GENERAL FISHING:

This Friday is Good Friday and with a four or five day break many metropolitan anglers will head off for a break in the south-west. Most will have a fish at some stage. If you are going to fish from the rocks please be careful and also wear a life jacket.

Again we have had another person washed from the rocks in the south-west. They were washed from the rocks at Peaceful Bay. Please if you are going to venture onto the rocks to fish, to view the scenery or whatever’ please be aware of your surroundings.

For both boat and rock anglers, Recfishwest has two types of life jacket available for purchase on-line at www.fishandsurvive.com.au

One is the auto inflate version whist the other is the manually operated version.

Details of these are as follows;

The Crewfit 165N Sport uses the latest 3D technology, ensuring maximum comfort levels for all users. The Crewfit 165N Sport has the essential features to ensure the recreational user remains safe when out on the water. The slim line, light weight jacket ensures you can carry out important fishing tasks like casting, pulling your lobster pots, pulling the anchor rope and reeling in that fish of a lifetime.

These are the best jacket for the complete fisher and I wouldn't recommend them if we didn't believe these were the best jackets on the market to bring you and your family home safe.

Gone are the days of stuffing the old yellow foam jackets under the seat or taking up room on the boat; or if you go in the drink while fishing from rocks; or roll your kayak in fast flowing water - these crewsaver's are designed to be worn all the time so that when an emergency arises you are prepared!

The automatic life jackets are splash sensitive. A small water splash probably won't set them off but constant splashing may set the jacket off. Generally it requires immersion in water to trigger it but if it is continually wet it may inflate.

You must store your jackets in a dry place (hung up) as if stored in moist areas’ e.g. under boat seats, there is a chance they will inflate due to condensation or the jacket being in constant contact with water. A little care will prevent inadvertent operation.

KEY FEATURES:

• ISO 12402-3 (150N) approved but with superior buoyancy (165N) to float you higher in the water
• Designed with a Peninsular Chin support, to keep your airway well clear of the water whatever the conditions
• Attachment point for Crewsaver Surface Light
• Robust outer cover for durability
• UML MK5 Automatic operating head (in the automatic version)
• Centre buckle adjuster
• Crotch strap (*Not included, purchase separately),
• Oral Inflate Tube
• Whistle
• Reflective tape
• Lifting becket

Replacement cartridges are available for both the automatic and manual versions as well as the child sized auto life jacket. Further details are available from Recfishwest.

White Spot Virus

Last week I wrote about the white spot virus affecting prawn farms and wild stock prawns in S E Queensland. Anglers and the general public need to be aware of the impact this disease will have on Western Australian crustacean stocks including marron, rock lobster, prawns, and crabs if it gets into Western Australia. In an email I received from John Harrison, Chief Executive Officer WAFIC he noted;

“Consumers are reminded that imported prawn products, cooked or uncooked, present no risk to human health even if they are infected with the White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV).

WSSV affects prawns and other crustaceans, but presents no risk to humans and can be eaten safely.

However consumers – especially those that fish recreationally and use prawns as bait – should be aware that uncooked prawns meant for human consumption should never be used as bait and should never be discarded (in whole or in part) into Australian waterways

Recreational anglers need to be aware of this and follow this recommendation relating to the use of prawn intended for human consumption as bait. We have a world class commercial industry in Western Australia that needs to be protected.

IDENTIFYING AUSTRALIAN HERRING AND JUVENILE AUSTRALIAN SALMON.

As we are now well into the Autumn angling scene, the likelihood of salmon, particularly juveniles, turning up on our metropolitan beaches is good. The numbers will improve with the cooling of our metropolitan oceanic waters. These are still quite warm at the moment but are slowly cooling.

As the northward flowing Capes Current flows from the Southern Ocean around Cape Leeuwin and inshore along the coast, it brings up cool plankton laden waters. It also pushes inside of the southerly flowing Leeuwin Current and this will allow salmon and herring to come up the coast. Depending upon how far up it reaches will determine how far the salmon and herring swim. Last year they got as far north as Exmouth !

They migrate from Victorian and South Australian waters to breed in the inshore waters between Busselton and Perth. The resulting larvae drift out to sea and are picked up in the Leeuwin Current and taken back along the west and south coast to the eastern states as the Leeuwin Current flows as far as Tasmania in some years. These juveniles then grow up for a couple of years to maturity and then migrate back to Western Australian waters to breed.

Often anglers mistake a juvenile salmon as being a large herring, however the differences are quite marked and all anglers should be aware of size and bag limits for these fish. Juvenile salmon are silvery white, have smooth scales, yellow pectoral fins, and have several rows of golden or brown spots on their backs and sides. Salmon have a pointed nose and small eye.

