The Canberra Yellowfin Tuna Tournament was on at Bermagui over the weekend. Organisers saw an incredible number of short billed spearfish landed with a couple up around 1.8m in length.
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Scotty from Bermi Bait & Tackle reports around 20 of these cool fish were tagged over the weekend. There were a few solid dolphinfish caught over the comp also. Warm water currents pushing south were thought to also bring on the spearfish to local waters, but these numbers are unheard of.
Carol of 'Aquaholic' landed a 23.4kg spearfish, a pending female Australian record on 15kg line – the current record is 21.5kg. Dave Arthur's yellowfin tuna of 77kg took the prize for heaviest yellowfin. A few yellowfin over 50kg were also landed.
The controversial factory trawler Geelong Star meanwhile continues to be a cause of concern among the South Coast fishing community and its presence in the area on the day before the tournament seemed to go against past promises. See our related coverage:
Back in Narooma, Dash at the Ocean Hut Compleat Angler confirmed the kingfish continue be sporadic out at Montague Island with a short bite of big fish experienced briefly on Saturday morning. Since then the current has actually picked up too much roaring past at 3 knots, leaving only a few bonito around.
Most anglers over the weekend left the island to focus on reef fish and flathead, but even then green toads and leatherjackets made it tough.
While the fishing out wide has been a little wanting, fishing in local estuaries continues to be good. While those willing to travel and put up with crowds have been heading into the hills to target the spawning brown trout on the Eucumbene River before the season closes on the June long weekend. There are plans to introduce a car park next year, which is a good thing.
Back closer to home, Dash at Ocean Hut Compleat Angler says Wagonga is fishing well with the key being to look for the big schools of baitfish on your sounder, and also the birds working. He got a nice salmon at 65cm as well as tailor, and even had the resident inlet kingfish chasing his lures.
There have been reports of good numbers of jewfish in the Clyde River and also a few in Tuross Lake. Dash reckons the jewfish would also be in Wagonga under the bait balls for anyone willing to put in the hours. Local beaches including Cemetery Beach at Tilba have also been producing good numbers of salmon, tailor and bream – as always, fish the rising tide if you can and look for the gutters and deep water.
NSGFC report – Peter Scott tells me that after a two-year drought he finally landed a 1.1kg, 43cm nice brown trout at Eucumbene river where he spent a few days with Peter and Paul Winchester. They enjoyed a tough morning breakfast on the river at 7am, well done Peter. Bob Hirs has done it again with a great dolphinfish caught on Saturday, wide of Montague Island.
It is good to see the kids getting out there and having some fun. Recently young Junior member, Reid McNamara caught several Bream off the back of 'Grandad's' boat in Wagonga Inlet.
A-Line – Is something you give your coworkers when they ask on Monday how your fishing went over the past weekend. Members and guest are reminded that Friday, May 27 is a hamburger night at the club so bring your friends and family for a fun night
As usual the Narooma Sport and Game Fishing Club rooms, situated on the inlet near the restaurants, will be open for fish stories about the big one that got away, drinks and snacks from 4pm till 9pm on Friday. Visitors are most welcome to come along and have a chat with the members. – Jan Hemmingsen
Bermi social anglers – In brilliant sunshine, members of the Bermagui Country Club Social Anglers’ Club met for their monthly luncheon. In president Fran’s absence, many thanks to Secretary Dawn for organising our friendly get-together. The week-end fishing competition elevated Ian Reid, winner of the off-shore, while Robert Brown accepted the on-shore prize. The raffle was no surprise – Ian Reid was the winner. The comp. next month is June 10-12 with members being invited to the AGM on Sunday. – Hooked