Tasman Peninsula Tassie’s ‘Tuna Capital'

THE Tasman Peninsula is the place to be fishing at the moment with a huge run of big barrel southern bluefin tuna passing through over the last few weeks.

Ty Booker and Elly and Tye Curtain were also amongst the big tuna again last Wednesday landing one weighing 102 kg and the other at 110 kg.

Both tuna were set to be tagged and released but one died after the long fight and the other was attacked by seals boatside which meant it also couldn't be revived but from word all of both fish were distributed to family and friends for a feed.

It seems there is no better time than right now to be out chasing big southern bluefin tuna off our South East Coast and that's why it's called the “tuna capital” of Tasmania.

THE IFS recently released information in regards to an electrofishing survey on Little Pine Lagoon and the results are interesting.

The number of trout caught was lower in comparison to past surveys which is presumed to be a result of recent cormorant predation.

Longer/older trout over 500 mm were not caught but the number of younger fish in the survey showed good recruitment from spawning over the last few seasons.

Almost all fish were in good to excellent condition including longer fish up to 495 mm which weighed 1.4 kg.

It's said that catch rates should improve as the season progresses but are likely to be lower than normal which again is most likely a result of cormorant predation.

Catches will contain a mix of fish with 30 per cent of the population between 300 – 400 mm and 15 per cent between 400 – 500 mm. Little Pine Lagoon still holds a lot of undersized fish as well.

Earlier in November the IFS also completed a fisheries performance assessment on Woods Lake and Brown trout were targeted with a mixture of sizes caught with a lot in the 350 – 400 mm range. 

Older fish up to 600 mm in length were found cruising the shallower margins of the lake.

Reports from anglers indicate a lot of small trout being caught trolling which isn't unusual and fly anglers and other anglers spinning from a drifting boat are also being rewarded with some decent conditioned trout from shallower water.

The lake is still fairly full of water and it's said that the water quality is also good at this stage of the season. A full report on surveying results will be published soon.

Cormorant predation and numbers are again talk of the angling community from those fishing both fresh and saltwater.

Numerous conversations are again mentioning cormorants and the explosion of numbers and the genuine lack of rewards when out fishing especially for trout. I personally visited an area last week, one of which produced great numbers of trout for me at this time of the year last season and sadly I didn't even look like getting a bite.

The next day I learned one angler witnessed over 100 cormorants in the same area I was fishing only a week prior and similarly they obviusly didn't turn a reel either.

At another area that I fished all night recently as well for just one trout mind you, once dawn arrived the cormorants moved through hunting fish.

Interestingly enough the IFS will be attending two recreational fishing forum events in both Launceston (Dec 4) and Hobart (Nov 27) and it's an opportunity to have your say about cormorants or anything else fishing related. Fisheries Tasmania (NRE Tas), IFS, the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) and the Department of Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine team from the Royal Hobart Hospital plus representation from the  Anglers Alliance Tasmania (AAT) will be attending. The events are free and walk-ins are welcome but you are encouraged to book a ticket at fishing.tas.gov.au/events .

TROUT fishing has been hit and miss with mixed results going off recent reports.

Better weather has allowed anglers more time on the water and one memorable catch came last weekend from Rick Mansfield who was lucky enough to land one of ten 8kg rainbow trout that were released into Brushy Lagoon recently.

Another awesome fish was landed by Penny Woolley at the weekend from the Huon River that weighed nearly 5 kg and 11 lb. Talbots Lagoon in the North is giving up some nice brown and rainbow trout, Lake Sorell and Crescent are offering large fish but be prepared to work for them. 

The Brady's Chain has been popular with bait anglers doing better than lure. Bronte Lagoon and Lake Echo has been hard work but the fish caught make it worthwhile and waters in the lower Derwent hydro catchments are worth a run too although changing water levels and cormorant activity have meant fish have been very flighty.

The NNLAA held the STLAA Family Day/BBQ last Sunday at the Bushy Park junior pond and all who attended had a great time and caught some good fish before the weather set in..A highlight of the day was for 13 year old Laurie McMaster who landed her first ever fish and a one that she will definitely never forget.

The NNLAA will host it's Christmas party on December 8 and keep an eye on the clubs Facebook page for any updates as we push closer to the date.

Tip of the week- The South East spawning zone for calamari and gould (arrow) squid reopened to fishing on November 14. A reminder that the bag limit for calamari squid is 10 with a possession limit of 20 and for arrow squid the bag limit is 15 with a possession limit of 30. Tight Lines until next week.

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