Bookings
this month have slowed down due to the category one demersal closure, but
generally it starts to get
a
bit too windy anywhere along the west coast for comfortable boating. So it is maintenance
time and I am kept
busy
bringing all the boats and trailers up to the high standard that I like to keep
them.
My Facebook
page could always do with a few more likes, so please have a look and
"Like me"
I
seem to be getting more and more hires going up to Shark Bay, Steep Point, and
Dirk Hartog Island.
There
is a bit of detail as to what is available and how to go about it below.
Crayfish
season starts 15th November.
7.8m boat trip
Jono
Masel had a trip planned for Dirk Hartog Island this month and booked the 7.8m
boat for the crossing
and
use out from the Island. No one in the group had a vehicle big enough to tow
the 7.8m boat so asked me to tow
it
up to Denham and launch it for him.
Loading
the 7.8m at Denham boat ramp before their crossing to the Homestead.
I
launched the boat for them and they set off to the Island where their
accommodation, mooring and
everything
was waiting for them
Unfortunately
the weather was not very good which limited their range but Jono sent through
this pic of a
good
snapper he got on soft plastics and flick rod.
Jono
added the following detail!
You can post the following few liners underneath the picture on your web site if you like from me;
Amazing trip to Dirk Hartog Island. All up, caught plenty of fish and had a great time! despite the terrible rough conditions
You can post the following few liners underneath the picture on your web site if you like from me;
Amazing trip to Dirk Hartog Island. All up, caught plenty of fish and had a great time! despite the terrible rough conditions
we fished in. The 7.8m
thunderbolt Walkaround stood up to the challenge and ensured a safe and
comfortable journey.
With very reasonable prices and a very helpful and accommodating Laurie to point you in the right direction this boat hire is highly recommended to use
Regards,
Jonathon Masel
With very reasonable prices and a very helpful and accommodating Laurie to point you in the right direction this boat hire is highly recommended to use
Regards,
Jonathon Masel
Ocean Park
After
dropping Jono off at Denham, Sue and I decided to stay the night and the next
morning dropped in to see the fish at Ocean Park,
which
is about 10km south of Denham. A tourist attraction that stocks local fish including
some quite big sharks in big ponds and tanks
which
they feed during the hour long tours. It was quite interesting and the fish are
on the very big side, probably due to the amount of food they get.
Baldchin
groper,
longtoms,
mangrove jack
snapper
and spangled emperor.
Worth
a look if you are in the area.
Steep Point and Dirk Hartog
Island
More
and more of my boats are going up to Steep point and Dirk Hartog Island as it
becomes more accessible.
The
following info may help you decide where to go and how to do it.
Steep Point
Camping
at and around Steep Point is controlled by Paul Dickson the resident ranger. He
tells me that they have
12
campsites available which have to be booked in advance. They usually book up
pretty quickly during the high season which
is
March to June and bookings open 10 months in advance. You can launch small
dinghies from the beach but all my
boats
are too big, so the trick is to launch from Denham and moor the boat opposite
your camp site.
It
costs $11.00 per vehicle entry and $7.0/night adult camp fees and you have to
bring everything with you including fire wood.
Phone: Paul Dickson - Steep Point 9948 3993
Email: Ranger@steeppoint.com.au
Francois Peron Peninsular
There
are campsites dotted around this peninsular and the same details and conditions
apply
as
below for the DEC side of Dirk Hartog Island.
Dirk Hartog Island
There
is two ways to go about staying on Dirk Hartog Island.
1/
Camping on Dirk Hartog Island is controlled by Department of Environment and
Conservation Denham.
Contact
DEC: Chris Stewart on 9948 1208.
Or
Kieran Wardle at the Lodge: P
08 99481 211
F 08 99481 660 M 0407
383 449
Generally
you have to book online using this website http://www.dirkhartogisland.com/
It
is $18.00/night/adult.
You
can get there by boat and I will lend you a mooring if needed.
You
have to bring everything with you in the boat or you can also launch at Denham
and bring your 4WD around to
Steep
Point and get the barge across to the island and drive up to the camp site.
2/
Stay at the Lodge
Kieran
Wardle runs the tourism accommodation on the island and has a variety of
options.
Great
choice from fully catered to BYO everything, with all the facilities.
The
homestead from the air looking south
The
bay has moorings for those who want to go over in a boat.
The
Ocean Villa
Ocean Villa – self contained
stone villa (BYO food)
Cost: $550.00/night (sleeps
6 – 8) (discounts available for extended stays)
Min 2 nights.
Great
for people with their own boat who enjoy the comforts of home
3
bedroom, one bathroom and central living area.
Located
30m from the waters edge
All
bed linen, bath & beach towels included
TV,
BBQ, Freezer provided (24 hour power)
Fresh
hot water showers
One
mooring included
Fuel
available when pre ordered before arrival
The
Lodge
The Lodge – fully catered
just BYO alcohol
Rates:
from $290.00/night adults
Caters
for groups from 4 – 14 adults or combination of Adults and Children
All
gourmet meals, cool drinks, tea & coffee, snacks, fresh fruit included
All
bed linen, bath & beach towels included.
En-suite
bathrooms
Bait
& Ice included
Bar,
games room, TV, Wireless Internet
Kayaks,
paddle boards and moorings all included
Access
to 4WD vehicles and guided tours
Fuel
available when pre ordered
Kieran Wardle
P 08 99481 211
F 08 99481 660
M 0407 383 449
Recent Catches
Paul Partridge picked up this nice coral
trout when out in the 7.8m boat and then followed up with another
about the same size! Made his day. Bag
limits only allow for 1 coral trout per licence holder.
