Tony Zann’s weekend fishing report
January 29, 2010
Bruce at Dave’s Bait Shop in Ballina says there have been squire either side of legal length out at the 32-fathom reefs, along with some pearlies and nice flathead.
Out wider for some mahi mahi and small yellowfin tuna. Flathead in closer.
Off the beaches for flathead, dart, big tailor to about 5kg, plus the occasional jewfish.
The river has plenty of flathead, some whiting up to Keith Hall or Pimlico but they’ve had the hell netted out of them this week, with some nice bream and school jewfish up around the ferry.
Tony Zann’s weekend fishing report
January 22, 2010
Bruce at Dave’s Bait Shop in Ballina says there have been a fair few flathead to 6kg in the lower river, with just a smattering of whiting and some bream.
Most of the action has been below Pimlico, although the fish are starting to move to Wardell and beyond. Jewfish off the walls and at night, some tailor as well.
Beaches have the odd nice tailor, with whiting, dart and flathead with the occasional jewfish.
Outside there have been some nice snapper to 6kg and quite a few squire and pearl perch, trag and jewfish.
Tony Zann’s weekend fishing report
January 15, 2010
Bruce at Dave’s Bait Shop in Ballina says there are plenty of mackerel but they’re very wide and will need current to move over the close reefs.
Mahi mahi and a few little black marlin also out wide.
Whiting along the town reach early evenings on a rising tide. Flathead in North Creek and the main river. Most action is from Pimlico Island to Wardell for flathead and small school jew.
Mud crabs are roughly in a similar area with good numbers being taken but watch your traps – one per person in the boat and five hoop nets; no traps allowed below the ferry. Emigrant Creek is also good for muddies.
Beaches have a few tailor, especially afternoon/evenings, also whiting and plenty of dart.
I’ve been away most of the week so know little about Evans. The northerlies on Wednesday and Thursday cooled off the inshore water a little and brought in more cornflake weed.
Tony Zann’s weekend fishing report
December 19, 2009
Bruce at Dave’s Bait Shop in Ballina says the lower end of the river has whiting and a few decent flathead along the Porpoise Wall, with most of the fish from Pimlico to Wardell.
Quite a few school jew as well as those whiting and flathead.
Mud crabs good in Emigrant Creek and up around Broadwater.
Beaches have been OK for whiting and dart with some tailor at night.
Tony Zann’s weekend fishing report
December 11, 2009
Bruce at Dave’s Bait Shop in Ballina says a few whiting have been along the Town Reach at night on the rising tide.
Some flatties in North Creek and the main river up to Wardell.
Small school jew also around, mainly Pimlico to Wardell.
Muddies well up the river.
The beaches have had whiting, flathead and dart and finally there are some decent chopper tailor around, with a bit better quality at night.
Tony Zann’s weekend fishing report
December 4, 2009
Bruce at Dave’s Bait Shop in Ballina says there have been a few whiting on the bigger tides but the numbers are a bit down – maybe they’re moving further upstream than Pimlico.
Whiting are pretty good along the Town Reach behind the swimming pool at night.
Flatties in the lower river around the walls and on plastics all the way to Woodburn.
School jew at Pimlico and Wardell but they’re pretty small.
The big shakers and movers this week have been the mud crabs in the creeks and up-river around Broadwater, with plenty of bag limits.
Tony Zann’s weekend fishing report
November 27, 2009
Bruce at Dave’s Bait Shop in Ballina says there have been a few jewfish around, one about 30kg caught off the North Wall earlier in the week.
And a kayaker caught a 22kg fish at the mouth of North Creek.
Plenty of flathead from little spikers to big mummas.
Whiting in the lower reaches and nice bream all though the system.
Tony Zann’s weekend fishing report
November 20, 2009
Bruce at Dave’s Bait Shop in Ballina says there have been reasonable catches of flathead, whiting and bream in the Richmond.
Flatties have been all through the system from above Woodburn to the mouth, while whiting have been best in the lower sections of North Creek, where they’re taking worms and poppers.
There are also catches of whiting in the river up to Pimlico, with worms producing the most fish there.
Bream have been caught on fresh prawns and lures, while the odd mangrove jack is starting to terrorise some of those fishing the more rugged rock walls of the lower reaches.
Mub crabs running in Evans River
November 17, 2009
Over the weekend local fishermen reported a large number of mub crabs being pulled out of the Evans River, with the writer counting over 100 traps on Sunday, the combination of locals and visitors appears to be enjoying a run on the mudcrabs.
Good sized crabs were pulled out of the river, with several in excess of 2kg.
Reports of similar catches were made in Ballina and around Brunswick Heads.
Diving conditions finally improving
November 17, 2009
Local spearfisherman had one of their best weekends in months as the visability finally cleared around the region.
Calm conditions allowed them to go to some of the outer reefs. With 15 metres reported off both Evans Head and Kingscliff for both days of the weekend, some good catches were reported.
Bag limits of painted crays were collected by several fishermen, who said that the migration of the crays seems to be in full swing, with the weather conditions proving to be ideal for collecting crays.
The highlight of the weekend was a 22kg jewfish caught off Ballina.
