Whaleshark in gulf

Wow, what a hard month is was to decipher the winner of the monthly fishing comp for January. Was it to be the 287kg blue marlin? Or perhaps the 75kg yellowfin?  Maybe Renee Berry with her first marlin? Or what about that cracker spango that Liam Clancy caught that nearly dragged him in the water? Then there was the 9.8kg red emperor that was speared and the brassy trevally caught in the gulf….? Well, after all those brilliant catches, the winner was Kiara Gregory with her awesome catch of that big cobia in the gulf that was pictured last week. Congratulations Kiara, you’ve won a gift voucher to use in store! All entrants go in the draw for the major prize at year end and money raised goes to Exmouth Game Fishing Club and Exmouth Sea Rescue.

Kiara and Trent Gregory

Despite the cyclonic conditions last week, we did still have people catching fish.  The marina is always a good when the weather is bad and it didn’t disappoint with reports in of mangrove jack, bluebone and even coral trout! I think the fish came in to hide from the bad weather?  There’s no doubt that the marina is a little haven for fish these days and I know that every time I go down there, activity is not far away. Mullet constantly cruise the walls, small bream and cod cruise the rocks and quite often you hear a chop-up of baitfish as predatory species come in and attack for a feed.  I haven’t seen many squid this year. In fact there haven’t been many squid lately at all.  Last year after the cyclone weed washed up very high on the beaches from the Novotel to the tip of the cape.  We thought this loss of vegetation could affect the squid population and perhaps this is why there are so few about now?

February can be a quiet time in Exmouth for visitors, but not for fish. Whether it is chasing a fish from shore or out in the boat, drop in and ask us at any time what the best tides are for what species and what is biting. It is a great time for locals to get out and enjoy a beach to themselves, a boat ramp car park nearly empty and fish cruising the shoreline.  Queenfish have been caught up at Bundegi lately and this time of year produces a few spanglies around the west side. So, provided we are not affected by cyclones, make sure you get out and enjoy this beautiful back yard we call home.

Whale shark

Perhaps a suggestion could be to implement a ‘Wilderness Fishing Area”, where there is to be ‘no take -away’ of fish? Perhaps this could also apply to only the area from the small boat jetty to the ocean?  This would allow young families the opportunity to fish in a safe location at the entrance to the creek, while also teaching people the importance of catch and release methods. Perhaps the use of single barbless hooks could also be applied? Let’s work together with our community and departments for the future of our backyard.  Submissions can be sent to Recfishwest regional policy officer Ellen Smith at ellen@recfishwest.org.au

Ryan Hopkinson Brassy trevally

Angler Ryan Hopkinson usually comes to Exmouth to fish Gamex. This summer he came up to relax and tried for other sports fish in the gulf. Ryan is pictured this week with a brassy trevally caught on the shoals in the gulf. Also pictured this week is junior angler Kiara Gregory. Kiara was fishing with her brother Trent, Dad Grant and Uncle Brad in just 8ft of water casting soft plastics when a massive cobia took to her presented lure.  The fish took around 20mins to land and is one of the biggest cobia we’ve seen weighed at the shop!  It reached 25kg on the scales and was filleted up for many upcoming dinners in the family home.

Kiara Gregory 24kg cobia

The Exmouth Game Fishing Club is calling on all volunteers for assistance through the upcoming events of Gamex and the AIBT.  If you would like to be a part of this fun event, rosters are being prepared now.  You may like to assist with recording of tagged fish, merchandise sales, social night decorations, bar work, setting up, filleting fish, food service or one of the many other small jobs that make the event the success that this small town is proud to present.  Yes, Slim Jim will be back! EGFC also have special guests including Paul Worsteling, Dr Julian Pepperell, an artist display from Bodo Muche, journalists Steve and Jo Starling, Editor Scott Coghlan, lure maker Peter Pakula, filleting fanatic Peter Anderton and a surprise celebrity chef. There will be fishing clinics though the days for visitors not able to get out on boats, cooking demonstrations from our chef using Kailis Seafood and other local delights, a dress-up Aussie themed BBQ night, rigging sessions for big and small fish, live music, filleting education opportunities and much, much more.  Contact events@egfc.com.au to be involved or drop in to either Tackle store with your details.  All volunteers will be recognised after the event with a special function in appreciation of the efforts of locals and visitors willing to assist this non-profit organisation and sporting group.

