Looking back on 2011

So as we come to the end of another year its time to look back and see what the seaway yielded this year.  The weather was alot better this year with only a few rainy days and lots of low wind days especially on the weekends. Some exceptional fish were caught this year and most trips yielded a few fish.

Early in the year saw big schools of GT's and Bigeyes around the seaway and good sized Mack Tuna offshore.  Big Yellowtail Kingfish showed up in the broadwater and occasionally in the seaway during Feb, March and April.  Large schools of white pilchards entered the broadwater early in June and brang with them big schools of Giant Trevally.   The tarpon showed up in the seaway as the temps begin to cool and some awesome sessions were had during the cooler months.  The salmon arrived at around the same time but spent most of the time in the broadwater and only a few stragglers were caught in the seaway.  Winter was characterised by very clear water and very hard fishing in the seaway during the daylight hours, some decent mulloway were taken at night though. We even saw some mack tuna during winter this year though they disappeared after August and have yet to return.  As we entered spring the big tailor arrived and some excellent sessions were had on poppers and minnows. The bigeyes showed up again but not until december, some good size fish amongst them but 60cm+ fish were rare.   Sharks were very active in the seaway this year and I lost a dozen or so fish to them.  At this time the mackerel have not shown in any of the offshore spots in numbers.

My top fish of the year were as follows....

• Best Tailor 65cm
• Best Mulloway 118cm
• Best Giant Trevally 68cm
• Best Bigeye Trevally 65cm
• Best Tarpon 65cm
• Best Yellowtail Kingfish  101cm

Still looking for that 80cm Tailor, 70cm Tarpon and 70cm Bigeye Trevally.

There's going to be a few changes to my fishing during 2012 due to changing circumstances, reports may be a bit lean during the first couple of months of the year but hopefully I'll be able to sort something out that gives an idea of whats around.  Thanks to all those who have submitted reports during the year, all the info provided helps make fishing easier for everyone.

Just a reminder.. From January 1st 2012, the seaway is now a designated bar and lifejackets are required to be worn by the occupants of any boats under 4.8m that go out past the walls.  It doesn't matter if the bar is flat as a tack, you need to be wearing a lifejacket in a small boat.  You can bet fisheries and water police will be policing this hard in the next few months.