Monthly Archives: September 2010

Running Rings Around Squid.

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A ripper squid destined for the pan.

You would be hard pressed to walk the length of any coastal jetty and not find a mix of anglers both young and old wetting a line in the hopes of catching a squid. Their popularity amongst fishos is often signified by a string of bobbling floats held taught in eager hands. There is no need for flash expensive gear when catching squid; it is a sport of humble tackle and affordable means. I guess that’s a part of what makes squid fishing so popular, that and the fact they are easily accessible to anyone that might like to chance their luck.

As table fair goes fresh caught squid runs rings around the rubber band variety many of us are accustomed to chewing on. Crumbed and fried in oil they are hard to beat and reason enough to spend a few hours on the pier trying your hand.

Basic rods and reels are gear of choice as are simple hand lines of 10lb to 15lb. Squid are not known for long sizzling runs but they do put a bit of weight on the line especially when they get a bit of size about them. They are quick to find the pylons if you don’t have enough pressure on the line to keep control.  There are two main jigs used to target squid, the first is a prawn imitation that can be cast and wound just like a lure. This is worked in a lift drop retrieve so it swims up and down just a few feet above the bottom. The second is similar to a skewer which is threaded with a small baitfish like a pilchard or mullet. This rig can be fished under a float or allowed to drift and be worked in the current with a slow retrieve. Squid respond well to burley and a few mashed up pilchards hung over the side of the pier in a burly bag will entice the squid to come in search of the scent. Other fish too will follow the fine burly trail, these will often include whiting, trevally and flathead and each of these make a welcome catch as you wait the arrival of a squid or two.

Once you have hooked a squid, retrieve it in a slow steady fashion as they will often pull free of the jig. Remember before you lift them from the water, squid are renowned for squirting a long black ink trail with very good accuracy. Leave them in the water until they have jettisoned their ink and then bring them in. Be careful when removing them from the jig as squid have a parrot like beak that can give you a nasty nip. Spring and summer are great times to fish for squid and generally coincide with seaside family holidays. Squid fishing is great fun and once you’ve caught and cooked them yourself you will quickly understand that a feed of fresh squid runs rings around the rest.

Rising Waters Awash With Gold.

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A nice golden perch caught on worms fishing the backwaters of the Murray River.

With a good flush of water coming down the Murray that is tipped to get higher over the coming weeks anglers can expect some excellent fishing in the higher than normal flows. With the rising waters awash with silt, a change from lures to bait is a productive move as golden perch seek out all manner of morsel that have been caught in the flow. Freshly covered ground offers new range for grazing fish and worms are a favourite as they hunt the clay coloured waters in search of an easy meal. Tempting a few onto the line is to seek out those areas most likely to hold foraging fish and these are not hard to find if you know where to look. Under high water conditions most fish will hold and feed out of the main flow where they can either sit and wait or move freely, unrestricted by heavy current. Here much of what they eat is delivered on the edge of the current line falling to the bottom in the calmer backwaters. Golden perch freely patrol the calm and are quick to hone in on any fresh morsel delivered.
Backwater can be found in many locations but the pockets that hide behind giant fallen gums are as good as it gets. The tree itself acts to shield the flow and behind the stump, a small calm section of water provides the perfect location for golden perch to hide in wait. Remembering the fish will be close to the bank so it pays not to cast too far out. A small sinker running straight down the line to a number 2/0 hook is a simple but effective rig. When it comes to bait in times of high flow nothing works as well as scrub worms and a couple of these pinned on a hook are sure to tempt any hungry fish. Do not be in a hurry to strike and set the hook as golden perch will often pick at bait before they finally commit to eating it. Backwater can be found in other locations depending on the flow and the naturally changing course of the river. Mud flats are particularly productive, even more so if they are in company with a few snags. The main things to remember is fish the calm water and continue to shift spots until you find the fish. Even after you have caught one or two, move on to fresh ground as most fish will be tempted within minutes of your bait finding the bottom. Over the coming month as the spring flow peaks those anglers that know where to look will realise that the rising waters while laden with clay coloured silt are also awash with gold.   

Deluge Spurs Trout Fishing.

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Steve Cooper with a fat Rainbow trout. 

The revolving door of angling sits still for no one with the first Saturday in September marking the official opening of the trout season. And what a weekend it was, as most of the state was swept by a deluge of wind and rain that swelled many popular trout streams to capacity and over the banks. With all the water around most anglers chose to sit it out while a brave few hit the lakes in hopes they might load the rod with their first trout for the season. It was tough going as to be expected but the big wet is just a prelude to the excellent fishing that’s to come in its wake. Rising waters in many of our lakes and rivers will provide the perfect conditions in weeks to come as they spill out across the low lying land. The rising waters will provide rich new feeding areas where trout grow big and fat over the spring months as they dine on a plethora of edibles that failed to escape the rising waters. With barely enough water to cover their backs it’s common to see their tails sticking clear as they grub along, head down busily feeding. They will dine on almost anything from drowned beetles and moths to small yabbies and worms. A single large scrub worm pinned on a hook and fished with as little or no sinker weight is a favorite for a trout on the scavenge and will readily tempt a bite. As the weather continues to warm all manner of insects and small invertebrates explode to life in the shallows and the hungry trout seek out the chance to have their fill. Dragonfly larvae, commonly known as mud-eye are a choice meal for trout and make excellent bait when fished a foot or so under the water on a float. With numerous insect hatches taking place this new explosion of life provides the perfect conditions for fly anglers to strut their stuff. Fly fishing is an art in itself but one that enables the angler to present very small artificial insect imitations to their quarry. The trick here is to match the hatch and select a fly that closely resembles what the fish are feeding on. If predictions are right, in a few short weeks hoppers should start to hatch and any fly that resembles these will readily be eaten. As they take to the wing as locusts the trout will change to these and bait anglers can take advantage with an endless supply ready for the hook. First and last light or cloudy overcast days are best for trout, especially when they are feeding in the shallows.
Small bladed spinners or hard-bodied minnow pattern lures are also effective on trout as are blades and a variety of soft plastics. As table fare, trout are not too bad, especially when smoked. Different bag and size limits do apply to trout and be sure you have the correct fishing license. So why not test your hand with a spot of trout fishing and make the most of what looks to be a ripper season.