Well done to all the competitors and organisers of the 7th Narooma Flathead Challenge held on Wagonga Inlet on the weekend.
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There were hundreds of dusky flathead caught and released and the biggest fish was 83cm caught by Brad Baxter of Wagga Wagga up around the oyster leases at the top of the estuary using a Squidgie Grasshopper. All parts of the inlet delivered with big fish caught both up the top around the oyster racks, as well as Forsters Bay and off the main channel.
The best bycatch award went to the angler who caught and released a protected 36cm black rockcod, which are rarely seen or caught, and there were several kingfish also caught and released including a legal-size 68cm fish hooked just off Taylor’s ramp. Click here for more on the flathead comp
It seems the kingfish are finally biting at Montague Island with some big fish around 90cm landed by Narooma charter boats on Monday, but live bait was the key to success.
Nick Cowley from the Playstation reported the Marlin bite may have slowed for now but the fishing for kingfish on Monday was sensational. “Both our boats Nitro and PlayStation bagged out on kingfish by 8.30am with the average fish in the 80-90cm range with some to the meter mark, almost every drop resulted in a nice kingfish!”
John Moore from Narooma Fishing Charters meanwhile reported he also had success with the live bait on Monday. The current was coming from the south, so the fish were on the 'Southern Pinnacle' and all they wanted was live bait. Only rat kings were taken on squid. He topped his trip off with a nice feed of sand flathead.
Wallaga Lake meanwhile has been producing some nice flathead for those on the estuaries. Darryl from the Narooma Ocean Hut Compleat Angler reported some nice ‘crocs’ caught on the lake.
Scotty from Bermi Bait & Tackle over the weekend reported there were still a mix of striped and black marlin around, although the action was mainly to the south but also at The Kink.
Ray from ‘Brewing, Camping, Fishing’ at Moruya reported the Deua River is producing good numbers of bass down as far as Kiora bridge, but more plentiful upstream.
Estuary perch are biting hard especially off the Moruya bridge at night and also up near Yarragee. There are lots of small chopper tailor in the river, stealing the tails off everyone’s soft plastics. The breakwall continues to fish well, with some large bream caught last week and early morning is best.
The bass are also biting at Brogo Dam just north of Bega and is well worth a visit.
More fishing comps
Preparations are well under way for the annual Narooma Sport and Game Fishing Club ANSA Convention held March 11-13. Anyone interested in participating or maybe sponsoring this event can contact Jan from the club on 0412 100 596 for further information. Come along and enter for a chance to win many prizes and join in the good food and fun! The Tuross Bream and Flathead Tournament meanwhile is on the same weekend, expected to draw 250 anglers.
