30 facebook.com/BlueWatermagazine
AUSTRALIA|HOT BITES
6 TASMANIA: Inshore big bluefin
Warm currents combined with a plentiful run
of arrow squid resulted in some impressive
mako shark captures along the east coast.
Sharks in excess of 300kg have been caught
and lost, with some boats raising up to five
sharks in a day.
Small albacore and school bluefin tuna
have also been plentiful both on the inshore
grounds, as well as over the continental
shelf.
As autumn approaches, many anglers
will focus on trolling under the cliffs of the
Tasman Peninsula looking for the barrel
bluefin tuna that usually arrive in early April. Beyond the continental
shelf, others will be soaking big baits over the seabed as our
swordfish season will now be well and truly firing.
Jonah Yick – Tuna Club of Tasmania
Ph: 0400 956 7635 EASTERN VICTORIA: Best-ever marlin run
The waters off Mallacoota have well and truly
stamped their name on Australia’s gamefish-
ing scene. Through early February, cobalt
blue water at temperatures up to 24.5°C set
up one of the best striped marlin runs ever
seen in the State. Large numbers yellowtail
kingfish also moved in on the inshore reefs,
giving anglers some great top-water casting
opportunities.
The East Australian Current has been
pushing in to the Bass Canyon off Lakes
Entrance, and as the water cools and the
current slows over the coming months we’re
expecting another great run of swordfish along the base of the
canyon walls. Southern bluefin tuna will also increase in numbers
along the southern shoreline of Victoria from now on.
Capt Richard Abela – Dreamcatcher II
Email: [email protected]Warm ocean currents(approx.only) Cool ocean currents(approx.only)
8 EXMOUTH: Switch to inshore billfish
The fishing has been red hot, with blue
marlin still to be found offshore on the
outer edge and with good yellowfin tuna
a welcome bycatch. Wahoo are also in the
warmer water, along with the ever-present
dolphinfish.
From Easter to May the blue marlin along
with the warm currents begin to dissipate.
Then the inshore fishery for black marlin
and sailfish really starts to fire, with the blue
water sometimes present right up to the
back of the reef where Spanish mackerel
and GTs cruise ready for surface lures.
Juvenile blacks from 40-60kg are common, as are sailfish up to
40kg, but there are always bigger blacks to 250kg mixed in with
the little guys.
Capt Josh Bruynzeel – On Strike Charters
http://www.onstrike.com.au7 SOUTH AUSTRALIA: Makos with tuna
With hot weather and hot
fishing, our bluewater scene
has been frantic lately with
widespread schools of southern
bluefin tuna from 8 to 30kg.
Heavy boat pressure can make
them finicky, but smart anglers
have little trouble tagging a
dozen a day. Our light line gurus have taken up the challenge,
landing chunky bluefin on 3kg and even 2kg pre-test lines! Shark
anglers are also enjoying great action with numerous big whalers
and small mako sharks (as pictured).
Over the next few months the tuna action should continue,
including the appearance of barrel-size big ones. Offshore reefs on
the west coast are already producing big kings and Samson fish,
which will both improve over coming months.
Paul Williams – Adelaide Game Fishing Club
http://www.adelaidegamefishingclub.com.auSouth Equatorial CurrentLeeuwin Current8