FISHING REPORT JANUARY WEEK 3 2024
790 mm dusky flathead caught off the bank at Tathra. Big girl released to be caught another day.
First, I would like to thank Chris Young for his many years of fishing article writing. Happy retirement Chris.
Outside inshore is fishing very well. With good numbers of sand and tiger flathead in depths of 40 to 60 metres, all the way along the coast from Tathra down to Leonards Island. The odd gummy shark and flying gurnard are also being caught in those depths. Best baits are salmon and mackerel fillets.
The waters inshore have cooled a bit this week and the reefs are fishing well, with good numbers of morwong and some large nannygai and fewer snapper, at only pan size. The Horsheshoe reef and Leonards Island are the best areas to fish. There are plenty of slimy mackerel to be found at the Haycock reef system, so get out and stock up on bait supplies while they are around.
Game fishing is starting to come to life with MBGLAC Inc. club member, Tyrone O’Connor, tagging our first marlin for the year north of Tathra. The water is good at around 22 degrees on the shelf, but the current is strong and heading south. The best water is between Ulladulla and Batemans Bay at the moment.
Our estuaries should be firing, with the prawning tides being low at daylight. So, fresh prawns or nippers should be great bait for the dusky flathead, trevally, bream and whiting. Merimbula Lake and Bega River are the standout systems. Merimbula Wharf is producing some nice blackfish early mornings and dusk daily. For those squid enthusiasts, these are still around the Wharf also.
Salmon can be found on most beaches and the odd tailor early mornings. Best caught while fishing the rising tide with pilchard baits. Casting on the edges, of the white water, in the deeper gutters with shiner lures of around 40g will also produce some good catches. Salmon can also be found trawling around the headlands at a speed of around 6 knots, using 75mm skirted lures.
Coming events for fishos to look out for are the Dusky challenge, February 10th and 11th and the Brogo Big Bass February 23rd -25th. Check out the details on the website at mbglac.com.au.
In closing, the MBGLAC clubrooms at Spencer Park are open at 6pm every Friday for members and guests to come down, for a bevvy, some nibbles, a great chat, and fabulous raffles supported by Goodalls Butchers, Merimbula.
Fishy Fellow