David_C

Public consultation on recreational fishing in the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary (ADS) is now open, with temporary measures in place to strike a balance between recreational fishing access and enhancing the protection of dolphins whilst the public consultation is undertaken to inform longer-term arrangements.
 
The Port River and Barker Inlet region, and wider ADS region, is a popular recreational fishing area that is readily accessed by land and boat.
 
From October 1, a temporary four-month arrangement will be in place under Section 79 of the Fisheries Management Act 2007 that will require recreational fishers to bring in their hand line, rod and line or teaser line if they are within 50 metres of a visible dolphin within the sanctuary.
 
This reasonable approach reflects the concerns for dolphins in the ADS, particularly during the coming months where larger recreationally targeted species such as Kingfish and Mulloway may be present, while ensuring that recreational fishers have access to these waters as they do now with a greater awareness regarding the Port River dolphins.
Clare Scriven, Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, says “These temporary arrangements achieve a balance between greater awareness and protection of dolphins within the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary, while ensuring recreational fishers still have the same access to the area and popular fish species while permanent arrangements are explored through consultation on the ADS options paper.
Following a review and initial consultation with stakeholders by the Government of South Australia, a discussion paper has been released, exploring the suitability of recreational fishing regulations in the area with respect to potential interactions with dolphins.
 
The options being considered may assist in mitigating dolphin interactions with recreational fishing gear and baits in the ADS. These options include:
No change to recreational fishing regulations, but a targeted education and awareness initiative be undertaken. Spatial (relating to particular areas) restrictions on the use of heavy fishing gear (large hook sizes and capacity of fishing line) for recreational fishing in the ADS. Spatial (relating to particular areas) and temporal (relating to particular times) restrictions on the use of heavy fishing gear (large hook sizes and capacity of fishing line) for recreational fishing in the ADS. Public consultation will be open for four weeks and will close on Friday 28 October, 2022. Anyone with an interest in recreational fishing and the ADS is invited to have their say.
Minister for Environment, Susan Close, says “The Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary was established for the protection of local bottlenose dolphins. It is one of only a few places in the world where a wild dolphin population lives close to an urban centre.
“This consultation will be a key part of ensuring the dolphins living in the sanctuary are protected, while the other users of the ADS have appropriate access.”
For more information and provide your feedback visit: yoursay.sa.gov.au/ads-rec-fishing
https://glamadelaide.com.au/changes-made-to-recreational-fishing-in-adelaide-dolphin-sanctuary/

Hey! That's nearly my shark steak marinade I got from an old professional fisho's wife years ago.
Half soy, half orange juice a bit of garlic and honey, cook hot and fast.
I can highly recommend this style of marinade for any big slabs of fish you plan on cooking steak style.

LIVE BUNGUM WORMS NOW INSTOCK
  Seasons first batch of LIVE Bungum Worms are now available, fresh instore tomorrow Monday 25/9/22.   REEL N DEAL TACKLE Shop 2 / 4-6 Brighton Road GLENELG EAST SA 5045 www.reelndealtackle.com.au Ph 0417 032 085

The Yellow Fin Whiting season is fast approaching. As the seasons and weather conditions change we have to think about and adapt to the changing behaviours of the Yellow Fin Whiting.
The most important thing for successful YFW lure fishing is knowing the fish!
It’s physiology. It’s habitats and ecosystems. Also it’s behaviour in all weather conditions and seasons.
The next most important thing for successful YFW lure fishing is knowing your spots. The geography and terrain.
There is always a right spot, for every weather and tide conditions. When do the fish go to a given spot? In what weather? On which tide? And what food is available there in these conditions?
The least important thing for successful YFW lure fishing is … lures !!!
Find the fish first. Before worrying about finding the right lure and technique.
 