Jason Watts and partner had a pearler of a
day landing 3 dhuies around this size from my 6.1m boat among other fish,
having to let the third one go as bag limits
only allow 2 dhuies per boat and one per licence holder.
Don't
Do This
Tinkering with my gear in my workshop,
inattention and bang, right past the barb.
Luckily it was a brand new sharp clean
treble!
Got it anesthetised, pushed through, barb
cut off and pulled back out at the Kalbarri Medical Centre.
Don't do it 25km out to sea, its a long way
back, and will ruin your day!
At last Recreational anglers
might now get their allocated 5% of the total catch
Recreational
fishers will benefit from dramatic changes to western rock lobster rules which
will come into effect before the start of this year's season.
The new rules, which include an increase of the daily bag limit of
rock lobster from six to eight are
the result of successful negotiations
between
Recfishwest and the Department of Fisheries.
In
addition, the revised set of rules will allow three licence holders to fish for rock lobster from one vessel.
This
means that when three or more licence holders are on board, six pots can be pulled each trip and
the boat limit increases to 24.
The
escape gap sizes on pots will decrease
to 54mm and the ban on diving for rock lobster at the Abrolhos Islands will
be lifted.
Recfishwest
chief executive officer Andrew Rowland commended the Department for listening
to the community and in doing so ensuring fishing recreationally for
western
rock lobster can continue to be an enjoyable and rewarding activity.
This
decision highlights the importance of the consultative arrangements between the
Department of Fisheries and Refishwest.
Dr
Rowland said these changes were in part due to the fact that during past
seasons, recreational fishers have caught less
than
half of their allocated 5 per cent share of the rock lobster resource.
“While
this revised set of rules will make it easier for recreational fishers to catch
a feed of western rock lobster,
it
will also ensure we come closer to catching our share of the resource,” Dr
Rowland said.
Pink snapper bag limit in
Shark Bay to rise on the back of solid stock recovery
Recfishwest
has welcomed the State Government’s decision to increase the bag limit of pink
snapper in Shark Bay from one fish per angler a day to two.
The
bag limit increase will apply to all pink snapper, Pagrus auratus, caught
within Denham Sound and Eastern Gulf.
The
Department of Fisheries increased the pink snapper bag limit after it had
determined the stock in these areas had demonstrated a strong recovery.
Within
Freycinet Estuary, however, the pink snapper bag limit will remain at one while
the Hamelin Pool Marine Reserve will stay off limits to all forms of fishing.
Chief
executive officer Andrew Rowland said the recovery was largely a result of
anglers fishing responsibly and complying with the rules in Shark Bay.
Up Coming Events In Kalbarri
Crayfishing
The
crayfish season starts on the 15th November.
Every amateur and his dog will be out there again this year as the quota system
introduced last year
means
that the professionals generally don't fish until after the "run of the
whites" when the price goes up,
leaving
the first lot of crays to us amateurs.
The Kalbarri Sports Fishing
Classic
1st,
2nd & 3rd March. A Game, Bottom and River Tournament.
Australia Day Fireworks in
Kalbarri
Kalbarri
puts on a 30 minute firework display across the river. No need to fight the
traffic,
just
wander down to the foreshore and enjoy!
Kalbarri Ultra Light
This
event was held in January and the weather was always windy and difficult.
New
date now set for the 4th and 5th May next year, when the weather is much
better.
A Game
Fishing comp only for lines 6kg, 4kg, 3kg, 2kg and 1kg.
Kalbarri Offshore & Angling Club Local
Comp.
13th October
We brought the comp forward to the 13th this
month so as to be able to catch category 1 demersals
before
the 2 month closure.
Some pretty good mulloway were caught out in
the boats and beach,
while the red emperor of 10.5kgs was a club record.
(Club records have to be caught during a
monthly competition)
Popular Northern Destinations
Island
Manager: 9184 6444, Drew
Norrish & Traci Nathan
The main camp on Thevenard Island is
closed until further notice. However Direction Island is still a good option
and bookings can be made.
Check out the website: www.mackerelislands.com.au
Ashburton Resort
Ashburton
Resort. Phone 9184 6586 email: admin@ashburtonresortonslow.com.au
Website: www.ashburtonresortonslow.com.au
Gnaraloo Station
Gnaraloo contacts for accommodation:
Barbara: 9315 4809
Email: bookings@gnaraloo.com.au
Website: Gnaraloo.com.au
Steep Point
Steep Point Ranger for booking campsites.
Phone:
Paul Dickson - Steep Point 9948 3993
Email:
Ranger@steeppoint.com.au
Dirk Hartog Island
Kieran
Wardle: 08 99481 211 Mob: 0407 383 449
Game,
Bottom and Beach Fishing Action
These
links will take you to Youtube showing some great action video clips taken from
my
boats and also a very good mulloway from the beach.
Archived
Newsletters
After
a lot of effort on my part, you can now view all my past newsletters in my Blogs.
I
have made six blogs; you can view all of my 2005 newsletters with photos @
And
from January 2006 to December 2006 with photos @
And
from January 2007 to December 2007 with photos @
And
from January 2008 to December 2008 with photos @
And
from January 2009 to December 2009 with photos @
And
from January 2010 to December 2010 with photos @
And
from January 2011 to December 2011 with photos @
And
from January 2012 onwards with photos @
They
are quite long URL’s so add them to your favourites.
Remember if you rent our accommodation
in Kalbarri you get big discounts on our boats.
This is the one I go by!
