Fishing with John Curtis - 29/04/2017

 GENERAL FISHING:

The weather for the next few days is going to be idyllic; not too hot not too cold, although early mornings will get down to single digit temperatures. With a lot of salmon, tailor, herring and skippy as well as a variety of other species biting at the moment, it is an opportune time to get out and catch some fish.

Over the past few weeks there have been some subtle changes that have a direct impact on our angling. Most people don’t seem to notice seasonal changes but we are now settling into a winter tidal sequence. The tidal pattern has changed over the past few weeks and we now are getting higher tides in the morning with lower tides of an evening.

With the Full Moon coming up in a couple of weeks , tidal movements will increase towards this time. High tides will be a little fuller, and low tides will be a little lower in this period. This will result in an increase in tidal flow and so `fishing the tides' will need to be followed a little closer and become a little more important.

As we also settle into a winter pattern, swells will pick up with frontal systems passing through, along with the occasional winter storm. As a result, weed will often choke the water along popular beaches and sand bars will develop and beaches disappear as these seas and swells rearrange our foreshore. This can make or mar a fishing trip. Sometimes both seas and weed can make locations un-fishable. Don't despair as there is some great fishing to be had from some of the structures and rock platforms along the coast and also in the river during these times. Remember that winter swells also bring snapper on the bite in a lot of metropolitan locations.

To be more successful, anglers will need to be aware of this tidal movement and fish the `top' and 'bottom' of the tide at slack water for better results. The best times to fish are generally around an hour either side of high and low water, and this will vary according to your location. It also gives us a `window of opportunity' and we can plan quick trips to favourite locations, chasing a specific species. It is around this time of the year that we can catch reasonable sized snapper from the beach, particularly if there has been some wind and swells activity. My records show that several good snapper have been taken from metropolitan beaches during this time in the last few years.

Anglers fishing the Swan and Canning Rivers also need to take note of tidal variations and there is a difference of up to 4 hours between Fremantle at the tidal recording station located just inside of the harbour at the western end of the wharf, and Barrack Street jetty. River anglers can target a variety of species, and can fish the rising tide, commencing in East Fremantle, and move with the tide as it progresses up river and then fish their way back down on the run out tide. What a way to fill in a day - great fishing in sight of the CBD with the chance of catching a good mixed bag of fish. Anglers fishing in the estuary at Mandurah and further south at Bunbury will need to check local tide times as they are vastly different to Perth and Fremantle tide times.

Keeping a weather eye open will also increase your chances of success. Plan a trip in advance and keep an eye on the Bureau of Meteorology web site for forecast details and check out sea and swell patterns.

There are still some good fish being taken in local waters and there are reports of a number of northern species being taken in local waters. I am aware of a red emperor and a Rankin cod being taken from waters out from Rottnest along with late season spanish mackerel and a variety of tuna.

Those who don’t mind diving into cooler waters or spending hours standing in a dinghy rigged with lights will be starting to get ready for the winter run of ‘leader prawns’ in the Swan River. These prawns are a lot larger than the usual run of Swan River prawns. The same limits apply for these, in that there is a limit of 9 litres per person per day. Also remember that if you are fishing from a powered boat you will need an RFBL (Recreational Fishing From a Boat licence). Keep an eye on the moon phases and run-out tides to improve your results.

 

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:

As in the metropolitan area, garfish have been abundant in and around the Dawesville Cut. Size has been good and along with the garfish there are plenty of herring. An occasional salmon has also been taken from the ocean end of The Cut. They have not been huge but fish of 2.5 - 3.5 kg have been the norm. They have also been taken from the southern beaches of White Hills and Tim’s Thicket. Anglers fishing from these beaches have also reported taking a few tailor, herring and good sized whiting. The estuary is fishing well for smaller species with good catches of tailor, herring, garfish, skippy, and tarwhine being caught. Squid have also been caught from the Old Traffic Bridge. Crabs are still around but you will need to work a little harder as numbers are starting to dwindle and size is sometimes a concern. Dab netters are taking a few good sized prawns on the run out tides. The estuary has also been producing some good fishing for squid. There are still a few bream being taken in the Murray and Serpentine Rivers and anglers putting in the time are reaping the rewards with some big fish in the last week.

