Sportfishing Australian Salmon

I’ve got a confession to make. I love catching salmon!, and I can hear the howls of ridicule and condemnation from far and wide, “Salmon, pft! It’s cat food, it’s crab bait!” True, but it’s also a great sport fishing species which is now in plague proportions and will put a bend in rod from a beach to a boat.

Look I admit for me fishing is no longer about simply putting a feed on the table, it’s more the experience and simply putting a bend in a rod for the fun of it. As a sportfishing target in southern waters these fish put up a great account for themselves, particularly on bream gear. They leap, shake their head, dive deep and hard, and on most days will eat just about any offering thrown in front of them. When nothing else is on the chew they have also been the saviour of many potential fishless days as well.

These days the proliferation of this species now has them being described in some angling circles as the “carp of the sea” and calls for commercial netting to curb their numbers because of their perceived ability to consume every juvenile fish in their path have thank fully fallen on deaf ears. The reason for their abundance is a direct result of the cessation of intense commercial harvesting of the species with the closure of the Heinze Wattie cannery in the south coast NSW town of Eden in June of 1999. Estimates had the factory processing around 1000+ tonnes of fish per year and numbers north of Eden in that time were fewer as a result. Twelve years down the track the town of Eden is still alive and salmon numbers have multiplied to somewhat biblical proportions. We have seen numerous quarter acre patches over the past few months in Jervis Bay, and many a bend in rod and screams of joy as another offering has 6lb braid pouring off the reel.

For seasoned anglers the humble “sambo” is more often than not overlooked in favour of traditional species such as snapper, kingfish, tuna etc. Try telling that to a kid whose arms are aching as his two ten year old mates scream at him to “keep going”, or the older couple who are now spending quality time shoving each other out of the way as they both do laps around the boat with a genuine double hook up! Let alone the profession guide! Or international lure designer Patrick Sebile who recently visited Jervis Bay to target one and now has a pending 66cm IGFA world record sambo to add to his collection.  It’s all about your perception of fun. Put a bend in a rod and your having fun. It’s easy and anyone can do it.

As far their culinary rating is concerned it’s all in the preparation. If you cook any fish too long it tastes like rubber. Think outside the square and you have a fast growing, high yield species which make delicious sashimi, is fantastic in fish curries, fish cakes, fish soup, and if all else fails roll it in bread crumbs and keens curry powder and smother it in mayo.

As far as tackle goes this species really lends itself to fly fishing, but as I’ve

mentioned numerous times now “you gotta size your gear down!”. For the boat 3-6lb braid or 6-8lb mono on a 2-4 or 4-6kg rod with a 2500 sized reel is ample. Having said that we’ve encountered a handful of fish over 70cm this summer and believe me they go like kingy’s at this size so you will need to beef it up a little. Cast small metal lures, lightly weighted flick baits for best results. It’s also important to remember to approach any schooling fish slowly and respect other boats in the area. If your on the troll around washes and prominent headlands try Rapala xr-8 slashbaits in silver blue or small pink skirted numbers. Retrofit all rear hooks to single 2/0 for better hook up rates and less damage to fish for catch and release. Off the beach in my local area I still use a 7’6 2-5kg rod with 3lb braid and 6lb leader. You’ll amaze yourself at how far you cast cast in a howlin’ westerly when it’s too rough to put the boat in.

Just remember, tight lines is good times, and there’s a whole winter season full of fish and minimal boat traffic over the next few months.

See you on the water some time.

Greg Reid

www.bbsf.com.au

Spring 2012

To our valued clients

It's been a while since we found the time to visit the old blog. With iphone technology the ease of doing regular facebook updates to keep you up to date with the past season means that we can tell you in real time whats biting, & don't forget my monthly reports in NSW Fishing Monthly Magazine which is in stores now.

The past season has been a very productive one with with too many PB's to list. Flathead wise we managed 16 "big girls" over 90cm. The interesting thing about that statistic is that 10 of them came on 4lb leader. We only lost 2 on the skinny line with one 3lb leader parting near the boat after 50 mins of tag team angling by good client Jai Goowin & yours truly. It's all yours next time Jai. In terms of flatties between 70-90cm there were dozens, all released to breed another day. I know of at least 3 confirmed metre fish caught in the Basin this year, so maybe it's our turn soon?

Spring has now sprung so get in quick because October-November are the prime months to chase the prize. I will be filming with Lee Rayner from Adventure Bound in late October & am hoping to achieve a lifetime ambition of bagging one on film. Wish us luck.

Weather wise it went down as a very cool & wet summer, not that the xmas reddies minded. In Jan we had a classic winter pattern with fish schooled in the deep parts of the lake & the worst summer surface lure bite I can remember. The surface bite fired briefly late March & we did manage a few hundred reds & some big Tailor on stickbaits for the xmas holiday period which was pretty cool. The tailor have stuck around with most of the action being sub surface as we speak.

Feb saw one of the best seasons on the kings in Jervis Bay that I have ever had. The averge fish being 80-90cm    with some bigger metre plus models. Time will tell how this will shape up as the recreational catch was huge with some greedy crews bagging out day in day out. Possesion limit is 5 kings & imho the bag limit should be 2 per person & nothing over a metre to protect the brood stock. JB also has fished well for reds, yes the dirty bait has been producing the numbers. Stay tuned for an upcoming episode with Mark Berg's "East Coast Angler" show where we get stuck into some reds, sambo's & gummy sharks on light spin gear.

Speaking of reds, Joe Sandor manged our biggest Basin snapper to date. It went 64cm & weighed in just under 3kg before being released. That fish was part of a double hookup with an 80cm flathead on the 1st of June.

