Dorsal Fin - SA Fishing Report HOLIDAY EDITION 16/12/2016

METRO
Snapper were doing well before the closure in some areas such as O’Sullivan’s, out wide from North Haven approx. 35 kms out and up towards the Long Spit. Crabs are still running well but not as vigorous as back in October but there is still a good feed. Semaphore, Largs, north of Black Pole and in deeper water not far from the Cabbage patch. Squid have been doing very well with good catches coming from West Beach, Grange, Marino and a few out from Largs and near the Silt Grounds. There is plenty of snook around along the metro coast with Semaphore, Black Pole and Grange being the better places. Jetties have been doing OK in the early mornings and late afternoons also. Garfish are prolific but not big around Semaphore, Grange, West Beach and Brighton. Jetties have been doing well late at night. Whiting have slowed but there are still some nice fish south of Brighton and in the deeper waters out towards the Ballast ground off North Haven. It has been a good season for the Tommies with good catches and good size fish right along the metro coast. Keep a steady burley stream but not too much coming out. West Lakes has bream at both ends of the lake and small mulloway near the southern end of the lake. There is also some mullet back from the inlet and a few tommies. Yellowfin whiting have not quite hit the beaches as yet but there is some fish around Tennyson beach, St Kilda, Port Gawler and Thompsons beach. Garfish are still being caught wading out from the beach at Tennyson also.

YORKE PENINSULA
Take note of the new fishing regulations that come into force December 1. Snapper limits are now the same in all waters as it was with St Vincent gulf.

Port Clinton/Price – There is crabs for boaties and waders, Salmon trout at the Price mouth, Garfish, Tommies and some nice flathead in the channels pass the mouth.

Ardrossan – Some nice snapper were caught yesterday out near the Barges and not far out from the jetty, Small mulloway are out from the jetty at night, nice size garfish are north and south of the BHP jetty in shallow along with some nice crabs, Yellowfin whiting are off the beach south of Ardrossan and there is plenty of tommies around. The jetty has some crabs, squid and tommies.

Black Point/Port Vincent – Crabs are still doing well for boaties and waders, Garfish are out on the eastern side of the spit at Black Point and north of the caravan park at Vincent, Yellowfin whiting are coming off the beaches and squid are at both locations. Snapper are south of Black Point on some of the trolley grounds heading towards the banks.

Stansbury – Some nice whiting are coming from the oyster leases on the eastern side late afternoons, squid are off the jetty and out on the inner side of the spit, Garfish are near the spit and some off the jetty along with some nice tommies. Nice snook are out from the cemetery ground as well as squid and whiting on the late afternoon high tide. Some snapper should be out wide but have had no reports of any fish being caught prior to closure. Reports of some mulloway being caught at the Arm Chair and should improve through the holidays.

Edithburgh – Whiting are still north of the island along with some big fish in the channel. There are big whiting near the oyster leases late in the afternoons. Snapper are in good numbers near Marion Reef and the channel. Squid are prolific north of the town and out from the swimming pool. Garfish and tommies are near the point at Coobowie and some nice gummies in the Coobowie bay. Squid, tommies and some garfish are coming from the jetty.

Marion Bay/Pondi – Small pods of tuna are just starting to show up and should improve into the holidays. There are some nice nannies out from Podi and west towards Wedge. Kings are being caught out near Wedge along with tuna, some sambos. In the bay at Wedge there are whiting and flathead. Out from the jetty at Marion bay there are whiting and out from Rhino’s there are some nice gummies and flathead. Butlers and towards Foul Bay have big whiting. Shore based there are salmon pods at Butlers, Browns beach and occasionally in Pondi Bay. Early mornings and late afternoons is best. Pondi bay has garfish, whiting and flathead for the waders.

Corny Point/ Gleeson’s - Nice whiting are out on the patches at Corny. Snapper are out deeper around the corner near the islands. Berry bay is starting to see some School Mulloway late at night. Gleeson’s has school mulloway along the beaches, squid out from the reef, whiting and snapper out wide south of the point.

Point Turton – Whiting are coming from the Soutter grounds and near the drains, Garfish are in good numbers in the bay. Squid are coming from the bay in shallow. Snook are long the weed beds in about 3 metres of water and the jetty has garfish, tommies, squid, salmon trout and the odd sprat king near the breakwater.

Hardwick Bay – Nice size whiting are out from the town in 4-5 metres of water, snook are also prolific within the township shallows, squid are coming from the northern grounds of Hardwick. Some small snapper are coming from the shoals.

