Fishing Smithton and Stanley

Smithton is positioned on the Duck River on the southern edge Duck Bay. The recreational angler has many fishing opportunities. Shore based anglers have the potential to catch silver trevally, large flathead, Australian salmon, tailor and more often than not sea-run trout. These fish can be found right in Smithton fishing from either the reclaimed land on the western shore or around the boat ramp on the eastern shore. Fish can be caught from around this area, by spinning, fly fishing or bait fishing. For those wanting fish Duck Bay estuary, a boat is necessary. From October to early April Australian salmon are readily caught either by trolling or bait fishing. With the estuary being basically two large sand flats east and west of the channel, there is great opportunity for the salt water fly fishers. Polaroiding big flathead over the sand is a fantastic sport, these fish can also be taken with larger bib lures, soft plastic lures and bait. These large flathead and Australian salmon may also be caught in the shallow waters of most bays and inlets on the incoming tides. From the oyster leases The Duck continues further out through a fairly narrow mouth. Near the mouth, trolling for couta, pike, Australian salmon and tailor with wobblers, flies and surface lures, pick up quite a few fish. Good catches of gummy shark and elephant fish on bait, are taken commonly and recently King George whiting have also been caught in good numbers. The mouth access by shore can only be made via Seven Mile Beach on the eastern side (4WD Track Only). Off the Duck River mouth lays 4 large islands all of which hold a plentiful number of fish, all year round. Boat access is necessary to these islands. Recreational diving around this area is also popular with rock lobster, green and black lipped abalone being taken during the open season.

Smithton

The whitebait run up the Duck River is around the months of October - January. During their season, they are fairly heavily fished. With the whitebait, sea-run trout and Australian Salmon move further up into the tidal area. Small lures and flies are a good option for snagging these fish. Smithton snapper can be found around oyster beds and offshore reefs and shale substrates. Anchor your boat when these grounds are found, use berley to bring the fish on the bite and use either bait or soft plastics to catch these premium fish. Stanley wharf is likely the most popular recreational fishing spot on the north west coast. It boasts good catches of snotty trevally (blue warehou), Australian salmon, couta, mullet, leatherjacket, squid and even the odd yellowtail kingfish, snapper and shark. The snotty trevally frequent this area from December through to April can be most productive. It is not uncommon to see anglers shoulder to shoulder on the wharf. The trevally run along the edge of the wharf in large schools, multiple hook ups can see 20 or 30 anglers all hooked up at once, making it very interesting when it comes to landing these fish. A strong rod 2.5-3.5 m long with a reasonably light tip is very effective, Hi Vis monofilament line 7-9 kg must also be used, this is to be tied to small running sinker rig. Best bait for trevally is uncooked chicken on size 1 or 2 chemically sharpened hook. Fish with the drag locked up completely, because if a fish runs you will tangle with other anglers and end up in an almighty mess. Other fishing around Stanley includes Godfreys Beach on the northern shore, where good catches of Australian Salmon, flathead and even tailor are caught both from the beach or rocks. East and Western inlets are also popular fishing places. Since the ban of netting in these spots fishing has improved, with Australian salmon, flounder, couta, pike, gummy shark and BIG flathead being the main targets. Spinning or bait fishing for these particular species on the incoming tide is popular.

Stanley

Boat fishing around Stanley area is very good. Drifting Sawyer Bay or offshore is very effective. Trolling lures such as wobblers, large flies and bib lures can produce good catches of, Australian salmon, couta and pike. Boats can readily catch blue whaler and short fin mako sharks, again berley is the key and baits must be placed in the berley trail suspended under floats or balloons. Targetting these sharks is not for the novice it is suggested that you speak with local fishing tackle outlets for the best tackle, baits and berley.

Think SAFETY
Phone BEFORE you go
Southern Tasmania 6233 Northern Tasmania 6323 North-west Tasmania 6498 Eastern Tasmania 6376 9955 2555 7755 0555

Boating Weather

Stevens Publishing Pty Ltd. ABN 72 095 217 299 Ph 03 63311278

Going Fishing?
Fish for the Future! Fish Responsibly - keep informed with the Recreational Sea Fishing Guide and use a fish measuring ruler.
The Guides and fish measuring rulers are available from all Service Tasmania outlets and major tackle shops. Information can also be found by visiting: www.fishing.tas.gov.au

Rod and Line Fishing You do not need a licence to fish with a hook and line in marine waters, including rod and line and squid jigs. You can use any number of lines with up to 5 hooks as long as you are within 20 metres of your gear or the lines are attached to the boat from which you are fishing. A set line licence is needed to use a set line which is a dropline or longline with up to 30 hooks. Licences for Inland Waters An Inland Fisheries licence is required for any fishing in inland waters which includes some river mouths and estuaries. Inland waters and seaward limits are described in the Recreational Sea Fishing Guide and the Inland Recreational Fishing Code. Licences for Marine Waters In marine waters a licence is not required for fishing with a rod and line, squid jigs, spears, bait traps, small nets (landing, dip, bait and cast nets), or collection of small shellfish such as periwinkles, oysters, clams, cockles and mussels. Sea fishing licences are required when fishing for abalone, rock lobster and scallop or fishing with a pot, ring, graball net, mullet net, beach seine net and set line (a longline or dropline with up to 30 hooks). Recreational sea fishing licences are available from all Service Tasmania outlets and on the internet at www. fishing.tas.gov.au/licence Aborigines engaged in aboriginal fishing activities are exempt from holding a fishing licence but must comply with all other fisheries rules. Bag and Possession Limits Most bag and possession limits are personal limits, although boat and on water limits apply for some species. Possession limits apply everywhere, including in the boat, at sea and in your home. Seasons and Area Restrictions Season apply to most inland waters. In marine waters, closed seasons and area closure apply to taking various species and using particular fishing gear.

Fishing Restrictions in Tasmania This pamphlet provides only basic fishing information. For more detailed information about marine fishing rules including area restrictions, size and possession limits, refer to the Recreational Sea Fishing Guide and for inland fishing, to the Tasmanian Inland Recreational Fishing Code. These are available from Service Tasmania outlets and most bait and tackle shops. They can also be downloaded at www.fishing. tas.gov.au or www.ifs.tas.gov.au respectively.

Fishcare Volunteers Fishcare Volunteers are enthusiastic individuals who give up their time to educate members of the recreational fishing community. Volunteers are well versed in the rules relating to recreational marine fishing and are happy to answer queries that you may have. If you are interested in finding out more about the Fishcare Tasmania program, please visit our website at www.fishing.tas.gov.au or call 6233 2033. Useful Contacts Recreational Sea Fishing ( Wild Fisheries Management Branch) inc Fishcare: 6233 7042 www.fishing.tas.gov.au Inland Fisheries Service: 1300 463 474 www.ifs.tas.gov.au Marine and Safety Tasmania: 6233 8801 www.mast.tas.gov.au Marine Police and Fishwatch: 0427 655 557 Bureau of Meterology: www.bom.gov.au

Illustration Peter Gouldthorpe

10357GD

Fishwise licence fees are used to benefit our fisheries The Fishwise fund is supported by the sale of recreational sea fishing licences. It covers the administration of licences as well as funding programs that support recreational fishing. The majority of funding for this pamphlet is from the Fishwise Fund. Your sea fishing licence fees at work!