GONE FISHIN’: Mixed success in tough conditions
Cold weather and strong winds kept some anglers at home, and those that did venture out weren’t always rewarded for their bravery
Sport
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THE fatal shark attack at Wooli last weekend caused all who enjoy the water sports of fishing, surfing, sailing and swimming to appreciate their opportunity, but realise there can be a black spot.
There have been some near misses with sharks during recent years, but the death at Wooli is the first in this local area.
The condolences of all who enjoy their water sports go out to the family and friends of the young lad.
But back to fishing
The cold weather and strong wind which blew up at the weekend appear to have discouraged some anglers, but a few were able to brave the conditions with mixed success.
The northern grounds offshore appear to be fishing the best at the moment, although some catches are coming in from the south.
A good range of snapper was weighed in from the north, with Justin Bullen of Iluka cleaning up with two of 5kg and 3.4kg.
Wade Richards (no relation - probably a member of the rich side of the family) did almost as well with two of 4kg and 3kg
The charter boats have been cleaning up on Venus tusk fish with a few pelagics tossed in as well.
Blackfish are on in good numbers on the Middle Wall, but it is worth while trying the T-Piece and Moriaty's.
The Brotherson pair of Alice and Hugh from Coutts Crossing scored fish from 516g to 682g all on green weed.
However, bream seem to be the species filling most creels.
Two visitors from Glen Innes cleaned up at Browns Rocks.
Chase Doolan did the best with a bream of 1.29kg, with Michael Anderson not far behind with a catch of 1.24kg.
Belinda Hawker of Iluka did well in North Arm with fish between 520g and 620g, while on the southern side in Oyster Channel Graham Barber landed one of 712g.
While upstream at the Grafton bridge, Merv Cassey of South Grafton keeps on picking them off - this week with one of 860g.
And just on the side, there are still a few big mudcrabs around in the back channels despite the cold weather.
Early in the week, with calmer seas, the rock hoppers had a better chance, with Mathew Thomas landing a tailor of 2kg at the Iluka Bluff.
Grafton District Anglers Club
The Grafton District Anglers Club July 2020 rock beach and estuary outing was held on the weekend of July 11-12
Twenty-nine members registered to fish but only 18 weighed in fish.
The winner of the senior division was Lloyd Brown with 183 points. Lloyd weighed in 20 bream, four taylor, one trevally and a nice groper. Second place went to Nick Haynes. Nick had 13 bream, nine flathead and four tailor. Terry Daly was in 3rd place with 17 luderick.
Junior winner was Jensen Haynes on 74 points after his handicap of 15 points was taken off. Jensen fished hard for his 8 bream and 8 flathead. Mahkai Haynes was 2nd with her catch of 3 bream and 5 flathead. Hugh Brotherson tried his luck on luderick fishing and was rewarded with a 3rd place with his 5 fish.
The secret weight was won by Merv Cassie.
-Terry Daly
BIGGEST FISH IN 2020
Species | Weight | Angler | Species | Weight | Angler |
Bream | 2.146 2/4/20 | Kevin Cook Yamba | Jewfish | 29.1400 5/3/20 | Timmy Turtle Curimbia (Q) |
Whiting | 1.490 12/3/20 | Zia Jordan Wooli | Snapper | 10.875 11/6/20 | Dwayne Bishop Wooli |
Flathead | 7.200 5/3/30 | Brett Lentfer South Grafton | Pelagic | Spanish mackerel 27.500 7/5/20 | Jasper Wearne Minnie Water |
Tailor | 4.300 16/5/20 | Isobella Rooks Maclean | Bass | 1.378 9/4/20 | Gordon Burton Lawrence |
Blackfish | 1.700 27/2/20 | Jim Gardener Iluka | Other edible species | Groper 8.600 30/4/20 | Steve Pateman Iluka |
WEEKLY WINNERS
Species | Wt (kg) | Location | Gear | Angler |
Bream | 1.290 | Browns Rocks | Rod/reel, pilchard | Chase Doolan Glen Innes |
Whiting | ||||
Flathead | 1.200 | Sandon Beach | Rod/reel, pilchard | Ella Verstappen Yamba |
Tailor | 2.000 | Iluka Bluff | Rod/reel pilchard | Mark Thomas Iluka |
Blackfish | 0.682 | Middle Wall | Rod/reel weed | Hugh Brotherson Coutts Crossing |
Jewfish | ||||
Snapper | 5.000 | Northern grounds | Rod//reel blue pilchard | Justin Bullen Iluka |
Pelagic | ||||
Bass | ||||
Other edible species |