Archive for the ‘Fishing Reports’ Category

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Fishing Report – 18.09.2010

September 19th, 2010 by Helen

Cobia have shown up in the gulf lately.  Many of them have been cruising through and attacking bait schools off Bundegi, while others have been spotted at Exmouth Reef.  They quite often get attracted to a berley trail, so if you’re in the gulf in a boat chasing some reef fish, then expect a cobia to possibly show up if you set out a berley trail.

There have been many small school mackerel close to shore in the gulf. Some of them have been caught off Learmonth jetty. This week there was a surprise catch of a 60cm coral trout at Learmonth jetty! In fact a few trout have been caught this week by people in the gulf, including an 80cm beauty.

If you haven’t been to Bundegi boat ramp lately, then it’s worth a look to see massive schools of hardy heads that gather there.  Queenies have been periodically coming through and smashing up the schools, so it’s worth a try
for one if you’re keen to see some action.  The queenfish can jump and show some amazing leaps from the water when hooked.  If you stay connected and land one, it is advisable to be careful as they can still be very active and have a few sharp spines that hurt!  If you want to use a lure for these species, a small c’ultiva sinking shad works really well, so does a metal lure in about 10-20gm weight.

Sharks been showing up lately with an angler reporting that one jumped clear out of the water as it was chopping into bait schools on the west side.  Sadly, they do tend to show up more often with the whales and their babies about,
but the other good thing about this time of year is the sailfish…as they say, where there are whales, there are sails! And there’s been plenty of them lately.

The shore fishing has been a little quiet this last week, but those who made the effort to walk the long beach towards the Navy pier have been rewarded with a few big GT’s after sunset.  Don’t forget that there is a 100m exclusion zone either side of the pier.  There have also been some big-eye trevally along that stretch of beach.  It’s a good long walk and you certainly work your legs, so that spot is great for a bit of healthy exercise too.

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Fishing Report – 11.08.2010

August 13th, 2010 by Helen

Well. It’s guaranteed: if I say the weather is good, it turns bad, so this week I will say it is bad in hope that next week it will improve! None the less, it has been calm of an evening and not too cold for winter.  Anglers have had the chance to ensure their gear is well and truly ready for when they get out on the water.

Are you a keen Spearfishing angler? Or, would you like to be? Apnea Australia are holding freediving courses on August 20th,21st,22nd here in Exmouth.  Learning how to freedive is a great experience and opens up a whole new world to people, whether it is for spearing or simply enjoying the scenery.  It’s not often we can get opportunities like this in Exmouth, so if you are interested, pop in to the store for more details.

Meanwhile, pictured this week is a sweet tasting bluebone, or black-spotted tuskfish that was speared off Exmouth last week by Matt Gates. The fish was one of many in the area and was enjoyed for dinner by all. Other species seen while diving included some coral trout and chimanan fish.  The waters have been clear and great for vision.  Spearfishing is selective and often misunderstood.  The EGFC will be holding a Spearfishing comp in December and aim to show how enjoyable, controlled and selective it can be for anglers willing to make the best from their day in the water and what they catch.

If you are boating about this week, please be careful of the speed humps…by that I mean the humpback whales. They have come in in droves and skippers should take extra care for themselves, crew, boat and whales!

Fishing is a good escape, especially from things such as politics: and haven’t we had a lot of that lately!  There has been countless emails sent out regarding what the likely outcomes are for recreational anglers, depending on who gets in. This is important and could mean massive closures without consultation.  If you do not know, then it is worthwhile finding out.  If you’re not sure, call in and see the print outs at the tackle shops in Exmouth.

Anyone is welcome to attend the clubhouse this coming weekend for the Ultra-Light Fishing Competition.  Come down to the EGFC clubhouse at the marina and see what has been caught or tagged and enjoy a meal or social catch-up while you’re there. Briefing is Friday the 20th, fishing is Sat and Sun and presentation is Sunday night.  It’s a bit like a mini-Gamex, with great opportunities for kids to be involved.

Blue Bone spear fished

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Fishing Report – 24.07.2010

July 24th, 2010 by Helen

Junior angler Lane Berry from Dianella is the happy angler pictured this week with his fantastic catch of a golden trevally off Bundegi Jetty this week. Nine year old Lane has entered in the monthly fishing competition and is in the running to win a gift voucher this month. He is also in the draw for the yearly prize of over $700 worth of fishing gear.  The golden trevally weighed 3kg, was 45cm long and was caught on 4kg line using a hard bodied gold and black Bolt Taser lure.