Your chances of success will depend on assessing the weather and tide conditions on a given day and then understanding the behaviour of YFW in those conditions. YFW will be found in different locations, in different weather and tide conditions.
There is nearly always a good fishing spot available. Almost regardless of the weather conditions.
We are lucky to have the two gulfs and the Yorke Peninsula. It provides us with a variety of options regardless of the weather and which way the wind blows.
These are some weather and location factors that I consider, before I go lure fishing for YFW
 
TEMPERATURE
Early in the season air and water temperatures are critical for lure fishing. With the rising temperature their metabolism, muscle functions and locomotion increases.
At the start of Spring, I usually pick a day at the end of a series of warmer days. The water would have warmed up a little by then. It takes a while for the water temperatures to change due to thermal lag. And even then I prefer fishing the warmer afternoon on these sunnier warmer days. A smaller tide on these days is a bonus. Less water to warm up in the shallows. Bigger tides can bring in cooler deeper water into the warm shallows. However this dynamic is ever changing and does go into reverse in the hottest months. Stay alert to the different water temperatures at different water depths at different times of the year.
By November, water temperatures are now consistently over 20c. Low water temperatures and a low metabolism in the YFW is, no longer a factor. A chilly morning in summer may just dull the fish’s appetite. But by mid day as they gather in the deeper areas after the morning run off they will be back to their aggressive best.
Yes the water temperature can get too hot after a hot spell. Then the obvious thing is to fish the cooler mornings.
Also pick deeper water locations during hot weather spells. Where the fish can find some relief from the hotter surface water temperatures of the shallows. If fishing the afternoon incoming tide, you will need to fish back deeper in the tide. Where the water is cooler on those very hot days.

…… Early in the season blades work better, as fish stay deeper and are less likely to rise for a surface lure.
 
WIND
Given that water temperatures are good, wind is the next most important factor for stimulating YFW surface feeding.
The perfect wind for lure fishing YFW on an open sand flat, is in the 6 to 12 knots range. Perfect to stimulate YFW feeding as they feel a lot safer under the cover of a heavy ripple or light chop on the surface of the water. The chop sufficiently obscures their vision, so they are not too discerning with lures in these conditions. Although too windy and too choppy, will stir up the sand and dirty the water. Fish will move to more protected and cleaner water.
Strong winds are okay. In fact can be brilliant for concentrating fish in certain spots.Your spot selection in these conditions becomes critical. The geography of the Yorke Peninsula and gulfs gives us a myriad of options regardless of which direction the wind is blowing. With the gulfs and peninsula, you will always have a section of coast with an offshore wind.
In strong winds, a lot more fish are gathered on the leeward coast, as they move away from the open rougher waters.
Less floating weed and accumulated weed wracks on the leeward side is also a bonus. So strong winds are great for concentrating fish in certain areas.
….  A video of the ideal wind when lure fishing YFW
 
 
….  Both fish and their predators can be found sheltering from the wind in mangrove areas.
 
HABITATS
The varied marine habitats and terrain also provides a few options for windy days. There are habitats that provide sheltered areas regardless of onshore strong winds. A spot behind a mangrove forrest wall will have less chop and cleaner water. This area attracts and holds a lot more fish as they shelter from the rougher conditions outside. Often these strong on shore winds will produce a bigger tide, due to a storm surge. The fish take advantage of this as it provides access to fresh feeding areas around samphire beds behind the mangrove wall.
 
Flooded in shore lagoons on a high tide are calmer and protected from the heavy churning chop. They will hold more fish in windier conditions. There are plenty of sandy bays and coves on the Peninsula that exist because they are sheltered, always in the leeward side of the prevailing strong winds. The water here is always cleaner and clearer, with fish more abundant in this location during windy conditions. Persistent strong winds are good. Don’t curse them, use them to your advantage.
You may need to travel to the other side of a gulf to do this. Or even a trip down to the beautiful calm and sheltered waters of Hardwicke Bay, Point Souttar and Corny Point.

…  An area sheltered by mangrove walls, that will hold more fish in stronger onshore winds.
 

…. These fish were taken at the entrance of some mangrove areas
TERRAIN
Windy days on the open sand flats, will find fish sheltering in the deeper channels that will offer protection from the wind chop in the shallows. You will also find the leeward protected side of weed banks will hold more fish. Conversely should the winds be very light the windward side of a weed bank will have more food stirred up and hold more fish. What ever the wind does, there is a suitable spot to be.
A windy day bonus - long casts downwind, always catch more fish. I avoid fishing on calm days if I can help it.

