Despite a drop in chances to get out wide for the big game, anglers from the Merimbula Big Game and Lakes Angling Club are reporting that this year’s southerly whale migration is however now in full swing with numerous pods of whales easily seen along our coastline from local viewing points.

With estimates of up to 30,000 whales moving northwards earlier on, it is anybody’s guess how many there are now on their track to Antarctica after their annual calving. Most are the ubiquitous humpback but there are also some Southern Right whales about.

Ocean flathead have become difficult to find apart from one report of good size fish at 20 fathoms to the south-east of Turingal Headland. 

There are medium size snapper and morwong off Long Point also to the south about Green Cape and Bitangabee but very slow at the Haycock and Horseshoe Reefs. Best results dawn and dusk.  Anglers are having good success using micro–jigs.  

With the moon making and the water cool, gummy shark will remain active.  Best locations are along the reef edges; south of the Bithry’s, White Rock, Haycock and Horseshoe reef areas.  

Anchor and use a berley bomb (these fish are bottom feeders).  Try the new soft plastic crabs that are now locally available.  

Salmon remain patchy.  Salmon and tailor are best at evening time from Tura Beach near Bournda Island and the entrances of Pambula Lake and Womboyn.  Some lovely bream and estuary perch have fallen to lures in the Bega River.

At the Merimbula Fishing Platform excellent calamari squid continue to respond to slow sinking jigs, try just before and after dark and dawn.

Good trevally and bream are about at Pambula and the Bega River and in the lower reaches of the Merimbula Lake.  Soft plastics and nippers are the way to go.  

Dusky flathead have been quiet apart from the Mogareeka area.  We anticipate the lake waters will gradually warm from now on through spring bringing estuary fish back onto the bite.

The club is open every Friday evening commencing 6.30pm. Visitors are very welcome.  Come and enjoy the fishing report, the ambience, friendship and lovely views with very competitive bar prices. Darragh Reynolds is your scheduled host. All enquires to Lindon Thompson on 0411 873 880.  

Membership application, membership renewal and everything you need to know about local fishing is on the club’s website: www.mbglac.com.au.