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Snapper are lingering
  |  First Published: September 2015



Offshore reef fishing is very good with morwong dominating most bags. Mixed in are tiger flathead that are starting to make an appearance and should increase in numbers as we advance into spring.

Snapper have lingered on from the cooler months to provide anglers with some nice bags. Some of these fish have been taken on soft plastics jigged in varying depths while others have been caught drifting with paternoster rigs and a mixture of different baits with squid and tuna being the best. Water depths around 50-70m seems to be the prime depths, so start on the edge of reefs for snapper, mowies and as you drift wide of them, tiger flatties will take over.

Our reefs are not prominent structures as they may rise only a couple of metres so pay careful notice to your sounder and be prepared to drop on any lump no matter how insignificant it may be as these little service stations in the middle of nowhere host some very nice fish. Conditions at this time of year are usually, lovely and calm mornings building up to north east winds of a fresh nature in the afternoons, so early starts will be necessary.

Further beyond the Twelve Mile would be worth a look for Tassie trumpeter. Not only will you find these fish here but others already mentioned and even more species, which favour the deeper water. By the way some good news for those fishing the reefs, is the plague of leatherjackets that have been affecting anglers seemingly have moved on, at least for the moment.

With water temperatures down there is not a lot to report on the game scene, a few small albacore and striped tuna are around with those willing to put in a berley trail attracting the odd mako shark. Keep in mind if berleying, do so around the Twelve Mile Reef where you can also fish the bottom for reef species.

Since the winter rains the estuaries, rocks and beaches have taken their time to recover, but have done so brilliantly. Channels have been carved in the estuaries exposing structure for fish to congregate around with new snag piles being formed.

Further up the system where the water is warmer is best at present with an array of species being taken on both lures and bait. In fact, as a result of the rains the beaches have now exposed rocks that obviously had been covered by sand for who knows how long. Anglers should look for this new structure both on the beach and the adjacent rocks as these areas provide good cover and feeding areas for fish like bream, drummer and a surprising amount of different species. One way to target these fish within this area is the use of berley. Often fish species not accustom to eating certain types of food will respond to what is on offer. For example striped tuna or pilchards used as both berley and bait off the beach close to exposed rocks will attract the usual predators in the form of bream, salmon, tailor, trevally or mullet. However, fish like drummer, luderick or even groper may be attracted by the scent so expect the unexpected.

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