Give anglers a say on fish limits in new year
WITH the new year, comes hope for anglers, hope that the proposal for dropping size and bag limits for sand flathead is but a bad dream.
Many are questioning the management or even the science behind future proposals, and as one chap said to me, sand flathead of a huge size are everywhere in the northwest, why should we have new limit because of an alleged drop in numbers in the south of the state?
I can see the reasoning and perhaps it may be time to introduce regional size limits as the inland fisheries have done for some inland waters.
It may be also time to let anglers have their say instead of relying on government-appointed representatives who claim to represent recreational anglers. I mean, they haven’t got it right so far.
In better news, anglers fishing out from Eaglehawk Neck tell of great catches of bottom dwellers such as striped trumpeter and morwong. Most of these fish are beyond the reach of small trailerable boats, but it can be done.
Calm conditions plus a good forecast means that smaller boats with the right safety equipment can catch tuna, trumpeter and other species if preparations are made. This applies right around the state, and there are specific rules for offshore use of smaller boats and smooth waters
Check the Marine and Safety site, mast.tas.gov.au, to see what your requirements are.
Freshwater fishing is firing also, and many are enjoying the holiday breaks with a spot of fishing at popular reserves.
Some seem to think it is their right to camp and hoon on motorbikes when not fishing and generally disturb some of the quieter precincts around the state. This can spoil a day out on or near the water for the genuine anglers.
Check your local regulations concerning camping and if there is any sort of angst, get in touch with the relevant authorities.
Snotty trevally are showing up in favoured spots and that includes Stanley, Tamar River, Port Sorell plus Margate, while small, larger specimens have been caught.
To target snotty or blue warehou as they are correctly known, you need copious amounts of berley which usually comprises pellets and fish oil. The great thing about berley is it attracts squid plus other species such as garfish. That’s why you should have one rod rigged for snotty and a floating rig on another for the garfish.
Garfish are one of my favourite captures as they are pocket rockets and perform as well as any fish on light gear when hooked.
Plus, they are delicious. Bait for gars is usually chicken or chicken skin (they can’t get it off) on small hooks. Float the bait back to where the gars are and hang on. Small hooks are essential.
For snotty, chicken thigh bait is the best as it is tough and hard to remove. Some anglers even use rabbit as bait for snotty as they seem to have a liking for that type of flesh.
Snotty on fly are exciting and they will take a small shrimp imitation (I’ve seen it done) and they go off.
Remember, there is a strict size limit on snotty and bag limits as well (25cm plus bag limit of 10).
Whatever you are catching, please wear your lifejacket on or anywhere near the water.
Fish capture information and pictures can be sent to readerspics@fishtas.com