Batemans Bay

the distance, and the shape of the lure can also help in distance if the lure is more aerodynamic. The size can be important as the fish can be feeding on smaller bait on the day.

The stickbaits can range from $20 to $120 each, the dearer ones usually being Japanese or handcrafted. You usually can rely on these lures to cast well and have some great swimming actions. Many anglers are convinced that you get what you pay for, and that the more expensive stickbaits work better. I agree. Or maybe I’m just addicted to expensive lures like everyone else! Regardless, it does make your trip more enjoyable when you’re casting expensive lures and watching them swimming back like a real fish. It adds confidence to your fishing.

The other thing that’s very important is the weapon you use to cast. Choosing a light but powerful rod that is 7’4”-8’ long will launch these stickbaits. The longer the rod the more pressure on the back, but if it has some flex then it compensates for that pressure. A long rod that has some softness in the tip will cast a mile.

Next is the line, and 50-80lb braid is the choice for most. The thinner it is, the further it casts. A good quality 50lb line will do the job. The leader should be 80-150lb, with an FG or PR knot to the braid. When casting it is good to have the knot just off the spool between the spool and first guide to allow a clean cast.

Then there is the reel. Shimano, Daiwa, Penn, Quantum etc all make reels that can do the job, but anything that is too cheap or poor quality will fail. It’s best to speak to an experienced tackle store if you want to buy a cheaper reel that’s up to the task.

Casting stickbaits may be the craze, but trolling lures might be the first, last or only option on some days to find fish, or when you have to switch things up to get a bite.

Cubing isn’t nearly as popular as it used to be, but don’t write it off because it has been very successful in the past. It can take some patience to bring the fish to you with a berley trail slowly being deployed from the vessel. However, once they do come up the trail you can have fish around the boat for minutes to hours.

Closer to shore on the reefs, snapper have been biting quite well. The last couple of years have seen a good snapper run, and there have been some good fish caught in the last couple of months and this should continue as it cools down. Successful approaches include casting soft plastics first thing in the morning to late in the afternoon in the shallower areas, and micro jigging in the depths. Snapper can be found in most places and most depths most of the time – you just need to move around and change your approach.

It doesn’t take me long to give up casting soft plastics and start micro jigging these days, as I find a lot of success doing that. For other anglers, the old pillie on a paternoster rig is the go-to. There’s always the competition when the bait dude and the lure dude are fishing on the same boat as who catches the most fish. The bait dude gets extreme pleasure when he catches the most fish, and makes the same comment: “I told you those things don’t work!” And when lure dude wins it’s like winning the State of Origin, and the comment, “I told you so” comes out. We Aussies love sport and winning.

There can be some good land-based fishing this month, with the chance of longtail, kings, bonito and mac tuna from popular spots like Snapper Point and Pretty Point. However, as temperatures drop, we can expect salmon and tailor to be more likely catches. Land-based snapper fishing is popular into the cooler months, as is drummer fishing.

We have seen a great number of bream, with large models being caught from the rocks and beaches. They have been a reliable fish during the periods of the heavy rain and dirty water. The beaches where the lakes have broken open have seen a good bite, and although the water has been quite dirty in the estuaries or discoloured around our rock ledges, the bream have been on the chew.

Another fish that doesn’t mind the dirty water is the mulloway. Over the last couple of years they have been in great numbers but small sizes. However, we

Louis had a good session when he found a school of kings. estuary, and May is a good month to make the most of it before it cools down.

The most reliable thing in May (if it doesn’t rain too much or you find clear water) is squid. Autumn is a great time of year for squid fishing and it’s becoming more and more popular as more fishos are buying the more expensive squid jigs and squid rods these days.

What can be a great time of the year? Maybe May.

Rob Frawley getting into some inshore stripy tuna on light gear.

are now seeing more in the 70cm range, and autumn can be a ripper time for big estuary mulloway. Let’s see if we get some bigger ones this month.

With some more stability in the weather, we should see some calmer, clearer conditions in the • For more up-to-theminute information on what’s biting where, drop into Compleat Angler Batemans Bay and have a chat to Anthony or one of the other friendly staff. They’re located at 65A Orient St, Batemans Bay (02 4472 2559).

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