Have you been watching the weather forecast lately?  Although it has been forecast for strong winds, most afternoons in the gulf have been sensational before the sou-wester finally kicks in.  Unfortunately the west side of the cape has been difficult to access for boating people with the strong winds, but shore based anglers have managed to find areas suitable for fishing.

Bundegi reef has been a popular area for anglers doing a bit of trolling. Shark mackeral and the smaller school variety have been reported.  Straight out from the marina has also produced these species.

Tony Moore and partner Steph have been visiting from Mandurah for a fishing and relaxing holiday.  The pair were greeted at Bundegi Jetty by a school of trevally swimming past and queenies cruising along the foreshore.  The two visitors are keen anglers and enjoy the sport of catch and release. 

If you are keen to have a fresh feed of delicious whiting, there are plenty around town beach at the moment, especially on the lead up to the high tide. It’s a great opportunity to take the kids down for a bit of easy beach fishing, All that is required is a light spinning outfit with a simple running sinker rig leading down to a long shank hook and a small piece of peeled coral prawn and your set.

The lobster season has begun in earnest with many people reporting good catches of both red and ornate rock lobsters locally. If you’re keen on chasing a few, make sure you have a current  rock lobster licence  and are aware of the legal bag limits which is a limit of four per person and eight per boat. 

The minimum size is 77mm and you can not collect any breeding female red rock lobster (setose and tar spot) or any lobster carrying eggs (in berry).  Divers may only catch lobster by hand, or by using a hand-held snare or blunt crook.  Spears and similar devices that puncture or damage rock lobster are illegal.  Any undersize lobsters must be returned to the water within five minutes and if you do keep any rock lobster, you must clip the central flap of the tailfan within five minutes of taking them out of the water.  Red rock lobsters must not be taken at night between 730pm and 430am.  If you are unsure before departing please call in to the Fisheries Department or ring them on 9949 2755, or call in any day and ask us at Bluewater Tackle World Exmouth.