FISHING COLUMN

IT amazes me the number of people who leave this wonderful state to travel overseas fishing and have not experienced the fishing that Tasmania has to offer.

I know I probably sound like a broken record, but some of the best world class fisheries are right here.

A lot of people visit all areas of the world with their partners, but it’s usually the fellas who sneak a rod into the luggage and produce it at the right time under the pretext of finding out what fishing is like elsewhere.

That’s why companies made telescopic rods right? In all seriousness, Tassie has it all, bluefin and tuna fishing, shark fishing, trout fishing, and as an adjunct, bream fishing, whiting fishing, squid fishing and the list goes on.

I for one appreciate what we have here and do get a little anxious about our magnificent fisheries being shown to the entire world, but I suppose it’s all about sharing.

Some things I and others don’t share are the techniques that we use to get fish, in my case, usually trout. This is not meant to be sly or sneaky, but if I’ve learnt to do something that works, why should I tell the hordes how to do it?

One “secret” I’ll divulge is to smother a bait with garlic scent in saltwater. Fish love the stuff and it works.

You will out-fish all others, believe me. Another method which attracts fish, and anglers, is to rock up to a spot where the fishing is quiet and throw a few balls of homemade berley in.

I’ve done this at many spots where it has been slow to dead and within 30 minutes, it’s all happening with anglers catching fish and just generally the place going off.

I do like to see people catching fish, particularly youngsters and if they learn something from that day, well it’s been a worthwhile exercise.

A worthwhile exercise is to drag the boat out and head to Fortescue Bay for a spot of tuna fishing. You can camp there and the road in, plus facilities, are excellent.

A group of anglers, who had put off going tuna fishing over recent weeks, mainly due to inclement weather, last week ventured forth and had an absolute ball on the albacore and a few bottom-dwelling reef species.

The albacore put up a good fight mainly on bibbed lures in

yellow combination plus skirted lures accounted for some good fish.

The mako sharks they were targeting along with other boats did not put in an appearance on that day, but the tuna captures more than made up for lack of toothy critters. THE TOMAHAWK boat ramp has been closed this week for maintenance.

Access for launching boats from the beach was not expected to be affected. The work is due to be completed today.

THE INLAND Fisheries Sergreen vice advises that Meander Dam is at a low level of 36 per cent and at this level, the boat ramp is unusable for some boats and vehicles.

They further advise that user discretion is required and to use caution if and when you do use the ramp.