BELOW average conditions over the weekend slowed a few anglers down, but the upcoming week looks like it will more-than make up for it.
The offshore guys who managed to sneak out late last week found good numbers of hapuka on the shelf, with some nudging the 18kg mark, although most were the nice 8-12kg size.
The crews fishing a closer have found good numbers of flathead, with the 90-120m depths the most productive.
There have also been other tasty reef species caught in the same area, such as terakhi, morwong and knifejaw.
The gummy shark action has been from the 60-metre line and any of the bottom features should hold fish.
The surf fishing has been excellent for most, with Piccininni through to Browns Beach the most productive.
Mulloway from 60-100cm have been caught, although the bigger fish have been a little bit harder to find.
The gummy shark action has been spread out.
Piccininni through to Browns Beach have produced fish to 6kg, but the bigger models have come from Canunda.
Salmon have still been on the cards, with some crews beaching fish to 3kg.
The Coorong has continued to fish well and I have heard of a nice mix of gummy, school and bronze whaler sharks.
There has not been a hot spot along the Coorong – just find some good looking water and you are in with a chance.
The snapper season has begun with a bang this year, with several nice captures recorded already.
Green and Danger Points have been our local go-to areas for years, but this year they are spread out.
Lots of fish have come from the Browns Bay and Paradise areas around the kelp beds, along with some sharks.
Tim Carrison fished soft plastics around Danger Point earlier in the week and found several fish to 60+cm, keeping four and letting the rest go.
The water has been quite stirred this week, which has made conditions excellent for snapper.
Shark numbers have been good around the snapper holes, with a few schoolies, gummies and bronzies landed.
There have also been thresher sharks spotted in the same areas, but I have not seen one landed yet this season.
Whiting fishos have been doing well.
Like snapper, whiting prefer the stirred up dirty water, so if you are targeting whiting and land a few snapper, or vice versa, do not be surprised.
The Port MacDonnell breakwater has been a good spot for land based and boat fishos.
The jetty has several sand holes within casting distance that will hold fish, so even with a lot of people on there, you are still in with a shot.
Carpenter Rocks and Nene Valley have held some nice fish this year, with several being up over the 40cm mark.
I have also heard of some nice fish from the Beachport and Southend areas from the guys fishing in the bay.
The garfish are still very good.
Cape Douglas and Livingston’s have been great for the boaties and waders and even inside the Port MacDonnell breakwater has produced.
Numbers have remained excellent, although the size has fluctuated.
The squid fishing is still good inside Livingstons and I have also heard of a few nice catches off the Port MacDonnell jetty when the weather has allowed.
We should see the squid fishing continue through the summer period and into Autumn, so now is the perfect time to bag a few.
The Glenelg River did not stay blocked for long, letting itself go naturally on Sunday.
The fishing has not slowed up much, with some nice mulloway caught.
I know of fish from the bridge area and Taylors Straight on trolled lures and soft plastics, plus a couple of nice ones from Sapling Creek on baits.
The bream and perch have been spread out, with the lure guys having luck fishing the snags up river around the Wilson’s Hall through to “the fence”.
The bait fishos have just been keeping on the move until they locate the fish, but the Caves through to Donovans has been an area worth looking at.
The upcoming week looks fantastic for all kinds of fishing.
The team at Spot On Mount Gambier, we wish you a safe and Merry Christmas.
Until next week, safe fishing.
