Winter has officially hit the South West and anglers, divers and boaties are searching for opportunities to get out on the water.
The team from Down South Camping and Outdoors Margaret River has an update on catches from around the region in the last month.
Offshore
With winter in full swing and the conditions not allowing many opportunities to get out on the water reports have been a bit scarce.
Those who have managed to get out have picked up good fish in close to shore including some nice Pink snapper, Dhuie’s and Harlequin fish as well as some good catches of large Skippy.
In what has been a good year for Pink Snapper throughout the south west, both Geographe Bay and Flinders Bay have continued to produce some great catches of these awesome fighting and eating species.
Inshore
Captures of Pink Snapper from shore in the Busselton area continue to filter in from those brave enough to venture out during the NW fronts with fish around the 12kg mark not uncommon.
Herring have been hard to find at times but those chasing them have also been rewarded with some good Skippy and the occasional King George whiting.
Better hauls of King George Whiting have come from the Augusta area including the Colour Patch, which has fired at times.
There have been reports Busselton is starting to produce some good hauls of blue manna crabs at either end of the bay and there is still plenty of squid around up that way.
Pike have been around in good numbers in Flinders Bay and are great fun on light gear and lures.
Mulloway continue to be caught on the south coast and can be targeted in the gutters produced by the massive swells we’ve had recently.
On a final note there was a Dhufish caught on fly recently in what must be a very rare capture of this species.
In what has been a good year for Pink Snapper throughout the south west, both Geographe Bay and Flinders Bay have continued to produce some great catches of these awesome fighting and eating species.
Local anglers are welcome to submit their photos and fishing, diving and boating stories to us at downsouthcamping@westnet.com.au
For local advice on fishing techniques, equipment, locations as well as camping and boating tips drop into the Down South Camping and Outdoors store on Station Road in Margaret River.
Until next month, safe and happy fishing and diving!