Photos: Spero Kartanos.
BY SPERO KARTANOS
I know this is a fishing column, but when the whales are in the bay, and you see the size of them as they go past your boat, and you realise that the calf is as big as your old bay cruiser, it’s pretty amazing! To see a mum being so protective of her calf is one of the best sights in the bay this time of year, and how lucky are we to see them just east of Green Island, Wellington Point and around Peel Island?
Looking at past records of whale sightings, the next four weeks are when you’ll see them come in to rest before the long journey to the South Pole. If you get a chance during the school holidays, it’s worth a look to see these magnificent mammals in the bay – just remember the rules about getting too close (and it’s the same rules in the bay for dolphins) – so enjoy them, it’s an experience you will never forget.
I suppose we better mention the fishing – it’s now spring, probably the best weather of the year for fishing in this part of the world. The school mackerel will be throughout the bay from close in at the Manly Harbour last leads, to King Island to Green, and all the way to Ormiston and east to the Naval Banks. Paravaning with 3-inch Halco spoons is the best way to go, and if you need advice on how to rig, Water Tower Bait & Tackle have all my drawings of how to set up. If you prefer, floating a pilly on ganged hooks will also get you a fish, and there are plenty around in September!
The whiting are normally in excellent quantities this time of year in the Rous Channel and Small Boat Passage; drifting with a paternoster rig with blood worms, sand worms, or squid strips should get you a feed.
Snapper season reopened in mid-August, so a fish on any of the artificial reefs or Bay Island drop-offs is worth a try as the sweet lip should also start showing up. Bait-wise, use flesh baits, or my favourite – whiting heads.
Enjoy the bay this September, soak up the warmer weather and get fishing!
