F_W_2015_02_

as anywhere, the drawcard out here are big kings

and samson fish. There are a lot of substantial reef

systems around these islands, with some bommies

and lumps rising from around 80m of water to

within 30m of the surface.

Most of the kings and samsons are caught by

jigging over these reefs, but some good kings are

also taken live baiting down deep, and also by

running hard-bodies around the wash zones.

Some of the biggest kings are taken by live

baiting in the Greenly Island anchorage at night.

This is the only sheltered anchorage out here,

but it can still get pretty sloppy of an evening

when the wind shifts to the north. King

George are absent from this anchorage, but

silver trevally, salmon and blue groper will keep

you entertained, as well as the aforementioned

kingfish and a few samsons. Some of the

shallower reefs closer to Point Whidbey and out

from Reef Head offer some good fishing for

pink snapper, red snapper and school sharks.

Neptune Island

The Neptune Islands Conservation Park was

proclaimed in 1967 and is made up of two

groups, North and South Neptune Islands.

Both of the island groups are world renowned

for shark cage diving. North Neptune is located

68km from Port Lincoln, and comprises a

sheltered bay on the north east corner of the main

island. This bay is a suitable overnight anchorage

for larger boats, but fishing is no longer allowed.

Instead you’ll have to be content watching the

kingfish, trevally and big salmon swimming

around your boat.

South Neptune Islands are a further 12km

run from the north islands, and are more

exposed to the elements. Fishing is still allowed

around South Neptune at the moment, and

fishes well for SBTs, with some nearby reefs

producing samson fish, red snapper, queen

snapper, plus school and gummy sharks

Exciting fishing

Well, that’s a very brief summary of what SA’s

western islands have to offer. I honestly believe

we have access to some of the most exciting

offshore fishing in southern Australia; you just

have to time your run to coincide with

favourable weather. Although we’ve already lost

a lot of prime fishing ground, let’s just hope the

anti-fishing movement is allowed to lock out

any many more of our offshore islands. We’ll

keep you up to date with any info.

76 | fishingworld.com.au | February 2015

DESTINATIONS: SA’S WESTERN ISL ANDS

Big samsons

like this can be

caught around

many of SA’s

offshore islands.

Authorised by Robert Borsak, Unit 26, 9 Salisbury Road, Castle Hill NSW 2154.

Moratorium on Marine Parks

Saved Oilies Wharf

Hands Off Meroo Lake RFH

Overturned Ban on Beach and

Rock Fishing

the only party

NSW fishers

can trust

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