties are still producing herring, garfish and squid and peple fishing out from Safety Bay are reported to be catching some good King George whiting and snook. Trollers are still catching an odd tailor or two on the north side of the causeway. Coventry reef fired up last week but not with big numbers of fish. Mulloway are still being taken from the jetties around the area. Reports indicate lots of herring along the beaches in the last week with good bags being reported right through from Shoalwater around to Long Point. The weed beds out from the local boat ramps have also been producing good numbers of herring. Berley is still the key to bringing the fish in. Larger tailor have been taken from the reefs in the area salmon are still being taken in numbers from all beaches and fishing platforms in the area.
Metro Catches
Picture: Salmon are still hanging around the metro area with plenty of boats getting amongst the salmon action! Thanks to Matt Snell for sharing his photo.
Boats
Salmon are still about the Carnac Island to Stragglers area, however the 3kg to 7kg fish are picking the days when they are actively striking at baits and lures. Salmon schools have also been appearing off Cottesloe, City Beach and Scarborough. Good catches of pink snapper have been achieved along the eastern and western edges of Five Fathom Bank and along Three Mile Reef. Crews who visited the barges in 90m to 110m of water west of Rottnest Island have been catching samson fish in the 15kg to 30kg range. Dolphin fish are still hanging around the Fish Aggregating Devices and there are varieties of tuna between the devices. Yellowtail kingfish have been found in small schools off West End and Parker Point. Squid are still about the seagrass meadows off Fremantle and there are plenty of sand whiting near the shipping channel and deep sand holes.
Shore based
Shore based fishers may not be getting among as many salmon as their seagoing counterparts, however they have been picking up a few at spots that include Palm Beach Jetty, the Ammo Jetty, Woodman Point, Bathers Beach, South Mole, North Mole and along the Leighton to Floreat stretch. Small shoals of fish seem to have taken up temporary residence at the coastal reefs at Cables, Cottesloe and Grant Street. Unweighted soft plastic lures have sometimes been enticing strikes from salmon when they are unaroused. Herring can be caught at the metropolitan rock walls and jetties and there are a few garfish turning up at Palm Beach Jetty, Woodman Point and South Mole. Squid have been picked up from the rocks that line the Fishing Boat Harbour, especially in the evenings. Black bream enthusiasts recommend hard-bodied lures and soft plastics near the causeway and Ascot area early morning.
Technical Rating: Novice
Often one of the last pieces of fishing gear to be considered for an outing is fish landing gear and in particular nets. Gaffs are used largely for landing fish whether from a boat or fishing from rocks but they rarely can be used with enough care and precision without seriously injuring fish. Gaffs are really only appropriate for fish which are to be kept for the table or for really large fish which cannot fit into a net. In that case they should be carefully hooked in the lower jaw or ideally left in the water if possible to unhook and release. For fish in the mid-range which cannot be lifted directly with the rod but are small enough to fit, a landing net should be used to reduce stress and damage to a fish which is to be released.
Australian salmon are a good example of a fish in this category, growing to significant size not to be lifted directly but a nice size to slip into a landing net. Not all landing nets are created equal with some cheaper versions causing more damage to a fish than good. Fine rope nets are stiff and have hard and sharp edges which are damaging to fish scales, slime, eyes and fins. A variety of knotless mesh nets are available using materials and designs which do not catch on delicate fish parts and are the ideal net to use for releasing fish.
If you liked this tip, check out our ‘Landing our Future’ article here.