… Channels and weed banks provide some shelter
 
TIDE
Any water movement provides a feeding stimulus for YFW. The tides are the most common cause of movement and will always influence fish behaviour.
However even on a dead dodge tide, SW wind surges, afternoon seabreezes, or changes in atmospheric pressure can create enough stimulating water movement, regardless of the poor tide predictions. A small stimulus on an otherwise listless day often produces a disproportionate stimulatory reaction from the fish.
Given that the main opening to the Gulfs face SW most tides will be boosted by a SW wind. Low atmospheric pressure will also draw in a larger tide. Factor these in to the published tide predictions, as there always is always a great deal of variation in tide heights on the sandflats.

…  An old tide book explaining the factors that can effect tide height.
 
The small dodge tides can be taken advantage of. The small tide holds and concentrate fish in larger numbers in a smaller area, rather than a big tide dispersing them over a large area. At times fishing these conditions can be more like “shooting fish in a barrel”.
Big tides provide fish accessibility to new feeding habitats. Big YFW love the small Haswell crabs that live in the Samphire beds, behind the mangrove forests. This food becomes accessible to the YFW during the big tides that cover the Samphire beds. The YFW are a much easier target when they make their way in and out of the samphire beds, in a dropping big tide.
Wether it be a Dodge tide or a big Spring tide, or light winds or strong winds, you will always be presented with a few different fishing opportunities, with the different conditions.

…. Some of the largest YFW are taken on the biggest tides when they were chasing Haswell crabs in the Samphire beds

…. Crabs in the gut contents of YFW
CURRENTS
Some locations with deeper major channels, that drain the sandflats have increased water flows. The localised currents, can stimulate fish feeding. It is a good location in a dodge tide when these channels can amplify water little water movement there is in the tide.
These channels will usually bring in water of a temperature that offsets the existing shallow water temperatures. The deeper water also provides a refuge in either temperature extreme. In ambient temperature conditions they are also the tidal highways for fish.
 
There are also major ocean currents that come into play. In winter the major Leeuwin current flows across from WA and effects the lower Spencers Gulf water temperatures. Boston Bay in Pt. Lincoln is well known for winter YFW.
I have caught bags of YFW in the middle of winter on southern Yorkes when the locals tell me you won’t see them till October.
A Northerly wind with a following Westerly change will flick in the warm water flows of the Leeuwin current and bring with it schools of YFW.  Maintain a fishing log. They are a great reference.

…. The Leeuwin current brings warm water temperatures to the southern Spencers Gulf in winter
 
SUNSHINE !!!
On sunny days you catch more fish! It probably is the extra warmth and the better visibility of the lures. But it does not matter if you don’t catch fish theses beautiful days !

… It is always good fishing in the sunshine
 
So you either you pick the best weather days for your regular spot, or you pick a new spot to suit the weather and tides on the day.
One way or another you should be able to catch a good feed of YFW on lures. Regardless of the weather.
 
Tight Lines,
Cheers, Des

I like a burley float with a short dropper to keep them around the hook

They don't make money when people catch their own 

Apart from Rex Hunt getting rid of the scallop cage dredgers way back in the day - here some updates on what the Vic authorities are doing for Port Phillip