William Roach golden trev

Meanwhile we have had a flood of entrants for January including 11yr old Liam Clancy with a 62cm spangled emperor, which is the biggest fish he has ever caught!  Liam has been on holidays from Geraldton and couldn’t wait to show his Dad, who works out at the base.

Liam Clancy spangled emp

The Michaels’ family from Mandurah are here on holidays and went out in the gulf with Brett Wolf this week to target trevally on the shoals south of the marina. To their utmost surprise they came across a 5m whaleshark cruising the shore about 2miles off the industrial area 10km south of Exmouth!  Young 8yr old Hayden Michaels and 8yr old Sam Wolf managed to jump in with a mask and snorkel while their Dad’s watched in awe and took photos of the beautiful creature that swam calmly around them for about half an hour.  It was cruising north and the crew left the whaleshark to mosey on its way.  This is the fourth report of a whaleshark in the gulf this last week, and a bonus surprise for anglers fishing out from the marina during summer.

Another interesting visitor this last week was encountered by a local couple fishing for garfish in the gulf. They were down off the beaches south of the marina catching garfish when a tiny sailfish that was estimated to be only a foot or two long came thrashing in amongst the berley trail. What a cutey! We also had some reports of free-jumping sailfish off Bundegi reef.  We have had reports of baby sailfish in the gulf and out wide, but not a lot of reports over the years.  We are hoping to have marine billfish expert, Dr Julian Pepperell here for Gamex this year and I’m sure he will be keen on what’s been happening with the billfishing scene here in Exmouth.  Dr Pepperell will also be assisting with the deployment of 10 satellite tags for scientific research through the IGFA Great Marlin Race.

Che, Tre and Cruise Carson were determined to get through to Exmouth for a fishing holiday when the fires were close. They made it through and had an amazing holiday with the highlight being the last day at the Muiron Islands catching a few spangoes and  black spotted tusk fish to take home, also catching and releasing around 20 trevally and snorkelling in the shallows to see all the fish and reef on a crystal-clear day.  The father and two sons were stoked with their family holiday and will be back again one day sooner, rather than later, according to the two young boys.

Peak Charters Yellowfin

Ben O’Donnell and Renee Berry from Perth came up with some mates and got stuck here with the roads closed.  They didn’t mind at all because despite the roads being closed south with fires and north with floods and cyclones, the weather and fishing here has been awesome.  So awesome in fact that they raised 9 marlin off Helby Bank in one day! Renee caught her first ever marlin and then caught her first sailfish another day.

Renee Berry Marlin

The annual game fishing club camp-out was held this year at Bundegi thanks to Exmouth Tackle and Camping.  The event attracted around 70 anglers, mostly local. It is a great chance for families to camp out for the night and do some fun fishing as well.  There were some great catches, particularly on the Durango Challenge, which involves trying to catch the biggest fish on a tiny rod and reel.  Young junior angler James Bell came in a close second with a trevally, while Rhys Clatworthy took it out with a larger fish.  Other sections included the most fish caught and released from the shore (with photos for proof) and this section was a whole heap of fun, with junior angler Jesse Sutton winning a swag for the next camp trip!  Julie Horn’s team won the section with 20 different species caught from the shore!!  It just goes to show you the variety we have here with this result.  The weather was sensational for camping and Sunday morning was glorious.  We look forward to doing it all again next year.