The Australian Salmon grows to about 96cm and around 8kg. It matures at about 60cm between three and four years old. Its life span is around nine years. It features smooth scales, a yellow pectoral fin with black blotch at base, with golden spots on its upper body surface. Its head shape is more pointed than the herring. Minimum size for an Australian Salmon is 300 mm and there is a bag limit of 4 per person per day. Salmon are classed in the Nearshore /Estuarine finfish category and there is a mixed bag limit of 16 fish from this category.

Juvenile salmon are often mis-named as salmon trout. Be aware that a salmon trout IS NOT a separate species with a differing minimum legal length and bag limit.

The Australian Herring also inhabits the open coastal waters, estuaries and inshore reefs. It grows to about 41cm and 0.8kg. It matures at about 19 to 21cm over two to three years. Generally it lives up to 10 years. It has rough scales, golden spots on the upper surface and has a more rounded head shape. Australian Herring are silvery in colour with vertical rows of golden or brown spots on the upper sides of the body. Their scales are very rough to the touch and they also have a larger eye and a more rounded head than the Australian Salmon. The most distinctive features of the herring are the black tips on its tail.

For Australian Herring there is no minimum size limit and there is a bag limit of 12 per person per day. Herring are in the All Other Species category and there is a mixed bag limit of 30 of these fish for this category. This allows an angler to catch and keep a maximum of 12 herring and if they do that they can also take up to a maximum of 18 mullet, garfish, whiting (excluding King George whiting) and blue mackerel for a one day bag limit in this category.

There is a publication available from the Fisheries Department website that will assit if you are still not sure. A fsct sheet on Australian Herring is available at; http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/Documents/recreational_fishing/fact_sheets/fact_sheet_australian_herring.pdf  This document has a panel in it which shows how to identify the difference between these fish.

Autumn appears to be just starting to gain the upper hand. Warm daytime temperatures seem to be fairly persistent and the doona hasn’t made it onto the bed just yet. Mornings are cool and brisk but not too cold to require the thermals to be hauled out of the cupboard. The continued run of light winds and low swell has boaties thanking their lucky stars as they are able to get out as wide as they wish to in this sort of weather. The fish are also responding with some excellent demersal captures being taken offshore.

The only aberration to this was the frontal system that brought some wind and rain to the southern areas on Thursday. Seas and swell associated with this front did pick up a bit but not enough to discourage many boat anglers in larger craft from venturing out.

This time of year is probably the best time of the year to fish as there are still a lot of good fish around. The wind and weather are generally excellent for both beach and boat angling. Shore based anglers are also enjoying the weather with some good fishing for herring and larger sand whiting at the moment at most of their regular haunts. Occasional schools of skippy passing through have also added to the catch with several good fish landed from the beaches in the central metropolitan area. Tailor captures are still trickling through. Though none of them are jumbos, they are still up to the magical kilo mark.

Anglers preparing for the Easter break have been keeping tabs on the schools of salmon and they have been reported all along the south coast with plenty of good fish around Esperance and Bremer Bay. A few good schools have also been seen around Albany and Augusta. Along with the salmon there were plenty of skippy and herring.

For those anglers who will be staying home and fishing around the metropolitan area there are reports of isolated small schools of salmon being sighted and some captured at various metropolitan locations. I would recommend trying the rock platforms around Cockburn Sound as well as the jetties, The rock walls of the North and South Moles, and the various marina walls and several of the local beaches should also produce good fishing.

Other locations that we can expect to find early season salmon are at Coventry Reef system out from Warnbro Sound, Yanchep Lagoon and along the many metropolitan beaches. Indications are, from all reports received that there are a lot of larger fish ‘turning the corner’ and heading up the west coast. Reports from Dunsborough / Busselton area indicate a lot of good sized fish being taken and anglers fishing in and around Bunbury have also reported catching several larger specimens as well.

STAY SAFE THIS SALMON SEASON

Easter is here and that traditionally means the South-West salmon season is in full swing. The fish have arrived at most locations on the south and lower west coast and have also started to appear in metropolitan waters. There are sure to be plenty of anglers hitting popular rock fishing locations between Esperance and Perth, hoping to tangle with one of Australia's best sportfish.

A reminder to all anglers to take due care with regards to personal safety when chasing salmon from the rocks, as the smooth granite rocks of the South-West coastline can be treacherous. Rock fishing is one of Australia's deadliest pastimes and there are a number of measures anglers can take to ensure they don't put themselves, and others, in danger.

These include;

• informing others of your plans. Always let friends or family know where you are going, when you’ll be back and if your plans change.
• never fishing alone - always fish with a friend; if you get into any trouble, they can help. If you’re new to rock fishing, go with an experienced fisher.
• check the weather forecast including seas and swells before fishing and, take the time to watch the conditions at your chosen location before you start fishing.
• Read all safety signage – it’s been placed there for a reason. Ask locals about the spot you plan to fish from if you’re new to the area. Make sure you are aware of the latest weather, swell and tidal predictions before going fishing (check the Bureau of Meteorology website www.bom.gov.au. Be aware that conditions may change quickly and can vary from predicted averages.

