There are still some whales passing by on their sojourn to Antarctica although water temperatures are beginning to rise both near shore and within the estuaries, so the whales may soon be all past. Pods of whales reported swimming north at Eden may have been following a cool current eddy.
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Out of the blue we are advised the factory freezer trawler the Geelong Star has left our waters and as you read this news, it has passed the Cape of Good Hope en route for Europe. Apparently its business model involving sale of the netted bait fish for human consumption in West Africa did not work as expected. We encourage Parliament to enact the recommendations of its Senate Reference Committee published on November 23, which include: that the Australian government ban all factory freezer mid-water trawlers from operating in the Commonwealth Small Pelagic Fishery and that the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) is required to consider the interests of all users of fisheries including recreational, Indigenous and commercial fishers, instead of just commercial.
The inshore reefs are fishing well for Snapper and Morwong. Early morning and evening just past the turn of the tide gives best results. Sand and Tiger Flathead are available off the reefs, try at 15 to 20 fathoms. The headlands are firing well with Salmon, Drummer and Tailor plus reports of a few Kingfish.
A great result of the Merimbula Big Game and Lakes Angling Club’s Tri-Estuary Fishing Challenge were the fine Jewfish taken near the bridge in the Bega River in pre dawn hours. Also good size Mullet, Salmon and Tailor all taken on pilchards in Merimbula Lake by a Tura Beach team. A large number of good size Dusky Flathead were also captured and happily released, giving local anglers a much better return than those who fished the Flathead Challenge Mallacoota on the same weekend.
Trevally remain on the bite in the Merimbula Channel about the Merimbula Bridge and downstream as well as within the main lake, try prawn baits. With the dark of the moon approaching we anticipate good prawn runs out of Merimbula Lake, you need to fish the run out tide. We are also advised that DPI will be seeding Wallagoot Lake with prawns again this December.
Tailor are schooling all through the estuaries including Merimbula Lake and on Main Beach. Best time for Tailor in the estuaries and beaches is early morning or evening. Try spinning with metal lures. Merimbula Lake has returned a few Dusky Flathead best using soft plastics.
The Club’s Christmas Party is scheduled for this Friday, December 2. Inquires Merrily Bell 0427 011 074.