Locals finding fish between strong gusts

AUGUSTA Anthony Gillam

The schools are back in, the crowds have returned to their hometowns, Augusta has draped itself in the sleepy hollow facade that it assumes for most of the year, and the locals are slowly coming out of their hidey holes.

There has been plenty of blustery southeasterly winds, which summer in the bottom half of the state is known for. It has probably averaged 20 knots for most of the summer, making those days where it drops off a scramble for all land and boat-based fishers. Luckily there have been a few perfect fishing days to keep the thirst satiated.

With the new government mandated fishing bans in place, there was a short period for people to go out and catch the sought-after dhufish and pink snapper. Unfortunately, with the weather not playing nice, there were very few demersal fish caught before the next period of closure commenced.

Those few who were lucky enough to have time off coinciding with good weather and open season managed some nice dhufish and queen snapper out in Flinders Bay. Soft plastics and jigs took most of the fish, however, baits of squid and mullet were also very well received.

Meanwhile those restricted to the land or small watercraft in Hardy Inlet and the Blackwood River have been scoring big time, with an assortment of species working their way through the system right out to the ocean.

Trolling small hardbodied lures through any of the channel areas has resulted in tailor, herring, pink snapper and black bream. Targeting the shallow sand flats and narrow channels between them, especially in the Deadwater, Swan Lake and East Augusta, has seen plenty of yellowfin whiting and King George whiting. Small surface lures and baits of cockles, fishing but don’t own a boat, then come and see the friendly staff at Augusta Xtreme Boat Hire. They can sort you out with all manner of watercraft for the experienced operator or novice. Part of Augusta Xtreme Outdoor Sports, you can drop into the shop in the main street or visit Emma who will be working at our of salmon. Quite often the salmon are being sent back with a nice new nose ring intended to be the dinner for our friends in the grey coats. This can definitely be a heartpumping experience!

Deere Reef and Ringbolt Bay have held good numbers of fish, with bigger fish being located generally at the limit of casting range. Squid tentacles, prawn pieces and sandworms are all taken aggressively.

Rock fishing has also been worthwhile for bread-andbutter species, with herring and skippy providing enough for a feed without too much trouble. Add the odd leatherjacket and tarwhine and you have a tasty feast! Berley them up to bring them around and keep them interested. Try the rock walls at the marina, off the granite at Ringbolt Bay and Skippy Rock. Prawns, squid and fish strips will catch all of these fish and any others worth targeting off the rocks.

The new regulations mean that although you cannot target demersals from a watercraft for six months of the year, shore-based fishing is allowed all year. It is expected that drone fishing will become the next big thing in targeting big demersals from the shore, as you will be able to drop a bait on lumps of reef quite easily. Stay tuned for developments in that style of fishing!

The offshore anglers are smack bang in the middle of the new demersal ban, so other targets like King George whiting are at the top of the list at the moment. They can be elusive, but I would recommend trying gravelly ground in the 25-30m depths to get results!

• Whatever your preference, get out there and give it a go! The friendly staff down at Whitey’s Tackle and Camping in Treendale live locally and fish locally, so if you have any questions on what you have read, or to just want to pop in and say hi, the crew will always be happy to chat. addition, squid make great live bait, cut bait or a succulent meal. This one was bloodworms and squid have been successful.

The blue swimmer crabs are coming out to play in good numbers now, with mainly big males moving around. Drop netting is currently the best way to target them, but in the next month or so the scoopers will get in on the act. Due to the warmer days, the crabs seem to be sticking to the deeper waters of the inlet, requiring a bit of searching around to narrow down where they are lurking.

Black bream fishing remains extremely good all through the system, with catches reported from the freshwater right down to the cut at Colourpatch. The stretch of river from Molloy Island Caravan Park across to Molloy Island has reportedly given up some trophy-sized fish, however, methods of capture, size and actual location have been closely guarded. A couple of long-term local families have been reaping the rewards of years of trial and error, but are keeping very tight-lipped. If you come across some barefoot fishers that look local, it might pay to keep half an eye on what they are using. Soft plastic grubs and hardbodied lures always work and river prawns are great bait.

If you want to try boat moorings near the Old Town Jetty. No skippers ticket is required to operate most of our boats, and basic instructions will soon get you underway.

Beach fishing for whiting throughout the area has been very good, especially for fat sand whiting and some stonker King George whiting. The Cut,

• Rock fishing is dangerous at times and careful consideration of where and when you fish must be practised. Unpredictable weather can quickly affect the fishing conditions and slippery rocks are a recipe for disaster. Please remain vigilant when rock fishing; wear a life jacket and tie off to something solid. You can hire one for free from Augusta Xtreme Outdoor Sports at 66 Blackwood Avenue Augusta, the local tackle shop, boat hire and front of all local fishing knowledge. Look for the big green sign on the roof, it’s right next to the BP Service Station in the centre of town.