Fishing Tales from Captain Jim

March 2010

February 2010

Fishing is now hotting up along with the sea water temperature inshore which has climbed over 22 degrees reaching 24 degrees. Around the islands and over the inshore reefs large schools of slimies and yakkas are everywhere with bonito, mulloway teraglin, kingfish, pearl perch, snapper and monster flathead all here for the feast.
With such an abundance of natural food available the fish can afford to be choosy so it is well worth putting in the time to catch something they find very hard to resist.
Live calamari squid is a proven favourite on the big fish menu and great fun to catch on light gear. Handled with care they can be kept alive and are without question one of the best performing baits available. Whether rigged as live bait or stripped up as dead baits fresh squid is irresistible to most species.
Actually catching them can often be the challenge but very rewarding as they not only make top bait but are a delicious meal in themselves. Just learn how to avoid the black sticky ink and you’re in business!
Email if you are interested for some of the top tips on successful squidding!  

June 2009

It might be a little chilly for some at this time of year but the fishing is great with good catches of Snapper and Flathead to be had for those willing to get out and into it. Here are some shots of whats been happening around Broughton Island lately.

February 2009

The unseasonal cold water has finally moved on and we now have a much fishier 23.5 degrees on the inshore reefs and gravel beds. Not surprisingly the fish have come back with the warm currents, bait schools everywhere, striped tuna and bonito nailing anything resembling a surface lure and pleanty of good to monster size flathead to fill the catch tub and keep us well fed all week.

December 2008

Summer got off to a great start with this super catch of Silver Trevally this week. Water temp is up to 21.5 and we have already caught our first Dolphin Fish for the season. The Snapper are still around with the best fish last weekend measuring 45cm and several others around the 40cm mark.

November 2008

The warm current is now running hard out beyond the 50 metre line but there were some good fish to be found on the 40 metre grounds in the lee of Broughton Island. This rare and massive John Dory fought hard and measured in at 60 cm.

October 2008

Just one of the good solid Snapper landed so far this season near Broughton Island. This great snapper measured 60 cm.

Australian Maid early October ready for more great fishing this season.

September 2008.

Spring this year got off to a great start with some thumping big Snapper found on the reefs around Broughton Island. Pearl Perch, Trevally, Goat Fish, Flathead and Leatherjacket were also found feeding in the 16 degree water. The current is running bringing warm blue water full of hungry fish for the spring and summer season so now is the time to get out there for a great catch.

April / May 2008

For those who may think that fishing is not as productive in the colder months perhaps this image of last Saturday’s catch might change your mind? 48 keepers in total from a small group charter with a wide range of species including Teraglin, Morwong, Snapper, Leatherjacket and Flathead.

December/January 2008

Happy new year to all from Captain Jim and Maryanne. The weather over the holiday period ranging from perfect to “lets not go there” but when we did the fishing was great with the water temp close to 22 degrees. Silver trevally are back in numbers along with some impressive pearl pearch, snapper, morwong, teraglin and flathead.

November 2007

Aarons Bucks party was a great success as he and his mates celebrated and thoroughly enjoyed a lively session aboard “Australian Maid” hooking into a good catch of quality fish. Water temp still around 20.5 degrees and water looking a brilliant blue its looking great for the summer season.

October 2007

Things are looking much better now that spring has finally arrived and the water temp last trip back up to 20.7 degrees. Good mixed bags this month included snapper, mowies, pearl pearch, and flathead with recent reports of kingfish making a comeback. The leatherjacket have thinned out a little also which is making life much easier.
Moto GP world champion Casey Stoner joined us earlier this month with his father Colin and the European crew for a relaxing day out before the Phillip Island race. It must have done the trick as we all enjoyed a spectacular whale sighting at Broughton Island the week before he blitzed the competition at Phillip Island.

September 2007

This beautiful 10 lb blue groper took a prawn bait in 5 mtrs of crystal clear water at broughton island at around midday. 

Following a consistent run of east coast winter lows we decided to take a break during August, now we are back better than ever and keen to fish the spring season. With the water temp already starting to climb again at 18 degrees it was not surprising to find some great quality fish on the local reefs.
Pearl perch topped the quality list along with some very nice snapper, morwong, ocean and chinaman leatherjacket, and a couple of maurie wrasse.

July 2007

June 2007,

A drop in water temp to around 17 degrees and some pretty wild weather throughout the month had us keen to fish and we were rewarded nicely for braving the cold SW wind with some very nice winter snapper in 40 metres.  

May, 2007.

The end of May and the first winter chill didn’t worry the crew
of Maitland City Motors who fished well for another good catch
of over 30 quality fish. Water temp has dropped a little,
down to 20 degrees C and the first humpback whales have been
sighted signalling the start of their annual northern migration.

Wednesday 18th April, 2007.

Water temperature steady at 22.7 c and calm weather conditions looked good as we headed out with a mixed group from Tamworth, Newcastle, Sydney and Tasmania. A slight southerly run of current held us against the very light SW breeze early in the day slowing our drift to .2 kts and making life a little difficult.

Our patience paid of later as soon as the breeze swung around to the NE with a good run of Blue Morwong, Teraglin, Leatherjacket, Boar Fish, Snapper, Flathead and a small whaler shark.
Congratulations to Kevin from Tassie on his first outing for many years who hit the jackpot with this 98 cm 7.75 kg Mulloway (Jewfish). Quite a battle in 70 metres of water and well done!

Thanks also for sharing and hope you all enjoyed the feast as much as we did! 

Saturday 14th April 2007

A run of stable autumn weather over the last few days continued with our spirits high and our only concern being a drifter i.e. “no run, no fun!"
0600 hrs found us heading out of Nelson Bay just before sunrise at 0612 hrs.

As we steamed north out of Port Stephens towards the grounds off Broughton Island we were joined by a large pod of common dolphins surfing and playing on our bow wave in the 22.7 c water. They stayed and played with us for 15 – 20minutes jumping and rolling on our bow in the calm conditions. Simply amazing as they looked back up at us and showed off their skilful manoeuvres.

Keen to fish we ran two drifts in 50 metres, in very light breeze and zero current we landed quite a few snapper but mostly just under size. As we moved out to 60 metres our spirits lifted as a light SW breeze 5 – 8 knots sprang up. With just enough breeze to get our boat and baits moving it didn’t take long to get a line on our drift and put us right on target. The next three hours reinforced once again why we still love the sport with the adrenalin soaring as a series of multiple hook ups filled the tub!

The snapper were there on the gravel surrounding the reef and hitting hard and fast in the deeper water. Many of these went back just undersize to fight another day. The best of 9 keepers for the day went 37 cm.

Better size Morwong were found over the hard ground with Big Mick from Muswellbrook nailing a thumper at 57 cm. Another six all 42 – 44 cm kept the rods pumping. Mick was on a roll and kept it up with a cracker Pearl Perch of 40cm. Not to be out done, Shane from Belmont Nth came back with the best of a great run of Teraglin which measured 60 cm. He was closely followed by Colin’s 57 cm Teraglin, not Mick again with a 51 cm Teraglin, Chris landed one at 53 cm, Maryanne took time out on deck to slide a fresh slimy fillet into a 51 cm Teraglin and just to keep in touch I scored a double with a 46 and 52 cm Teraglin.

Just about midday the breeze dropped away but the tub was full and the final tally about 25 good size quality fish so we headed for home. 1330 hrs found us back in the Nelson Bay for some great photos, smiles and handshakes after another great day deep sea fishing.

Congratulations to Mick for breaking his persistent duck in style having caught the most keepers and heaviest fish, also to Shayne for the biggest.

Thanks boys, eat well and see you again soon!