 
Removing nets from Port Phillip Bay
In 2014, the Victorian Government announced a commitment to grow recreational fishing in Victoria through a number of measures, including the phasing-out of all commercial netting in Port Phillip Bay by 2022. The Government is on track to deliver on this important commitment.
What's new?
Consultation has concluded on the final management arranagements to end netting in Port Phillip Bay, and the establishment of a limited hook and line snapper fishery in the bay.
After 1 April 2022, 35 of the original 43 net fishers will have exited the bay, leaving 8 commercial operators supplying fresh snapper to consumers. These fishers will no longer use nets. The gear will be limited and catch will be carefully managed.
The key characteristics of the commercial fishery post 1 April 2022 are largely set out in the fisheries legislation and include:
Nets will no longer be authorised in Western Port or Port Phillip Bay. A snapper quota fishery will be established in Western Port/Port Phillip Bay. Regulations to prohibit nets will come into effect. The final Western Port/Port Phillip Bay net licence will be cancelled, and compensation paid. The Minister will allocate quota units to each of the remaining 8 eligible holders of a Western Port/Port Phillip Bay Fishery Access Licence equivalent to 11 tonnes of snapper. The adjustment package of $205,000 will be paid to those eligible licence holders who have not yet received their compensation. Quota will be able to be traded and leased between licence holders. Quota will be set at 88 tonnes and will not exceed this amount, recognising the recreational significance of the species in the Bay. Licences will remain transferable and may be sold. Recent finalisation of a Fisheries Notice has specified catch limits for other species.  These include annual limits of up to 1 tonne of shark per licence and up to 2 tonne of other species, excluding King George whiting, calamari, King fish and mulloway. The final notices, including the Initial Quota order, the Further Quota Order to allocate snapper quota, and the Fisheries Notice to set catch limits, may be viewed here.

That is fascinating!!
When I go for YFW, I use a paternoster rig, with the soft plastic as the weight (not just a sinker). I get a few flathead this was but it's more of slowly moving the bait (which YFW love), rather than a jerky motion - but have never had the same results are you get.
Definitely will give it a whirl!

David

BYCATCH to MAIN CATCH … Season’s Change to FLATHEAD
.
I have picked up a Flathead on each of my last 4 Yellow Fin Whiting lure sessions.
There are still plenty of YFW about for the whiting bait angler, however they have slowed up for the whiting lure fisherman.
The water is cooling a bit for YFW on lures. But is also the reason for the increasing presence of the Flathead.
The cooler Autumn water temperatures now have the ambient conditions to hold a larger number of baitfish in the shallows.
And along with the baitfish arrive a lot more Flathead, in these cooler waters of Autumn.
.
UNCONVENTIONAL TACTICS
I have always taken a skeptical view, of some assertions made by some fishing experts.
It’s best to do your own trials and testing and arrive at what works for you … for the areas that you fish.
There are claims of many must do techniques. Most based, I feel on false assumptions. And in the main anglers have quietly and benignly accepted them.
With Yellow Fin Whiting there was even an ‘expert” that asserted a surface lure mimicked a fleeing Benthic (bottom) dwelling Clicker on the surface !!!  All fishing techniques have to consider the target species, their morphology, behavioural traits, their prey and the habitat in which it has all evolved. So when it comes to some “expert” techniques, it must measure up against these factors. When Flathead fishing with soft plastics, people have often claimed; “Always bounce the soft plastic in the sand to create a puff of sand to attract a Flathead”
… Nah! Nah! Nah! Never !!!! This has a detrimental affect, when I fish wading the shallow sandflats.
.
I employ some unconventional tactics for catching Flathead  … I float fish them.
Do not bother bouncing lures along the sand. I have FLIP-SIDED the whole concept and suspend Soft Plastics and Bait under a Float. Always presenting them above the Flathead’s eyes !!  It is where they can see it the easiest and react the most. Their Strike zone. Their area of Binocular vision.
.
Having viewed underwater footage of FH taking soft plastics. I noticed they were repetitively taken at the top of the lift when the SP was bounced. Always well above and out in front of their eyes. In their “Binocular Vision Strike Zone”. So I decided I may as well put my Soft Plastics there in the first place. Drawing it past them … under a float.  I do not use any jig-heads.
.
Some more alert experts are now agreeing, that in fact disturbing the sand in front of Flathead is counter productive.
Karl Attenborough of the “Sand Flat Fishing Australia”  YouTube channel says:  “Touching the sand with your lure in shallow water spooks the fish.”
Refer: 9.35min in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NHJ02NUoiQ
Or in this Doc Lures Podcast : https://doclures.com/nsw-mid-north-coast-flathead-attenborough/  … Refer ~ 17min 10sec onwards.
.
As fisher-people we are always trying to present, a favourite food in the most irresistible and obvious manner, to our target species.
I have been floating Baits, Gulp Minnows and Jerk Shads under a small split turnip float for a long time. With great success.
.

