After a week of large, unsettled seas and not much fishing out at sea

On holidays in Merimbula, Manny caught this lovely dusky flathead fishing on the MBGLAC’s jetty at Spencer Park on the weekend.

After a week of large, unsettled seas and not much fishing out at sea, with winds stopping most people from even fishing in the estuaries, this week the weather is looking pretty good for most of the week.

The ocean flathead on Monday last week, before the weather came in, was very good.  The sand and tiger flathead were in good numbers in 40 metres of water, from Tura Heads back to Long Point.  Flathead to 50 centimetres were a consistent capture as well as the odd gummy shark.  The water temperature inshore is around 22 degrees on the surface and it’s looking like a cooler current is coming around Green Cape, around 19 degrees underneath.  So, there might be a chance of a few more gummy sharks over this week.

The reefs also fished okay on Monday with a few pan sized snapper, morwong, nannygai and a selection of other reef species.  The squid also turned up in numbers around Haycock Point, Tura Heads and Long Point.

The beach fishing improved last week with the increased seas.  Catches of salmon and tailor were caught at Quandolo and Haycock beaches and Tathra Beach near the river mouth.  They were catching salmon and an occasional mulloway.  The best baits were pilchards and surf poppers.

The estuaries are still fishing well.  The Merimbula front lake has good numbers of bream, dusky flathead, blackfish and whiting.  The cover photo of Manny, who caught that dusky flathead, also caught a bream off the Spencer Park jetty.  The Top Lake at Merimbula has good numbers of dusky flathead, tailor, trevally and mulloway being caught on the rising tide.  The Bega River at Tathra has good numbers of bream being caught around the bridge.  Mulloway and a few dusky flathead and estuary perch are being caught around the rock walls up the river system.

There is nothing to report on the game fishing scene due to the bad weather of late, but the water temperature is perfect on the shelf, so hopefully, this week’s weather will allow the boats to get back out to fish.

The Merimbula Big Game and Lakes Angling Club is open every Friday night from 6pm.  Come on down and enjoy a cold beverage, support our weekly raffles sponsored by Goodall’s Butchers and our new sponsor, Bar Beach Kiosk.  Thanks guys.  Catch up on the week’s fishing reports and meet the locals.  Lookout for club members who will be cooking up a storm again on Australia Day, 26th January in Spencer Park where you can grab a sausage sanga, Zooper Dooper or cold drink.  It is also your last chance to grab your tickets in our Monster Raffle that will be drawn on 2nd February at 3.30pm at the club.  There are great prizes to be won, the Hobie kayak, Merida Mountain Track bike, Engel fridge/freezer and Weber Premium Baby Q.  Upcoming events being run by the club include the Dusky Challenge, February 15th and 16th, Brogo Big Bass social event for members, 28th Feb to March 2nd,  and Family Game fishing workshop 23rd February. Check out the details for these events and more on our website at www.mbglac.com.au 

Till next week. 

Fishy Fellow