New protection for western blue groper at Rottnest Island
Fisheries Minister Jon Ford has announced a new measure to protect one of Western Australia’s largest fish species, the western blue groper, in waters around Rottnest Island.
As of June 1, western blue groper will be totally protected within the Rottnest Island Marine Reserve, which includes all waters surrounding the island, extending to about two kilometres offshore.
“The shallow reefs around Rottnest Island provide an ideal environment for divers to observe these iconic fish in their natural habitat,” Mr Ford said.
“Protecting these wonderful fish in this unique area will add to the dive tourism values of Rottnest - and add to the environmental legacy we leave for future generations.”
The natural range for western blue groper extends from Geraldton to the South Australian border and beyond, but they are a rare sight along WA’s west coast, especially off the metropolitan area.
The Minister said that in past years, the local population of western blue groper had been impacted by fishing.
=The depletion of the species in waters around Rottnest was one of the main concerns raised by various stakeholders during last year’s review of the island’s marine management strategy.
Western blue groper can live to 70 years, reach 1.7m in length and weigh 40kg. However, they are residential in nature, live in small groups, mature as green-coloured females at 15-20 years and change sex to blue-coloured males at about 82cm in length and 30 years.

Outside the Rottnest Island Reserve, the recreational take of blue groper is limited to a bag limit of one and a minimum size limit of 50cm. Restrictions also apply to commercial fisheries outside Rottnest Island waters.

“Given the nature of this vulnerable species on the west coast, we need to protect it in popular holiday spots such as Rottnest Island,” Mr Ford said.
“In this way, I hope future generations will have opportunities to encounter this curious and fascinating fish in the wild.”

Under the Fisheries Resources Management Act 1994, anyone convicted of taking a totally protected species faces a fine of up to $5,000 plus 10 times the value of the fish for a first offence.
A fact sheet published by the Department of Fisheries on western blue groper explains more about their unusual biology and current status. This sheet is available at http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/pub/FactSheets/index.php?0706

hey guys...caught these beauties a coupla weeks ago at a trial spot. they were my first flatheads apparently,lol. caught a bream too but it was undersized,so was released straight back.

Cheers! 

Hi Guys n Gals,

Inspired by Shag's wonderful photo the other night I have decided to run a fishwrecked kids comp. There will be two sections to the competition depending upon the level of interest and contributions. What I have in mind for the first section is: photos of one or more kids holding a fish that dad/mum caught, and one section for fish that the kids catch themselves. Please remember that its a photo competition, not necessarily the biggest fish and the aim is to get them into the fishing scene, not necessarily winning something. (Its just a bonus)

I will give away a fishwrecked prize pack to the winners as a congratulations. The only conditions are that the photo must be taken in June 2008 and the closing date for the comp is 30th June with voting to be held the week after. I deem kids to be of the age of 15 and below these days, so I think thats pretty fair, if not, let me know.

If you guys have any thoughts/queries or suggestions they are more than welcome.

Cheers,

Adam

I was just wondering if anyone has landed any Mulloway at madora bay beach recently as Scooter and myself went down there a couple of weeks back and I hooked into what I thought might have been a stonker Mulloway. Unfortunatly it got the better of me and thew the hooks after a breif tussle.

If your a keen camper and fisho that would like to work in the industry, have a positive attitude and like working with a team in a fun environment give me a call on 9455 5875 business hours.

Wages will be discussed at an interview.

What we want.

Mature attitude, juniors welcome if suitable.

Good disposition and comunication skills.

Reliable.

Must be able to work alternate weekends.

A fair days work for a fair days pay.

Give me or Sue a call to arrange an interview, this position is open to males or females and more interest will be shown towards someone who has done a fair bit of camping, although you will be required to help out in the fishing department on a semi regular basis.

 Position is in Canning Vale SOR

Regards, Allan MacSween.

