Fishing Report – Feb 22 2021

22 Feb

This week sees a lot of activity in the salt across many species while freshwater is still producing good fish to the persistent angler ….

Saltwater

SBT fish up to 15kg are available on the Peninsula. The usual haunts producing fish.

Couta have been turning up here and there lately particularly in the lower estuaries by those chasing kingfish and Australian salmon.

Calamari have been a little quiet, mainly due to very warm water temperatures around our coastlines – fish are still there but anglers may have to persevere a little to find a feed.

Kingfish are now on the chew from the NW tip of Tasmania all the way down to the deep SE. Notable areas have been Coles Bay, Swansea, Orford, Northwest Bay at Margate and the River Derwent around the Tasman Bridge and Bellerieve Bluff.

Australian Salmon have gone quiet again due to the influx of warm water and relative scarcity of baitfish again this season.

Albacore tuna are available off the shelf on the Peninsula and some good sized fish have been encountered in close around Fortescue Bay.

The occasional Striped Tuna has been caught as well.

We have on good authority several sightings of Striped Marlin have been seen off the peninsula.

Tiger Flathead have tapered off but are still available in most areas where they are commonly found.

Sand Flathead are still biting well on bait and soft plastic lures.

Bream seem to be running well in the lower Derwent estuary with many being taken on lure and fly.

Freshwater

Freshwater areas are now feeling the effects of recent rains with many roads in the western lakes areas shut due to flooding …. Liawenee 14days receiving close to 80mm in 24hrs. Many lakes however aren’t producing the expected dry fly action we are accustomed to at this time of the year.

Great Lake is producing nice fish to both lure and fly fishers. Early mornings and late afternoon helping those choosing to troll and spin. While consistent dry fly fishing has been experienced by those chasing “sharking fish” in the northerly wind lanes.

Bronte Lagoon has been a real gem all season with many fish in the 2kg size range being landed both rainbows and browns. Dry fly is slow but wet fly and lure fishing is still taking fish.

Arthurs Lake sees fish holding tight into shore again the dry fly up here being very spasmodic – wet fly still producing fish. Spin and troll anglers are also finding the going patchy – some experiencing great days while others left wondering if a trout is left in the lake.

Penstock is very quiet – and probably not worth a trip at the moment.

Woods Lake same as for Penstock recent rains have really murked the water and a little time is needed for this to clear.

Derwent River Atlantic salmon are available still at the rapids past New Norfolk.

Good Luck this weekend.