Merimbula Fishing Report | December 2023

G’day fishos,

We have had a wet start to our summer season with falls up to 400mm recorded in the past week. Most lakes are closer to resembling a cup of coffee rather than the clear waters we had become used to. Hopefully things will bounce back quickly as the water clears.

Estuaries & Lakes

With the influx of freshwater pushing down our local estuaries the fishing has proven to be trickier. What I tend to do after heavier rain is focus my efforts on the lower parts of the system around the incoming tide. Good catches of Trevally, flathead, bream and even the occasion kingfish and mulloway.

With all this rain the Bass will be moving more freely about the rivers. Quality Estuary Perch have also been reported with a multitude of lurers enticing a bite.

Beach Fishing

Large swells and dirty water have hindered the beach fishing slightly. However, we are still having reports of good-sized salmon, bream, flathead and the occasional mulloway. Salted pilchards rigged on a paternoster rig has proven to be most effective.

Off the Wharf

In addition to salmon and tailor, squid are being caught off both Merimbula & Tathra Wharf. Prior to rain reports of good-sized kingfish were reported of both Merimbula and Tathra

Out The Front

There have been good numbers of both Sand and Tiger flathead still being caught. Anywhere from Kianniny to Short Point has been producing good results. Fishing wider has been proving more effective. Try starting at 40 fathoms and working out wider until you find good water. The occasional Gummy Shark has been mixed around on the flattie grounds as well.

Snapper up to three kilos have been taken on the reefs along with the occasional Morwong and Nannygai. Long point and Haycock off Merimbula are sure to produce a great feed of pan size fish too.

Offshore

Its gearing up to be a good start to the Offshore season. Strong currents from the north have brought warm water with temperatures over 22 degrees already inside the shelf. Bait has been thick from 40 fathoms right out to the edge. Marlin captures are already being reported from the north and the occasional fish has been marked down south. It should be only a matter of time before the Marlin show up in numbers. Don’t disregard the bite in close, with the warmer water and amount of bait about its very possible.

The Southcoast F.A.D’s have been deployed this week, and with this hopefully we will start seeing some captures of Dolly’s. 

Eden F.A.D Latitude (S): 36° 58.932' Longitude (E): 150° 14.867'

Bermagui F.A.D Latitude (S): 36° 25.320' Longitude (E): 151° 15.980'