A week after that we had a reality check & the Basin ground to a crawl. In the last 3 seasons guiding I had my least productive tour with only 1 legal flatty landed from 5 tentative bites for the day! That's fishing. The luderick in the Sussex River provided good winter fishing, as did the bream in Wandy Ck , & the many days of sight casting to Salmon in Jb. Throw in a few great sessions on winter drummer & snapper with the odd Bonito & JB was the place to be until now.

All this little speil was penned from lovely 32 degrees & sunshine in the NT whilst I escaped the last few weeks of winter & I'm really looking forward to spring & a summer of bass fishing from our Hobie Kayaks in Tallowa Dam & the upper Shoalhaven River. Hands down summer bass on surface in the timber is my favourite form of fishing. No dickheads on wakeboards, no boats, & the odd 5kg carp to make it interesting. Do yourself a favour & book a yak trip today.

Special offer. The first 10 people to mention the offer on the blog get 10% off their next bass tour, so be quick & book today. Stay tuned for more COOL FREE STUFF via facebook in the near future.

Thanks again for your support & both Darryl & I look forward to fishing with you soon.

Reidy.

www.bbsf.com.au

0413 610 832

PS- The IFISH Monster Marlin episode goes to air on Sunday the 9th of September at noon on Ch10. It's a 1 hour episode. Very exciting. Cheers.

Springing into summer

How time flies when you're fishing hard and having fun!

This spring has gone down as by far the best season I have ever seen for the "Big girls" in the Basin. As we speak we have managed 12 fish over 90cm since late Sept, and more than that in the 70-90cm range. The aggressive nature of these apex estuary predators had to be seen to believed some days with extraordinary stuff like 90cm plus fish boofing 20cm fish off the surface at our feet. The sheer number of 20-40cm flatties that were predated on by the larger females was staggering. The above mentioned fish hooked by Bob Gray from Erowal Bay followed the small one up before inhaling it. It eventually spat the small one out at the net on two separate occasions before we retrieved the smaller one back to the boat to discover the hooks on the vx blade in her mouth and as such no possible chance of hooking the larger one.


This 72cm flattie ate this 37cm flattie and spat it out in the net!

 
My 7kg pb on 4lb leader!


Mr Healy was glad he recently moved to Erowal Bay and hooked up with us for a lesson. I believe it was his second flattie on a lure ever.


Aiden McCracken with a cracker. I met Aiden at BCF Penrith with a presentation I did at a club member night. He's very glad they booked a tour.


 The "I'm totally stoked" award of the year goes to 12yr old Dylan Pollard. Not only did he catch and release the biggest fish of his life, he ended up on the the cover of the December issue of NSW Fishing Monthly Magazine. Check out my latest south coast report today. In stores now.


Generally speaking the 20 deg temperature mark can see the big ones slow down but as we speak it's 22-24 deg and they're still on the chew to a lesser degree.


Don Hatherly with a new pb on the "old school" flouro orange Mr.Twister he threw out for a laugh. Look what the first cast produced.

 As far as the Basin goes it's been fairly consistent. As with all forms of fishing not every day is a diamond, but most days have seen pb's or set goals achieved and we've definitely had a laugh. The real noticeable absence this year has been the bream which have according to my observations had a spawning event in every season this year? The current wet pattern we are experiencing is definitely driving that urge in some way or form. The bream are still here, just not in the big numbers we have experienced in previous years. This situation can change over night and with the new moon this month we should see the surface lure season kick into gear.

Bob Gray from Erowal Bay with 60cm of c&r Basin snapper. One of the very few fish of that size that would be released as most are caught and killed by bait fisho's. This one was caught on an eco-gear zx 40 just after lunch. Bob had dropped 3 croc's in the previous hour in what was one of the all time sessions on the pond.

Speaking of which. The whiting have kicked off with a blast. Whilst most fish have been on the small 26-30cm size to start with they have been aggressive and willing to eat the Lucky Craft NW pencil above all else.

BASS, THE RIVER AND YAKS

The yak trailer is finally done and Darryl no longer has to trundle the yaks from his place to the ramp. We now have opened up some serious territory in which to explore. Over summer bass will be the target. The upper Shoalhaven and Tallowa Dam are already producing fish. The first cicada's started singing a week or two ago and so now the surface lure season is officially ON! We have access to private property at the junction of Yalwal Ck and the Shoalhaven River which is stunning country.


Trish Wills with her first ever bass. Small fish like this are helping to ensure the health of the Shoalhaven bass population.

Why not purchase a gift voucher for xmas for that trip of a lifetime.

JERVIS BAY KINGS

They have started. The reality is that the kings are a year round target. During winter they move off to the deeper reefs well offshore. There are also residents around the cliffs, but it's summer that the warm currents bring the bait in close and the fish follow. We had our first session specifically targeting them last week and managed two fish to 74cm. The start of the season can be patchy but all things going according to plan we're set for an amazing summer given the amount of rain which has provided good nutrient for the bait to feed on. I've also acquired a new kingy popper rod (and a stack of poppers and stick baits:) which will be spooled with 50-80lb braid for the job. Lock and load kiddies!


Ian Jameson with the first JB king of the year! Happy days.


 Darryl was out at middle ground on the yak as well. Darryl sleeps with his yak!


THERE'S A KEEPER ARRIVING IN DEC!

To top all this off the wife and I are expecting the arrival of grommet number two in early to mid Dec. It will be a challenging month to say the least but we've enlisted the help of family who will be spending the holiday months with us to lend a hand. Needless to say we won't be tossing this one back lol.

I'd also sincerely like to thank all of you who have fished with us this year and helped me personally to live the dream of being a professional guide. It's the best job in the world on it's day but i couldn't do it without your support. Have a very merry xmas and a safe and prosperous new year.

See you on the water some time

Greg Reid

www.bbsf.com.au