Merimbula Fishing - Local KnowledgeFishing In Merimbula
The information provided below will hopefully give you an overview of the piscatorial avenues available in and around Merimbula. Weather your visiting to relax and soak a prawn or on a mission to target a sports fishing trophy, the waters surrounding Merimbula will provide you with plenty of opportunities.
Within a stone’s throw of Merimbula CBD you have unrestricted access to the water of the Merimbula Lake. The Estuary itself is made up or 2 main sections. TOP LAKE is the large, deep area at the top end of the main channel, located to the west of the Main boat ramp adjacent to the Merimbula Causeway. The majority of the top lake is flat sandy substrate up to 10 meters deep, surrounded by a step ribbon weed drop off. This ‘Nursery’ of ribbon weed provides a dense habitat for a full range of invertebrate and fin fish. Recently with the aid of the NSW DPI and fishing license revenue, Installation of the State’s fifth artificial reef, measuring approximately 1600 square meters was completed, providing even more fish attracting structure.
From the TOP LAKE a tidal channel winds through a maze of weed beds, rocky and sandy flats and oyster leases to the open ocean. At low tide most of the flats are exposed providing easy access to fish the main channel on foot, and plenty of room for younger children to safely explore and harass the local soldier crab populations. These flats hold healthy populations of ‘Nippers’ or ‘bass yabbies’, an excellent local bait.
At high tide the flats flood, allowing most of the local fish species access to these food rich areas.
Many Seasonal and resident fish Species inhabit the lake system and provide plenty of opportunity to catch the big one ! Black and Yellow Fin Bream, Sand Whiting, Dusky Flathead, Silver Trevalli, Golden eye and poddy Mullet, Tailor, Australian Salmon, Mullowey, leatherjacket, sole & flounder, Luderick or Black Fish, Garfish are just a handful of the targeted species available. In addition octopus, blue swimmer crabs and the summer prawn run add to the list.
BACK LAKE, A smaller, non tidal lagoon is accessible on foot from the SHORT POINT car park. Rarely open to the ocean in holds good populations of Bream, mullet, estuary perch and flathead and is also intermittently stocked with Prawns by the DPI through the NSW recreational fishing license Trust funds.
From the mouth of Merimbula Lake you can access MAIN BEACH, a long flat protected beach extending south to the mouth of the Pambula River. On MAIN BEACH, Flathead, sand whiting, and bream are the main targets with passing salmon, tailor and Trevalli a possible capture.
MERIMBULA WHARF or Fishing Platform as it is sometimes referred to, is a great place to access some Shallow reef without the dangers or rock fishing. It holds huge populations of Slimy Mackerel and Yellow Tail, which are great fun for the kids to catch and provide a bait source for the inshore and offshore reefs and game fishers. Smaller pelagic special like Australian Salmon, tailor, bonito & Frigate Mackerel can be common seasonal targets with Yellow Tail Kingfish, Northern Blue Fin Tuna, Stripey Tuna, and small sharks showing up from time when the warmer water temperature permits.
Rock fishing on Merimbula’s LONG POINT and SHORT POINT, TURA HEAD, BOURNDA ISLAND and HAYCOCK POINT can be fruitful but safety is the main concern. These areas are no place for children. Please watch the sea conditions and ask the crew at the local Tackle World what the conditions have been like before venturing out to these spots. Local knowledge here is a must.
Beach anglers have a range of easy to access beaches to wet a line. TURA BEACH and NORTH TURA BEACH (Dolphin Cove) & Bournda Beach to the north, and HAYCOCK BEACH and the PINNACLES popular to the south.
Inshore and deep reefs can be fished for several species of Flathead, snapper, morwong, leather jacket, gummy sharks, king fish and a host of reef dwelling species to the deepwater denizens in the form of Hapuka, bass Grouper, Blue Eye Trevalla and Tassie Trumpeter for those equipped with suitable gear and strong backs !
Game Fishing on the Sapphire Coast has had a long and prestigious history. The waters from Bermagui to Eden give anglers 100’s of nautical miles of water to target a full range of Game Species.
All Depending on the strength and temperature of the East Coast Currant anglers can target Blue, Black and Striped Marlin, Northern and Southern Blue Fin Tuna, Yellow Fin Tuna, Sharks – Blue, Mako, whaler, tiger, thrasher ect. Mahi Mahi, Albacore, and the mighty Broadbill Sword Fish just to name a few!
Our Waters are indeed rich and with a little local Knowledge, homework and a bit of luck your angling aspirations can be fulfilled !
Take note that it is required by law that if you are over the age of 18 you are required to have a currant NSW FISHING LICENCE available on line or at Merimbula Tackle World or the Sapphire Coats Trading Post. All Fishing and boating rules and regulations can be obtained here.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries
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