| Tasmania offers some wonderful opportunities take part in many forms of saltwater fishing around the state. Visitors to the state can take advantage of clean healthy waters, solid baitfish supplies, low fishing pressure and very good fishing facilities from the jetties and beaches through to first class charter boat operators provided by members of the Sea Charter Boat Operators of Tasmania Association.
GAMEFISHING
Tasmania has in the past existed in the shadow of its world class trout fishing, but is now finally establishing a reputation as a gamefishing hotspot. This reputation received a further boast in 2000 with a great run of striped marlin, topped off with what probably was the best run of bluefin tuna in 15 years. Make no mistake, the waters off Tasmania's East Coast and Flinders Island teem with life. Seals, schools of baitfish such as slimey mackerel, jack mackerel and striped tuna can be found close to shore about any day during the season. Albacore tuna are prolific and yellowfin tuna are a regular catch. Every year, big yellowfin tuna over 50 kilos are taken. As the waters cool the magnificient southern bluefin tuna kick in on the approach to winter. Tasmania's East Coast is an area where the fast moving - warm rich. East Australian current clashes with the cooler nutrient - rich waters from the south creating upwellings, eddy's and solid sea surface temperature gradients. These are ideal conditions for the feeding activities of the pelagic gamefishes such as the tuna, marlin and sharks. Some of the unique advantages Tasmanian gamefishing has to offer, include the close proximity of the fishing grounds, less than 1 nautical mile from the coast, very deep water close to shore including the continental shelf, clear clean water, large baitfish supplies and low fishing pressure.
The Tasmanian gamefishing clubs host a series of important gamefishing tournaments during the season at the main gamefishing areas of Flinders Island, St. Helens, Coles Bay and Eaglehawk Neck. There is no doubt that a combination of global warming and shifting ocean currents resulting in increased sea surface temperature has had a beneficial effect on the quality of Tasmanian gamefishing. Tasmania's untapped and lightly fished waters are now being viewed around the country as Australia's newest sportfishing frontier. Why not let Tasmania's fleet of professionally crewed, sportfishing charter boats take you out on the deep blue seas for a day to remember.
MARINE, WILDLIFE, WILDERNESS.
Tasmania's coastline offers unique opportunities to observe nature's marine wildlife at its best. Probably the birdlife is first that spring to mind, species such as the albatross, gannet, sea eagle, turns, cormorants, gulls, petrels, pelicans, shearwater. Each species will be more prevalent at different times of the year often hunting on food gathering missions. Migrating whales such as the southern right humpback and pilot are occasionally observed. Killer whales are often hunting on the edges of the continental shelf and are a spectacular sight. The seals, penguins and dolphins are a regular sight however, their effortless grace at moving through the water with great speed, never ceases to amaze. At certain locations such as Bruny Island, Eaglehawk Neck, Coles Bay and George Town the seals can be observed in their colonies on rocks or small islands. Observing this quality of nature at its fullest will allow you to take home special rare memories only a few have had the privilege of experiencing.
SEA CHARTER BOAT OPERATORS OF TASMANIA
The Sea Charter Boat Operators of Tasmania Association was formed in 1991 combining the collective interest of Charter boat operators from around the state into one body. With a membership of over 30 charter boat operations from prime fishing, scuba diving aquatic locations around the state, these operators provide their services at the highest standard. These locations include great gamefishing and reef fishing areas such as St. Helens, Flinders Island, Coles Bay, Triabunna, Macquarie Harbour and Eaglehawk Neck. Wonderful wilderness and wildlife areas of Bruny Island, Tasman Peninsula, George Town and Strahan. Tasmania offers some of the world's best temperate water scuba diving from areas such as Eaglehawk Neck, Bicheno and St. Helens.
The SCBOOT members are the accredited charter boat operators of Tasmania. Services provided cover a wide range. Two hour trips, through to full day trips, through to extended overnight tours. The members are statewide and although individuals may specialise in particular aspects of charter work, the group covers all types of tours and packages.
DEEP-SEA REEF FISHING AND ESTUARY FISHING
The saltwater angling opportunities for the visiting angler are varied and numerous. An area of fishing not well known is deep-sea fishing over the continental shelf for magnificent eating species such as deepsea trevalla, hapuka and gemfish. Incredibly these fish inhabit waters around 350 to 500 metres in depth and can take a good deal of energy to wind up, especially considering these fish can weigh in at up to 30 kilograms. Reef fishing for species such as silver perch, rock cod, and tiger flathead to the hard fighting Tasmanian striped trumpeter is always a popular choice for those who like constant fish biting action. The Tasmanian estuaries are very healthy breeding ground area that provide an array of species whether it be fishing from a jetty or small boat. Bream, garfish, mullet, flathead, leather jacket, Australian salmon, Atlantic salmon are the main species available. Areas such as Georges Bay, Macquarie Harbour, Derwent River and Tamar River provide great sheltered waterways.
Contact Rocky and Angela at Professional Charters or
by phone at 61 3 6376 3083 | |  |
