Not the biggest but they were good eating.  Caught 8 keepers( 2 Harlequin, 1 Pinkie, 3 Black Arse,  1 chinaman cod & a nice whiting.  Fishin  in 17 -18 metres after getting skunked in 35 & 20 metres.  All taken on yellowtail & nothing was interested in the large fresh squid.  Thinking about hitting the tyre reef tomorrow night.  Anyone know if there are any big Pinkies there now.  Open for suggestions...would like to catcha large fish of any kind!!!

Looks as if the forecast for Sunday, which was quite good for a while, has finally returned to recent form .................... and is now sh*thouse.

From BOM

Sunday: NW/SW winds 15/20 knots tending W/SW 15/25 knots in the afternoon

When will this wind settle down? I know that there have been some nice days during the week, however every weekend seems to be blown out

Oh well, I see another day slaving in the garden coming up

Steve

Fisheries Minister Norman Moore has taken further vital steps to protect and sustain Western Australia’s important commercial west coast rock lobster fishery.

Mr Moore said today that the rock lobster industry was facing a crisis unless urgent action was taken to protect the long-term future of a fishery which experts, industry bodies and many commercial fishermen say is under severe pressure.

The new management measures included limiting commercial rock lobster fishing to four days a week (down from six days a week), further pot reductions and changes to legal size limits.

“Soon after becoming the Minister for Fisheries I took precautionary action to protect the rock lobster fishery by imposing a 15 per cent reduction in unit values from early December and flagging a further 15 per reduction for next season,” the Minister said.

“I am now taking further action after receiving advice that my initial raft of measures has not achieved the results necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the rock lobster fishery.”

Preliminary estimates of the commercial rock lobster catch this season (to the end of January) are that it is 16 per cent higher than the same time last year.

Further details of the new measures included:

· prohibiting fishing on Saturdays and Mondays, in addition to the existing Sunday ban, from March 1

· bringing forward to March 1 the 15 per cent reduction in unit values (based on 2007-08 levels) originally scheduled for the start of the 2009-10 season

· reducing the maximum legal size for female western rock lobsters by 10mm in Zones A and B of the fishery as close as possible to March 15

· increasing the minimum legal size in Zone C to 77mm from as close as possible to March 15.

The changes follow advice from the Rock Lobster Industry Advisory Committee, the Western Rock Lobster Council, Department of Fisheries and research bodies.

Mr Moore said the State Government’s overall aim was to limit the total commercial catch to 7,800 tonnes, compared with a predicted catch of 9,200 tonnes, in order to shift catch forward to offset low catches expected in 2010-11 and 2011-12.

The measures would give further protection for breeding stock in the north of the fishery following last week’s closure of the Big Bank area.

“I’ve taken this action as part of the ongoing assessment of the fishery, which this season identified the lowest puerulus settlement on record,” the Minister said.

Mr Moore said the new measures would take advantage of current abundance to ensure protection of breeding stock and provide carry-over stock for future seasons.

“This will be a difficult time for our rock lobster fishers and the community that depends on it,” he said.

“However, the State Government cannot ignore the research and advice that shows WA’s rock lobster stock needs urgent increased protection.

“Given the crisis facing the western rock lobster fishery - three years of low settlement figures - it is important that management responses are both rapid and adaptive to new research data that becomes available.

“There will be a review in April to assess the impact of these measures and whether they need to be tightened or eased to meet the target.

“I urge all participants in the rock lobster fishing industry to work co-operatively to protect the future of the fishery as we face this tough time.”

Minister's office: 9422 3000

Just out of curiosity, has anyone seen any fisheries officer at North Mole at all? All my years of fishing I haven't seen one. Then again I haven't frequented it as much as the regulars. Reason I'm bringing this up was that I haven't fish at the moles for a long time and was there last night. Had a few tailor runs, but all of them are around 27 to 30cm ish. One that my friend took home was just past the 30 cm mark and a few of the smaller ones released back with one measuring even 29.5cm.

I noticed that some people fishing around me (and I've noticed this in the past few years) just brought up whatever they get and in the fish went into pail, without any measurement of any sort. The sizes look around 30ish cm too so there was a good chance that some of them are undersized. Heck, one fisherman even had a surprising crayfish caught on ganged hooks and that was quite a nice catch I must admit. The cray went into the pail too without being measured (but it looked like a good sized cray), and did he have a license? Beats me.

