Weekly Report – 24th April 2020
We hope everyone is coping with isolation well and catching up on some boat and fishing gear maintenance or some fly tying. This week along with the local fishing report we look at some new fly reels, tailor and best of all some classic Tassie fishing videos on youtube.
Fishing Report
Sea trout
There are good numbers of sea trout in the 1-2kg mark being caught throughout the Derwent and Huon estuaries. Hawk Snipers and Yo-Zuri Pins minnows have proven very effective lure choices.
Kingfish
We had a confirmed capture of a 63cm kingfish from the Derwent on Monday with the frame dropped into the shop for science. Given previous years trends now would be a good time to look for a kingfish as the river is loaded with a variety of bait.
Bluefin tuna
are thick at the moment with reports flowing from Eaglehawk neck, Dart Bank, Friars, Storm Bay, Pedra and even sighted as far up as Huon Island.
Tranmere Shoreline on Monday … the day the King Fish was caught – massive tideline close to shore.
Species in Profile:
Tailor
Tailor are an aggressive hard fighting fish with razor sharp teeth that are known to have an insatiable appetite for baitfish. Although a fairly uncommon capture in Tasmanian waters the last few years have seen good numbers of these fish show up in our estuaries and off our beaches. Size ranging from .3kg to well over 2kg.
Tailor are closely related to Australian Salmon and are commonly found around areas with a bit of tidal flow making it easier for them to ambush bait: Rock points, channels and surf beaches are good areas to try.
Due to their razor-sharp teeth destroying a lot of lures most anglers prefer to use metal slices like a Halco Twisty 15g to catch them. Sea run trout and bream fishers have encountered the bigger tailor up as far as New Norfolk as they too like the trout and bream make the most of white bait and pretty fish. These fish can be found from Sept to late May.
Trolling is also a successful technique with fish hitting quite big 120mm bibbed lures.
A Bellerieve trolled Tailor
New Product Review
Charles Jardine Perfect Reels
The first of 4 limited editions Hardy Perfect 3 1/8” reels has just arrived in store.
These reels feature the artwork of the highly renowned Charles Jardine. There will be 4 models released in total Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout and grayling with only 150 of each model produced world wide and never to be repeated. Each reel comes in special Limited-Edition packaging featuring its unique serial number and hand signed by the reel’s craftsman. Inside there is a beautiful black leather case and handmade screw tool.
We currently have 2 Brown Trout left in stock (no 55 and 92) and are taking expressions of interest in the future models.
Isolation Videos
As everyone has a bit more time on their hands these days we are going to add a few great Tassie fishing youtube videos to our weekly report.
If you are a trout fisherman the video below is a must watch. It includes footage from the Shannon rise and Pedder in it heyday, you wont believe the size of some of the fish.
A blast from the past. Our very own Andrew Large takes the boys from Hook Line and Sinker searunner fishing. You can subscribe to their channel here: Hook Line and Sinker Youtube
IMAS Research
Did you know that if you catch a snapper, kingfish, striped trumpeter or a king george whiting you can drop the frame in to us and we will pass it on to IMAS for research?
Below is a Derwent kingfish that was dropped into us this week.
Fishing and COVID-19
Remember if it is necessary to go fishing to keep it local and check the MAST website before going:
https://www.mast.tas.gov.au/covid-19-updated-recreational-boating-guidelines/
