Winter is here and the far south coast is at its quietest over the next few months. There are plenty of fishing opportunities though, and those who manage a getaway at this time of year will enjoy the area, with very few visitors around.
There has been very little rain, and typically windless days, clear skies and ideal winter weather has dominated. Plenty of boats have headed offshore and with great conditions some good fishing has been reported. Good catches of sand flathead have been had with tiger flathead caught out in the deeper water. Once again, you need to keep moving until fish are found. The inshore reefs have fished well for snapper and over the coming months this will only get better. When the cuttlefish wash up on the beaches the snapper are at their best.
Anglers who chase gummy sharks have had some success with good fish caught. Fresh fillet baits fished in a berley trail is the way to go. Some good kingfish action was had over the past few months, but as we head into winter the water cools and the action slows down.
Out wide only the odd yellowfin tuna has been caught, with sharks about in numbers. Southern Bluefin are due to turn up any day, and there is a small window of opportunity to catch one. Hopefully the weather allows the boats out when the fish are there.
With the water cooling down the variety of fish on the beach isn't like summer. Whiting and bream become scarce, while salmon are about in big numbers, along with good-sized tailor. The local rivers have fished well with flathead firing up on those glorious winter days. You just need to find the area with the warmest water, as this is often where the fish are. The bream have started to get ecited as we head into winter with black bream moving upstream. Good fish have been caught on fresh bait of prawn and nippers. Those who use lures have had success on both soft plastic lures and hardbody lures, with the rocky edges fishing well on the high tides.
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