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FISHING SNAPSHOT FROM THE WEEK:
NEW RECFISHING RESTRICTIONS FROM MAY 1, 2026: 1. NO SQUID FROM BOTH GULFS 2. NO GARFISH FROM GULF ST VINCENT 3. NO KG WHITING OFF SOUTHERN YORKE PENINSULA 4. NO SNAPPER UNTIL JUNE 2027 OTHER THAN SOUTH EAST ZONE. Here's the link: www. pir.sa.gov.au/fishing-and-aquaculture/recreational-fishing/rules/fishing-limits-quick-lookup
MAY 11-25, 2026
METRO WATERS: Flathead made the last few days a memorable experience for shore-based fishers as large specimens were landed in shallow waters from Marino Rocks, Hallett Cove, O'Sullivan's Bch, Nth Haven, St Kilda & Outer Harbour. Boat crews picked up KG whiting to 38cm off Glenelg, Grange, West Bch, Semaphore, Nth Haven & St Kilda in recent days, but the recent run of blue crabs appears just about over. Min berley & fresh cockles worked as their bait of choice! Tommy ruffs are the go-to species for jetty-based fishers, esp after dusk at Pt Noarlunga, Brighton, Glenelg, Grange & Semaphore. 1 kilo salmon are off several boat ramp break-walls inc O'Sullivan's Bch, West Bch, Nth Haven, Outer Harbour & St Kilda. Bream, mullet & salmon trout are in the late afternoon waters at the Port River, West Lakes & The Pat with mulloway reports scarce after the recent run in the Onkaparinga river & West Lakes. Blueys & small KG whiting are also up at Lower Light & Dublin beaches eg Port Gawler, Middle Bch & Thompson's (across from Mallala). Yellowfin whiting runs appear to be just about over, but you might pick up the odd fish whan casting the high-tide shallows at Nth Haven, St Kilda & West Bch to Tennyson. PS Don't believe all the BS from the Saucepan Hat brigade on the social media pages as they bang on & plurry on about squid & snapper numbers - they dont know shit from shoe leather! Stay frosty & thx for your continued support....
FLEURIEU/RIVERLAND/RESERVOIR: A few heavy showers crossed into The Fleurieu from the west last week as boat crews and shore-based fishers alike adjusted their plans and activities to come into line with the new fishing regulations imposed from May 1, 2026. Hopefully the new arrangements will assist the decimated squid, garfish, blue crab and KG whiting stocks! Salmon, flathead and mullet were the main reports for shore-based fishers during the week from Aldinga, Sellicks, Carrackalinga, Normanville and Morgan's Bch all having a crack at the great little fish. Best bait was soft cockle and mushy pilchard pieces. Larger salmon to 2 kilos were caught from Waitpinga, Parson's, Boomer and Goolwa beaches with mullet also at Fisheries and Chiton Rocks. Nice tommies came from the planks at Pt Noarlunga, Rapid Bay and The Bluff at Victor Harbor. Boat crews listed KG whiting, snapper, kingfish and even a couple of small tuna in the records in the latter part of the weekend as the strong winds gradually eased and allowed a few crews into the waters from Victor round to Cape Jervis and Wirrina. Small garfish have been reported in Yilki and Encounter Bays which is a good sign. Upstream boaties are finding the early morning trips cold but rewarding as they fish for callop, Murray Cod (catch and release) and late season yabbies from Renmark, Berri and Swan Reach. Upper Coorong and Lakes fishing has a few soapie mulloway, mullet, flathead and salmon from the Goolwa Barrage, Mundoo channel and Salt Creek.
SOUTH EAST/COORONG: PSE OBSERVE THE SNAPPER RULES WHEN FISHING IN SA! Large garfish are off Little Dip, Nora Creina Bay & Poorman's Bch in the lower South East - both boat & shore-based anglers doing well! Some fat brown-eyed mullet, salmon to 1 kilo & soapie mulloway are off the 28 Mile Crossing, Salt Creek, The Granites & Canunda. Kingfish, snapper, snook & whiting are off the Kingston grounds with early Winter garfish at Boatswain's Point, Robe, Little Dip, Poorman's & Carpenter Rocks. Further south snapper are around the 4 kilo mark from Carpenter Rocks, Pt MacDonnell & then Cape Northumberland/Nene Valley. Big tuna to 48 kilos are out from Pt Mac & South End. The Little Dip Salmon Hole & Beachport Surfer's bch have salmon, mullet & flathead but there are some big swells about so watch the conditions to ensure personal safety. Sweep & rat kingies can be caught from Robe, South End, Beachport & Cape Northumberland.