Dear Fishwreckees,
I think I have become the Skippy magnet. Everywhere I go the skippy seem to follow.
For example, I went to North Mole early last Thursday and as soon as my first cast hit the bottom I was onto a skippy. Not a big fish though and it went straight back. I proceeded to catch another six skippy, none of them big,and two herring. No snapper unfortunately.
I had been there for about five hours and I had a problem with one of my reels so I decided to head home, switch reels, have some lunch and head down to Hillarys to try a spot where I thought I might have a chance for a snapper.
Ran into Troy (Kaitan) and his mate Andrew and we decided to try a spot on the main wall near "Boy in a Boat" reef.
Sure enough, I soon had a mini skippy on my first cast with my small set-up.
I also had a big rod out with a whole California squid on hoping that a Pinkie might come along. It was out for some time and I was thinking about changing my bait when the big rod went off. Dropped my smaller rod, set the hook on the big rod and watched the line peel off. It soon became apparant that this was no snapper. The critter took off south parallel with the wall and with Troy, Andrew and myself in hot pursuit running like mountain goats across the rocks, we managed to catch up after about 80 metres where I managed to stop it in its tracks.
It soon surfaced and showed itself to be what I thought it was - a stingray. A fair sized Eagle Ray. With some help from Andrew I managed to land it and retreive most of my gear before setting it free.
That was the big excitement for the wall that afternoon (apart from some poor guy up the wall from us who managed to snag two seagulls) and a few more small skippy and a couple of herring.
Not that I don't enjoy catching skippy. I am pretty happy that I am catching fish - but I don't understand how I seem to be catching them on my big rod baited with whole squid and on my small rod - on pilcards, on squid or on soft plastics. And it doesn't seem to matter where I fish.
Have I become the SKIPPY MAGNET.
All the best, Colin Hay

Were any of you blokes at hillarys this morning? Ive just got back, finished filleting. Got a dozen herring.

Was a fair bit of action in the water.

Told the missus that im cooking tonight. Very keen to try out that crumbed recipe that i got from one of you blokes, the one with the Tandanco seasoning. Should keep me in the good books for a while.

Cheers

Fab

was at north mole with my dad this morning till about 8.20 am..with elbow room to fish in..we decided to to move to eshed to get some bait...when we got there it was quiet and normal..but when we look again at the wter..there were about 8 -10 schools of pilcards about 20m each school all over eshed..we saw a couple of bonito's smashing them.but just could'nt get a bonito on our hooks.but we still manage to jagged about 10 mulies..and caught 5 herrings and 20 yellowtails...amazing site...first time in my life i see huge bait balls being harassed...hoping to go there tomorrow morning too..o..and we also caught 10 gardies ..made my day = ]

the best way to be able to release fish successfully especially Dhuies is to bring them up nice and slowly.

So, I just got myself a little ultralight 'bream' rod, and I'm keen to start using it!

In the US, I loved fishing for bass with soft plastics, and wanted to know what y'all would recommend here.

 I want to try some bream/flathead river fishing, but also light ocean fishing for skippy/whiting/etc.

What do you recommend as far as:

1. leadhead weights?

2. Plastics- size/colour/brand

3. rig styles

any and all advice will be helpful for me as I learn more about fishing here!  Thanks! 

it has bothered me for a wile now and it finally got to me yesterday wile i was out fishing. CATS.
the amount of em at hillaries is mindblowing. this girl was feeding em mulies and there would of been no less than 15 cats at a time. it really bugs me coz every time you pull up a fish, the cats try at attack it. have you guys experienced this before? the council should do something about it. ;) if ya get my drift

Hey Guys,

Just got June FWA mag and upon reading noticed that there is a photos with people in Fishwrecked.com merchandise. I also have wrote an article for this month's mag and must apologize as I haven't purchased any Merch to wear as yet. Well just thought I'd let you know it's a great read and good to see Fishwrecked.com getting out there.

Happy Fishing.....

Scotty B

Been meaning to post a few pics up 

first rod is a blue rose PE10 , with a torque 300 and 760 yards of 50ld braid

and the other is a new ozflex 37kg fibreforce glass and a tld5050a with 1000metres of mono backing and 1000metres of penn 80ld braid 

Hi all,

I'm a real newb!! I'm kinda new to Australia (12mths in), new boat owner (2nd hand 17.5ft),new to ocean fishing & I need all the help & advice I can get.

I'm almost 40yrs old & have fished since I was 4yrs old. The difference is I'm used to fishing in fresh water on really fine lines & small hooks. Over here it's all so different!!

The rods are upside down & the reels are huge, the hooks are like dangerous weapons. My boat is the most expensive piece of tackle I've ever bought & it was cheap. The wife wasn't too impressed though.

I love all kinds of fishing & I really enjoy boating, it's all about being there. Any fish is an absolute bonus (except blowies).