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

In and around Rockingham, the jetties are producing plenty of herring, garfish and squid. A few tailor have been taken from the north side of the causeway by anglers trolling lures or mulies on lightly weighted lines. If anglers stop trolling and anchor up, there are some very good skippy that can be berleyed up. There have been good catches of herring and garfish from 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 Sound out from Safety Bay have reported catching some good king George whiting.

COCKBURN SOUND:

The Sound has produced a wide variety of angling opportunities this week and produced some good fish. There are plenty of squid being caught all over the Sound. Where there are weed banks there are squid. Salmon, tuna and bonito have all been taken by many anglers fishing from boats and a lot of fish have been taken close to many of the popular fishing platforms in the Sound. There have been good catches of King George whiting reported from several locations and there are reports of mulloway from areas in the northern parts of the Sound. There are plenty of salmon schools hanging around and many anglers are having a ball, catching and releasing fish.

KWINANA / NAVAL BASE / WOODMAN POINT / COOGEE:

Woodman Point is a top spot for big garfish. The beaches are producing some reasonable tailor of an evening and an occasional mulloway. The beaches around this area have been consistently producing herring, garfish and whiting. Anglers fishing after dark are finding a few good tailor from various beach locations. There are still schools of salmon around and many anglers are enjoying using lighter tackle and lures for sportfishing action when the salmon are on the bite.

FREMANTLE / INNER HARBOUR / LOWER REACHES OF SWAN RIVER

A few salmon are showing up at odd times and the end of the North Mole is a better spot to try. There have also been plenty of herring, skippy and whiting being caught. There has been a lot of silver drummer (better known as buffalo bream) around the mole, feeding on weed, etc. If you want a real battle on light tackle try using a fresh crust of bread as bait then hang on. They fight really hard and slug it out. If you want to eat them, boil them up in a cast iron pot and when cooked, throw away the fish and eat the pot - it’s more appealing. A strong recommendation is to put them back to fight another day. Another tip is if you are going to eat them, have someone else scale and gut them. Being basically a weed eater their gut cavity smells foul. Anglers report some reasonable mulloway being taken after dark. The Harbour has been producing a variety of fish during the day. Anglers fishing from the wharves report catches of garfish, slimy mackerel, yellowtail, and skippy and mulloway are still being taken occasionally.

ROTTNEST ISLAND

Shore based anglers fishing Rottnest are taking consistent catches of small salmon, with most of the catch coming from the West End. They are taking both baits and lures. Yellowtail kingfish have also been taken by anglers fishing from the rocks around the West End. Some of these fish have been up around 6 kg.

PORT BEACH / LEIGHTON / COTTESLOE / SWANBOURNE:

This section of beach has been producing some good fishing for big herring, large garfish and whiting. Anglers using wogs for bait are doing a little better than anglers using prawn baits. It is recommended that anglers prepare their baits well in advance by shelling either coral or river prawns and cutting the flesh into pea sized pieces and soaking it in fish oil overnight. Drain the oil off and then tip the prawn flesh into an ice cream container and drizzle a mix of two parts pollard and one part bran into the mix while continually stirring. Continue to add the pollard bran mix until all the oil has been absorbed. Place the lid on the container and you have a bait and berley combination that garfish and whiting can’t refuse. Anglers fishing from Leighton Beach report that they have taken garfish, herring and yellow-finned whiting and for anglers with limited mobility it is not a bad spot to fish. The groyne at Cottesloe has been producing good whiting and herring during the day and tailor after dark. The Swanbourne Drain area has been producing good fishing with tailor of an evening and whiting, herring and garfish during the day.

CITY BEACH / FLOREAT / SCARBOROUGH / TRIGG ISLAND

The herring being caught from these beaches are good solid fish. Floreat and City Beach have been producing good catches of herring in the mornings. Anglers fishing the beaches south of Trigg and at Brighton Road have taken a few tailor with an occasional small salmon. Good sized garfish are being taken in good numbers right along this section of beach. There are plenty of salmon around and anglers who are patient are catching them from the beach. Sizes vary between 2 kg and 4.5kg. Remember that juvenile salmon are to be a minimum of 30 cm in length and there is a bag limit of 4 per angler per day. Don’t confuse them with herring.