MORPHOLOGY
Prey usually have eyes on the sides of their head so they have a large field of view, from which to avoid predators. Predators usually have eyes in front of their head so they have better depth perception.  Benthic predators, like Flathead have eyes arranged so they have a binocular view of what is above them as they lie on the bottom. Their field of vision is strongly biased to a bait or lure being presented out front and above them. Rather than it bouncing in the sand ahead of them.
These great videos clearly illustrate the Flathead eye placement and function:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC7Ig4NJmtE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrCjZJWGFHI
.


 
HABITAT
The other most important factor for using floating baits and lures is the sandflat Habitat in which the Flathead hold.
In the upper gulf sandflats that I fish, Flathead are most often found on;  broken weedy ground, in and alongside weed filled channels, or alongside mangrove edges full of aerial roots. Here they lay and wait to ambush any prey that passes above. It is very hard to get a weed free, snag free retrieve over this terrain. So the most effective method is to present and draw a bait or lure over them, suspended under a float. There are some suitable floating lures, but their trebles foul easily on the floating ribbon weed.
 
Flathead most commonly lie on the leeward side of a weed hump or structure in a strong run off. I rarely come across them on clear open sand flats. They have a preference for the bigger and faster run off tides. I find the best strategy is an overhead bait/lure presentation, suspended by a float, drawn across their likely lies behind structure.
 
The weed line or “blue line” which can also channel a stronger flow of water, will also hold them. The irregular weed line will frequently obstruct and hide your lure if you are working the bottom. Under a float, your offering can easily work, over, across, in and out of the weed line, with out fouling. Weedless rigs worked lower are never as effective for me.
.
RIGS & LURES
Today the very successful floating Glide baits and swim bait lures, do exactly that, swim above the eyes of the Flathead. Stay out of the weed and never touch the sand. I have yet to given them a try.
My favourite lure is Rapala Shadow Rap a floating lure with a small bib and a shallow dive.
It is interesting to note how many Flathead have been taken on a floating Squid jig.
But I have taken the most Flathead (along with X Large YFW) on Soft Plastic Minnows or Jerkshads simply fed onto a #4 long shank hook that I have been using for YFW.  under a float.



Tight Lines.
Cheers, Des

I applaud your decision, and having done a number of night jetty dives I can tell you it's still eerie under the water at night. Then again, if anything had have brushed against you I reckon you would have done a good squid impersonation yourself.

🤣
Neither major party gives a toss, but if they think they can buy some votes they will. It's just the commercials make way more noise than the recs.

The washers on the plunger of bait pumps deteriorate pretty quickly. But no need to rush off to the tackle shop, just pull out that old pair of thongs you kept for DIY projects.
Put the thong on the ground and place the end of the bait pump on top, then twist back and forth while pushing down. It will soon cut a perfectly sized circle, which you can use as a replacement washer.

My money is on not being completed on time  
 

I've got an Iki gun as well but paid well less than half that price!
They work extremely well but would never pay what they are asking now.

Not sure you can use them. I used to buy mussels from SFS and ray and annes - all which came from port lincoln - but PIRSA decided that they were too much of a risk in our waters and have banned the sale and use of them!!
I still have about 4.5 kilos in the freezer, which I'm using sparingly but will likely try harvesting them in the port when I run out - as they are gun whiting bait.
Razorfish are also very, very good but harder to come across in metro adelaide (although there are some pockets if you know where to look).

David

Hi all Just letting you know that 23 Aug to 18 Sept, Savage Tackle will be closing for a well deserved break When we open back up, you'll notice some minor changes. Simon Green, also from Northern Districts SportFishing Club, is our new business partner and will be the face of the company moving forward. The business will undergo a transition process over the coming months and I will be providing Simon with support to ensure the high standards and timeliness of deliveries continue to be a trademark of the company. In the interim, I am still taking orders - and doing some great deals for the next couple of weeks  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me on 0412022838.   Kind regards David

Hi all Just letting you know that 23 Aug to 18 Sept, Savage Tackle will be closing for a well deserved break When we open back up, you'll notice some minor changes. Simon Green, also from Northern Districts SportFishing Club, is our new business partner and will be the face of the company moving forward. The business will undergo a transition process over the coming months and I will be providing Simon with support to ensure the high standards and timeliness of deliveries continue to be a trademark of the company. In the interim, I am still taking orders - and doing some great deals for the next couple of weeks  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me on 0412022838.   Kind regards David