With North Mole being such a hotspot, I am thinking that the fisheries should patrol that area more. I was just doing some random maths and say a convervative average of 2 tailors are being taken a night. 30-40ish fishermen a night * 2 =  60-80ish tailors and half of that undersized maybe? Also the 2 tailors taken is really a conversative number with some bagging just everything they get. Of course this is just recreational fishing, but question is, is this actually sustainable in the long run? I remember 3-4years back when the tailors average at 30-35cm ish. Of course last night was just a one off fishing sesh after a while and the sizes were pretty disappointing I must say though they are still good fight on light gear.

What are you thoughts on this?

A friend of mine was snorkelling around a metro reef yesterday (11th Feb), about 100m off the beach. Se said at one point a big school of large fish swam past him and he managed to snap this photo. He asked me if I knew what they were, and I am pretty sure they are Salmon. Can anyone confirm this?
If they are salmon, its strange to see a big school of them in the metro area at this time of year isn't it?

 update - 2nd photo

does any one know were i can find some ? any help is good
cheers brenz

Hope you have a good one Tim.
All the best, Colin Hay

Evening All

Does anyone know what is happening on the crab ban in Cockburn Sound, is it due to be opened at all??
Whilst talking Cockburn, just got home after a squid session, caught a feed of good size squid on the western side of Cockburn sound

Anyone know how to convert video formats? my camera vids play through Quicktime and i cannot use them in video making software(Movie Maker etc..). Can anyone recommend a program?  Any tips?

Cheers in advance

Went for a uqick squid session down at te busselton jetty last night. Armed with a couple of haramitsu jigs just to see how it is there after visiting the girlfried, turned out to be quite productive. in an hour and a half i ended up with 7 squid and a last cast occy.... wich i thought was a bit strange on the squid jig. all in all was pretty chuffed to take home a nice feed and a bit of bit! just out of curiosity wa wondering if anyone else has caught occy on a jig before? sorry was no pics, was a bit of a spur of the moment idea so i dint have the camera on me

for the people who fish ther regularly do you reckon theres much chance of a mulla there?

might give it a bash on saturday night

hey guys might be heading out for a fish behind rotto tomoro mornin wondering if the sambos still around the wrecks if not any tips on getting a good feed out there tomoro and where bouts should i be heading and help would be good

cheers guys

- mat

Hi All,

With the strong winds making getting offshore a little difficult, I was wondering if anyone has been having any joy in chasing squid in the north metro area?

I have heard reports that there are a few around in Cockburn Sound, but what about up north?

Cheers Steve

Massive!!!

Hey Guys,

Just thought I would make a post to see what everyones favourite setup / combo is for.....

1) Spinning - casting poppers / plastics/ hard bodies ect 15kg

2) Trolling / Bottom bouncing  15 - 25kg

3) Landbased fishing - Tailor / Mulloway / Salmon  10 -15kg  

I do all three forms of fishing and have a preference but I am going to purchase a couple more combos in the comming weeks jsut wanted to see what some of you out there are using.

Thanks Guys

A friend of ours is holidaying just south of us at bunker bay and took the boat out to get away from the fire.... He caught the fish in the pic close to shore and sent me a pic to see if I could ID it but I have never seen one like it. Can anyone shine some light on what it could be and what they are like for eating??????

It has been filleted and frozen as they are waiting for a reply before they cook it.

Cheers,
David

Gday guys

Headed up to Quobba today in the hope of landing something, did allright but not the best. Left home @ 4am and arrived at our spot about 6, greeted with fantastic conditions. So we geared up and made the trek down the goat track to begin our fishing. On arrival at our platform light was still not evident so we began fishing the bottom to try and manage a feed. Della landed a legal Norwester as well as a few undersized Baldies with a few bust offs in between. Light was now beginning to show so it was time for some spinnning. I was the first to hook up on a smallish Spaniard only to be mauled by a few hungry locals seconds later, managed to get the head though which was used as a teaser later in the day. Saw a big GT swimming under the lower ledges, couldn't believe it, first real one i've seen, this thing must have been 20 or so kgs just cruising along. Anyway the day rolled on with a Longtom and another small Mackie as well as a number of big hits which didn't stay connected. Towards the end of our trip we started playing around with the locals which was a bit of fun and then it was the long walk back up the hill to the car @ around 1. High anticipation with really not much to show is all i can say now. Highlights would deffinitely have to be the GT and the locals, the locals are allways entertaining. All in all it was a good day to be outdoors, even with the heat! Look forward to hitting up this place next time. Pics to follow..