Anglers enjoying the sunset on town beach have been lucky to see some great evenings this week with glass conditions and a high tide with a few bream cruising the shoreline.  The relaxed atmosphere of people sitting on their chairs as boats cruise back to the marina, the sun sets and people walk their dogs along the beach is one to enjoy: catching a fish as well is purely a bonus.

Early morning has been the optimal time to chase mackerel lately.  You have to be keen though and ensure you are well and truly on the grounds with lures in the water before dawn.  Once it reaches 9am, the mackerel tend to sit deep and not be interested in the lures as much.   If you are not an early riser, then berleying up with mulies and sending out a floating whole scalie mackerel works well to bring the fish to the surface.  The mulies will attract the species such as mackerel, but it is advised not to cut up fish baits, as that will attract the sharks.

The Exmouth Game Fishing Club has got the Ultra-Light fishing Tournament coming up very soon in August.  If you are good at patience, skill and light line fishing on 1,2,3,4 and 6kg line, then this is the event for you. Juniors and women (no offence to others intended!) tend to be good at this style of fishing, so come on girls and kids, jump onboard a boat and get involved with this fun week-end competition.  There are plenty of prizes up for grabs including Maui sunnies, Anima prints, vouchers from businesses and all sorts.  For further information drop down to the club, into Bluewater or check out the website www.egfc.com.au

Lane and his Golden Trevally

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Fishing Report – 15.07.2010

July 19th, 2010 by Helen

Ethan Scantlebury from Bunbury is up on holidays with his family.  He’s been catching queenfish on Roosta poppers off the access roads around the west side.  Ryan Taylor reported queenfish at Janz access road as well, particularly on the high tide.  Ryan changed his treble hook, to a single tarpon barbless hook and says that the hook-up is more successful.  Keeping pressure on the fish once hooked is important, especially if they jump. Once landed, retrieving the single barbless hook is far easier, safer and
better for the fish: especially if you are to let it go like Ryan did several times this last week.

The weather has been fairly ordinary for anglers through these holidays.  Of course, if the weather is really bad, there are plenty of good fishing DVD’s these days and servicing your gear is always a good idea, not to mention getting rigs ready, particularly if you are reef fishing.  Different options such as fishing the marina and the creeks in the gulf for shore based anglers can result in new species to add to your list of encounters: there are many different species in this area.  If you’re not sure of what you’re catching, it is best to release the fish.  There is a basic free guide that the Department of Fisheries produce available at the local tackle shops. There is also a comprehensive book on identification of the species you are likely to catch in Exmouth and the north-west.

Jack and Jasmine Murray are on holidays with their parents from Kalgoorlie. The brother and sister have been busy catching Charlie court cod, bream , whiting and they told me they caught a 37cm dart.  They are trying to get some photos of their catches to enter in the monthly fishing competition, so we may see some next week.

We have had some reports on sad wasting of good fresh fish through bad filleting at the marina.  If you’re not too flash at filleting the fish, don’t forget that you can cook up the frame on the bbq that has all the missed pieced of flesh on it.  The meat close to the bone is sweet and wings hold a lot of meat also.  A quick dusting with herbs or brush with soy, honey and ginger turn it into another meal or two.  Fish heads can be boiled up on the outside bbq to use for all sorts of dishes including seafood
chowder, fish cakes and seafood sausage rolls with a sweet and sour dipping sauce. Plus, the water that you have left over from the cooking up of the
head can be used as stock. We are lucky to get fresh seafood and have a great resource that is often overlooked by people who only ever relate fish
to fillets you can purchase in a cryvac pack at the supermarket.

Releasing a queenfish found off Exmouththis Roosta Popper still had trebles but the barbs were crushed

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Fishing Report 30.5.2010

June 2nd, 2010 by Helen

The squid have been prevalent around the marina this last week with reports still coming in from anglers in small dinghies heading out of an afternoon.  Blue manner crabs have also shown up in the gulf with the cooler weather.  Mullet bait has been working well for the crab pots and frames from fish works well too.  The cooler weather should see the whiting anglers return to the town beach of an early morning on the high tide using prawn bait and small long-shank hooks.
Pictured this week is Brett Stevens from minigolf, who was beaming with smiles after catching this giant trevally in the Exmouth Gulf.  The fish had some old battle wounds on it that were healing well and after a few quick photos the fish was released.  These fish are very hardy and we’ve seen many caught with battle wounds like this one.

The Exmouth Game Fishing Club is hosting the Exmouth Classic in mid June, so if you’re keen to get out and target a few reef species, then grab an entry form from Betta Electrical or one of the local tackle or fuel shops.  

The opening of the eatery in the clubhouse is Friday the 4th of June! Nemo’s, as it will be known will be open for lunch Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10-2 and dinner on Friday, Saturday, Sunday from 6-9.  For bookings call 9949 4567.  Profits go towards the clubhouse and non-profit organisation of EGFC.
 

