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Hart's Hints - Improving your catch rate

by Andrew Hart

How often do we go fishing and catch nothing? I think that the answer may be too often for some of us.

Listed below are a few techniques and innovations that can improve your catch rate.

: Category: Tackle, Boats and other Equipment; Published: 19 August 2008; Hits: 5643

Tackle, Boats and other Equipment

The Lure of the Tamar

by Chris Beech

Situated about mid way along the North coast of Tasmania lies one of the north's largest water ways, the Tamar River. The Tamar begins its life at Launceston, being fed by the North and South Esk rivers and their tributaries, which drain much of the Northern Tasmania. Winding its way down the picturesque Tamar Valley with its multitude of cottage wineries, art and craft, and historic sites, the Tamar ends its journey to the sea, bordered by the coastal town ships at George Town and Kelso.

: Category: Tamar River; Published: 19 August 2008; Hits: 10562

Tamar River

Hooked on lures

Greg Hynes produces Lofty Lures at Mole Creek in Tasmanian. Mole Creek is a quiet country town where most everyone goes fishing. Lofty's make several different size cobra style lures as well as a range of spinners. Michael Stevens recently interviewed Greg "˜Lofty"Hynes.

: Category: Tackle, Boats and other Equipment; Published: 19 August 2008; Hits: 9714

Tackle, Boats and other Equipment

Flinders Island - spectacular fishing, scenery and adventure

Especially, Flinders Island has not been discovered yet. It has no crowds, traffic jams or rip, rush and tear. The weather is mild by Tasmanian standards with frost free winters and more sunshine than the Gold Coast. It has spectacular natural beauty, lots of fish and friendly people. James Luddington reports on one of Tasmania's most productive fishing areas - Flinders Island.

: Category: Saltwater and Estuary Fishing; Published: 19 August 2008; Hits: 11451

Saltwater and Estuary Fishing

Fly fishing for Derwent River bream

by Tim Farrell

In Tasmanian estuaries, Black bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri) are one of the mainstay of recreational fishers. These fish can be relied upon to provide excellent sport on light gear with baits such as crabs, mussels and pretty fish involving the simplest of rigs - often just a hook. Bream are great fighters and are taken regularly by spinning and fly fishing in mainland waters. So why don't we take them on artificial's in Tasmania?

: Category: Derwent River; Published: 19 August 2008; Hits: 11480

Derwent River

A fly fishers guide to the trout fishing season

by Barry Hickman

"˜Knowledge is power"so the saying goes. In this article, Barry Hickman shares his knowledge of trout fishing season and what to expect, what flies are needed and when to use them.

: Category: Fly Fishing; Published: 19 August 2008; Hits: 8719

Fly Fishing

Macquarie River in profile

by Tony Ritchie

Arguably the Macquarie River is Tasmania's best known for angling sport. Its main stem wanders through the open farmland of the Northern Midlands from Ross down to its junction with the South Esk River at Longford, covering about 80 kilometres and is fishable along most of its length.

: Category: Other Rivers; Published: 19 August 2008; Hits: 14950

Other Rivers

Fishing in the city

I spotted a small fish rising to a hatch of snowflake caddis in the far side of the pool. My cast was only average but it did not take long for the fish's little eyes to light up and gobble down my caddis imitation. After a quick but lively fight I'd released my fourth trout for the evening.

Where was I? I was only ten minutes from the city of Launceston, in the middle of the Cataract Gorge, just down from the First Basin.

: Category: Trout Fishing; Published: 19 August 2008; Hits: 13419

West coast - Home of big fish and spectacular scenery

by Barry Wicks and Jaynee Coleman

For the low budget fishing and sight seeing holiday the Far North West Coast, and West Coast of Tasmania is well worth considering. Whereas large fish are dreamt of in many areas - the West Coast often rewards anglers with fish of leviathan size - both in fresh and salt water.

: Category: Other Rivers; Published: 19 August 2008; Hits: 9425

Other Rivers

Strahan and Macquarie Harbour

Best time to fish; October to March

Getting there; 4 hours from Launceston or Hobart.

Major angling species; Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout, Australian salmon, shark, flounder, striped trumpeter, morwong.

Other attractions; Strahan is the base for many tourist activities.

Warnings;Tasmania's west coast has some of the wildest seas in Australia. Each year commercial fishermen are lost to huge seas that can appear from nowhere. Take extreme care, especially when fishing the ocean.

Great fishing, variety and spectacular scenery is what await anglers venturing to Tasmania's wild west coast.

Strahan, the perfect base for the area, is located on Macquarie Harbour, Australia's second largest harbour after Port Phillip Bay and covers an area of approximately 260 square kilometres. The west coast region is a major tourist destination and the entire area is a fisherman's haven, having the waters of the harbour to fish along with the coastline and a number of readily accessible rivers within ten minutes of Strahan.

Macquarie Harbour is accessible to most types of angler, the most practical though is by boat. This allows easy movement throughout the harbour and some of its hot spots. One of the most sought after fish in the harbour are the many large rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon. These fish are a combination of escapees from the local fish farms as well as a healthy local population. Casting lures from the many headlands jutting out into the harbour using sliced and minnow style lures often results in tremendous sport.

When fish of up to 9 kilograms have been caught within sight of the Strahan township it certainly encourages the locals and visitors alike to pick up their rods. Popular methods include bait, spin and fly fishing. On the still warmer evenings fly fishing offers good sport casting from the boat toward the shore. Trout sometimes rise throughout a number of bays and it is possible to choose one of a number of fish to cast to. Sea-run trout are also common from the beach at Macquarie Heads - particularly between October and November.

During the warmer summer months, the harbour experiences an influx of green water as the harbour level drops. This influx generally attracts schools of Australian Salmon, which can be captured on the edges of this green water and the usual brown water of the harbour.

The favoured options here are trolling (the most rewarding), spin fishing or bait fishing. A popular spot for the Australian salmon is just inside the heads at Hells Gates. From this position you can cast out to the channel that leads out to a long sandbar. There is a camping ground here right near the beach.

The harbour at Strahan offers visitors with their own boats a number of launching sites that will cater for all sized trailerable boats. Within Strahan there are two concrete launching ramps, one at Mill Bay and the other at Letts Bay. Macquarie Heads also offers two gravel ramps with quick access to the fishing spots. The variety of species caught within the Harbour include; Atlantic Salmon, trout, Australian salmon, flathead, flounder, small trumpeter, trevally, couta, morwong, cod and mullet.

Beach Fishing
Ocean Beach, six kilometres due west of Strahan, offers some great beach fishing that is comparable to anywhere, (when the rugged seas permit). This beach is claimed to be Tasmania's longest with 34 kilometres of unbroken beach. The main fishing from here is Australian Salmon, sharks and skate. One excellent spot here is at the mouth of the Henty River.

Anyone wishing to drive along Ocean Beach to access its fishing spots should be very wary of the quick sand, common throughout this area. It is suggested to obtain local advice before the trip.

Outside the Heads
If you have the right boat and good weather it can be worth your while to venture just beyond the heads to Cape Sorell or Pilot Bay where fishing can be excellent. In this area trolling or bait fishing with light gear can yield good results for a number of species. The main fish caught immediately outside the heads are; trevally, couta and striped trumpeter.

Not only has Strahan got its variety of fishing on offer but makes for an excellent family holiday destination. Tours on offer include the river cruises to the Gordon River, jet boat rides up the King River, trail rides, sea plane tours to a variety of areas, helicopter joy flights and four wheel drive and fishing tours.