Spearo anglers have been enjoying the clear water lately, however, we expect the cyclone from up the coast to stir up the water in the coming week.  A few crew went out to waters off the cape during the camp-out and managed to get a good mixed bag including coronation trout, coral trout, mackerel to 16kg, green job fish, red bass, cobia and a 9.8kg red emperor.  It was good for spectators to see the variety.  Some of the fish was cooked up that night on the BBQ and enjoyed by all.

Jarrod Faithful 9.8kg red

If you have a story and a picture, why not enter it in the Shimano monthly fishing competition?  Every entrant has a chance to win and monthly gift voucher and a chance to win $700 worth of Shimano gear at the end of the year.  The competition raises money each month for Sea Rescue and EGFC.  The winner for 2011 was junior angler Mitchell Williams who caught a 4.5kg spangled emperor in July last year.  Mitchell was on holidays from down south and was thrilled when we rang him on Christmas Eve after the draw.  Drop in to Bluewater Tackle world Exmouth on Maley Street for further details. Check out our report next week with the pic of December’s winner!

Two guys from Perth were certainly enjoying their break in their tinny off both sides of the cape. They caught everything from 20kg cobia close to shore off Learmonth, to mackies, spanglies, trevally and queenies around the west side.  They came in to ask us for advice and we thought we should ask them! They have been using poppers, sliders and softies and also fishing from the shore.  Keeping fish to take home is definitely not on the agenda and the boys have had a great time and enjoyed the fishing holiday.

Meanwhile, on the pelagic scene, the local charter sports-fishing boats have been firing.  Two of them have been consistently getting tuna, dolphin-fish, marlin and sailfish, while one of them hooked 8 blue marlin in one day! Another raised a fish that was estimated to be 900lb conservatively. The fish came in to the spread and followed the lures for a few minutes in big swell.  This was long enough for the whole crew to get a good look at the fish that was not fired up to eat.  The big blues are definitely in! 

Liam 287kg blue marlin

In fact the biggest fish ever weighed in Exmouth was brought in just last week from the boat ‘The Bear’. The crew were chasing marlin when 16yr old Liam Smith hooked up to the big fish pictured this week.  The fish weighed in at 287kg, making it the largest ever weighed in Exmouth and only 32kg off the state record for the biggest marlin ever weighed in Western Australia! That record of a 319kg blue marlin has been standing since 1984 by Sir Garrick Agnew.  On the same day that Liam caught the big blue, Wob Jacob, fellow crew member also tagged and released one of similar size.  Deckie Michael Jacob helped get the big fish onboard and it was weighed at the EGFC clubhouse that evening.  Skipper Mike Smith had just bought an electric smoker for Christmas and it has been well used since!  Angler Liam caught sailfish, blue marlin and striped marlin during his Christmas holiday and we think he is one lucky sixteen year old!

Meanwhile, on a different note, local kayak angler Steven Smith has been successful yet again with big mackies from his small craft in the waters off the cape.  Steven netted a few mullet when the swell was too big to get out, then picked his day to head out behind the reef trolling large mullet.  Within about 10 seconds he had a 24kg Mackie snavel the large rigged mullet as it slowly swum astern.  After such a buzz, and while only early in the day, he thought he would rig another. Ten paddles later, he caught a 22kg Mackie! Steven is still smiling about the day (or rather the half hour out!) and he says it proves that you don’t need big boats, dollars and gear to bring in the big fish here at Ningaloo!

Steve Mackerel

On a different note, local angler Leigh Mitchell had a day fishing and crabbing on the other side of the gulf.  He got this great pic of a female crab (that was obviously let go again) and we thought we’d share it with you.  The whole ecosystem has been great this last year and this report shows just how wonderful it can be here in Exmouth.  Of course, the fish don’t just fall on your hook, and some anglers do struggle during their stay to find the fish they are looking for.  Persistence, patience and planning are some key elements…. sometimes praying helps too!  If you’re ever keen to know what is happening, drop in to see the staff at Bluewater Tackle World, where we can fill you in on all the daily reports of fishing, weather, tides and what’s been working.