Also give some thought to where you might be able to get back out of the water if you do fall in, and also it is recommended that you wear a life jacket.

Appropriate footwear is a must. In addition to this, there have been many rock anchor points installed for anglers to use at several popular fishing spots throughout the south west. These are to enable anglers to secure themselves with a rope and prevent them from being washed of the rocks by a large swell. They are there for your safety - please use them.

For more tips on fishing safety, visit http://recfishwest.org.au/rock-fishing-safety/

If you have some fishing information, have caught a good fish and want to brag, or have an item that may be of interest to other anglers and wish to share it, you can send the details to abc720saturdaybreakfast@yahoo.com.au

WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING AT POPULAR FISHING LOCATIONS

If you are going to fish in open ocean waters or from the rocks, please - wear a life jacket.

MANDURAH:

The southern beaches between Tim’s Thicket and Preston have seen reasonable numbers of juvenile salmon being caught, along with tailor. Schools of bigger salmon still appear to be well south of the metropolitan area and they will require cooler temperatures before they start to head north. There are still good reports of plenty of herring from Halls Head to the Cut along with a few whiting. The Dawesville Cut is producing good catches of big sand whiting, herring, garfish and skippy along with a few small King George whiting. Chopper tailor are also being taken regularly. Around the Canals, Marina and Bridges there are plenty of herring, small tailor, whiting and tarwhine. The estuary is also fishing well for the smaller species with good catches of tailor, herring, garfish, skippy, and tarwhine and plenty of crabs being taken in deeper water for drop netters. Squid and an odd octopus have also been caught from the Old Traffic Bridge. Black bream and small mulloway have been reported in both the Murray and Serpentine rivers. Anglers fishing soft plastics are doing well. Crabs and prawns are still being caught in reasonable numbers in the estuary. Along the beaches to the North of Mandurah there have been good catches of herring, along with whiting and tarwhine. It is still not too late to try and catch a reasonable sized mulloway along this stretch of beach. There have been reports of several big mulloway taken along here recently.

SECRET HARBOUR / PORT KENNEDY / WARNBRO / ROCKINGHAM / SAFETY BAY

There have been good catches of herring and garfish from the beaches around Long Point, Penguin Island, Point Peron and Rockingham Beach. Whiting and squid are also being taken from these locations with an odd tailor of an evening. Anglers fishing the beaches to the south between Secret Harbour and Singleton around sunset have had some extraordinary success with very big mulloway. Several of these fish have been in excess of 20 kg. Other anglers report several fish just under the 20 kg mark. The local jetties have also been producing some big mulloway as well, with fish of between 12 kg and 15 kg taken.

COCKBURN SOUND:

Out in the Sound, boat anglers have been catching a few mulloway. They are usually found in around 25 – 30 metres of water over coral / gravel patches. The fish have been around the 5 – 15 kg mark. There is every possibility that they are also cruising in a lot closer to shore and areas around the jetties and rock platforms in the upper reaches of the Sound would be spots worth trying using a slab of fresh fish as bait. There are also plenty of King George whiting, herring and skippy being taken throughout the area with some excellent fish coming in from the northern end of Cockburn Sound. Salmon have been moving north through the Sound and anglers have taken some 50 cm plus specimens from various locations throughout the Sound.

KWINANA / NAVAL BASE / WOODMAN POINT / COOGEE:

This area has been consistently producing some good fishing for herring, squid, garfish, skippy and tailor. Salmon are also turning up on odd occasions and causing a bit of excitement amongst herring anglers. Be aware of the differences as they have different bag and size limits.

An occasional mulloway has also been taken and a recommended rig to catch these fish comprises of a heavy 30 - 40 kg nylon trace of around a metre in length with a running sinker on the main line. Don’t use a wire trace – it’s not necessary. For bait, preferably use a fresh fillet or whole smaller fish such as a whiting or herring. Use circle hooks in preference to J hooks as there is no need to ‘strike’ and the fish is then generally hooked in the corner of the mouth. This also helps with releasing smaller fish unharmed. Use a running sinker on the main line of around 60 - 90 gm.

FREMANTLE / INNER HARBOUR / LOWER REACHES OF SWAN RIVER

On the moles some anglers have taken some good herring, garfish, skippy, and tailor. Tarwhine have also featured on South Mole with an occasional good fish reported. Squid are also about in numbers and dinghy anglers are catching them out in front of the Fremantle Sailing Club.

The lower reaches of the river are a prime spot to fish at the moment with the wharves and E Shed producing good fishing on the rising tide. The various platforms under the bridges and the upstream wharves in Fremantle are also producing some good skippy and tarwhine.