Brett from Minigolf with Giant Trevally

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Fishing Report – 15.05.2010

May 17th, 2010 by Helen

Familiar faces are starting to show up around the town as the weather cools down.  One such face is that of Owen Suckling who has been coming to Exmouth for many years and staying at the Lighthouse Caravan Park. Despite Owen now needing a walking stick with a back injury in his late 70′s, he is still managing to get down to the water for a fish or two. This week Owen went down to Huntress and caught a 65cm spangled emperor using his favourite rod and reel.  He also fed a few charlie court taking his fresh baits.
Golden trevally  have been hanging around the weed clusters inside the reef at Tantabiddi.  They have also been patrolling the areas near the passages with a few other trevally species in the mix.  Soft plastic lures and
poppers work well on these species.  If you prefer bait fishing, then anchoring up and berleying can bring in the trevally as they roam the shallows.

Tracey and Chris Speed from Golden Bay have been here for a two week fishing holiday.  The couple have been enjoying the sensational autumn weather in their 21ft seafarer.  Tracey has been showing Chris up by catching plenty of fish, although Chris tells us that his job is to drive the boat for his wife and for her to catch the fish….yes Chris, we know, your wife has had all the luck this trip! Pictured this week is Chris with one of his catches
during their stay.
The Exmouth Game Fishing Club is hosting the Exmouth Classic on June 11-13th.  This is a reef fishing competition for any anglers who simply enjoy getting out and catching a fish for dinner.  The competition has
generated some great interest from sponsors and there are 24 flash rods and reels up for grabs, along with loads of other prizes and cash.  The event will be run from the new clubhouse and if you want to enter, jump online to www.egfc.com.au or drop in to the local tackle stores or fuel outlets to grab an entry form.
Do you fish from a boat? Have you got your Recreational Fishing from a Boat License yet? It’s important to remember that from 2 March 2010, an RFBL is required to undertake any general fishing activity (including crabbing) conducted with the use of a powered boat anywhere in the State. If you don’t hold an RFBL, you can still go fishing provided you are in the company of someone who holds an RFBL and you stay within that person’s bag limit.  If you are unsure about who needs to have a license to do what, then drop in to
the local fisheries on Payne Street to ensure you are not caught out on the
water.

Chris's gold Band Snapper

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Satisfied Cobia Customers

May 14th, 2010 by Helen

I thought you would all like to hear some unsolicited fishing news from our guest Stuart who has been staying in Cobia – 20 Carpenter St.

“Been so busy this week. Unfortunately when you come back from holidays there is so much work to catch up on. We caught queenies, spanglies, red throat, trevalies, spanish flags. Queenies were great fun…they jump all over the place. I could catch them all day, everyday. Dave hooked a marlin but lost it unfortunately….we did see it jump out the water a couple of times fairly close to the boat so that was awesome and made the trip worthwhile all on its own. We only trolled once briefly so didnt get any macks. We heard that a lot of people were losing nearly every mack to sharks. My mate who has been going up to exmouth every year for the last 15 years reckons he has never seen so many sharks. Still great tho….getting the fish away from the sharks would just be an extra challenge. Thank you so much and I will definately be in touch with you again within the next few months to book for next year. ”

Thankyou to you Stuart. See you in Exmouth next year.

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Fishing Report – Gamex Leadup

March 20th, 2010 by Helen

Wow, what a wild week it has been for fishing in Exmouth. There are numerous people reporting marlin literally crawling all over the water and one boat crew has reported getting 14 different species of fish in one day! Hopefully
that will continue through to Gamex. 

Meanwhile, from the shoreline there has been reports of queenfish, jacks, squid, and trevally in the marina, including the one caught on fly this week from young Braden Cooper. Robyn and Allan from Canberra once lived in Exmouth. In fact their daughter Beck was born here. Now Beck is a teenager and along with her brother Jordan the whole family have returned to Exmouth for a holiday. The family were down at Bundegi with others on the beach when a predatory fish chased a smaller bait fish about 50m from the shore. The predatory fish tossed the smaller fish in the air several times and put on a performance for the beach-goers.  The smaller fish was estimated to be about 40cm long and we
believe it may have been a small billfish feeding on the queenfish that have been roaming the inside of Bundegi Reef.

If you have been sleeping in lately, you have missed some sensational mornings. Nearly every morning this last week the dawn has been spectacular with glass conditions in the gulf and amazing colours reflecting off the clouds on the horizon.  The town beach has had schools of baitfish shimmering on the glass surface and on some mornings you could see the tail and dorsal fins of fish cruising in the shallows. On other mornings the predatory fish were smashing up the baitschools in all directions while pelicans also chased the bait: it really is a beautiful paradise here!

