WELL, it’s that time of the year again. Another year at an end, all the fuss about Christmas andmillions of Aussies taking well-earned holidays. The majority of those holidays will be spent somewhere along our expansive coastline which means people like me and many other retirees or “sea changers” will be inundated with tourists. The local tourism industry loves December and January while most locals hate the crowds. As a fisho the influx of out of towners is an annoyance but something I can live with. Our local population starts to grow a week before Xmas and it usually explodes between Xmas and New Year. I do a few days a week in a local fishing and outdoors shop so this is our busiest time of the year. That means I’m working several days a week or more over this period. On my days off I still like to go fishing but in the past I’ve often chosen not to because of the boat launching hassles and idiots on the water.
These days I’ve got several plans of attack in my arsenal that allow me to still fish despite a tripling of the population and boats in our local estuaries.
I guess the obvious tactic is to launch very early or late in the afternoon and this is a great way to avoid a crowded boat ramp and people who have no idea about launching a boat. You know the type I’m talking about. They turn up with a car full of gear and park in a ramp lane to unload it all into the boat. Then they take ten minutes to reverse down to the water and take up both ramp lanes. After another 10 minutes they realise the boat won’t come off the trailer with the tie down straps still attached. Then they tie the boat off on the pontoon right where other people have to launch while parking the car and getting everyone on board. I’ve see a boat ramp tied up for 10 minutes by one boat load of people like this. They have no idea and/or no consideration for others. Launching at 5am is a good way of avoiding them but return any time before lunch and you’ll be sure to find a few.
One of my local waterways is crawling with jet skis, water skiers and wake boarders at this time of year and it can continue right through until the Australia Day long weekend. They too, have little consideration for anglers. They don’t fish and don’t understand that most of us like a little peace, quiet and space out on the water. Most of them pursue their hobby because they like to show off. They want everyone looking at them and they crave an audience. The trick to avoiding them out on the water is not to fish in the middle of a large expanse of water. We fish the local flats to avoid them because they can’t do their thing in two feet of water. Of course, some will try because they want to show off in front of us but when they see the bottom they quickly retreat. It is funny watching them hit a flat at 30 knots with a skier in tow.
Another tip is to go for a walk and get away from the crowds. That may mean fishing a beach that is secluded because families won’t usually walk more than a few hundred metres for a swim. Or a rock platform that is a bit of a hike or climb. You can usually be assured of some space and room then. I’ve got several rocks that I like to fish over the holiday period because they’re a 15 to 30 minute walk and harder to get to. They always produce a feed of blackfish over summer and it’s nice to have it to yourself. Same goes for a few secluded beaches that we access during holiday periods. Just on that subject. DO NOT go swimming at secluded or isolated beaches. There are no life savers, flags and possibly no mobile reception so if you go in for a dip and get into trouble you are probably going to be another drowning statistic in a list that is tragically growing bigger every summer.
If you really like to avoid the crowds during holiday periods then consider a night fish. Chase a mulloway from a local beach. Fish a drop off in the local estuary with plastics for a big flathead. Go up river and have a bass or EP fish late in the afternoon when all the jet skiers and wake boarders have worn themselves out. You’ll have no boat ramp hassles and the only people you’ll see will be keen and dedicated anglers doing the same thing. Same as if you fish a local beach for a mulloway after dark. You’re not likely to see any tourists once the sun goes down. Another enjoyable past time over holiday season is to grab a coffee and go down to the local ramp at about 8am. It’s cheap entertainment to watch people who have no idea reversing boat trailers and launching boats. Anything is likely to happen and being an innocent bystander makes it even more fun.
I’ve been fortunate enough to have spent the past 40 years living in some spectacular coastal locations. I decided many years ago that city life wasn’t for me. I’ve spent 35 years with a wonderful wife and raised 3 beautiful children on our coast. Having to put up with an influx of tourists over Xmas and Easter is a small price to pay for the remaining 11 months of the year when I can do what I like with very interruptions or people to put up with.
Have a very Merry Christmas!