ROTTNEST ISLAND

Over on Rottnest there are reports of an occasional small salmon being taken. There are also plenty of herring around and they don’t seem to be fussy about lures or baits and are taking anything tossed out at them. There are also some excellent skippy being taken from the various reef holes along the north and south sides of the island. Casting a small ball sinker and a blue sardine or a white bait into these holes has been quite rewarding for some anglers. Should you hook a big skippy, they fight all the way and quite regularly snag up causing a loss of gear. Out on the West End there are also some yellowtail kingfish being taken by shore based anglers.

PORT BEACH / LEIGHTON / COTTESLOE / SWANBOURNE:

Whiting numbers and size have improved over the last week. Early morning has produced better fishing for them with prawns and ox heart being the best bait. Cottesloe groyne is still providing late night tailor action for anglers prepared to put in some time and effort. Early morning anglers are taking plenty of herring and garfish with an occasional skippy and tarwhine for good measure. The Grant Street reef area has gone a little quiet for big tailor with only stragglers being taken. Leighton has been better but still nowhere near as good as a few weeks ago. Leighton is well worth a try for small sharks particularly late afternoon through to early evening.

CITY BEACH / FLOREAT / SCARBOROUGH / TRIGG ISLAND

The Swanbourne Drain, Floreat Drain and Floreat and City Beaches have all produced good fish at odd times during the last week or so. Floreat has turned on some good tailor fishing late in the afternoon on some days. One angler fishing Floreat one morning took two skippy, two herring and two flathead for a bag weight over 4 kilos. One of the skippy was 1.5 kg, and the flathead were well over minimum legal length. The herring are good solid fish at the moment.

NORTH BEACH JETTY / HILLARYS / OCEAN REEF / MINDARIE:

Tailor action has slowed down a little but most anglers are generally able to take home a feed. The good news in these locations is the numbers of herring and big garfish around. Most of the beaches are regularly producing good fishing and there are salmon and tailor being taken as well. Afternoon seems to be the preferred time for the bigger fish. The rock walls of the marinas are producing well with good catches of fish being taken regularly.

QUINNS ROCKS /YANCHEP / TWO ROCKS / MOORE RIVER

Local beaches here are producing herring, tailor, a few skippy and garfish. The Lagoon at Yanchep is still holding a few yellowtail king fish and a little further north there are still some very big tailor being taken. One angler reported two fish of over 2 kg taken late last week.

SWAN AND CANNING RIVERS:

The lower reaches of the river are a prime spot to fish at the moment. The various platforms under the bridges and the upstream wharves in Fremantle are also producing some good skippy and tarwhine. Small tailor and some herring are also being taken from this area.. A few flathead are being taken from the sandflats in the lower reaches. Prime locations for flathead during the last week have been up in the Canning River. Whiting are also being taken from the shallows in the lower reaches, but a quiet approach is required if you are to be successful. There are still plenty of bream upstream as far as Bassendean and Guildford. There are reports of bream to 1.5 kg around Matilda Bay and down into Rocky Bay, with live crabs being the deadly bait, especially for the bigger fish.

BOAT FISHING:

Inshore there have been some good catches of herring, some skippy, the odd King George and snook from behind the inshore reef areas. Just to be a bit different, small boat anglers targeting whiting have found an occasional salmon out behind the Three Mile Reef. On the whiting grounds out from Brighton Road in Scarborough, there have been some very big skippy and large sand whiting along with a few King George whiting from deeper waters.

In the areas out from Fremantle and down towards the Sound, big skippy to more than 1 kg are being caught between Carnac and the Mewstones. There have also been some big King George whiting taken from over the gravel patches and broken bottom out around Carnac. Big tailor have been reported from the offshore reef sections around Cottesloe and some of these fish are over 60 cm long and are full of small herring, smelt and squid

There is plenty of action on the offshore grounds. Out from the north-west corner of Rottnest, anglers report average to big Westralian Jewfish, pink snapper, break-sea cod, and baldchin groper. Most of the fish have been taken in 45 – 60 m of water. Other anglers fishing out behind Direction Bank in water up to 110 m also report some good fishing. Anglers venturing out to the FAD’s report a few mahi mahi.

Anglers trolling lures between Hillarys and Mindarie are still catching an occasional mackerel between 12 and 22 kg. White bodied lures with red heads seem to be accounting for most of the fish. Several anglers have also reported taking some smaller mackerel on baits intended for bottom species. Although most of the fish being taken by bottom bouncers in the area are mainly smaller Westralian Jewfish, there have been some very big specimens landed as well. There are also plenty of big pink snapper as well. These large pinks are widespread from the back of the Three Mile right out to just inside of Direction Bank. Anglers fishing the eastern side of the Bank are reporting some good baldchin groper.