Download the PDF to see the pics! Fishing and Diving the Capes Sept 2012
FISHING INSHORE
WHAT a great start to spring, light northerly winds and a couple of days of low swell have given us the opportunity to get close to the water’s edge to throw a bait out. The target species in these conditions is the King George Whiting and sand whiting which can be found all along our coast in the cooler water of winter. Mixed in with the rat pack of herring and skippy you will also come across good sized tarwhine and the odd flathead.
The beach fishing is firing with some really solid tailor still being landed from our beaches. The occasional salmon has been landed in the frenzy of mulie shredders, but these are usually juveniles. Mulies are still the best bait for any of the above mentioned, but if you are looking for a firmer bait then I would suggest using some garfish.
If you do find yourself with a free day up your sleeve and the southerly winds blowing then race up to Geo Bay and have sniff around for some blue swimmer crabs, they are up here in numbers and of good size.
FISHING OFFSHORE
The same conditions that provide good shore based fishing are not always favourable for offshore fishing and the conditions this past month have not really been the best. The days that did allow us to get out were more than fruitful and there have been good numbers of dhuies, pink snapper and solid red snapper landed from Cape to Cape.
Those that have trolled lures have picked up some really nice sized southern bluefin tuna and bonito. There are plagues of sambos on all of the deeper structure out in the 20-30m ground and they can be annoying if you are wanting to target demersals.
Mixed in with the cold water pelagics are plenty of eating size bronzies so look at running some wire if you find yourself getting bitten off all the time.
FREEDIVING AND SPEARFISHING
If only the water would settle a little quicker and we would actually be able to see the bottom of the ocean we are diving in or some fish to dive on. The west coast has not really given us too many days for diving over the last four weeks but Geo Bay has on those southerly days.
Two weeks ago four senior and two junior members of the CapeFreedivers scored an epic day off Dunsborough with some great fish landed. Lots of solid skippy were seen and landed and juniors had the chance to swim with dhufish and watch as the fathers landed a couple of solid samson fish from a shore dive.
As soon as the water clears a little more I will be taking the opportunity to go and dive for blue swimmer crabs from the shore, but at present it is far too murky up there still.
Just a reminder that there is a demersal closure from October 15 to December 15 (inclusive) and that Western Fisheries has also announced that there will be new changes to the bag limits and escape gap size for Western Rock Lobsters this season, so be sure to keep yourself up to date with the rules and regulations at www.fish.wa.gov.au or go to our facebook page for the link directly to the rules. If you have any more questions come in and see us here at the shop. Till next month safe fishing or freediving.
Last of all if you would like to vote for us in the Margaret River Chamber of Commerce People’s Choice Award – please go to our facebook and click on this link www.surveymonkey.com/s/YTZ2LFJ – last day to do this is today – we would appreciate your support.
–Ant Bostock