EVERY DOG HAS ITS DAY

By Dan Hutton on July 20, 2017 in

With the coldest May and June days on record for some time making us all face up to the fact that winter has well and truly arrived, it’s time to execute plans to get the hell out of here, or rug up and find time to go fishing or diving when the conditions and time off work allow it.

With the way the standard Sydney working week is heading, and given the costs of living in this thriving metropolis, I’ve been asking myself lately if, like every dog, the harbour city has had its day. Indolent time by the seaside was once a regular part of weekly life, and the hours spent with a line cast into the water were seen as a way to save money and put a feed on the table.

Stopping to look around me as the hamster wheel and the enemy work steadfastly in union, turning weeks into days and months into weeks, it really seems that people are either knuckling down double-fold and making a determined effort to stay and pay, or they’re opting to up stumps and put roots down further afield, where time doing the things they really love is more available.

With fishing on the mind, but not enough time to do it often these days, I found myself wondering where I could move and still make a living doing what I do. Unfortunately the answer is not so straightforward for many of us, so I guess it’s back to thinking about fishing for the time being, rather than actually doing it.

Moving on to the underwater action locally, if you haven’t been out wide chasing tuna these last few years, then this year might be the year to do it. Whilst no fish have turned up off Sydney as I write, the progression north of some serious sized yellowfin and bluefin tuna has begun and should be upon us by the time you’re reading this. Whilst tuna fishing isn’t everyone’s ideal way to spend a day, it sure is exhilarating when you do get amongst the fish. Catching just one large tuna can create memories that will last a lifetime.

On the inshore reefs, July is an awesome month to fish for snapper, and they can be caught right up in the shallows at dawn and dusk. There’ve even been decent catches of ‘platey’ sized snapper off the local Eastern Suburbs rock ledges. The trickiest part about them is knowing when and where to go. One thing is for sure, though, it has to be safe.

Another tasty target species, and one that is far more sustainable than tuna, is the southern calamari squid, which should be plentiful when the conditions are right. Fish a range of different coloured and sized squid jigs across kelp-covered boulder terrain and anticipate their tell-tale take. Once hooked, hold the rod tip high, wind consistently, and keep the tension in the line. Clean your catch before taking them home, be sure to keep the tentacles and wings, and cook yourself a meal to be pleased with fresh out of the ocean.

Now get back to work so you can afford to pay the bills!