Tasmanian Trout Season Opening 2020/2021 Special Report
Saltwater
Southern Bluefin Tuna still plentiful around the peninsula and southern Bruny Island. Fish size is averaging 12-20kg. Jumbos are still quiet. These fish should remain for the foreseeable future as bait is plentiful and still of a reasonable size.
Sand Flathead have livened up in the Marion Bay area and Maria Island areas.
Tiger Flathead ….. early reports have surfaced offshore of Bicheno and Freycinet regions, heralding a possible early start to this specie for the year.
Flounder were taken during the settled weather last week. Southport and Dunalley featuring heavily in angler reports.
Australian Salmon have appeared at Cremorne, this late winter run usually continues to strengthen leading into the summer fishing we experience during November and December.
Trout Opening Tips from the Team at Spot On The Fishing Connection Hobart
Stephen Bax
Steve’s tips are to head to Lake King William, as water levels should be high, and fish are always active early season. Trolling or spinning with a Black Magic BMax Greenie or BMax Black and Gold or Daiwa Presso Ghost Perch should do the trick as these fish love flashy smaller lures.
Andrew Large
I usually fish the River Derwent for seatrout but this year feel like a change of scenery … my plan is to head to Arthurs Lake for that ultimate highlands experience for at least part of the weekend as fellow workmate Alex and I have pulled some great fish from this water over the last 2 seasons ….it should fish tremendously well again this year. My plan is to fly fish with a Woolley Bugger Mk2, or a smaller black and yellow rabbit fur fly. If conditions aren’t so good I will revert to the spin rod and fish some of the deeper drop offs …. Lures of choice will be our best selling, Jazz 70mm – Black and Gold bibbed minnow, I’m also keen to try the new Tillins 2 Inch Ashley No 43 and 44, and cast the Tasmanian Devil Spotted Dog, No 131.
Alex Green
With the weekends weather forecast looking a bit breezy im thinking Brady’s Chain will be a good option. There has been good stockings of both Brown and Rainbow trout recently. Added to this there is plenty of shore access to either spin a lure or flick a fly, sheltered locations out of the wind are easy to find. Bronte and Pine tier are not far away for plan B options if there are a few people around. My go to fly for this region is an Olive/Orange BH wooly bugger and favourite lures are the Ashley 14B and Rapala XRap 6cm Brown Trout.
Rob Miller
Lake Leake with the forecast weather being rough up top for the latter part of the opening weekend. Daiwa Presso 6F in Iwana is Rob’s go to lure for both shore wading and spinning from a boat. Rob tip is the water has risen quite significantly in recent weeks meaning this water should fish well. Shack owners are also reporting midge feeding fish early in the morning showing fish to be a little more active perhaps than their high country counterparts. If choosing to fly fish Rob suggests obviously a small midge pattern or alternatively a 007 nymph as subsurface option to tempt these fish. Remember this is an “artificial only “ water.
Other Great Trout Opening Weekend Options
Great Lake – although one of the year round ”open waters” this lake has a reputation for fishing well over winter and has certainly done so in recent weeks. These fish tend to become well conditioned after spawning by feeding on the Great Lake Galaxia that choose to spawn in the shallow margins during July. Tillins 2 Inch Ashley 14Ds.
Bronte Lagoon has had water levels reduced in recent weeks, but will still produce fish for the persistent angler whether you choose to spin, fly or troll. Remember again this is an artificial only water.
River Derwent has been producing some beautiful fish over the last few weeks, some anglers have made the mistake and fished too high…. most of the action has been below Bridgewater and especially around Old Beach. Tidal flats have been particularly productive form Cadbury’s Point to Stores Point. Try a Black Magic BMax – Mad Minnow or Fish Art 65mm in CS and FMB.
Woods Lake is sure to be busy but as always it will produce some ripper fish and can be relied upon for a good open weekends fishing. The Tasmanian Devil 13grm BR ( Bloody Ripper ) as its name suggests will take fish but also try Rapala F7 SD ( Spotted Dog ) and the Strike Pro Bass X (Deep) and Flatz Minnow ( Shallow) in Colour 539T for a winner here as well.
Lake Sorell is now open and remember this iconic water will start to fish well at some point. Information has it that some older larger fish are inhabiting this lake and time spent on this water could be time well spent and quite productive for the persistent angler. The options available these days with the array of soft plastics available to the angler make probing the murky depths a viable option. Red and Black and various combinations of this colour were always a famous fish catcher. As a kid the old Tillins 2 Inch Ashley 30 and 14D used in conjunction of an anti kink and spun from the shores of Dago Pnt on a blustery day worked well.
Good Luck and Stay Safe and Tight Lines
The Spot On Fishing Team
Some of Our Favourite Early Season Tasmanian Trout Lures
Column 1 from the Top
Tillins 2 Inch Ashley
No 30
No 14D
No 14B
No 44 – New 2020
No 43 – New 2020
Middle Column from the top
Tasmanian Devil 13grm
Bloody Ripper
Spotted Dog
Black Magic Minnow
BMax - Black and Gold
BMax - Greenie
Daiwa Presso 6F Minnow
Ghost Perch
Iwana
3rd Column from the Top
Strike Pro
Bass X (Deep) – Colour 539T
Flatz Minnow – Colour 539T
Jazz
70mm – Black and Gold
Fish Art 65mm
Colour CS
Colour FMB
Rapala
F7 – SD – Spotted Dog
XRap – 6cm – TR - Trout
Early Season Flies
We also stock a huge range of great early season flies. Here are some of Greeny’s picks
Infish app 2020-21 season update now available!
The app includes all the latest regulations and a full copy of the Tasmania Inland Fishing Code 2020-21.