NORTH BEACH JETTY / HILLARYS / OCEAN REEF / MINDARIE:

There have been some small salmon caught by herring anglers at Pinnaroo Point in the morning and again by anglers chasing tailor of an evening. There are plenty of herring and garfish along this section of the coast and anglers using wogs or maggots for bait are taking good bags of fish. A few herring and tailor are being taken from the marina walls after dark along with plenty of garfish, herring and an odd skippy. North Beach jetty has been producing herring and garfish for most anglers fishing this platform.

QUINNS ROCKS /YANCHEP / TWO ROCKS / MOORE RIVER

These locations have been producing some good catches of herring and big garfish. Most of the beaches are regularly producing good fish and there are small salmon and tailor being taken as well. Afternoon seems to be the preferred times for the bigger fish. Quinn’s Beach is producing some good tailor and herring. Mornings are the better time to fish. A few salmon have been taken and there are a lot of baitfish in the area so it should continue to produce consistent fishing. The rock walls of the marinas are producing well, with good catches of fish being taken regularly. 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. Several good fish have been taken from the beaches between Two Rocks and Moore River in the last two weeks including samsonfish, a couple of mackerel, and several large sharks.

SWAN AND CANNING RIVERS:

The lower reaches of the river are prime spots to fish at the moment with the wharves and E Shed locations producing good fishing on the rising tide. The various platforms under the bridges and the upstream wharves in Fremantle are still producing some good skippy and tarwhine. The sand flats in the lower reaches of the river are still producing whiting on a rising tide but a quiet approach is required if you are to be successful. There are plenty of flathead and flounder also to be found on the flats a little further upstream as well. Mulloway are still being taken from various locations throughout the river right up to the Causeway. There have been several big fish hooked in the lower reaches for no result so it can be assumed that there are some larger mulloway still roaming around. Crabbers are still finding a few crabs and divers are also reporting taking a feed regularly. There are still a few bream upstream as far as Bassendean and Guildford and some good fish have been turning up around the Bull Creek and Canning Bridge areas. Better spots for bigger fish seem to be a little further downstream in areas around Claremont and Mosman Bay.

BOAT FISHING:

The offshore scene around Mandurah is looking good with a few jewfish coming in from the broken ground well offshore. Very large skippy have also been taken from these areas. The Five Fathom Bank and the James Service Reef areas have also been producing some good fish. Dinghy anglers are taking good bags of herring, salmon, skippy and whiting from inshore waters around the reefs and over the weed banks and sand. Squid are also being taken in numbers. Between Rottnest and Carnac Island, anglers have been taking some good King George whiting and those fishing around the Mewstones have reported tailor in excess of 1 kg on lures cast into the white water adjacent to the reefs.

Anglers, fishing close inshore in the northern suburbs, are reporting a number of small whaler sharks taking baits and catches. There are plenty of whiting along the back of the Three Mile Reef and on the grounds out from City Beach. There are also plenty of bigger skippy being taken in 20 m of water, with a few King George whiting from deeper waters. Occasionally anglers have found salmon on the bite out behind the Three Mile Reef on the whiting grounds out from Scarborough. Inshore there have been some good catches of herring, salmon, some skippy, the odd King George and snook from behind the reef areas. Out from Fremantle and down towards the Sound, big skippy to more than 1 kg are being caught. Big tailor have been reported from the offshore reef sections around Cottesloe and some of these fish are over 1.5 kg.

Action offshore has slowed in the last few days but grounds out from the north-west corner of Rottnest continue to produce good fish. Anglers report average to big Westralian Jewfish, pink snapper, break-sea cod, and big baldchin groper. Most of the fish have been taken in 45 – 60 m, or up to 110 m on the outside of Direction Bank.

Anglers still trolling lures are finding an odd mackerel around but numbers are down on previous weeks. There were a couple of fish around 12 – 15 kg reported from the north-west of Rottnest waters during last week. Anglers venturing out to the FAD’s are reporting a few dolphin fish. There have been mixed reports of fish in close around the Three Mile and surrounding reefs. Though mainly smaller dhufish can be found here, there has been the occasional whopping big pink snapper which has stretched the arms of unsuspecting anglers.

 

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A fish in the hand is worth 10 in the water!