I HAD planned a few trips on the water with Fishing World publisher/editor Jim Harnwell over the previous weeks, but due to work commitments or nasty offshore conditions it was a constant case of “rainchecking”. On the eve of Australia Day we’d once again booked in for a session on a local South Coast estuary, but without a star in the sky it once again looked like we’d have to cancel, preferring to wait till the following morning to make a decision.
I received a text at 4:45am to say that it was on. Jim was straight onto the weather charts and by all accounts it looked like we’d finally be able to wet a line. Travelling south from my home in the Illawarra I knew it was going to be a cracker of a day – as the sun rose, clouds turned orange and the misty hills began to clear. I’d thrown in a jewfish (mulloway) stick for good measure, and as we were fishing the Shoalhaven River with an outgoing tide it’s always an option to chase down an estuary mulloway (or two).
After meeting Jim at the Nowra Bridge ramp we hit the water, managing a few small fish, including a nice little EP, around the pylons. The tide had all but run out and I suggested we try a spot known for producing a number of small mulloway. Upon arrival we were greeted with textbook signs of active fish. Mullet were jumping, small baitfish were fleeing larger fish, and Jim’s Humminbird was painting the perfect picture from below. I had a feeling, the same feeling I had from previous sessions – and it was a good one.
My first cast produced a legal jewfish of about 55cm, and it was the fish we’d been waiting weeks to see. After a few pics I re-rigged and sent out another plastic into the same vicinity. After a slight knock on the way down I sensed what felt like a bigger fish showing interest and readied myself in anticipation for the bite. Jewfish are such elusive creatures, they can either be super aggressive or extremely timid – you just have to be prepared.
My lure was engulfed for the second time in as many casts and the tell -tale headshakes told me I was onto a good thing. Jim wasted no time and jumped on the camera to catch some of the action and within a few minutes I had a second fish in the boat! It was Jim’s lure which took off next, finding the mouth of a solid silver trevally and heading out into the deep. We’d called it for jewfish hat-trick by the head shakes and long bursts but were denied out third mulloway when the blurter came into view. Next time hey, Jim?
Estuaries can produce some amazing fish. By taking the time to research your local system, combining tidal changes and moon phases, you can be sure to improve your fishing. Keep an eye on future issues of Fishing World for a more in-depth view into catching big fish in your local estuary.