Here they are..

Damo

Can any one fish a DFZ zone ? apart from commercial fishing or related activity, is that correct ?

Any one care to share some tips on catching the Salmon, what time of the year do they start running, how hard or easy it is going to be to land one.

whats best, live, Lure's, Mulie's, I spose they will take all

I my self would like to drive South this year to get a few, release a few over all have a good time.

TT ( karl )

Hi all.. I'm new to Fishwrecked.com,..  I think it a great site.

I remember the other day, That when i was a lot younger my family and friends would go down near the yacht club in Applecross and go pull the prawn net, We did this at least two or three times a year.. I cant remember the last time we did, would have to be over ten years ago now or more like 15 now..

Dose anyone still do this or is there any prawns left in the river?? and also thinking nets may have been band in the river..

not sure what to think anyone can fill me in on this topic??

Thanks Brad

Gday just letting you know im going to fish 3 mile Beach fishing (Just north of Moore river 1hr north of perth) today in the afternoon /evening all welcome to come and hopefully catch a few the last few times i have been up there we have caught herring whiting tailor and seen mulloway caught from about 4pm on

Hi - will be going to Fiji in April this year for a few days for work and am thinking of staying on for a few days for a holiday/ fishing etc.

Will be staying at The Westin Denarau Island Resort initially but not sure whether this a good central spot or whether its worth moving on somewhere else afterwards.......

Any ideas gratefully received. Would be interested in both shorebashing and a charter or two if you have any recommendations?

Cheers

Darren

Some pics off a mate from school hand feeding and catching sambo's up north.

Hi guys! With the eastlies blowing, hopefully get the boat in the water early and head down and try for a fish at Hale Rd reef. Anyone else heading out tomrw (tuesday)

Dose anyone know were the picture of that massive exmouth mackie is.. i have been looking for it every where

Can anyone put me onto an area (NOR) with some decent sand whiting.I have only been catching tiddlers from the boat. Cheers Pete

hey ppl i am heading to exmouth this month and was just wondering if any one has and tips for me as in what to bring to make the trip easier and stuff that i wont need to bring any help would be great

looking at getting a new flick rod for a 2500 size reel for under 200 bucks

looking at the 7'6 2-4kg raider

any comments or suggestions?

cheers

Reuben

old link : http://fishwrecked.com/node/16430

Exmouth FishWrecked Fishing Comp 2009  May the 2nd & 3rd

With only 12 more weekends before we all hit the exmouth waters, thought we should get an uptodate list going and maybe some new members would like to sign up. It is going to be a great time with around  57 members already .

To be decided on the prizes and line class, there will be a gamefish section, bottom bounce section and landbased section, which will have smaller subsections.  Its $10 per person entry for Saturday and Sunday and theres a prize pool of $500 so far and a large blown up photo of a coral trout under the Exxy Navy pier donated by Gully link to view pics : http://fishwrecked.com/node/18749.  So including the entry fee $ tally, probably another $500 to go into the kitty without any sponsors or anything else included.

Any one with any sponsorship or know any one that would like to sponsor a trophy or donate a prize  please contact Adam via pm

Please update this list if your plans have changed, still able to come or unfortunately not able to make it.

current as of 8th Feb 2009

Anyone using these? The latest Mullas we've been catching tend swallow the bait and the hook right down, end up having to re-rig so want to give circles a go as i've heard many benifits. Which brand make the best? Will also be giving them a go on some Snapper and other bottom feeders.

Well I tried to book into Jurien for Easter, but because I left it too late,... missed out on accommodation.

Have been talking to damo6230 and we have decided on a 4WD trek to 'East of Esperance' to hunt Mulloway. Roll out the swags and spend 2 days solid fishing with a days drive there and a days drive home from Bunbury.

Are there any other members interested in joining us? We are still in the early process of working out the details and if any other members have some well worth while tips/knowledge of the area...? then we would love to hear from you.

Do we go to Israelite bay? or are there better spots to target Big Mulloway from the beaches down this way?