Fishing Report 12 June 2020

12 June

Right now, is a fantastic time to be fishing Tasmanian waters!

Let’s face it winter fishing in Tasmania is a temperamental pastime, fishing opportunity needs to be seized when the circumstance and good weather presents.

Easing of fishing and boating restrictions last week saw many making the most of the long weekend and opportunity to wet a line further afield.

Saltwater

Sand Flathead
Continue to be a hit with good reports of reasonable sized flathead coming from Marion bay.

King or Tiger flathead
Ran well right into early May, these fish in Tasmania are normally a late winter and early to mid summer option finishing around December. Tiger Flathead made an appearance last weekend.

Australian Salmon
Continue to be caught, after recently reappearing after a reasonable absence, they have been found in good numbers particularly around the River Derwent and further up the east coast.

Good schools being reported in most districts with fish size being up to 3kg on the east coast.

Jack Mackerel
Are still in good numbers, around local jetties and wharfs.

Huge schools are present off the SE coast as well, these global bait species are being cut to pieces by SBT.

Slimy Mackerel
Around 100mm long have been with us since January and are balling up nicely in their own right off the coast as well. These fish can be caught in and around the jetties as well on twilight if required for bait or burley the next day.

Snapper
Seem to be slowing. Fish last weekend were caught by some anglers trying their luck at Striped Trumpeter in deeper 70m plus water.

Striped Trumpeter
Are in good numbers and size around the SE – fresh squid or Octopus bait being the key to success. Anglers having caught fish to 5 kg. Experiment with a knife jig and larger soft plastic.

Southern Bluefin
Have really stolen the show over the past couple of weeks. Anglers last week who were seen gearing up to chase these fish weren’t disappointed. For the moment fish are at EHN, Bicheno, St Helens and Friars in the south. Fish seem to still be 15 – 20kg, with the odd 25-35kg at times. Jumbos have been caught in the 110 to 120 kg bracket in recent days.

Freshwater

A few reports from Lake Pedder lately tells of anglers doing extremely well. This very under fished lake has a huge population of brown trout. Anglers should start to, where legal to do so, concentrate on the mouths of spawning creeks as late spawn Brown’s will begin to recongregate in these areas as they return to the main lake after spawning.

Sea trout continue to bite well in the Derwent River, last weekend saw many fish caught mainly by anglers spinning bibbed minnows from the shore. One particular fish that comes to mind gave 2kg a nudge and was returned to the water after photographing.

Great Lake saw a return of its dedicated winter anglers, good Brown’s and Rainbows were taken predominantly from the shore last weekend. Sunny Mild 6 Degree days with little wind kept anglers out till late.