Hi all Just letting you know that 23 Aug to 18 Sept, Savage Tackle will be closing for a well deserved break When we open back up, you'll notice some minor changes. Simon Green, also from Northern Districts SportFishing Club, is our new business partner and will be the face of the company moving forward. The business will undergo a transition process over the coming months and I will be providing Simon with support to ensure the high standards and timeliness of deliveries continue to be a trademark of the company. In the interim, I am still taking orders - and doing some great deals for the next couple of weeks  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me on 0412022838.   Kind regards David

Hi all Just letting you know that 23 Aug to 18 Sept, Savage Tackle will be closing for a well deserved break When we open back up, you'll notice some minor changes. Simon Green, also from Northern Districts SportFishing Club, is our new business partner and will be the face of the company moving forward. The business will undergo a transition process over the coming months and I will be providing Simon with support to ensure the high standards and timeliness of deliveries continue to be a trademark of the company. In the interim, I am still taking orders - and doing some great deals for the next couple of weeks  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me on 0412022838.   Kind regards David

I'm looking forward to doing a lot more fishing and having my shed back!
Can't believe how big the business got - it was just getting too hard to manage while working full time. Actually used 7 tons of lead last year - crazy!!

I'm looking forward to doing a lot more fishing and having my shed back!
Can't believe how big the business got - it was just getting too hard to manage while working full time. Actually used 7 tons of lead last year - crazy!!

Hi all Just letting you know that 23 Aug to 18 Sept, Savage Tackle will be closing for a well deserved break When we open back up, you'll notice some minor changes. Simon Green, also from Northern Districts SportFishing Club, is our new business partner and will be the face of the company moving forward. The business will undergo a transition process over the coming months and I will be providing Simon with support to ensure the high standards and timeliness of deliveries continue to be a trademark of the company. In the interim, I am still taking orders - and doing some great deals for the next couple of weeks  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me on 0412022838.   Kind regards David

Depends on exchange rate and which jigs you want. Last lot I bought were just Daiwa and YoZuri and they ranged from $8.91 to $10.70. Other times it might be about $12. It works out to be around the same price as the Rui jigs, but you get the higher quality jigs.

When compared to other brands higher end models, the Rui jigs are not to the same standard. Below is a YoZuri jig. I think the basic YoZuri jigs are very overpriced, but some of the other jigs like the one below are excellent. It doesn't show in the photo, but this jig has a very sparkly shimmer that I haven't seen in the Rui jigs I've bought. It also has a rattle. There is a wire that goes around the sinker, which YoZuri calls a snagless sinker. Unlike most jigs it doesn't have feather like fins, but rather solid rubber like fins that glow in the dark. This particular jig is phosphorescent (glow in the dark), whilst others in the same range are fluorescent (reflect back whilst under UV light). On their own, these elements don't make these jigs better than Rui jigs, but it's the combination.
I wouldn't buy a standard YoZuri jig, but, I really like the higher end jigs.

I have a squid jig addiction and currently have jigs by Yamashita, Daiwa, Shimano, Duel (YoZuri) and Rui. I like the Rui jigs quite a bit. Overall the jigs are not quite the same quality as the Daiwa, but they would be close to the others. What sets the Rui jigs apart is the wide range of colours and size and how readily available they are at a good price.
In the Rui jigs I really like the red head and this is the only brand of red head I buy (I use it a lot so have to replace it a couple of time each year due to snags). I've also had a lot of success with the mullet and one that looks a bit like a tiger prawn called KR54 UV Glow. In the past I would buy the Yamashita mullet looking jig, but no longer bother and just buy the Rui. I don't think I will buy Yamashita again.
The one down side to Rui jigs, is the limited range of rattle jigs.
I've always had quick deliveries from Rui. I prefer to order direct from his website rather than through EvilBay.
If I could no longer cheaply buy Daiwa etc from overseas, I'd be perfectly happy to buy just Rui jigs.