Hunter anglers hunker down for taste of winter

In contrast to last weekend’s dream fishing conditions, anglers will be celebrating Mother’s Day with a vengeance, out of the wind and possible rain that will accompany a southerly front blowing up from the Arctic.

Last weekend was one of the most pristine this year with balmy temps, benign seas and barely a blow.

Charlestown Anglers took advantage with their annual trip to Myall River Camp, with good catches reported by all and sundry.

“It was great to see lots of members and families attend,” club weighmaster Troy Terrill reported.

“The weather gods where with us again giving us sunshine, cold nights and just the occasional gust of wind.”

Chad Kelly, fishing with Paul Harvey, took overall male angler honours.

“They ended up having a top Friday, getting their snapper, bonus species trag, flathead and a couple of bonito,” Troy said. “Paul nearly crapped his pants when he hooked up to a bonito and a great white jumped out of the water and took his fish.

“Chad also got a jew Sunday morning  that looked like it got ‘sharked’ – lots of teeth marks along it.”

Brad Morton took Micky G (Gilmore) and Mark Hillier out in his boat and Micky G ended up boating a PB snapper that went 85cm.

“They all picked up a fair few pinkies but nothing to beat Mick,” Troy said. “All their fish were caught on plastics.”

Scotty Nugent, although arriving a day late, played good catch-up footy with snapper, bonito, flathead, tailor and a mac tuna. 

“Pretty much everyone who went outside got some pinkies, flathead and bonito,” Troy concluded.

Daz Gould took his boys into the bay where they both caught a jew each and a gummy shark.

“They’re becoming genuine jewie slayers,” Troy quipped.

Oliver Gould was crowned junior boys champ, while Sophie Mackay took girl honours.

Troy offered a big thank you to everyone who went and made it such a great weekend.

“Can’t wait for next year to do it all again,” he said. “The campfire was great for the weekend where stories where told with a few beers, and marshmallows were cooked on sticks by the kids, big and small.”

Charlestown Anglers’ next meeting is June 5 at club HQ, the Warners Bay Hotel.

The next outing will be held June long weekend. In the meantime, the club is calling for entries for the Hunter Pods Bream Bash on May 20.  All proceeds go to Camp Quality.

Jason “One For” Nunn and the old boys brigade of the Running Bear ventured out to the Shelf last weekend and were rewarded, eventually, with a 90kg striped marlin.

“It’s fair to say the boys haven’t been on the tag pole for a while but we finally hit the target,” quippedJason, who was on the end of the rod.

“It’s always good to get one and it was a great finish to the day and a great way to catch up with old mates.”  

Jason reports they weren’t the only boat last weekend to encounter pelagics.

“Conditions on the Sunday were glorious, and I know a couple of stripes were tagged, but that’ll be a distant dream this weekend,” Jason said. “Seas are predicted to push past 5m.

“On the plus side, a lot of fish that have been on the beaches this week – tailor, bream, salmon – will take shelter inside estuaries.

“And as soon as this big blow backs off, look out for the snapper moving in close to feed. Probably some time towards the end of next week.

“We may even see some yellowfin off the coast. There’s been a few on the Southern Canyons and down off Sydney this week, and just after Mother’s Day, on the back of the first big southerly of winter, has historically seen yellowfin turn up.

“Go back through your diaries, and you’ll see it’s happened before.”

Teralba Lakesiders Fishing Club had a fantastic turnout for their weigh-in last Sunday with over 20 members tipping the scales.

“It was a very close and competitive event for both outside and inside sections with Randall Mason taking out the inside and Leanda Guy just edging ahead for the outside,” club spokesperson Ian Guy reported.

“Notable catches were from Craig with a 1m jewfish caught in the lake and Marc with a beautiful bag of drummer on the outside.”

Although not a weigh-in, as it was released, Ian says he got up close and friendly with a banjo shark.

“Some beautiful flathead, bream, squire and flounder graced the table to end a wonderful weekend,” he said.

“Members were presented with their new club shirts and all looked very spiffy.”

The club now has its own Facebook page with all the news and photos.

Next weigh-in is Sunday, June 3 at 3-30pm. New members always welcome. For more information email ian.guy@westnet.com.au.