After battling through a long, wet winter, all the fishing and diving enthusiasts around the region are looking forward to more fine days and balmy nights, perfect for fishing and diving between our Capes.
At midnight tomorrow, Thursday December 15, the demersal fishing ban ends and we are expecting some great fishing stories and amazing catches to be brought in following this date.
From all reports, the divers who have been able to get out recently have seen some good size dhufish getting around as well as nannies and yellow tail kingys making an appearance.
Arriving at one of our local beaches recently to have an afternoon fish I noticed something that looked like seaweed in the water, but it seemed to stick up and down out of the water... on closer inspection it was found to be a medium sized dugite going for a leisurely swim.
- Roz Cummings, Owner Down South Camping
A reminder to all boaties that with the boating season cracking up, you should make a routine check of all your safety equipment, make sure your flares are in date and ensure your boat fishing licence is still valid.
The last week or so of fishing, reports have come in of some good catches of yellow tail kingys off boats, tailor and mulloway off the beaches and small catches of King George whiting around the bays.
Good reports are coming through now for the larger crays and also the whites.
Cray pots have been slow – but are beginning to heat up now that waters have warmed slightly, resulting in some decent rewards.
Divers have reported good catches from the start of the season.
In the Down South Camping store, we have stocked up on snapper sinkers, USA squid (bait), lures, jugs, soft plastics and a huge new range of fishing rods and reels to help everyone prepare for their catches this season.
Lastly I would like to warn all beach goers this year to be vigilant when heading down for a swim, run, fish or any other activity on the shore.
When arriving at one of our local beaches recently to have an afternoon fish, I noticed something that looked like seaweed in the water, however it seemed to stick up and down out of the water.
After closer inspection it was found to be a medium sized dugite going for a leisurely swim.
We then watched it beach itself, lie curled up on the water’s edge for an hour or so and then slowly make its way up to the dunes on sunset.