YORKE PENINSULA: Wallaroo: Try the jetty for tommy ruffs and even a blue swimmer crab after dusk, while shore-based anglers are picking up flathead, salmon trout and mullet from Bird Reef, Point Riley and Tickera. Boat crews are returning with KG whiting, snook and tommies. Moonta Bay/Port Hughes: Whiting reports are for fish to 37cm from Steamer channel, Cape Elizabeth and Tiparra Reef, with the odd blue crab and flathead as well. Shore-based fishers are picking up flathead, mullet and small salmon. The jetties have snook and tommy ruffs at first light. Point Turton: Anglers have spent some of their time planning their activities with the new fishing rules in mind since May 1, 2026. Most whiting catches have come from the Balgowan grounds, while shore-based fishing has mullet, flathead and salmon trout in the reports. Jetty-based fishing has snook and tommies after dark. Marion/Stenhouse Bays: Several local bottom-end beaches have mullet and salmon to 1 kilo, so depending on the conditions anglers can plan the day's outing. Boat crews have had limited opportunities to run out for flathead, kingfish, red nannygai and blue morwong. The jetties have mullet and tommy ruffs. Edithburgh: Local fishers are finding the combined impacts of the residual Harmful Algal Bloom and the new restrictions a big load to bear as they reminisce of past glories! Sultana Passage again has mullet, as does Klein's Point and Wattle Bay. Pan-sized snapper are off Tapley Shoals but they are no-keepers until June 2027. The jetty has a few tommies and salmon trout. Ardrossan: There are only so many times a fisher can prepare his/her gear and this is very much the case at Ardrossan, as garfish, squid and snapper are off the catchlist for some time yet. Blue crabs are pretty much over for this season with an occasional report of success from the broken grounds south of the old Zanoni wreck (no anchors permitted on the Zanoni). The jetty has mullet also at night.
SPENCER GULF/WEST COAST: Shore-based fishing action is well & truly on! Salmon from trouts to 1 kilo are along the coastline from Fitzgerald Bay south all the way to Louth Bay & Pt Lincoln. Larger salmon to 4 kilos are off Longnose Point, then north past the Elliston surf beaches (Sheringa, Talia, Convention, Lock Well etc etc) & then Nadia Landing, Point Brown, Claire Bay, Point Sinclair & Fowler's Bay to Yalata. Mulloway are also off the Dog Fence beach & the Fowler's Bay Ledge. KG whiting are off Whyalla, Pt Pirie, Pt Augusta, Cowell, Tumby, Venus, Coffin & Streaky Bays, with some nice fish also in Proper Bay & Sleaford (Pt Lincoln). Quite a few anglers are catching flathead as they chase salmon from the shore & whiting in their boats. The Dashwood channel at Streaky & the Murat Bay islands in particular are producing some big flatties. Offshore crews at Waldegrave, Olive & Williams Islands are catching tuna to 12 kilos, red nannygai & kingfish, but it is big boat water & care is needed - safety first! I am happy to stand corrected, but I think its OK to target garfish on the West Coast?? If legal, then there are nice gar in Venus, Waterloo, Baird & Coffin Bays atm.
MAY SEAFOOD RECIPE: Prawn Cocktail Bruschetta. Ingredients: 8-10 cooked prawns (shelled), 1 baguette, 2-3 marinated artichokes, 1 crushed garlic clove, caper berries, mayonnaise, seasoning, olive oil, chives. Preparation: blitz artichokes, caper berries with mayo in food processor. Toast sliced baguette thinly spread with garlic & oil. Spread mixture over baguette slices & add 1 prawn. Sprinkle with chopped chives.
KANGAROO IS: TIGHT LINES!
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