Offshore

OFFSHORE Kelly Hunt

It has been a long time coming, but the sun has come out and the weather is on the improve. The serious clean-outs the river systems received with the big rains and flooding has been both good and bad. Good because it improves the general health of the fishing, but bad as it has cleared away a lot of material and old habitat. there have been plenty of these) have rewarded anglers of all styles. Bait, lures and the chucking of fluff has turned over plenty of trout, with many anglers reporting sensational action. Lake Crescent attracted a great deal of pressure early on in the season, and that will only increase as the weather improves. It is really nice to see the catch and release nature of this world-class trophy brown trout water.

Lake Crescent is known for its dark and murky water, don’t think this river caper is for me,” and head out to sea. During the year they take their chances in the open ocean, and then return to feed on the migratory whitebait runs each year. During certain times of the year, down close to the river mouths of these western rivers, these fish are in good numbers, looking to gorge themselves on the bait. They send the bait flying into the air as they chase it in the shallows, and you can often see big bow waves on the surface. It is a very exciting

Jamie Harris and one of his typical fish from the west.

This is a challenge, and if you look at it in a positive way, it’s a new adventure. Learning how the fish are moving and feeding in an old fishing spot with a new look is a lot of fun. In some cases, the fishing spots can be totally unrecognisable, with the course of the river and bank structure totally changed. Of course, those anglers affected most by this are freshwater and upper estuary anglers.

Not much has changed for the open ocean fishos, but I must make a special mention: be very vigilant for floating debris and logs, are there’s still a fair bit about. We were out in the 7m Surtees blowing the winter cobwebs out of her in mid-November, and saw a great deal of logs in the water. Some of these logs were massive and would do some damage if hit at speed, potentially throwing you out of the boat. So keep your eyes peeled, and if you’re roaring along at night, just be mindful.

Now let’s have a round-up of what has been caught recently, and what to expect this month.

TROUT LOVERS

Tasmanian lakes and rivers continue to fish well. The flooded margins (and and you must put your presentation right in front of the fish. This inevitably means a lot of casting, and when I say “a lot”… I mean a LOT. This lake is not known as ‘the land of a thousand casts’ for nothing. Bigger and flashier lures than the more natural colours are often used. It is a lake where you could even throw bass spinnerbaits for good success I reckon.

The West Coast rivers and their river mouths have also been fishing very well. The amount of bait pushing up these river systems against the large flow of water has been impressive. This has generated some big interest from big fish. This style of fishing for humongous trout has a solid following of dedicated anglers. These trout are not your Johhny-comelately farm-bred, pet dam fish, I may add. These are big, strong, wild brown trout, born and bred in the wild waters of the magical west coast of Tasmania. Big, broadshouldered and thick, dark fish that we call residents. These fish stay within the river systems.

Then you have the magical sea-run trout. These are brown trout that have said, “You know what, I way of fishing for trout, and when a big one gets on it’s heart-in-mouth stuff.

Jamie Harris is a member of a keen band of trophy trout anglers who have a great passion for this fishing, and the area they do it in. Then there’s Mason Paull and his son Daniel, who often shape their annual leave around this Jake Howes holds up a quality sea-run trout.

event. Damian Turner from Tassie Tackle and Outdoor in Burnie is another solid trophy trout tragic, so by all means drop in for the good oil should you get the chance. He also knows his way around Lake Crescent, and can also supply a head start of information. Drop instore and stock up on the go to lures and some hints and tips.

Young Jake Howe deserves special mention. He caught a quality sea-run trout from his home river of the Forth, and it was the end result of days and evenings of after-school failure. He would not stop though, and his keenness and never-give-up attitude is to be commended. It just goes to show that hard work and honing your craft pays off in the end.

MAKO SHARK FEVER

It’s that time of the year when you borrow a mate’s garden mulcher and run Australian salmon and couta through it. Just remember to wash it properly when you return it, or he may not speak to you for a while.

Berley is where it’s at for attracting a mako shark to your boat, and you will need lots of it. You can purchase a berley pot and attach it to your boat, and bash away old-school style. This works as well as any method. It’s hard work after a few hours, and can leave you with Popeye arms.

We have become lazy over the years and have made our own berley for many trips. We are lucky to have a purpose-built berley muncher, and this turns fish frames into berley in no time flat. You can of course purchase pre-paid berley, but it can get expensive if you have a few trips without a shark turning up. It may take a few attempts early in the season (December is still classed as early). The fish are here though, and they will turn up at your boat. It just means persistence and more berley. The water of the North West coast will turn up mako sharks, but if you are looking to get one on deck and not go through too much berley, the East Coast is the place to go.

Heading out of St Helens or Bicheno and finding the shelf edge gives you heaps of water column to try to find one. Ideally a drift down or up the shelf will have you in with a solid chance. You can also bottom fish as you drift along. If the wind gets up and is pushing you along a bit fast, a drogue (sea anchor) is a great item to utilise. Have a wire trace and big hook in a nice bait ready to go. Some trips you have to wait hours and hours, while on other days it is like you have parked on one’s head. You never can tell, so be ready.

Summer is finally kicking off after a very wet spring. The fishing season will get into swing very swiftly and the salty seawater will overpower the freshwater that has surrounded our state. This will mean some good fishing over the Christmas period. So have a good holiday season, a great Christmas Day and stay safe.