Chasing kings of the deep

WARM conditions and the lack of wind allowed anglers to enjoy some rewarding fishing last week, with good catches reported statewide, especially from saltwater.

Leo Miller, Simon Turner, and Jason Brown managed the most notable catch. The crew was initially targeting marlin off St Helens but changed tactics and caught some blue-eye trevalla. Afterwards, they decided to quickly drop some baits down, hoping for a broadbill swordfish. It didn’t take long to get a bite and hook up, but unfortunately, halfway through the fight, the swordfish managed to free itself. On the next drop, they hooked another one. After a two-hour battle on 60 kg tackle, the team caught, tagged, and released a healthy 240 kg broadbill swordfish.

This catch will definitely excite game anglers who chase these hard-fighting kings of the deep, especially with the season just approaching.

Mako sharks have been around in good numbers for a while now, with anglers seeing and catching them as they turn up in berley trails in waters off Eaglehawk Neck, up through the East Coast. Yellowtail kingfish catches have increased statewide, with smaller fish and better specimens caught from the south at Dover, South Arm, Port Arthur, and North West Bay, as well as up the East Coast at Coles Bay, Triabunna, and St Helens.

Anglers fishing out of Marion Bay have landed well-conditioned tiger (king) flathead in depths ranging from 15 m to 50 m. Snapper catches have also improved in Storm Bay and Frederick Henry Bay, with solid fish ranging from 40 cm to 70 cm being landed.

Further offshore, deep-sea bait anglers have had success landing excellent striped trumpeter, blue-eye trevalla, gemfish, pink ling, grenadier, frostfish, and even hapuka. Good catches of calamari and arrow squid have come from Southport, Bruny and Maria Island, the Channel, and the lower Derwent, plus up the coast through to Coles Bay.

Barracouta, Australian salmon, mackerel, and tailor are widespread, with reports of some bigger king George whiting coming from the south, particularly around Port Arthur, Dover, and Southport. Anglers are also reporting better catches of elephant fish/shark, gummy, and school sharks. Those chasing flounder at night have managed a decent feed of these super-tasty fish.

Recent Competitions

Several fishing competitions were held over the past few weeks in both fresh and saltwater.

The popular 2025 Derwent River Flathead Classic, run by the Sportsfishing Club of Tasmania last Saturday, saw 19 teams fishing on the Derwent in great conditions. As usual, all participants had a fantastic day. Many sponsors contributed prizes, and with so many kids taking part, almost all walked away with something to show for their efforts.

The 11th Spot On/Shimano Australia Day Shark and Gamefish Challenge took place in perfect conditions on Saturday, January 25th, hosted by the Tuna Club of Tasmania. Seventeen teams headed offshore, with 11 sharks caught—7 sharks were weighed in, and 4 were tagged and released.

Results:

• Heaviest Shark of the Contest by an Angler: Blake Lampkin on Dodgen The Wife – 203.6 kg mako shark (caught on 37 kg tackle).
• Highest Tag and Release Point Score Boat: Nautibuoys – 1000 points.
• Highest Tag and Release Point Score by an Adult Male Angler (Sharks Only): Wayne Watt – 500 points.
• Highest Tag and Release Point Score by an Adult Female Angler (Sharks Only): Danielle Browning – 500 points.
• Highest Tag and Release Point Score by a Junior Angler (Sharks Only): Shanae Dance – 1000 points.
• Highest Point Score Shark by an Adult Male Angler: Mitchell Filpek on Game Over – 690 points.
• Highest Point Score Shark by an Adult Female Angler: Mellisa Groves on Horizon – 271.62 points.
• Highest Point Score Shark by a Junior Male Angler: Konnah Smith on Harpuka – 303.24 points.
• Highest Point Score Shark by a Junior Female Angler: Shanae Dance on Nautibuoys – 1033.75 points (Pending Australian Junior Female 8 kg record).

The Tuna Club of Tasmania will be hosting the Tasmanian Light Line Shootout on Saturday, February 15th.

Freshwater Competitions

The Australia Day weekend saw the annual Back to Pedder Trout Fishing Competition at Lake Pedder, hosted by the Lake Pedder Anglers Club. Reports indicate everyone enjoyed the weekend, with good numbers of trout caught. Fifty-five entrants caught and weighed in 274 trout.

Major Results:

• Heaviest Fish Overall: Pete Simmons – 1.152 kg.
• Heaviest Fish (Veteran): David Long – 0.852 kg.
• Heaviest Fish (Adult): Pete Simmons – 1.152 kg.
• Heaviest Fish (Junior, 14-17): Charlie Long – 0.928 kg.
• Heaviest Fish (Small Fry, Up to 13): Harper Duffin – 0.656 kg.
• Heaviest Land-Based Fish Overall: Daniel Smith – 0.534 kg.
• Best Bag of 6 Fish: Lachlan Mallinson – 3.974 kg.
• Most Fish Caught by a Team: Team Nugget (Lachlan & Trent Mallinson and Tom Woods) – 65 fish total.
• Bill Groves Memorial Award (999 grams): Charlie Long – 0.928 kg.
• Peter Chew Memorial Award (625 grams): Kaine Talbot – 0.630 kg.
• President’s Encouragement Award: Bruce Williams.
• Junior Encouragement Award: Maya Bennett.

Major Prize Winners:

1. Gundars Simpson – 3.5 hp Mercury outboard motor.
2. Sam Williams – Dune 4WD 80-litre fridge/freezer.
3. Bruce Williams – Family tent.
4. Allen Stennings – Stormy Lifejacket.

Upcoming Events

The Wayatinah Sports & Social Club is hosting the Dave Gasson Memorial Trout Fishing Competition this weekend at Wayatinah Lagoon. The New Norfolk Licensed Anglers Association will also kick off competitive fishing for 2025 at the same event.

Anglers looking to compete must have a freshwater fishing license. Fishing starts at 6 pm Friday night and finishes on Sunday at 10 am, with a BBQ and presentation after 12 pm.

Entry Fees:

• Adults: $10
• Juniors (5-17 yrs): $5
• Registration: Friday, 5 pm - 8 pm, and Saturday, 8 am at the Caravan Park.
• Weigh-in: Saturday, 8 am - 8 pm, and final weigh-in Sunday, 8 am - 10 am.

Stocking Update

The IFS continued stocking waters with triploid rainbow trout last week, adding thousands of 50-gram fish. Many anglers have raised concerns about trout stocking and the ongoing cormorant problem. Fisheries officials have stated that long-term fishery recovery depends on natural fry production post-spawning.

Stocking numbers last week:

• Briseis Hole (Derby Mine Hole): 3,200 fish.
• Brady’s Lake: 3,400 fish.
• Brushy Lagoon: 3,400 fish.
• Craigbourne Lake: 6,800 fish.

Tip of the Week

Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) has extended the Prohibited Area declaration for Lake Rosebery until 12 am, Friday, February 14, 2025, unless canceled sooner. The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is continuing cleanup efforts after an estimated 4,000L of oil was flushed from an old storage tank earlier this month, affecting 26 km of shoreline.

📩 Send your fishing reports, pics, and tips to valleyfishes@gmail.com, and keep track of the Derwent Valley Gazette Fishing page at derwentvalleygazette.com

🎣 Tight lines until next week!