Hobart

Cooler water options

HOBART Andrew Large

Tasmanian water temperatures have plummeted, ending a great extended summer run for a host of species but providing a bounty for cooler water options such as tuna, bream and trout.

Southern bluefin tuna still dominate the Tasmanian saltwater fishing scene with good captures being taken along the entire east coast and recently around Burnie and Devonport in Bass Strait off the NW. Fish size is beginning to range with the majority of fish being schoolies and averaging between 12-20kg. The bigger jumbos seem to have moved from Tasman Island and taken up residence around the Hippolyte Rocks a little further to the north. The intensity of the jumbo run seems to have dropped back a notch in recent weeks.

Storm Bay snapper continue to provide close to the CBD entertainment for those willing to brave an early winter morning or two – size seems to be around the 450mm length.

Greenback flounder are always a popular winter time proposition and cater for the angler looking for a fish after work of a night, now the sea breezes have dropped and fishers can begin lighting earlier. Lewisham, Pittwater and Dunalley have been providing good flounder action of late.

Winter gars have arrived in force and are responding to berley in a number of places. The pick of locations for anglers are the channel and Bruny Island itself.

Sand flathead have slowed which is usual for this time of the year, but they are still being found by persistent anglers mainly searching the tidal flats and sandy bays with soft plastics.

The Derwent River has been providing some exceptional sea run trout fishing in recent days with fish to 1.8kg taking artificial baits cast from both boat and the shore. It’s important to remember only 20% of the overall trout population spawns in any one year, leaving plenty of large seatrout in the lower estuaries over the colder months.

Black bream are also making the most of the lack of freshwater in our estuaries and feeding on the same baitfish the sea trout are. This has to be one of the best years I’ve seen for the quantity and quality of fish being taken on the fly. Soft plastic and hardbody bibbed lures are working well too.

Swordfish have all but finished for the year. The weather beat anglers again this year, limiting the available on-water days that could be fished. There have been reports in recent weeks of the odd hook-up but nothing too concrete. Keen anglers are still trying for a late fish off the Peninsula.

Surprisingly, and even with water temperatures hitting 13°C, albacore have been caught wide on the shelf off Bicheno. Although I wouldn’t suggest a trip targeting these fish, with the encounter being very much by chance. Still, as they say, there aren’t any fences in the ocean and at times it’s more about being in the right place at the right time.

It’s been years since we’ve seen a healthy run of mature barracouta, but although patchy, large couta have been taken in the south of the state. The Friars on the southern end of Bruny Island and Cape Queen Elizabeth have seen mature schools of these fish chasing bait and crashing lures intended for SBT. A Halco size 3 or 4 Smith’s Jig in white or chrome is the best choice for these toothy critters.

Striped trumpeter are biting well throughout the east and southeast coasts. Pedra Blanca, Friars, Tasman and Maria Islands are all producing winter runs of these fish. The seasonal closure is still a way off but it’s looming.

In the freshwater, Great Lake although ice-ridden has seen its fair share of snow in recent times. This has seen the brown trout spawn early and return early, eager to feed. Its rainbow trout are just starting now. Quality fishing exists for the keen angler ready to brave core-cutting wind that blows up high.

Other winter or 12-month open waters such as Lake King William and Lake Pedder are producing fish – especially Lake Pedder as its sits lower than most, and conditions are generally more favourable for a winter flick.

Until next time everyone... enjoy Tasmania and the uniqueness that our winter fishing provides.

Thomas Beard sits contently after taking his first tuna off the Tasman Peninsula recently.

BOATING NEWS

Anglers are enjoying the bountiful SBT fishing that is available as winter sets in.

New Whittley Marine Group dealership to open

Australia’s largest trailerable fiberglass boat builder, Whittley Marine Group, has established Whittley NSW Sales Newcastle as the Group’s new boat retail sales and service facility in Northern NSW.

The new facility is located in the central transport hub of Beresfield, in between Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens in the Newcastle region. The new business will sell the complete range of Australian-made Whittley turn-key BMT packages and offer on-site boat maintenance and service, chandlery, used boat sales and Mercury Finance and Insurance.

Appointed to run the site is long time industry identity, John Cohen, who has over 35 years of experience in both trailer boat sales and service.

“With the recent change from Yamaha to Mercury outboards, we look forward to displaying the exciting range of 2021 Whittley Boats undercover and in a boat show style sales environment all year round,” Mr Cohen said.

The Whittley company have been building high quality, handcrafted Australian-made boats for over 65 years, designed specifically for Australian boating conditions. Unlike many boats built overseas, every new Whittley boat is legally trailerable without over-width towing restrictions, enabling customers to tow virtually anywhere, anytime with a suitable tow vehicle.

Whittley’s retail dealerships offer new and existing customers a complete boat buying experience, from the build to ongoing service and warranty support. Additionally, on the Whittley website, potential buyers are able to build a boat, choose colours and options, see dealership stock boats, apply for finance and see each model onscreen via the unique virtual tour feature.

The new Newcastle facility stocks a large display of new Whittley packages ranging in price from $47,990-$250,000+. They are exclusively supplied with the Group’s premier partners: Volvo Penta stern drives, Mercury outboards, Mackay trailers and Garmin and Fusion electronics.

To learn more or to book a marine service, visit the new Newcastle facility at Unit 4, 1 Kullara Close, Beresfield, NSW, phone 0421 922 650 or email johnc@ whittley.com.au. More information is also available at www.whittleyboats. com.au. – WMG