Fishing for flathead and around the inshore reefs was a complete waste of time and effort last week because chinaman leatherjacket were in plague numbers that stole anglers tackle on the way down. They were anywhere between 10-80 fathoms so the only way to avoid them was to fish the bay or over the shelf.   Anglers fishing the bottom over the shelf had great days with plenty of harpooka, bass groper and blue eye trevalla. Gamefishing is also great with marlin and heaps of yellowfin about. Its great timing as the 28th Merimbula Open will be held 25-27 April and plenty of prizes including airfares and accommodation to Vanuatu are on offer. Entry forms are at the clubhouse or ring Rob Wood 0413333598 for more information. Local headlands and wharfs are producing blackfish, squid and some days firing with kingfish and tuna on the prowl. Estuary fishing is definitely worth a shot with mega bream,flathead, tailor and trevaly all on the chew.   Visit the Chook and The Ox for our huge 6 tray seafood raffle 5.30 Thursday night and on Friday 6.30 Andrew Buckland and Darragh Reynolds will open the Spencer Park for members and the general public. Beer and seafood raffles will take place after the local fishing report so bring a friend and come on down.  

Flathead fishermen have been happy over the past week as the fish have been on the bite and relatively easy to find. Quality sandys and tigers were the norm with the only downer being the presence of the gear pinching chinaman leatherjackets. Gamefishing was the highlight with plenty of fish about.

Marlin were plentiful and yellowfin up to 50 kilo were caught although the majority of the fin were in the 10 -15 kilo range. Hopefully these fish will be around for our 28th Merimbula Open held on 25th-26th and 27th April. Entry forms can be obtained at the club or ring Rob Wood 0413333598 for more information. Fishos fishing the bottom on the shelf also had a great time with harpooka and blue-eyed trevalla on the chew. Salmon are thick around the headlands but hard to find on the beaches and the estuaries are firing with plenty of dusky flathead, bream, trevaly, whiting and tailor. Last week was also great with plenty of prawns caught in our local estuaries.

Thursday nights 5.30 till 7.pm at the Chook and The Ox is a must if you want a win in our huge 6 tray seafood raffle and Darragh Reynolds and Mark Smith will have our Spencer Park clubhouse open for members and the general public 6.30 pm Friday night. A large range of drinks and nibbles available so bring the family down and have a crack in our beer and seafood raffle after the fishing report. 

Capt Joe Gatt reports fishing on a sunny,fine calm , with the water temp at 20o. The days catch consisted of  Leather Jackets. Joe commented that we have been invaded with  leather jackets on the reef also the sand eating every thing including our gear.If you want  leather jackets use wire traces!!  No Snapper, Morwong or any other type fish caught, the jackets are ferocious.No dolphins sighted today. Headland Charters have regular Fishing trips, so contact us anytime to discuss your next fishing adventure. Joe & Adele Gatt 8 Seaview Avenue Merimbula PH 64951134 FAX 64951742 EMAIL headlandfishingmerimbula(at)dodo.com.au WEB www.headlandcharters.com.au