Welcome to Greg James’ column with all the hot tips for fishing Yorke Peninsula; readers can contact Greg by email at greg@gregjamesfishing.com.au.
Wallaroo: Try the jetty after dusk for tommy ruff (Australian herring) and the chance of a blue swimmer crab. Shore-based anglers are landing flathead, salmon trout and mullet at Bird Reef, Point Riley and Tickera. Boat crews continue to return with good catches of King George whiting, snook and tommies.
Moonta Bay/Port Hughes: Whiting to 37cm are being reported from the Steamer Channel, Cape Elizabeth and Tipara Reef, along with the odd crab and flathead. Shore-based fishers are catching flathead, mullet and small salmon, while the jetties are producing snook and tommies at first light.
Point Turton: Since the new fishing rules came into effect on May 1, many anglers have spent time planning trips around the changes. Most whiting catches are coming from the Balgowan grounds, while shore-based fishers are reporting mullet, flathead and salmon trout. Jetty anglers are finding snook and tommies after dark.
Marion Bay/Stenhouse Bay: Several bottom-end beaches are producing mullet and salmon to 1kg, giving anglers plenty of options, depending on the conditions. Boat crews have had limited chances to head offshore, but those getting out are finding flathead, kingfish, red nannygai and blue morwong. The jetties continue to produce mullet and tommy ruff.
Edithburgh: Local fishers say the combined impacts of the lingering harmful algal bloom and the new fishing restrictions are proving difficult, with many reminiscing about better seasons gone by. Sultana Passage is again producing mullet, along with Klein Point and Wattle Bay. Pan-sized snapper are being caught off Tapley Shoals, but remain off limits until June 2027. The jetty is producing a few tommies and salmon trout.
Ardrossan: There are only so many times a fisher can prepare gear without getting on the water, and that is very much the story at Ardrossan, with garfish, squid and snapper remaining off the catch list for some time yet. Blue swimmer crab season is all but over, although there have been occasional reports of success from the broken grounds south of the old Zanoni wreck (anchoring prohibited). The jetty is also producing mullet at night.
Tight lines and see you soon!