If you are an offshore fisher and rely on the electronic weather forecasters like BOM, Willy Weather or Seabreeze, you’d sell the boat. The only reliable way to see if it’s worth dropping the boat in the water is to go and have a look yourself.
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Saturday was a typical example, according to all reports it was going to be near perfect, however, the swells were pumping through at four to six foot and the westerly was whipping the tops off the waves. Past the 30-metre line and the white caps would have made a days fishing very uncomfortable. Several crews turned around and went home, myself included, but a few did venture out and fish were caught.
Most boats stayed inside that 30-metre line and fished from south of the river bar north to Valla.
Good reds between 40 and 50 centimetres were taken in as close as 12 metres out to 16 metres off the Valla amenity block. Berley, and plenty of it, was the key ingredient. Tuskfish up to 50 centimetres were taken on the drift out in 35 metres off the surf club using mullet and pillies and I reckon, a bloody big sea sock.
Don’t be afraid to use half a fillet of mullet or full pillie, fish are gutses. A decent red or trag will not hesitate to scoff a big bait or big soft plastics.
The river is quiet. Al Winter, who fishes the river most late afternoons and early evening has been struggling to put food on the table. From Friday arvo through to Sunday night Al hooked one legal and one throw back bream. He reckons he needed eight bucks worth of chips to make up a decent feed.
Bob Summerville said there are a few blackfish about, mostly on the run out tide, but few and far between and the sea bream just haven’t turned up yet.
I was watching one bloke toss a lure off Shelley Beach into the white water and land a couple of keeper tailor, but overall it’s been a bit ordinary.
A bit of rain mid week might stir things up, fingers crossed.
The club is looking for six to eight member volunteers to help cook breakfast for the Frank Partridge School kids as part of Naidoc Week The venue is Bellwood Park, Thursday morning, 8am on July 5. A couple of members will be having an informal chat with the kids on how, when and where to fish.
We also need volunteers at the Bowraville Race Course this coming Saturday from about 10am. For more info on both of the above contact myself on 04074 55378. Fees are now due. See Rob at the Nambucca Boatshed.
