Autumn's 3 Likely Suspects

Hi People,

Since we have been on a Autumn theme, its probably a good idea to look at what 3 species are available during these cooling months. It's no secret these are my favourite months of the year for fishing but lets look at what 3 species i love catching...

I fish Sydney's waterways and have done so for over 30 years. In that time many things have changed, my techniques have changed and even some species migratory patterns have changed. But there have been a few constants. Fish patterns you can even set your watch to.

Autumn in the Hawkesbury means one thing; big blue nose bream. The kind of bream that you would win every bream comp in oz. The brembos start to migrate out to sea to breed and are on the move out from the upper reaches of the river and creeks. The main chanels are highways now so foraging the shore is a little pointless. Try drifting the main water flow with small softies and deeper channels with long streamlined plastix. Dont be surprised when 1.5kg plus monsters start to come over the gunnels. Even Botany is inundated with bream at the moment so take advantage. Once the bream head out they wont be back for a few months!

Also this is time of year EP's start to head down to full salt to breed too. There is a closed season during winter but autumn is fair game. I dont keep any and most people dont so i dont see why we cant catch and release this species during thier spawning run. Every fish we catch is targeted during thier spawning period???? Silly policy makers!!! Try the edge of full salt and the brackish reaches of any of sydneys waterways, they all hold EP's. Small softies in charteuse are golden!

Another target is monster jewies. The small soapies usually start to move to the upper reaches of the rivers and the monster jews, who have been put off by the hot summer temps and holiday crowds start to move around the mouths of the rivers. If your going to get Mr. Big (over 25kgs) now is the time. Obviously live bait is gun and more specifically live squid is your best option to get your monster. But if you are like me, all lures, then big lures are needed, 6" should be your minimum. I like jerk minnows (stickbaits) fished in the deepest gutters and eddies i can find. Now big plastix arent always essential. Big fish are regularly caught on small lures. Remember even elephants eat peanuts!

There you have it. My 3 gun fish targets that make me salivate. Its these fish that keep me from sleeping at nights!