Port Victoria – Whiting continue to be in good numbers. Best areas are the Jetty ground, Moorarra late afternoons, near Goose on eastern side, Port Vic Reef, south of Flat Rock and north of Beatrice. Garfish are in good numbers near Rocky island along with big tommies, Squid are in the shallows east of Green island and big snook are coming from Deadman’s along with some salmon. Snapper have started to show up south of the island. Late afternoons is worth a try near some of the wrecks on the western part of the island and south of island approx. 12 kms straight south of Flat Rock. Drift this area where you can catch both whiting and snapper. Great news for holiday makers who fish the jetty. The jetty will be open for the first 140 metres as it will be repaired before Christmas, this also includes Port Rickaby jetty which will have access to 80 metres of jetty.

Balgowan – Whiting are north towards the cliffs in around 10-12 metres of water, snapper are out wide south west about 40 kms out, Snook and big tommies are in close.

Port Hughes – Snapper are out on the steamer but not in big numbers but there is some big whiting out there also. Squid are in the bay and at Coopers, Garfish, tommies and nice size crabs are in the bay and snook are between the jetty towards Coopers. The jetty has crabs, squid in shallow, tommies and some garfish. Garfish are in big number out on the light along with snook and the odd rugger near the reef on the southern side.

Wallaroo – Had no reports on the snapper but after the spatial closure there should be some good number out on Jurassic’s. Whiting are still on the Walrus grounds and south towards the point. Best results have been drifting, Garfish and tommies are in the bay, Snook are coming from the North Beach end, squid are right through the bay. In the marina there are Yellowfin whiting, bream and the odd schoolie. Crabs are also right through the bay. The jetty has been doing well for crabs, squid, tommies and some garfish.

Port Broughton – Snapper are coming from the northern ground before Pirie, south near the car wreck and out wide heading west towards the spit. Whiting are out deep west of the council wreck, tommies and garfish are between the Port Broughton channel and Fisherman’s bay Channel outside. Crabs are within the bay and in the back channels. The jetty is producing yellowfin whiting, crabs and tommies (Along with lots of trumpeters).

Port Pirie – Garfish and tommies are out past the last marker along with crabs, the channel has some salmon trout and the mouths of the creeks has some nice yellowfin whiting and the odd flathead.

Port Augusta – Kings, Kings, Kings. There are still some nice kingfish around, crabs are prolific south of the power station and out from mangroves, snapper have been hooked mistakenly out from the old power station wharf at night, garfish and tommies are out from the shacks along with some squid.

AYRE PENINSULA/WEST COAST
Decent salmon are at Scotts Beach Big tommies and squid are coming from the Fowlers Bay jetty. Mulloway are coming from The Dog Fence Beach, Yalata beaches and Tuckamore. Davenport creek has mullet & salmon trout. Streaky Bay has garfish, snook, kg whiting & blue crabs north of Dashwood Channel, while Acraman Creek has gar, mullet & salmon trout. Out from Waldegrave Island boat crews have caught red nannys, sweep, kg whiting & nice squid - Port Lincoln & Proper Bays have ruffs, salmon trout, garfish & flathead. Best reports for Eyre Peninsula kg whiting are from Reevesby Island, Tumby & Arno Bay grounds & east of Louth Bay. Tuna have dried up. Kingies are off Point Lowly, along with squid and crabs.

SOUTH
Squid, garfish, tommies & squid have been caught from inshore waters at Yankalilla & Sellicks Beach. Jetty fishing at Cape Jervis & Rapid Bay has been quite good with tommies, squid & big snook. Boats fishing out from Victor Harbor caught gar, kg whiting, snook & tommies. Second Valley has tommies and squid. Salt Creek has been plagued with weed on many occasions but when it’s clear there has been some nice mulloway, sharks and there is still some small pods of salmon. The Coorong continues to release water but with the blackwater coming down things may slow within the Coorong waters. Keeping closer towards the mouth should be better.

FRESHWATER
Unfortunately, the Murray has some big flows of blackwater coming down from our friends interstate but there is still some good fishing in Lake Bonney where even the jetty is almost under water. Callop continue to be on the bight in Lake Alexandrina. Some nice Callop have been caught near the cliffs near Blanchetown but that was the only report I got.

I’m off to the Shack next week so the next report will be after Christmas. If I hear something I will let you know.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and above all have a safe one. Those boating during the holidays please take extra care as there will be a lot of boaties out there.

Tight Lines from The Dorsal Fin Team