Wednesday, July 30, 2014

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







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