Water safety must be top priority

AS another years draws to a close, it’s a good chance to reflect on what’s happened over the past 12 months on the fishing scene.

Sadly, there have been lives lost, with people drowning while fishing.

Please, if you are going in a boat, wear your life jackets.

Every week I receive photos of anglers in boats (usually at remote locations) showing family groups and individuals not wearing life jackets while fishing.

It’s no good sending the pictures to me. All I can do is pass them on the authorities.

If you have such evidence, I suggest you forward it to the relevant authorities, such as the police or Fishwatch. Feast of salmon ATLANTIC salmon releases are occurring around the state, with major companies donating surplus brood stock to the Inland Fisheries Service so that anglers may enjoy the pursuit of catching this fine table fish.

Craigbourne Dam received a hefty injection of such fish last week, with many already CARL HYLAND having been landed, mainly by shore-based anglers.

No standout lure is taking fish, but anything in a hot pink has been working well.

And here’s a little tip, try a fly dropper in front of your lure or soft plastic. Salmon are suckers for such an enticement. MARGATE Wharf has been copping a hammering, with anglers shoulder to shoulder last week.

Good flathead have been caught from this platform, but make sure the size is what they need to be.

A flathead of 45cm was taken there last week, which is certainly a good size for that location.

Another hot spot is Inspection Head wharf in the Tamar River, with flathead, Australian salmon and snapper all being caught from here recently. Best baits appear to be fish pieces or bluebait.

Try a sabaki rig here, because snotty trevally have also been caught recently, as they have in behind Garden Island.

Those big King George whiting are still being caught mainly on the Kelso side of the Tamar and at the mouth of the Rubicon River.

For those who like a bit more sheltered fishing, try West Arm in about two metres of water on an incoming tide as these King George whiting are being caught there, mainly on small squid pieces. A MEDIA release recently grabbed my attention and I wanted to share it with anglers all over the state.

It warns of dire consequences for those who are taking or contemplating taking sharks from a shark nursery.

There are increasing reports of fishers catching shark for the purpose of taking photos and bragging on social media. Some photos are obviously in shark refuge areas, where the taking of sharks, skates and rays is prohibited.

If a person accidentally catches a shark in a refuge area, it is a defence under fisheries legislation to immediately return the shark to the water.

However, a person using large baited hooks or other gear designed for shark fishing may not be able to establish that the shark was caught accidentally, even if it was released.

Posing for photos with the shark may also not be covered because the shark was not immediately returned to the water. You can be prosecuted for illegal shark fishing, and heavy fines may apply.

Report any suspicious activity to Fishwatch, phone 0427 655 557.