Narooma News fishing report - Marlin moving, kingfish coming
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THE marlin bite has moved south this week, with the best reported catches between Tathra and Eden.
There were still a few marlin caught north of Tathra, however bait balls were a bit scarce over ‘The Shelf’ north of Montague Island, but when bait balls were found marlin and makos were on the agenda.
Dolphinfish have also become scarce around Montague, as soon as the water temperature dropped below 21.5 the ‘Dollies’ moved on to warmer water.
For the offshore kingfish fisher, Saturday and Monday provided the best opportunities for kingfish, there were a couple of sessions during the day, with the best being between 8am to 9.30am and also 2.30pm to 4pm. At the moment the kings prefer live baits, but be prepared as this could change any day.
Most kings have been caught on the north end of Montague Island, however there have also been a few kings chasing bait around The Fowl House, and The Nursery.
Charter boat operators from Narooma are reporting very mixed catches this week, whilst marlin and kingfish have been the main targets, there have also been plenty of ‘bread & butter’ fish to be had.
Depending on the conditions boats have been landing kingfish, dolphinfish, snapper, morwong, ocean perch, sharks, long finned perch, silver trevally (some over 1kg), gurnard, and heaps of flathead.
A word of caution to boats crossing the Narooma bar entrance at first light.
As well as the normal boating hazards that this crossing might present, please now also be on the look-out for kayakers going out the entrance.
All marine craft operators have a responsibility to be on watch for dangers, but suddenly coming onto a kayaker while a boat is trying to go to sea may cause some bad decisions to be made.
Water temp has been between 19-22c inside The Shelf, with water clarity varying from crystal clear to khaki green.
When the water goes dirty green don’t bother trying for reef fish, unless you are using berley. Reef fish don’t have great eyesight and appear to rely more on smell when their vision is impaired.
Marine Radio VHF Channel 22 is a ‘repeater’ channel which operates along the Far South Coast.
It has been designed for brief messages, and is not for use as a ‘conversation’ channel, if boaters want to have a chat then pick another channel, speak to Coastal Patrol to find the best choice.
To those people who need to use foul language on Channel 22, remember the saying: ‘People who swear on the radio, can’t catch fish'
Fish Facts: There are currently plenty of flying fish off the South Coast. On average, flying fish can glide 50m, but have been known to glide as far as 660 feet (200 m). And they can reach heights up to 19 feet (6m).
Fishing Soap Box: Narooma inshore and offshore boaties are still waiting to see what design council comes up with for the new Apex Park boat ramp. The Narooma Port Committee is less than impressed with what has been presented so far. Come on guys, show us that council can do this right!
- John Moore
Marlin tagged at Ulladulla recaptured
A STRIPED marlin tagged and released by Ulladulla Sport and Gamefishing Club member George Lirantzis on the boat Side Effect on March 23, 2014 was recently reported as recaptured by Darren Buttigieg of Greenvale Sport and Gamefishing Club.
Darren hooked the tagged marlin on January 28 while fishing off Eden on the Far South Coast NSW onboard Back ‘n Up.
The marlin was at liberty for 314 days before it was recaptured, re-tagged and released.
From the recapture location, it shows that the fish had travelled a straight-line distance of approximately 107 nautical miles in a southwesterly direction.
It is most likely, however, that this marlin had headed north with the receding East Australian Current during the late autumn/winter months of 2014.
It may have headed all the way towards the known striped marlin spawning grounds situated over the Norfolk Ridge – the undersea mountain ridge between New Zealand and New Caledonia, before moving back south with the warm currents to feed on the plentiful bait fish along the NSW continental shelf.
NSGFC news
NAROOMA Sport and Gamefishing Club member Barry “Baz” Wells had the pleasure of an interstate club member staying with him - “Barnacle Bill” from Magnetic Island in far north Queensland.
Barry and Bill went fishing on numerous occasions so Bill could catch a mulloway.
On one of the outings two were caught but, unfortunately for Bill, Baz caught both.
As friends do, stirring occurred, Baz said to Bill, “Don’t worry mate, it’s just local knowledge”.
Bill accepted this and replied “All right mate, just wait till you come up to “Maggie” later this year!.
Even though both fishermen were using the same gear, same bait and sitting just 6-feet apart, it was only Baz’s rod that went off.
Fishing can be cruel!!
As usual the NSGFC rooms, situated on the inlet near the restaurants, will be open for fish stories, drinks and snacks from 4pm till 9pm on Friday. Visitors are most welcome to come along and have a chat with the members.
Members and all comer's please note:
The NSGFC ANSA Convention is on Friday, March 6 to Sunday, March 8.
Competition starts at 12.01am on Friday and finishes 1pm Sunday.
Tuross Head tournament coming up
THE Tuross Head Flathead and Bream Tournament is the flagship event of the Tuross Head Fishing Club.
Held annually in March, the tournament attracts over 200 competitors every year.
Rich in prizes and fun, the catch-and-release Flathead & Bream Tournament is an easy add to the fishing calendar of the anglers of South-East Australia.
Set on the Tuross River system, the competition enjoys some of the most picturesque surrounds you could hope for while chasing down the two iconic bread and butter species of the region.
The event costs $100 and spots are filling fast.
Fishing donation
Narooma area fisherman Anthony Hicks decided to auction off on social media some of the fishing prizes he has won recently in online competitions to raise money for the Starlight Foundation.
He put the fishing gear up for auction on the “Breamobsessions Breaming Tips” and his own “Everything Fishing” Facebook pages. Canberra fisherman Wayne Siow was the successful bidder with a bid of $320. Well done guys!