LAST year we reported on the bumper SBT season here in SA – and we’re happy to say that 2014 is following suit.
Once again the schools of fish arrived on our prominent offshore reefs around a month earlier than the norm, and since then the numbers have slowly built.
There have been regular reports of schools from Sceales Bay, right down to the offshore reef systems wide of Coffin Bay, Port Lincoln and Pondalowie Bay. There have been plenty of schools holding on grounds within 30 to 40 miles from shore, making them accessible to trailer boat fishos when the conditions are cooperative.
As per usual, the majority of fish are in the 8 to 12kg size bracket, but there have been quite a few 20-40kg fish thrown in the mix as well. One local charter boat operator hit a patch of better fish, boating several over 40kg including one that went 59kg, which is a big fish for our waters.
The fish are feeding on small baitfish again this year, with the 120mm Halco Laser Pro in blue mackerel being a standout lure for us so far this season.
At the time of writing fish are being caught around the western tip of Kangaroo Island, indicating the fish are already moving eastward. If our run of SBT is any indication, then fishos in western Vic and southern NSW should prepare for a good season as well.
Image: Jamie Crawford