One day I feel sure I'm gonna catch one of them big snapper or duhies, I'm not sure how or where, but I know I'm gonna catch one

hey guys wondring if any one coulde give me info on were to catch herring or gardies

at hillarys

dose south wall do any good latley school has got a pupel free day tmorrow so going to give it a shot

cherrs danobigfish

Hi All well we are off to exmouth beging of July for two weeks and as my family , wife and all are die hard fisho's. Kids are 15 and 16 who love all aspects of the water and wild life

We thought it would be great to see the reefs etc under the water as well . I have aranged for an under water camara  so was wondering if there is any where other than turquise bay we could go in safe water Boat or land based (23ft fibro boat) Not scuba Snorkling only

Also maybe where i can get some mud crab

Any help  would be great

Thanks

Russ

"A family that fishes together stays together" 

Has anyone fished there before? I've been thinking of planning a long trip out there from Dongara with a few mates (not my boat). Has anyone done it and what was the result?

Cheers

Andy Mac

Take a look :)

guys got a great oppertunity for the right aplicant to make a break in the fishing industry at a busy shop.
trainig available by one of the industrys most reputable anglers (not me).
general knowledge of both local nor west and south west fishing preferd.
send a pm or call brendan or sam on 9248 3800
cheers brenz

Just thought I would share one of my favourite recipes with you lot.

you need.

1 bag of Smiths chickeen chips.

couple of spoons of olive oil

fish

...... crush chips into crumbs & place fish bits into bag & shake well.

Hot pan with olive oil drop fish bits in.

5 mins turning once, salt.

Eat.

P!ss easy meal fit for a king.

Al.,

can anyone tell me wat is it like down that way? am going there for a tournament...departing on friday and coming back on monday. just wondering while i'm there wat kind of fish do i get? beach better or groyne better? haha am tempted to head down another 30 min drive to busso!! lol always catch something there...especially mulloway at night!! lol and squid!! and wats been biting down at the jetty? any big fish? at the end lol

I must share this batter recipe with you guys, (saw it in a fishing mag), its bang on!!

Did it last night, with a few herring fillets.

Half cup self raising flour, and half a cup corn flour.

Put in a bowl, and add soda water slowly as you stir,(ignore any little lumps), untill you have reached a nice batter consistency.

Coat fillet in a little cornflour before putting in batter.

Put in pan with good amount of oil, and fry.

Drain off excess oil before serving.

Mate, very nice!!!

Will turn you into a pro over night.

Might even pick you up some 'brownie points' with the missus.

Enjoy!!

Fab

Hey everyone, Im doing a day trip with the boat to Busselton on Saturday. Is anyone else going to be down there? 

Is there any Salmon around down there?

PM STAAL LOVER IF INTERESTED

if there are any old westcoast sportfishing club members out there send me a PM

guys get down to cockburn rock wall for some landbased snapper . have had 4 customers thismorning catching between 1-3 ea with lost of fish lost to the rocks well worth a look going by the photos ive seen aswell
cheers brenz

I like the sound of that !!! my son has a Durango combo !! or I could borrow my daughters pink one !!!! It would only cost ya the change in your pocket !! Got both combos with a matching tacklebox for $15each !!! Whos up for the challenge!!!!!!!! I'm sure I could find someone to throw in a prize!!!!

Best to keep it the same rod and reels too!!! my other pink combo wouldn't compete with a darango!!!!

Scott Bateman posted:

Speaking of Blowies....

I have recently heard that blowies use to be fed on regularly by tuna, an old guy i met told me that use to enter the peel estuary and wipe them out. Anyone else heard of this as I may be doing some studies on this later.

Scott, hope you don't mind, but I posted this seperately out of Colin Hayes's thread as I think you'll get more people to see it and therefore hopefully respond.

My experience with blowies:

Many years ago, when skin diving around Point Peron, I cam across a very large school of semi mature blowies. Nothing strange there. However, without exception, every single one of them had no tail! Otherwise, they were quite happy swimming around doing what they do - albeit swimming very slowly. In the absence, therefore, of any proof to the contrary, I certainly subscribe to the theory that some palegic species attacked them.  

As a few of you might know, a special select of anglers are making a trip to Onslow in 16 days. I have an aray of gear and am always keen to try new stuff. I have swoffed in the SW of our state but am wondering if anyone has swoffed  around the Onslow region?

Any suggestions or help/ideas would be sweet as, Cheers Etak roadie

Hey guys,

Ive just sighned up. Im Fab, i really like the way you guys help each other out.

Just moved to north of the river. Im not far from ocean reef. Any idea where

is a good place to start and have a cast?

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Cheers Fab