Customer David with a solid dhu onboard Saltwater Charters

 

The reports of demersals are flooding in, even though the breaks in the weather have been few. Plenty of cray pots means plenty of pink snapper in the vicinity and the reports have been exceptional around the likes of 5 Fathom Bank.  Dhufish too, have been falling to all kinds of offerings as they hang around the ‘delicious’ scent of rotting cray bait. In the 40m mark and beyond, there have been more big dhufish captures and plenty of lucky anglers have got Christmas lunch sorted!

Another dhu landed on Saltwater Charters

The mind-boggling weather we have had in the past week has provided land based anglers with the chance to get into some winter-style pink snapper fishing. Horrendous swell, gusting winds and teeming rain meant the pinks ventured in close for a feed and a few crews did very well. Customers Austin, Mitch and Anthony landed 7 and lost plenty more, the biggest going 99cm.

The boys, Austin, Mitch and Anthony and a ripper session on the pinks.

It’s bluefin tuna galore out there with plenty being caught on the troll by prepared anglers. Casting to them has been just as effective and arguably more fun. We are still waiting for the real pelagic madness to kick off that involves the likes of Spaniards, dollys, yft and even a billfish.

Staff member Muzz loves chasing crabs and sent us in the following this week, including his favourite recipe.
“This time of year, is an exciting time to start looking for big blue manna crabs in the lower to mid reaches of Swan River and Canning River. It can be a fun and uncomplicated way to fish with the family by boat, wading, diving or land based.

Baited drop nets keep it simple and are available at very affordable prices. They are easy to use and can be dropped in from jetty edges and tied off. Then while either fishing or relaxing the pots can be pulled, checked and hopefully have one or several big crabs inside. When using drop nets from the boat, you will generally drop several nets in a line, up to ten nets are allowed with the rope tied off to a 100 to 150mm float. Once all ten are out you can double back to the start to check nets, get your catch and rebait if necessary. Mullet, tuna heads or spleen all make great crab bait.

Scooping for Blue Manna crabs is much more hands on and involves wading in knee to waist deep water. You will need a scoop available at all Bluewater stores and a strong head lamp, torch or underwater light to penetrate the water as this is best done at night. Once you spot the crabs you need to approach gently then scoop them with a swift smooth action keeping in mind that they will attempt to retreat sideways.

Swimming for crabs is also an effective way to chase them on warm nights. This would be done in the same shallow water that you scoop in but does allow you to go a little deeper. Using a scoop with a shortened handle makes it easier to swim. With this you will also need a water proof light, mask, snorkel and fins. For those up for the challenge you can also grab the crabs by hand wearing a thick glove to avoid being nipped.”
 
CHILLI CRAB

• 2 teaspoons peanut oil
• 4 green (uncooked) blue swimmer crabs
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 fresh long red chillies, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger
• 60ml (1/4 cup) tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce
• 2 tablespoons dry sherry
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/2 cup firmly packed coarsely chopped fresh coriander
• Steamed Jasmine Rice, to serve

 METHOD  If you have any information or photos that you would like to include in our weekly fishing report, please email customerservice@bluewater.net.au.