Page 96 | Pristine South Tasmania 2024 FISHING - TASMANIA H20515 Fishing in rivers and dams for brown, rainbow and brook trout and Atlantic salmon is popular in the Huon region. Traditional fly fishing is gaining popularity on the Huon River and feeder rivers. You will need a licence for fishing in fresh water in Tasmania which can be purchased from Franklin Marine, online at www.ifs.tas.gov.au, Service Tasmania and fishing stores. Fishing with soft plastics and lures is a popular way to get a feed. Trout fishing generally needs a light spinning rod with very light line for accurate casting of small plastics and lures. There are many quiet spots up the rivers where you can test your skill against a wily trout; you just need to head up there. Fresh water licences are required and the season runs from August 5, 2023 to April 28, 2024 and reopening again in August 3, 2024. Please be aware that different areas may have different season dates, with a few open all year. A single adult licence is $87 per year with a concession available for seniors, pensioners and juniors. ESTUARY The Estuaries are perfect for bream, flathead, crayfish, Australian salmon, Atlantic salmon, barracouta, elephant fish and more. Traditional bait fishing in salt water is still very productive, as are soft plastics and some lures. Fish for bream and flathead as you would at home. Silver lures retrieved fast will catch Australian salmon and barracouta. Crayfish can be caught with cray rings in the Channel. Cray pots can be used south of Port Esperance and a licence to catch crayfish is required. The 2023/24 season opens on Saturday, November 4, 2023 to Wednesday, May 1, 2024 in waters outside of the East Coast Stock Rebuilding zone. Season dates can be checked online at dpipwe.tas.gov.au/sea-fishingaquaculture/recreational-fishing/recreational-fishing-seasons Licences are available from Service Tasmania and online at service.tas.gov.au for cray, abalone, scallops and netting. Strict size and catch limits apply. To ensure your fish are up to size, obtain a Tasmanian government fishing ruler from Service Tasmania or at Franklin Marine. No licence for scale fish is needed in salt water, if caught on a line. OFF SHORE When off shore fishing, you have the chance to catch southern bluefin tuna, yellow fin tuna, broad bill swordfish, albacore tuna, stripey trumpeter, gummy shark, abalone, crayfish and more. There are seasons for stripey trumpeter and some other fish. Bluefin tuna usually turn up around January with the warm currents. Season dates can be checked online at dpipwe.tas.gov.au/sea-fishingaquaculture/recreational-fishing/recreational-fishing-seasons The most popular local spots are the southern end of Bruny Island, and 30 miles (48 kilometres) south of Recherche Bay you will find Pedra Branca. These productive islands are well protected by weather, but you will need a large, strong boat with good weather to make the day a success. Deep-water bottom fishing and trolling for tuna needs good, strong gear. The free to download Tasfish App on iTunes and android has a lot of fish facts, maps and recipes. Visiting anglers usually need some local information and gear to make the most of their visit. Franklin Marine can help you select the right rods, reels, braid, lures, soft plastics, jigs, rigs, hooks and sinkers, and bait to make your trip a success. Free fishing guide books, full-size stick-on boat measures and rulers are available from Franklin Marine and other fishing shops. Your fishing guide to the south Police Point. Photography by: Heather Walton Inset: Huon River brown trout. Photography by: Penny Woolley
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