Tasmanian Fishing Report July 2024
Great Lake still fishing well despite the cold. This one caught on a yeti.
Short Report This Week
Bluefin Tuna: Bluefin tuna are currently active offshore along the east coast. Anglers are reporting good success trolling with skirted and hard bodied lures. Most catches are in the 20-40 kg range, with occasional larger fish up to 100 kg.
Striped Trumpeter: Striped trumpeter fishing remains steady around offshore reefs and deep drop-offs. Best results are coming from using fresh bait such as squid or mackerel on the bottom. Fish averaging 2-5 kg are common, with larger specimens up to 10 kg possible.
Salmon: Salmon are being caught in good numbers along the coastline, particularly around river mouths and beaches. Anglers are having success using metal slugs and pilchards. Sizes vary from small school fish up to 2 kg, providing excellent sport for light tackle enthusiasts.
Great Lake: Still fishing well around the edges. The rocky southern shores seem to be the pick. Slow retrieves in these cold temps work well.
Weather: Weather conditions are generally favourable with calm seas and light winds forecasted for the coming days, making it a good time to get out on the water.
Please don’t forget to send in your pictures so we can share your fantastic catches to info@spotonfishinghobart.com.au
Trout Licenses
Now Available
You can now buy our renew your license in store at Spot On Hobart or online.
This season, if you are aged between 18 and 21 years of age, you can benefit from a heavily discounted licence as part of the Inland Fisheries Service (IFS) Young Angler Licence Promotion.
Junior anglers aged between 14 and 17 years of age require a licence to fish Tasmania’s inland lakes and rivers for trout, and the good news is that the Tasmania government has made a commitment to ensure that junior licences will continue to be free for a least the next three seasons!
Junior anglers under 14 years of age do not require an angling licence.
New licences, or licence renewals, can be obtained by visiting Service Tasmania, various fishing tackle stores, or from the IFS website: www.ifs.tas.gov.au
Shimano Absolute Freeze Ultra Light 32L and 40L Cooler Box
3 way lid allows for entry in either side or to be removed completely.
Up Coming Events
Fly Tying Day with the Tasmanian Fly Tyers' Club
Venue: Lenah Valley RSL 188 Lenah Valley Rd, Lenah Valley
Sunday 21st July 2024
Between 10 AM to 3 PM
Bar, tea and coffee facilities will be available.
Bring your Vice and Fly Tying Gear along and join in with the Fly Tyers Club in a winter tying session.
An opportunity to share and learn new patterns and techniques.
BBQ Lunch provided.
To confirm a place please phone Stephen Butler on 0419322258
or email: stephentutler@racingbutler.com
Rise Fly fishing Film Tour
Burnie Metro Cinema 29th Aug 7.30pm
Hobart Peacock Theatre, Salamanca Arts Centre 30th Aug 7.00pm
The RISE FLY FISHING FILM TOUR is back for its 18th annual season, now an official part of the world FLY FISHING FILM TOUR (F3T)! This film tour brings you a top-notch selection of short films that are sure to get you fired up for the fly-fishing season.
Get ready to reel in the excitement with this selection of captivating films, showcasing the very best of fishing for the year ahead: Rise Fly Fishing Film Tour, Visibility, What Lies Above, Only the Salmon Know, Transitions - The Bow, and A Line in the Sand. And there's more to come, so stay hooked for additional surprises!
The F3T is the original and largest fly-fishing film event of its kind and we are proud to be an annual community event for all anglers.
The Fly-Fishing Film Tour is the original and largest fly-fishing film event of its kind in the world and is now partnered with local fly-fishing film festival RISE to bring you even more fly fishing. Come for the action and stay for the giveaways and camaraderie that will feed your fishing addiction.
Great Lake Tie In
AN EXPO OF FLY TYING AND FLY FISHING
Great Lake Community Centre
55-57 Cider Gum Road
Miena TAS 7030
10 to 3pm
12 October 2024
greatlaketiein@gmail.com
Learn to fly fish is back again this year
LEARN TO FLY FISH IN TASMANIA'S CENTRAL HIGHLANDS
Full Day Fly Fishing Workshops
Sun 13 0ct 2024
Sat 16 Nov 2024
Sat 14 Dec 2024
Sat 18 Jan 2025
Sat 15 Feb 2025
Sat Mar 2025
Sat 26 Apr 2025
Bookings can be made through:
Ray Curran Ph: 0414294639 ray@redtagtrout.com
Shannon Orr Ph: 0422089401 shazzamiam89@gmail.com
Bronte Fly Fishing School
Sun 12th to Fri 17th JAN 2025
Bronte Lagoon
Only $190
This Fly Fishing School Camp held over 6 days and designed for both Beginner and Intermediate Anglers. Based at Bronte Lagoon, all aspects of fly fishing are taught with a team of experienced tutors and administered by the DEVONPORT FLY FISHING CLUB INC. If you would like to do the beginner course but have no equipment, please contact Jo-Anne to discuss your situation.
CLOSING DATE 15/12/2024 OR 22 BEGINNER STUDENT POSITIONS FILLED
For further information & details contact:
Jo-Anne 0438 210 256
email campsecretary.dffc@gmail.com
or
Devonport Fly Fishing Club Inc.
PO Box 956, Devonport TAS 7310
www.devonportflyfishingclub.net.au
Facebook: Bronte Fly Fishing School
EHN Trip by Jonah Yick
With only one dedicated tuna trip at Eaglehawk Neck so far this season which yielded nothing, I was keen to get back out trolling and hopefully hear some reels screaming. Friday was chosen and a trip was organised.
With an experienced crew; @samnicholsfishing and @peak_viticulture_tasmania , we got to the ramp in the dark hoping to get the lures in the water at first light. After half an hour of working some incredible bust ups the shot gun rod screamed off. This fish emptied a few hundred metres of line in seconds, but unfortunately as we were settling into the fight, the hook pulled out.
A bit disappointed, we got the lures back in and continued to troll. Half an hour later, we happened to be passing the same area when Sam spotted a seal holding onto a large tuna (Approx. 70kg). We realised this was the fish we had just lost. 30 minutes later, with some careful driving and quick deck work, we managed to salvage our fish back, slightly worse for wear. With the action still going on around us we put the lures back in and trolled towards a big flock of albatross feeding hard on the surface. As we passed by, two rods went off, then a third lure exploded in a huge splash which meant only one thing. The first two fish were small school tuna, while the last fish was a pretty solid model weighing in at 87kg. We decided this was enough action for us and we were back at the ramp before midday.
With an early finish, we were home and unpacked at a respectable hour (for a change!), with the bluefin prepped in a cool room for dry aging over the next few days.
Another great trip for the memory bank!
One of the strangest stomach contents I’ve seen in a bluefin tuna. This fish was 87kg and had eaten a roundbelly cowfish, a couple of stargazers, and a globefish/porcupinefish (only the bottom jaw and distinctive 3 pronged spines remained.