The Clubhouse for the EGFC at the marina is in full swing with Gamex crews in town. Anyone is welcome to get down to see the weigh-ins each evening between Sunday and Friday between 6-8pm.  Although 2/3 of the 64 boats are targeting the tag and release sections, we expect some fish will be brought in to be seen by all. Look out next week for a full report on results.

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Fishing Report – 19.11.09

November 21st, 2009 by Helen

Murray Howlett resides here for most of the year and enjoys throwing a line in for a fresh feed during his stay. He has been getting into some big blue bone of late around the west side: the largest being 7kg.  He also caught a 7ft shark using a balloon rig which he fought for some time and landed for a few quick pics before a healthy release.  Murray has had great success with spangled emperor too and we reckon he could start teaching a few locals how to fish with the success he has had!

The Exmouth Game Fishing Club will be holding their end of year presentation and Christmas Party at the Yacht Club on Sunday the 13th of December from 5pm.  Exmouth Marina Village are proud to be a part of this yearly social event again, and it’s amazing how the marina has changed in the last twelve months!  There will be a bbq dinner and drinks provided for current members. If you are a member and haven’t RSVP’d, then they assume you are not coming….  RSVP’s are essential for catering purposes. 

 There will be beach cricket for those who wish to partake, casting fun and the presentations for year ending November 2009.  Santa will be visiting too!  If you have a child, (another reason to RSVP) we don’t want Santa to miss them when he empties his sack! 

If you have any tag cards from fishing to present to the weighmaster, they must be in by Nov 30th.  If you would like to come along and are not a member, tickets are available for $25 per adult and $15 per child.  To RSVP, please send an email to secretary@egfc.com.au or ring Kathy on 9949 1086 or drop in to Bluewater Tackle World Exmouth before December 6th.

The mangrove jacks have started to move in to the marina with the warmer temperatures. A half pilchard or hardy-head drifted slowly down on an incoming tide tends to be working well.  The jacks can be quite cheeky and are not easily fooled. Ensure you have monofilament leader of about 40lb breaking strain, not wire, as they seem to be able to see the wire and will not take to your presentation. 

There has also been a few malabar cod and estuary cod in the marina.  These fish can pull hard, so be prepared.
The trout have been continuing to show up in the gulf on those afternoons when it is howling around the west side, yet glass in the gulf.  Ben Knight caught and released several one afternoon not far from the marina, including the one pictured this week.  This is a bar-cheek trout, as you can see from the bars, or elongated dots on its cheek. True coral trout have dots all over…..but they all taste the same: delicious!  The limit is one per person per day and in these shallow waters of the gulf, these hardy fish release well.

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Fishing Report 10.09.09

September 14th, 2009 by Helen

Yellowfin whiting have been prolific along the gulf beaches along with
yellowfin bream this last week according to visiting parents of staff.
Small queenfish have also been patrolling the outside of the northern wall
of the marina.  Light spin outfits and small metal slices are working best
for these fish with the trebles replaced with a single tarpon hook. The 3″
gulp minnows have worked well inside the marina on the local bream
population with the occasional cod and mangrove jack surprising the unwary
angler.

Giant Trevelly have been hanging around the breakers along the west side as
expected at this time of year.  Some daring anglers brave the conditions
when the swell is up, but please beware as these large swells can create
very dangerous conditions.  Good quality rock spiked boots are advised when
fishing from the rocks and please fish with a companion.
 Spanish Mackerel are still around in thick numbers alongside the reef,
however the sharks have made their presence in all areas lately, especially
with the beached whale off Bundegi.

Fishing can be good and bad, but a day out should always be enjoyable.  I
managed to get out this week and didn’t catch a thing except some bait.  The
tides were large and the current was extremely strong. We trolled for
billfish briefly, then tried for reef fish, but couldn’t get on the mark.
Then we tried for billfish again, but missed the bite! Nevermind: if we were
guaranteed fish everytime it would take the fun out of going!

Bundegi Yellowfin

Bundegi Yellowfin

Pictured this week is Peter Gates with a gleaming smile after catching a
shark mackerel off the outside of Bundegi reef.  There have been quite a few
schools of these speedsters along with long tail tuna in this area.  Now
that we have Bundegi boat ramp so close, it makes it easy for a fish after
work before the sun sets.  Look for the birds feeding and you should find
the action.  You can troll these areas or cast and retrieve metal lures,
soft plastics or if you’re really keen, a well presented fly will do the
trick.

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