Spring into Tasmanian Fishing

by Carl Hyland on 24 Jun 2011 Whilst wild weather continues to put a dampener on a lot of pelagic saltwater angling, many freshwater anglers are geeing up, getting gear ready and awaiting with much anticipation, the Tasmanian trout season which opens in the first week of August.

In the meantime, sea run trout activity is firing up all anglers and these big fish are starting to put in an appearance around the Island.

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Those anglers who have been braving the elements are reaping the rewards with sea run trout activity on the increase. Places such as the Derwent River in the South and the Tamar and Mersey Rivers in the North and North West are all good spots for these big trout to come into the estuaries chasing whitebait. Whilst whitebait runs don’t really get underway until September /October, a few schools are starting to put in an appearance.

What this means are those anglers with their thinking caps on can get amongst some good fish for little effort. A new lure called Strike Tiger Whitebait pearl, is just the ticket for presenting to these wily fish and if coupled with a lightweight jig head, will bring the big ones undone.

Locations such as Trevallyn tailrace near Launceston where the Trevallyn Dam outflow meets with the brine is a dynamite spot for trout, perch, eels and mullet as smaller fish coming through the turbines used to generate electricity, get chopped up and presented in the water. That’s why actively presented lures work well as do baits such as wattle grubs or pieces of fish flesh.

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Places like the areas above also produce fish during the trout season with sea trout making their way up into the Gorge at Launceston and anglers using soft plastics, Wigstons Cobras or bait when water is rising over grass, will reap the rewards.

Another good spot is the area of Tasmania’s South West, where a friend recently made a film about going into this remote area after a two day hike, just to try to catch a few fish. Marty’s film is absolute dynamite and well worth a watch…….here’s a snippet



Action in the state’s SouthEast for the big Bluefin tuna continues also with some good specimens caught recently. Tasmanian Eaglehawk Lures are performing well also with some notable captures pictured (below and main picture).

Over the coming weeks we shall be dropping in some great fish recipes from our pool of talented anglers, plus some new pictures of good fish that have just come in.

Until next time, take care.