Merimbula Fishing Report | October 2023

G’day fishos,

Some great fishing of late as the weather and the water temp warms up. Thanks to everyone sending in their photos!

Estuaries & Lakes

The salmon and tailor have continued to keep the rods bent for both our local and visiting anglers alike, with Merimbula, Pambula and Bega River now all holding decent numbers. The occasional smaller kingfish has also been in the mix with the Salmon. Smaller metal casting lures along with a variety of soft plastics have been accounting for most of the fish.

As the water starts to warm up the flats are slowly starting to fire back up again. Dusky Flathead are starting to come out of hibernation and some quality fish are starting to get caught. Trevally have been around in good numbers, with some good size fish amongst them. Either try small grub or jerkshad styled plastics fished on 1/8^thoz jig heads. Inside the mount at Bar beach or along the sand bank at Spencer Park on the outgoing tide has been producing the most fish.

We are still hearing reports of Mulloway being captured in most of our local estuaries. Plenty of school sized fish are being captured with some more quality sized fish over the 1-meter mark reported as well. It is great to see such a rebound in the number of these fish in our systems.

Bass season is well and truly under way and with the aid of some recent rainfall should see fish moving more freely about the rivers. Quality Estuary Perch have also been reported with a multitude of lurers enticing a bite. Along with these native species increasing amounts of Carp have been caught and spotted moving through the upper reaches of the Bega River. These fish are an invasive species and should be dispatched if caught. They do however, provide great sport especially on light tackle.

 Beach Fishing

Most of the local beaches are still producing with good amounts of Salmon and Tailor being caught. It shouldn’t be long now until we start seeing whiting and bream on the beaches again. Try Bournda, North Tura, Haycock and Pinnacles for the best chances.  Target the deeper channels around the top of the tide, with lure casting or salted pilchards on a paternoster rig producing the best results.

Off the Wharf

In addition to salmon and tailor, squid are being caught off both Merimbula & Tathra Wharf. As usual, try dawn and dusk for best results.

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. More quality fish are coming from a little wider in around 50 metres of water. The boss has been out testing our new range of Bottom Meats hybrid jigs and has been having great results. The lures are perfect Hybrid Jig option giving you both the advantages of bait fishing and jigging at the same time. Even better they can be fished on all your basic flatty bashing gear. If you’re as lazy as me and find the wind from 50 meters a little tyring, we do have a range of electric reels in store to drag these fish out of the depths easily.

Snapper up to three kilos have been taken on the reefs along with the occasional Morwong and Nannygai.  Cooler water temps further south have been producing better numbers and larger models. Weather permitting, we have had reports of good size Snapper caught between Mowary and Green Cape near Eden.

Long point and Haycock off Merimbula are sure to produce a great feed of pan size fish too.

It really is amazing how many Nannygai are around when using micro jigs, both the Nomad and Palms jigs have been remarkable this last month on the 40g models.

Offshore

With the current still pushing down from the north and the zero line in close its well worth chasing some Yellowfin between Merimbula and Batemans Bay.     Most fish have been caught on the Big Baits and I strongly recommend adding the stinger hook.

For the adventurous there is reports of Bluefin Tuna being caught down south and wide off Eden

Goods catches of Ocean Perch, Blue Eye Cod and Ling have been reported from the guy’s deep dropping when the breaks in the weather allow. The current is still pushing from the north at about 1.2 knots making for easier fishing. Right now, is the perfect time to get some of these tasty deep dwellers.

Get amongst it!

Boss Outdoor