Lee Mud crab

Happy New Year everyone, may 2012 be far better than you imagined, with a positive outlook and smiling start.

Large baitballs in the gulf have still been providing plenty of excitement for anglers lately. Mass feeding frenzies consisting of tuna, cobia sharks, various trevally species and sailfish have been witnessed by many. In between baitballs those trolling hardbody lures such as Halco laser pros and Strada tracka 140’s have had success as the fish can’t resist the temptation, especially when there is so much competition in the water with so many fish.

Gulf Baitball

Two guys from Melbourne were here for some work at the airport this week and decided to go out on a charter with the weather so good.  They booked a boat to themselves and had a ball with all sorts of reef species around the tip of the cape. Thankfully one of the charter operators was willing to go at the last minute for the keen guys.

The Exmouth Game Fishing Club were recently commended for their fantastic efforts with tag and release by the Game Fishing Association of Australia (GFAA). EGFC was awarded the trophy for the club with the highest number of tagged fish for all clubs in Australian waters. This great honour is thanks to our dedicated members who have tagged many species throughout the year.  The majority of species tagged were billfish, with many juniors also tagging other pelagic species such as tuna, mackerel, trevally and queenfish.  Thanks to all anglers for helping Exmouth shine once again in the light of conservation and sustainable fishing practices for scientific research. Thanks also go to the volunteer club weighmaster and assistants for all their efforts in coordinating the tagging program for the EGFC.

The Tantabiddi Camp-out has been changed to Bundegi this year with the boat ramp at Tantabiddi still under construction.  Last year there were around 60 locals and visitors that camped under the stars and fished for the two days with over $2000 in prizes up for grabs.  There will be a BBQ dinner on the Sat night and you can bring a swag, camper or sleep in your boat! Entry forms and further details at Exmouth Tackle and Camping.

The staff and management at Bluewater Tackle World Exmouth, who bring you this report each week, would like to wish you all a safe and happy festive season and look forward to bringing you all the reports next year of what is biting in Exmouth, WA.

Lee Spangled Emperor

 A volunteer offered to fillet fish while people from the crowd gathered at the clubhouse to watch what had been speared for the day.  The fish filleted were given out, and I’m pleased to note that the only thing that was thrown in the fish bins was the skin of several fish, as the fillets, frames, heads and all were gladly taken by onlookers. 

The second day saw a great array of fish once again and some honker green jobfish and mackerel.  The tournament is designed to highlight the positive of spearfishing including fitness, team work and selective fishing methods.  There was some great skill shown by all who competed including junior spearo Jack Dandie who took out the junior section with a 3.6kg black spot tuskfish. We had competitors travel from as far away as Port Headland just to compete in the two-day event, which was a great effort. Points are accrued by the weight of the fish times by ten divided by the state record for that fish. (There are no trout in the comp.) 

Results were:

.Highest Point Scoring Spanish Mackerel/Wahoo. Matt Gates with a 26.1kg Spanish mackerel

.Heaviest Blackspot Tuskfish. Brodie Murdoch with a 6.1kg bluey.

.Heaviest Green Jobfish. Jarrod Faithful with an 11.6kg jobby.

Green Jobfish

.Heaviest Red Emperor. Vacant this year. The prize of a $575 Omer spear gun was auctioned and helped raise money for EGFC.

.Highest Point Scoring Lutjanus species other than Red Emperor. Reece Clatworthy with a 10.7kg red bass.

.Highest Point Scoring Spangled/Longnose Emperor. Jarrod Faithful with a 7.8kg long nose emperor.

.Highest point scoring Rock Lobster.  Had three people tied, so three prizes were allocated!

.Champion Junior (under 16).  Jack Dandie with his 3.6kg bluey.

