Merimbula Fishing Report for Early April

Early April 2023

The fish are certainly on the bite as we make our way into April. Waters are warm and there is a lot of action, particularly with large pelagic species. Speaking of, catch of the month goes to Anaru Fisher for landing a STONKA yellowfin tuna off the Tathra Warf. With that catch, he has earnt himself a $100 voucher to spend in the store. If anyone wants to have a chance to win catch of the month for April, all you need to do is tag Boss Outdoor Merimbula on Facebook or Instagram with your fish photos and you’ll be in the running. It’s that easy. 

Now, into the report. 

Estuaries & Lakes

The local estuary systems have been fishing well across the board with Merimbula and Pambula being the standout of the bunch. Merimbula Top Lake has been producing some nice pan-sized snapper along with the occasional Mulloway which can be found if you’re willing to put the time in. While you’re there, don’t forget to set your crab traps while the Blue Swimmer Crabs are still about. Some nice trevallies are getting caught along with some XL salmon throughout the channel. Dusk and dawn have proven to be the best time to target the salmon. Mogareeka has been proving tricky at the moment but some decent flatheads have been taken by anglers willing to put the time in. These larger fish are mainly up on the sand flats in shallow water and are best targeted with larger profile lures or live baits. With the water temps still high now is the perfect time for topwater lures on the flats. 

Beach Fishing

Plenty of salmon – up to three kilos - are being caught off the beach with Bournda, North Tura, Tura, Haycock and The Pinnacles all worth fishing. Try targeting these fish on the top of the tide around dusk and dawn. The best methods have been metal spinning lures or Pilchards fished on a paternoster rig. 

Whiting and bream are biting well on the beaches with good results from Merimbula Main Beach and Tathra using sand worms. 

Off the Rocks / Wharf

Merimbula & Tathra Wharf have been seeing quite a bit of action lately. We had the Yellowfin caught off Tathra along with numerous Longtail Tuna of good size. Not to mention the shoals of Kingfish that were sighted off the Merimbula Wharf which are still well worth targeting. Large salmon schools have been frequenting the wharf but have proven testing to catch at times. Smaller white or clear jerk-shad-styled plastics have proven the most effective.  Long Point, Haycocks and Tura Headland have also been producing good results. Multiple longtails have been taken on live baits and stick baits. Bonito, frigate and the occasional Mack Tuna have also been hanging around. If you’re feeling like some calami for dinner, good-sized squid is still being caught off the wharf. As usual, try dawn and dusk for the best results. 

Flathead

Good bags of sand flathead are being caught from Short Point up to Bournda Island producing good results with 30 to 40 metres being good depths to target. Move around until you find them. 

Reef 

Snappers up to three kilos have been taken on the reefs along with Morwong, Nannygai and Leather Jackets. Good localities at the reef edge off Long Point and Horseshoe Reefs. Plastics, Micro Jigs and baits of Squid and Pilchards have all been taking their share of fish.

Offshore 

Out wide there has been some good Marlin action focus your efforts along the edge of the shelf line where water temperatures have stabilised around 23 degrees and keep your eye on the sounder and watch for a surface activity to locate the bait. Trolling lures, skip baiting, live-to-bait and switch baiting are all methods that account for fish. Dolphin fish remain active at the 70 fathom FAD between Merimbula and Eden with fish up to 85 cm reported.  Closer in, at depths between 30 and 50 fathoms, are big schools of striped and some yellowfin tuna. 

Get Amongst It!

Boss Outdoor