If Only Fishing Was An Extreme Sport

By Dan Trotter on August 29, 2011 in Sport

As pen goes to paper (or rather finger to keyboard) for this month’s fishing prediction, anyone in their right mind could think that spring has arrived months early. In fact, the last eight days have been clear-skied and warm, and the fishing has been pretty awesome too. What is almost definite about the coming weeks though is that the cold crispness of winter will return and with it the big southerly swells and lashing winds driven from the Southern Ocean.

Pleasantly, the slow fishing that usually prevails during August has not occurred this year. In fact, anglers have enjoyed great catches of many species of fish when the weather has allowed them to venture to their favourite fishing holes.

Sometimes I wish fishing was a bit more like extreme sports: just as amazing to watch as it is to engage in. Alas, television fishing shows seem to be tarred with the same brush again and again: ad-funded infomercials hardly worth their salt or the time wasted watching them, and all to often hosted by someone who rose to fame in another career and jumped across using their clout.

Does this sound a bit jaded? I’m sure it does and if I’m honest with myself I probably am. Amongst the crap, however, there are some real gems. The stand out amongst them would have to be Adventure Bound, now in its seventh or eighth series and definitely worth a watch. The other fishing show worth engaging in is YouFish, hosted by Brendan Wing. It’s full of great advice and brought to you by a truly likeable host. If you’re keen to catch these shows, check out the schedule on Channel 31 or TVS.

Let’s get back to the fishing though. The Australian salmon have turned up on the beaches and they’ve also been making their presence felt around the rocks alongside the always-welcome southern calamari squid.

For boat-based anglers, as I seem to mention in most articles, the kingfish are about. They’re now essentially residents in our harbour and on the nearshore and offshore reefs, and plenty of solid fish are still being caught by anglers with the knowledge and patience to target them.

Tuna have been in half decent numbers on the shelf and out wide of the mountain, as have mako sharks, both in the snapper grounds and out in the far blue yonder (though I don’t encourage people to catch or kill them).

Bottom fishing in the depths has also been producing good catches of blue-eye trevalla, bass groper and the super tasty frost fish and gemfish. If you have the boat and the knowhow, head wide and put in the effort for yummy rewards.

Back inshore, silver trevally have been around in large schools and up to 2 kilograms and they should be present at least for another moon phase or two. Snapper have been around for the dedicated too, although they may well quieten down soon.

In the harbour it’s worth chasing all of the usuals and it’s almost time to spend hours soaking small livies for John Dory.

I hope the winter blues haven’t gotten you down because spring and summer are going to be fantastic. Rug up, go fish, smile about life and perhaps you might even catch a feed. Until next month, tight lines, fishy dreams and, if you hook up, screaming drags too!