NSW
Perfect time to be walking banks NEW ENGLAND RIVERS
Adam Townsend
For many seasons now, April has always proved to be one of the better months of year to be out on the water, exploring the many creeks and streams the New England Northern Tablelands area has to offer. The days are still warm enough to get the trout and perch species fired up, but also cool enough for you to spend the day exploring the larger rivers or impoundments for Murray cod. With daylight savings ending, the full moon on the 6th of this month, and the Easter holidays also being on the same weekend, there is a bit to consider while planning a trip here – especially if you are planning on camping around the dam’s edges. The water levels have been
inconsistent in recent weeks, with dropping water levels for irrigation, as well as heavy rainfalls in the upper catchments making the banks very soft in some spots. It could be hard finding decent
camping spots this Easter so be mindful, and careful when picking and choosing spots to set up – especially the major impoundments such as Copeton and Pindari dams. They are notorious for seeing
cars and trailers sink to their axles along the water’s edge when levels recede. On that same note, it is the perfect time to be walking the banks looking for lures still attached to
Luke Brooks with a well conditioned New England Murray cod. It was caught on a Megabass Big M 2.0 on the eve of the new moon.
The Gotcha Shad Max is a fun lure to throw, as you never know what is going to happen next. The author has caught fish the same size as it, as well as a 1m+ fish from the kayak.
snags while the water levels are dropping. Copeton Dam is currently sitting at 85% capacity after falling from 89% earlier this year, while Pindari Dam sits close to 84% capacity, down from 94% at the time of writing my last report. The new moon will fall on the 20th of this month (dam levels current at time of writing and may have changed in recent days). With daylight savings now at an end, it will be lighter in the mornings (clocks go back one hour). Surface and sub-surface lures come into their own at this time of year, and are one of the better options in the lower light periods, so it is always worth having a
Some of the author’s favourite lures: weedless frogs, Cod-King Chatterbaits, Westin MonsterVibe spinnerbait, Barambah Bony Bream, Mimix Dragonsaurus, Gumble Baits Paddler, Entice Mr Weedless, Entice Gotcha Shad Max, Megabass Big M hardbodies, Garuda, Vatalions and Magdraft/Magslowl swimbaits. couple in the tacklebox. As I have said before, having a variety of lures is definitely a must as you never know what situation you will be dealt. The waterways can change a lot in a short space of time. Spinnerbaits and chatterbaits are good options when it comes to looking for a reaction bite and covering ground fairly quickly, as they can be worked faster than other lure types. Spinnerbaits and chatterbaits can also be very productive at any level of the water column. I like to use a swimbait in a situation where you know the fish are there, and the approach would be a lot
slower in tempting the bite. It does not hurt to upgrade lures every now and again when the bite period is quiet, as the larger natives will start looking for bigger meals as we head into the colder months now. This is when the baitfish and other prey items (such as crayfish, shrimp and lizards) will start to become more lethargic and head into hibernation until the warmer months return. With so many awesome fishing options at this time of year, it is a matter of getting out and enjoying the autumn weather and seeing what the New England has to offer. Good luck and tight lines.
FISHING NEWS
The DPI needs your fish frames More than 400 ‘advanced size’ juvenile mulloway have been stocked into Sydney’s Georges River. The team at DPI’s Port Stephens Fisheries Institute marine hatchery continue to develop and refine mulloway breeding technology, and have successfully released a new cohort of tagged juvenile mulloway into the river. These mulloway average just over 1kg and range from 470-560mm in length. An external dart tag on the shoulder of the released fish allows them to be identified as stocked mulloway. The fish will be monitored by DPI scientists to assess the effects of the stocking, monitor their growth, movements and residency, as well measure
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their contribution to the local recreational fishery. The fish released in this stocking event are expected to grow rapidly and reach the legal size limit of 70cm by the summer of 2024/25. Following their release, it is expected that the fish will gradually move away from the release locations and spread throughout the river, so keep an eye out for a small yellow dart tag on any mulloway you catch in the Georges River over coming the months and years. For more information on or to report the recapture of a tagged mulloway in the Georges River under the marine stocking program, contact fisheries. enhancement@dpi. nsw.gov.au. This recent stocking of advanced size fish will
be followed up by the mass release of mulloway fingerlings, which are currently in production at our Port Stephens hatchery. FRAMES WANTED Earlier this year, keen spearfisher, Justin Ewan dropped into a DPI Fisheries Sydney drop-off location, Adreno Sydney to donate some kingfish frames. The staff at Adreno were there to help with the donation. The information gathered from the fish frames is used to assess the health of important recreational fish populations in NSW. Also, you as the donor will also receive biological info on that fish and will go in a monthly draw to win fishing equipment. The Adreno team said there’s a freezer at the entrance to the Sydney store for this purpose.
“Just pop your catch in there, label your name, and where and when you caught it. Oh, lastly, the scientists do use the otoliths so avoid too much ike jime to the melon!” Eligible species are mulloway, kingfish, snapper, pearl perch, dusky or bluespot flathead, Spanish mackerel and spotted mackerel. The fish don’t need to be trophy specimens – all legal size classes are welcome. Data collected by this program will contribute towards ensuring continued quality recreational fishing opportunities for mackerel and other key species. If you would like to donate your frames, head to www.dpi.nsw.gov.au and search for ‘participating drop-off locations’ to find your nearest drop-off point. – NSW DPI
Justin Ewan’s kingfish frames will contribute to research on these great sportfish.
