Bluewater Tackle World News for August 29th

We got in some Vent for Life fish venting tools this week, which are a lot like a big hypodermic needle with a safety handle and pouch. They're made for anglers to release the gas pressure from fish that are to be released after having been brought up from deep water. See them on the site here; our 2000th tackle item listed.

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The Liberals have published their recreational fishing and boating platform for the September 6th election. You can download it from here. Importantly, the Libs have pledged to immediately review the Labor bans, with a view to improving the amenity of fishing within the requirements of sustainability; and also to support a new marina development at Rous Head, on the north side of Fremantle Harbour.

A couple of other commitments that were warmly welcomed around here from the Liberals - and that don't seem to make the general news - include a doubling of the funding for the metro volunteer sea rescue organisations, plus an extra $150K for Whitfords Sea Rescue's new boat; and an extra $68million for the Royal Flying Doctor Service over five years, funds they should have received long ago (Labor health minister Jim McGinty referred to the RFDS as “yet another interest group"; but then he's probably never had a child with a fractured skull have to suffer a 12-hour road trip to hospital because the RFDS were all out of pilot hours... but that's just us, hey).

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This week's Bluewater Tackle World special is Rapala Digital Scales, eight kilo or 25 kilo sizes, get $10 off. See those and other specials here. This special is also available in-store.

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Here’s a preview of this weekend's Sunday Times fishing news, with a bit of extra stuff...

PERTH METROPOLITAN

The magic water depth for chasing jewfish and pink snapper off northern suburbs at the moment is 40m, and up to 50m still a good option. Bluewater Tackle World's Joff Weston proved that by catching six fine king george whiting, the smallest over 50cm, a breaksea cod and several jewfish to eight kilos, all the jewies released, Weston working water about 16km offshore. Other reports from the Mindarie and Two Rocks area talks of baldchin, jewfish, pink snapper and good skippy, again in 40m, good squidding north of Mindarie. Jewfish were also prominent in bags for anglers heading out of Rockingham. Taygen Dray of Bluewater Melville and his mate Jay Nichol encountered quite a few, releasing most with the biggest 15kg, the smallest 7kg. Skippy fishing is terrific around Rottnest reefs, soft plastic lures the go.

Shore angling is patchy, herring the best option, Mindarie a hot spot, yellowfin whiting and skippy widespread. South Mole has yielded garfish and good sized squid, Bluewater Morley’s Karl Rosenow spotting tuna schools passing North Mole, no more than 500m off shore.

Cockburn Sound remains the place to try for squid, and although we’ve been saying the run is slowing, it’s still worthwhile.

Most bream activity has occurred between Maylands and the City, popper fishing for skippy providing some fun on flats nearer Fremantle.

MANDURAH

Rod Marn and mates had a good day fishing more towards offshore Rockingham waters, in depths around 60-70m and 11km out, by scoring a pair of fine queen snapper, jewfish and a few bluefin tuna. Skippy are widespread in the region.

Dawesville Cut anglers manage to find a few size tailor among the schools, king george whiting a special target there although their run has slowed considerably, masses of herring around on the incoming tide. White Hills has turned up small mulloway. An odd straggler salmon has been caught from beaches.

GERALDTON

Good size mulloway were caught from the West Bank area, with Southgates productive for tailor and mulloway, plenty of “soapie” mulloway, fish from about 55cm to 80cm, from south of Greenough and down to Flatrocks. Some of the tailor have been in excess of 60cm long, promising action coming from S-Bend territory.

There are lots of yellowfin whiting for shore anglers, Drummonds a hot spot, the Lighthouse and Separation Point also fishing well for that species, after dark best.

Close to town reefs and beaches are holding herring, sand whiting and just a few tailor, an odd snook turning up.

Michael of Geraldton Sports Centre reckons there are heaps of pink snapper in the area, from quite close to shore and in water to the north west, some are excellent size at about 8-10kg, while there are heaps of small snapper. A few jewfish are also around, African Reef among better locations, good baldchin and snapper contributing to bags. Near Mid Reef and Souwest Bank, coral trout and pink snapper were prominent.

JURIEN 

Boat fishing is outstanding if you can get out over the edge of the shelf, 80-90m of water productive for jewfish, pink snapper, baldchin groper, breaksea cod, red snapper and samson fish. Jewfish activity has picked up throughout the area, but strong currents can make things difficult. Around the islands there are plenty of sand whiting, skippy and herring.

Beaches are on the quiet side with some herring at the Marina, just a few tailor from the beach, Shingles Avenue and Islands Point both holding occasional tailor. At Sandy Cape flathead and whiting featured while at the mouth of the Hill River, small school sharks and mulloway were among species encountered.

EXMOUTH

There's a new Exmouth-only newsletter on the site here, including a pic of one of this month's black marlin. There'll be another newsletter up next week.

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Got a 4WD? Please join us on Convoy for SIDS and Kids Day, October 12th 2008 - see you there!

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Bluewater Tackle World News comes from Bluewater, 21 Scarborough Beach Road, Scarborough, Western Australia - phone 08 9245 1313 - www.bluewater.net.au

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