.Champion Spearo Pair. Team After Tax with 42.33 points and Jarrod Faithful and Jasper Spiers.

Freedive champs

Many thanks go to the sponsors Oceanic, Omer, Rob Allen, Sporasub, Bluewater Tackle World Exmouth and Caltex Starmart Exmouth.  Thanks also go to all the volunteers who helped cook, clean, serve, record, fillet and coordinate. It’s great to see people from the community come together to help and enjoy these events throughout the year.

Meanwhile, there has been lots of activity in the marina lately, with schools of fish seen cruising through the canals.  This time of year the mangrove jacks feed well and a slowly drifted mulie on the incoming tide near the entrance can result in a bite or two from these feisty fish. Small schools of bait can be seen at times during high tide and predatory fish such as trevally and queenfish often smash the trembling bait inside the marina.  The southern side is good for chasing squid on the high tide too, and if you have a four wheel drive, you can drive the beach south of the marina in search of whiting and garfish on the high tide.

 The IGFA Great Marlin Race (IGMR) is a partnership between IGFA and Stanford University that pairs recreational anglers with cutting-edge science to learn more about the basic biology of marlin and how they utilize the open ocean habitat. The goal of the program is to deploy 50 pop up archival tags (PAT) in marlin at billfish tournaments around the world each year.

This effort will increase understanding of distribution, population structure and biology of marlin and engage anglers and the general public in the research process. By increasing our understanding of where these animals go and how they use the pelagic ecosystem, we will provide valuable information to the resource managers and policy makers responsible for ensuring their long-term conservation.

Exmouth has been selected as a participating location in the IGFA Great Marlin Race for 2011/12. 10 PAT tags are available for organisations, teams or individuals to sponsor and deploy during the Gamex and AIBT 2012 tournaments. The subsidised cost of each tag is $4,000.

The marlin, and sponsor, whose tag travels the furthest of all 50 tags will be recognized at the annual IGFA International Auction and Banquet in January 2013. The angler who tags the winning fish in the Exmouth leg of the 2011/12 Great Marlin Race will receive a free five year membership to EGFC and free entry to Gamex 2013. 

This is fantastic opportunity to place Exmouth firmly on the international game fishing map and to support scientific research and marlin conservation. To sponsor a tag please email Exmouth Game Fishing Club at secretary@egfc.com.au . Tags will be sold on a first come, first served basis. Payment in full will be required to reserve a tag.

For more information please go to http://igmr.igfa.org/ or download the official IGFA News Release > IGMR Launch

Troy and Cody Sailfish

One local boat headed out in search of big marlin this week and raised seven in the one day.  There were some big blues amongst the mix, including one that nearly spooled the Tiagra on the first run.  Some small blacks and two around the 100kg mark also showed up and despite the northerly being strong on land, it was calm at sea for the team onboard.

Adam Musbah Marlin

Rock lobster has been the dinner for many free divers this week. Picking the right day and hoping for half decent visibility is part of the challenge!  Remember to renew your licence and pick up the new size gauge. 

Whiting have been caught along the beaches around Learmonth with prawns being the bait of choice. Further down the gulf has been yielding some great queenfish captures. Small, rapidly retrieved metal lures have tempted these often-wary fish. We have still have reports of people getting blue swimmer crabs?!? Wow, what a year it has been for them. We are spoilt for choice up here with fresh seafood and this time of year the locals have great opportunities to take in some relaxing times on the warm water with the town so quiet.

Summer fishing can be challenging with flies, and boy have we had some of those this week? The flies have been thick both on shore and off shore. I’m sure most stores nearly sold out of fly veils this week.  The rewards of summer fishing can be great though, with increased numbers of spangled emperor along the shoreline and increased activity in the open waters, especially dolphin fish, wahoo and big marlin.  It is also a time when there are less people in town and more camping spots available along the coast. Late evenings fishing can be very enjoyable and at least there are no flies after dark!