Game fishers out of Merimbula and Eden enjoyed the Easter break with numerous tag and released striped marlin recorded showing the East Australian Current is continuing to feed warmer waters southwards. The upwelling of nutrient-rich cold currents along the edge of the Continental Shelf mixing with the EAC supports large shoals of baitfish, mainly slimy mackerel, which are targeted by marlin and tuna.
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Ocean Sand flathead remain a staple with catches all along the coast, with probably Tura Headland near Merimbula and Baronda Headland north of Kianinny the most productive at 15-17 fathoms. Good flathead remain at 25 fathoms off the Horseshoe Reef SE of Merimbula. Sand flathead predominate with tigers few and far between. Chinamen leatherjackets remain a problem over both sand and reef together with small cuta and also green oceanic toads which love plastics and jigs.
Some large slimy mackerel have been taken from the Merimbula Wharf after dark but overall seem to have left our inshore areas. Salmon remain patchy, best at Haycock and Aslings Beachs, with some off the Tathra headlands responding to trolling.
Morwong remain on the chew at Haycock near Merimbula, White Rock near Kianinny and at the Pinnacle north of Baronda Point. Snapper have fired up as anticipated with good catches reported from Long Point, Haycock, Lennards Island, North Head and south to Boyds Tower Reef and Mowarry. As expected during the full moon some lovely gummy sharks have also been landed.
At the Merimbula Wharf luderick are becoming scarce and it looks like the season is close to finished. Locals and visitors will be back to try their luck in November. Just after dark is the best time for some really nice calamari from the wharf.
Dusky flathead bream, trevally, large tailor, snapper and salmon are available at Wallagoot Lake notwithstanding the recent fish kill. In the Merimbula channel best results are at the change of tide for flathead and trevally with good bream closer to the oyster leases. At Pambula Lake good tailor, mullet, trevally, dusky flathead and salmon are about. At Mogareeka trevally, dusky flathead, bream and whiting as well as pan sized snapper are available. Try drifting with live nippers.
Last Wednesday, April 17, the club played host to yet another NSW Fisheries children's fishing workshop utilising the club's Jetty at Spencer Park. Jim Clarke and Jeff Knox assisted from the club together with a number of other Fishcare Volunteers from the south coast. The workshop was very well attended.
