Gone fishing
Craig Harris
WRITING this and looking outside, the weather is not conducive to comfortable fishing in and around our area.
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I am not saying not to go, realistically it is probably the best time to go as most fisherpeople are like me, staying inside watching fishing DVDs or working in the cave, so you will have most of the water to yourself.
And there is a big moon so all things look good, but brrrr it’s bloody cold.
Yes, I have been an advocate for fishing rain, hail, shine, snow in the past and probably should be, could be, still be, but it is so much easier to stay indoors.
Righto in saying we are staying indoors, let’s do something useful so as when the fishing feelings get strong enough and overcome the “let’s stay indoors” feeling.
Let’s make sure that our gear can be grabbed for that impromptu trip without the thought of is my gear in good condition.
- Starting from the rods – make sure that the runners are all in good condition, most rods these days all use good quality runners or guides but that doesn’t mean you don’t have to check them, make sure that there is no broken or bent guides, no build up of salt or muck in them that can damage the line as it goes through whilst that fish of a life time is pulling line at a million miles and hour.
- Reels – make sure the drag is smooth, give them a tub in warm soapy water, the bail arm is smooth so it can’t cut the line.
- Line – make sure the line is in good condition and that the leaders are all smooth and tied correctly
- Lures – the hooks and clips are not rusty and the hooks are sharp, most good quality hooks are chemically sharpened (CSH) and you will never sharpen a CSH as sharp as it comes from the factory but that doesn’t mean that they may not require a touch up every now and then especially after a couple of snags. I keep a box of hooks in my tackle box for that reason and have in the past, sharpened them when they are blunt. The bibs, if applicable, are not distorted or cracked and that the tie point is not damaged and if you have a pool make sure that they swim correctly.
- Terminal tackle – once again sharp or new hooks are the go, swivels not rusty and well, swivel, sinkers in good condition – no sharp bits and the hole goes right through
- Tackle box – no moisture in the tackle box, maybe even throw a couple of those moisture absorbers in the bottom whilst in “storage”, pliers and tools are in good condition and still actually work, knives are sharp and safe to use
- PFD’s – most people these days have inflatable PFD’s or life jackets so make sure that these are not overdue for a service (on the maintenance record on the jacket/yoke) and that they are still in good nick. If they have been put away wet there could be mould on them, check the clips and oral inflation tube – whilst it may not assist you in catching a fish, it may just save your life and are a necessity.
This is just a small area that should be looked at regularly, not just on crappy days and maybe next week we may go into boats, trailers and motors as there is always something to do.
Fishing around
Burrinjuck: Pretty quiet with not many reports on anything – could have something to do with the weather.
Blowering: Thought the full moon may have had a few more people head up but only a couple of fishermen went up there with minimal success.
Talbingo: A couple of trout caught of reasonable size flat lining tassies and a few half decent reddies on hard bodies and casting small yabbies amongst the structure.
Tantangara: No reports.
Eucumbene: Still don’t want to discuss this damn dam.
Jindabyne: A few more big browns being caught and still no specific way, down rigging and flat lining have been successful.
Hume weir: Lots of very nice fish being recorded, some very good trout, browns and rainbow trolling hard bodies, the same technique is getting results on reddies as well, down towards the wall for the best results. Lots of lobsters in the rivers below the weir with lots of large females with eggs – good to see.
Mulwala: Lots of big cod being recorded, casting and trolling Spinnerbaits has been the most successful with only a couple being caught on hard bodies.
The river: Pretty slow with a few blokes catching doughnuts.
South coast: The bait schools have moved out wide or down south but there have still been some good tuna - Southern blue fin and Yellow fin in and around the area. The kingies have slowed but the snapper are playing around the six mile. Good school holiday fun.
- Photos to – craig@waggamarine.com.au or 0419 493 313.