NSW
Bumper Ballina snapper BALLINA
Joe Allan
September brings with it the opening of the Australian bass season in NSW. This time of the year can bring with it some of the most aggressive strikes as well as good numbers of fish catches. The fish are generally on the move in most tidal systems and looking to head back upriver after the spawn of the early winter months. Searching and fast-moving baits like spinnerbaits and
either a single no. 1 hook on the belly or no. 4s on both belly and rear hook points. I like to go for two no. 4 Gamakatsus. This allows me to slowly retrieve my lures over timber without as many problems. The bream will be around in very good numbers through the middle reaches of the river around Broadwater and Wardell this month. Fresh prawns and yabbies are always the best baits at this time of year – the fresher the better. If you’re into throwing lures, a good approach at this time of
4lb leader (6ft to 7ft). This should bring on a few more bites. Keep your crankbaits handy as well because the fish should start to hold on the rock walls rather than the deeper holes. There have been some nice catches of jewfish both offshore and in the river in recent weeks, with the best seeming to come from the night-time expeditions. Live bait, such as mullet or slimies, has been by far the standout. There have also been some snapper in good numbers and quality size
Brodie McPherson with a nice snapper offshore from Ballina in the middle of winter. amberjack around the 48s. whiting, tailor, bream and the end of August and start Towards the end dart. It can be great fun of September, although of September we should with young kids. there will still be a few see some mud crabs show The blackfish numbers good fish around. up. The best baits for will start to dwindle around Until next month. these this time of year are your leftover blackfish skeletons. Off the beaches and headlands there are some quality tailor showing up. Get out your spinning gear and throw metal slugs for these fish. It can be a great way to spend a morning and catch some fresh fish for breaky. At night, try some cut bonito and blue pilchards on gang hooks. Michael Starkey with a cracker of a snapper caught at There are some good Riordans Reef on an Atomic Semi Hardz Vib. numbers of dart and whiting along the gutters of South lipless crankbaits can be year is to start by throwing around the close reefs off Ballina, and you’ll come some of the most productive 1/4oz blades deep and work south Ballina. Most of the across some pretty nice choices for this time of year. your way shallow up the fish are in the 35-50cm range snowy bream too. Towards If you’re worried about the rock walls until you find the with the odd bigger fish of the end of September when treble hooks of a lipless active fish. If there has been around 70-80cm thrown the westerlies start to blow crankbait snagging up, try some pressure on the fishery, in there. If you’re after a the b awn Blad a Prflat, it’s worth m swell es” swapping out the trebles for drop your line size to 6lb or feed, there’s plenty around.“Ya throwing some soft plastics The best baits for snapper into these gutters. You’ll get Harrison Clements can’t stop catching these things would be cut bonito or everything from flathead to along the town stretch of river when the tide is right. squid, however the bigger fish will be coming on soft plastics like the Atomic Jerk Minnow 6” in ghost pearl, white or radioactive rooster. “Yamba’s Leading Tackle Shop” Don’t be caught up in “IN THE MAIN STREET” 8 Yamba St, Yamba chasing the snapper in close on good days. If the weather • allows, get out to the 100 fathoms and try for some blue-eye trevalla and bar cod. Good baits for these guys are fresh squid and cuttlefish. It can be a hard work on traditional tackle fishing this deep so electric reels are essential in this • Stocking all major brands style of fishing. • Experienced local knowledge • Tournament bream gear in stock On the 32s there are • Snorkelling gear in stock good numbers of pearl perch and trag jew, and if you’re after having your arms pulled Zac Skyring with a solid kingfish out off Ballina. off, try jigging for some
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SEPTEMBER 2021
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