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Doesn’t Get Any Better
  |  First Published: December 2009



The summer species have returned in huge numbers and the fishing has well and truly taken off.

Around Kalimna the whiting have shown up in massive numbers and although they haven’t been giants, most are legal and it hasn’t been too hard to bag out in an hour or two. Averaging around 30-35cm, they have been taken by anglers using shrimp, sandworm and pipi along the weed beds between the green markers opposite Kalimna Jetty and the red post at Nyerimilang.

Mixed in with the whiting have been some thumping big yank flatties up to 65cm. They have been taking the same baits while whiting fishing, but will also take soft plastic lures worked along the bottom.

There have been some massive schools of Australian salmon entering the system on the run-in tide and are great fun while waiting for the whiting. Some of the salmon have been up to 2kg and average around a kilo; awesome fun on ultra light gear. Spinning or trolling is the best way to target them.

Towards Nungurner some good dusky flathead have been taken along the drop offs and rock walls on soft plastics and live prawn. DOA Shrimp have been popular, as have Gulp 2” and 3” shrimp in the new banana prawn colour. Remember the size limit has been changed to 27cm and the bag limit is five with one fish only exceeding 60cm.

Front Lake

The front lake has also seen some monster flatties around the Nautilus Restaurant, again on large soft plastics fished unweighted. Several have been caught by persistent anglers and have weighed over 10lb and released after a few photos.

Some good bream have been caught along the jetties on live prawn fished on slack line, along with trevally and the occasional luderick.

The North Arm has been a productive spot for mullet and garfish, mainly behind the footy oval and above the ski zone, with sandworm the best bait.

The surf beach has been firing with big salmon and gummies being taken on first light and just after dark. Some huge seven-gill sharks have been hooked and lost in the wash and rumours of a thresher shark have been raised. The best baits have been squid legs, but fresh salmon fillets, pilchards and silver whiting will produce too. Anglers walking the beaches spinning the wash have accounted for some lovely salmon and tailor.

Lake Tyers

Lake Tyers has been sensational this month, with the big flatties the main highlight. Some absolute thumpers have been caught and released on soft plastics, anywhere from the tavern right up to Nowa Nowa. Large shads, prawn style plastics and vibes have picked up most of the fish but live garfish have accounted for a few croc-sized fish too.

Mark Boyle recently took his son Hunter for a spin towards Camerons Arm, trying out the Newly released Ecogear ZX blades. They managed some nice bream and flatties before hunter hooked up solid and after patiently working the fish back to the boat, he landed his personal best flattie at 72cm and a touch over 6lb. Well done Hunter.

Bream

Some ripper bream have been caught along the flats and in the snags on hardbodies and Gulp Sandworm. For the most fun though, try surface lures like the new Atomic Hards K9 Pup, LuckyCraft Sammy 65 and River2Sea Bubble Pops.

There seem to be millions of garfish in the system too, which are great fun and even better eating. Berley up with mashed bread and tuna oil and fish ultra-light gear, with a float and sandworm for bait.

It is this time of year that the prawns also start their run, so get the dip net and light out have a go. Wait for the new moon and walk along the flats. Just keep an eye out for those little cobblers, they have poisonous spines and if spiked immerse your hand/foot in hot water to release the poison and seek medical help if required.

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