Members Robert Wilson and Riley Holley with a pair of 60 centimetre snapper caught on Saturday morning out the front of Merimbula.
Unfortunately another weekend of inclement weather for fishing however, those fishing during the week for flathead, have not been disappointed. Reports of quality sand and tiger flathead are still being caught between Turingal Head and Tura Heads, with flathead up to 40 centimetres in depths from 30 to 55 metres. I also had another report of flathead in 55 to 60 metres of water out off Short Point and down to Haycock. There are also odd flying gurnard and an odd small gummy shark in the mix. The water inshore off Merimbula is around 14 to 15 degrees.
The reefs are also fishing well as you can see from this week’s photo. An early start before the wind picked up and home by 9.30am. Rob’s fish went 605mm, which was his personal best and Riley’s went 590mm. They said they caught a number of pan-size models and only took a few home. There should be a few morwong for those that like drifting. Baits used were pilchards, squid and Australian salmon.
The beach fishing is still okay with a few salmon being caught off North Tura Beach, Tura Beach and Tathra Beach. My reports are coming from the lure casters. Tura Beach looks excellent for bait fishing at the bottom of Tura Beach Drive. The beach at the entrance to Wallagoot has filled up with sand after all the northeast swells this week, but it may be okay at the other end near Bournda Island.
The estuary fishing is still improving. Pambula River is still the pick of them with, I’m told, a good patch of salmon moving around the system. Odd bream, trevally, tailor and an occasional dusky flathead are being caught in the lake area and blades have been working very well. Merimbula has started to wake up with an odd tailor and trevally being caught around the bait schools, and there is a chance of a mulloway also. The Bega River is still patchy with an odd tailor and bream around the structured areas.
There has not been much gamefishing out of the Merimbula port this last week. Boats out of Batemans Bay and Bermagui have recorded a couple of captures. It’s just time on the water when the weather allows.
The trout fishing is still plugging along. The lakes are rising slowly, so they have been catching a few around the edges on lures and baits and also trolling deep divers, around 30 foot down. Just be careful if you’re going bank fishing. Check before driving down towards the water’s edge, as it is very boggy at the moment.
The Merimbula Big Game and Lakes Angling Club is open this Friday night from 6pm. Everyone is welcome to come on down to enjoy a cold bevvy and support the weekly raffle sponsored by Goodalls Butchers and the Bar Beach Kiosk. Come and catch up on the week’s fishing reports and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere.
Till next week.
Fishy Fellow