Narooma News fishing report: water hot and cold
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ON the fishing front, the 2015 marlin run continues on the Far South Coast, the main concentration this week has been from Narooma to Eden.
All three species of marlin have been caught, with some anglers hooking up to 10 marlin in a day.
This year’s marlin season has been claimed as the best for over 20 years.
One of the most unusual marlin fights occurred on Narooma based charter boat Playstation, with skipper Nick Cowley at the wheel.
While fishing for snapper and mowies on the north eastern corner of Montague Island one of the ladies on board hooked a 70kg marlin on a 40lb bottom rig. Incredibly the marlin was bought to the side of the boat, photographed and released.
Fishers at Montague targeting kingfish continue to catch kings most days. Some of the old ‘rules’ for catching kings have proved to be the exceptions this year, with legal fish being caught when the current had stopped and the water was dirty.
It has been hot and cold literally at Montague with the island very quiet on Monday, and the flathead were a battle to catch as well.
The schools of silver trevally are still around and the odd rat king, but not much else.
The current had changed Monday and was running to the north and the water is light green.
Would have been a challenge for the Numnutz winter swimmers on Monday as the water just outside the entrance was 16.9c and got up to 19 at the island.
Massive schools of silver trevally are currently calling Montague home, with some ‘trevors’ over 1kg, and when you have 2 on the line you know your in for a fight on light gear.
This week the ‘old faithful’ for offshore fishers, flathead, have been hard to catch on a couple of days. A week ago the best catches were taken along the 30mtr line, since then they appear to have moved into the 15mtr contour. Where will they be this week?
Some fishers had almost given up on snapper for this season at The Island, as with most fish this year, the snapper run has been about 2 months late, but better late than never.
Some good sized snapper up to 3kg were boated this week, and with this week’s fill moon the catches should improve. Strip baits have been producing the most consistent catches, with large mid-water baits accounting for some larger reds.
Apex Park boat ramp concerns: Eurobodalla Shire Council has released some preliminary information regarding the re-development of the Apex Park boat ramp.
The plan is bad news for boat users and the ratepayers of our shire. Without getting into the politics of this project, the main issues are:
*ESC is comparing the dynamics of a ramp constructed in Middle Harbour in Sydney, where there is no significant estuarine influences (fast tidal flow/currents/eddies), with the requirements for a Narooma ramp. This type of ramp would work well at ‘The Loop’, but not at Apex Park
*ESC is going to demolish the functional fixed jetty because it is at its programmed asset replacement ‘use by date’!
*ESC is planning to demolish and replace the boat ramp tarmac although it is still completely serviceable, and only recently updated
*This proposed structure could expose ESC to future legal liability issues as it will be dangerous to boat users and boats
Fishing Tip of the Week: A reminder that the dolphinfish size limit is 60cm. Fishers need to be mindful of this as most dollies inside the shelf are currently in the 57-59cm range.
Fishing Joke of the Week: What is the fastest fish in the sea?
The one that got away
Fishing Soap Box: Remember which political party supports fishers at this month’s State election
- John Moore
Marlin caught on snapper rig at Montague Island
IT as surprise catch for everyone on board the Narooma charter boat Playstation on Friday when a marlin took a kingfish on a paternoster rig.
Skipper Nick Cowley said lady angler Bec Smart from Batemans Bay on the charter was lucky enough to land the black marlin on the north side of Montague Island after it ate her kingfish.
After about 40 minutes chasing the fish on only 40lb line, they landed it and released the billfish estimated to be around 60-70kg.
The marlin was caught using a Daiwa Seagate 4500 matched with a Monster Mesh rod on 40lb leader.
Nick described it as a very active little fish and got some great shots of the black marlin jumping around the boat.
The marlin was released after being tagged.
Club Narooma fishing club report
IT was a great weekend for fishing and the results showed with a great weigh-in with a crowd of 60 fishermen wetting a line.
There were some high point scores and weigh-masters Ian and Linda Smith were kept busy for an hour doing the sums and after this comp the scoring goes behind closed doors till presentation.
So the overall winner was Dave Clark with Randall Setzer, Gary Beves, Brenda Setzer, Karen Clark, Mandy Yates, Adam and Clair Giffen ,Leanne Turnbull all in the mix this month.
There were some nice fish caught with good size dusky flathead, bream, whiting and rather large yellow eyed mullet all from the beaches.
Offshore has seen some gummy sharks, kingfish and snapper turn up to the barbecue.
Now for a quick report the beaches are fishing okay but the ones around Narooma are full of sand so venture south to Tilba where there are some good gutters and are holding fish.
But the secret is fresh beach worms and you will bring home a good feed.
Next comp for the club is the fresh water competition at Buckenderra on March 13-15, seeing a group of 60 plus competing in what will be a great weekend away but to those traveling beware of the closure of the Brown Mountain for road works so check before you travel
Now over the past two years, we as in the residents were going to see Apex park boat ramp improved but after major hold ups with Marine Park and the council they have approved a centre floating pontoon that’s going to just sit 12.5 meters past the wooden jetty, which is also being removed, and as anybody that owns a boat knows how the current flows at this boat ramp, so how long before somebody will be killed?
Council met with the Narooma Ports committee and they were told of our concerns and council were given an alternative but are saying the alternative is a no go as it will disturb the sea grass.
Well if ever our local minister is ready to step in feel free Andrew because if they don’t change it someone will die and this is just an example of how Marine Parks are stopping any form of development in this shire it’s a pity council and Marine Parks cannot go for a walk to the NPWS floating pontoon look at the way the sea grass is growing and work of that design - now there’s a hint!
- Fishfingers
NSGFC ANSA comp this weekend
THE Narooma Sport and Gamefishing Club this weekend host its annual ANSA Convention, which is a fishing convention in which other similar fishing clubs from NSW and ACT travel to Narooma and compete against each other for a range of prizes and trophies.
This is by far the biggest competition for NSGFC and is a full, three-day convention, feeding over 120 competitors for three days, running raffles and presentations throughout the weekend.
This year, the 45th Convention, begins with a registration and briefing on Thursday evening, March 5 at 5pm with fishing commencing at 12.01am Friday 6 March.
On Sunday, 8 March, at 1pm, fishing ceases with presentations shortly afterwards.
The convention is open to all anglers locally who would like to compete for some of the thousands of dollars worth of prizes on offer.
Register before 12noon Thursday, March 5.
The Tuross Head Flathead and Bream Tournament is also on this weekend and is a catch and release competition.
Tournament co-ordinator John Suthern, tournament marshal Gavin Robinson, tournament registrar Rusty Martin and fishing club president Neil Alexander have been busy getting ready.
The 200 spots last week were rapidly filling.