Welcome to the column with all the hot tips for fishing around Yorke Peninsula — and Christmastime recipes; contact Greg by email at greg@gregjamesfishing.com.au.
Christmas Rocky Road — Ingredients: Chocolate melts, marshmallows, raw cashews, glace cherries, sultanas/dried apricots, spearmint lolly leaves. Preparation: Grease and line a flat tray. Sprinkle in chopped marshmallows, cashews, cherries and dried fruit (to taste). Drizzle with melted chocolate and allow to set. Drizzle further with melted white choc and add a generous sprinkle of green spearmint leaves. Try not to eat it all at once!
Port Clinton: I travelled to Port Clinton midweek to assist a local with his electric outboard motor. Local fishers are still largely staying away, and unfortunately, the algal bloom has now affected the tidal saltwater flats along the main road. Tainted, smelly seawater is seeping through the seaweed and into the samphire grass.
Wallaroo: Before strong west to south-west winds set in over the weekend, boat crews mainly reported squid and King George whiting. The jetty has produced a few blue crabs, squid and tommy ruff (Australian herring), while shore-based fishers are targeting yellowfin whiting from Bird Reef and the sandy bays north of Point Riley.
Moonta Bay/Port Hughes: Jetty-based anglers are picking up the occasional garfish, blue crab and squid. King George whiting, blueys and garfish are active over broken ground at Tipara Reef. I also received an unconfirmed report of rat kingfish and rugger snapper in the Steamer Channel late in the week — note that snapper remains a no-take species.
Port Victoria: King George whiting and squid continue to be reported from this part of The Leg, with garfish and snook also appearing during calm weather. Balgowan and Port Rickaby are also worth trying for garfish and squid.
Point Turton: Shore-based anglers are targeting yellowfin whiting, late-season mullet and salmon trout from local sandy beaches on the outgoing tide. Boat crews found some shelter from the weekend’s winds, fishing for garfish, squid and flathead in Hardwicke Bay and off Point Souttar.
Stenhouse/Marion Bays: Offshore crews have tried for tuna, red nannys, kingfish and the ever-present sweep when conditions at the local boat ramp allowed for a launch. The jetties have tommies and squid with shore-based fishers picking up salmon trout and the odd flathead from Jollys beach all the way round to Browns and Gym beaches.
Tight Lines and See You Next Week!