Trip Feedback

Hi Mike,

My partner and I went out with Steve from ‘I’ll Take Ya’ Charters. We had an absolute ball! Steve was such a great guide, he made the trip, not to mention the Barra we caught!! We couldn’t have asked for better! Will be recommending him to others, Attached are some photos,

Thanks,

Ross Allan & Meagan Dawes

NO-GO, NO-TAKE, NO IDEA!

AMATEUR FISHERMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF THE NT INC.

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate publication 18 October 2011

NO-GO, NO-TAKE, NO IDEA!

The real agenda of the anti-recreational fishing, anti-commercial fishing and anti-energy resource organisation, The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS), and its international financial backers the Pew Trust, has been made clear.

“In a media release today AMCS has called for no-go no-take zones to be established in some of our most significant recreational fishing areas,” said AFANT PresidentWarren de With.

“They want to closeFogBay, the area on the other side of the Bathurst Trench, more areas around theWessellIslands, areas around theGovePeninsula, waters aroundGroote Eylandt, the Limmen Bight and a number of other areas off the Territory coast.”

“These groups are now putting pressure on Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke to step away from the recently released North Bioregional Plan which identified only one area off the NT to the north of Nhulunbuy which required protection at this level.”

“No doubt they will be stepping up pressure on the NT Government as well to try and push their anti-fishing agenda into coastal, estuary and river areas under its jurisdiction.”

“We already know that they want significant areas of Bynoe Harbour closed and that’s ironic given we have only recently had the area closed to commercial barramundi netting — just as we have with the area in Fog Bay around the Finniss and Little Finniss Rivers.”

“These groups have only one agenda and that’s no-go no-take zones covering as much water as possible and they refuse to consider the social and economic benefits of recreational fishing or the fact that recreational fishing in the NT is well managed, sustainable and does not pose a threat to the sea life they say needs protection.”

“Their agenda is contrary to all available scientific advice that shows that our NT fisheries, particularly our recreational fishery, are sustainably managed and that closures are not necessary.”

“If you want our great recreational fishing to continue you need to stand with AFANT and help us let politicians and other decision makers know that AMCS’s no-go no-take zones aren’t needed here.”

“Email us at research@afant.com.au with your views and we will pass them on to the appropriate people,” Mr de With said.

End

Media enquiries to Chris Makepeace on 0415 471 600 orWarrende Withon 8972 1589

Fishing Report 25 Sept

With the build up here and some light winds forecast to coincide with some great tides and rising water temps the options for this weekend are endless.

The word from Darwin Harbour is that whilst the crabs are slowing down the Barra are certainly on the move, while everyone has their own preferred tides to fish the Harbour I don’t think I will cause much argument in suggesting the tides over the next few days definitely lend themself to exploring harbour estuaries in search of a Barra. The tides over this weekend will also be worth a look for those keen to chase a few pelagics both in and around the harbour and offshore, as temperatures are warming up it won’t be long till the Longtail Tuna move on so if chasing Tuna is your thing this could be the last reliable shot at them for the year.

The change in weather has seen conditions on the Billabongs on the improve and guides who are in the know are putting their clients onto some good fish, of note was 13yr old Lachlan Lewis who landed a 86cm Barra at Corroboree Billabong fishing with Chris Jones, River & Reef Fishing Charters on Monday, Lachlan and his brother Kyle enjoyed the day so much they left Dad in his hotel and went out again on Wednesday to chase some more Barra & also some Saratoga.

There have been some good report coming from Saltwater arm and the mouth of the Adelaide on the neap tides, this area is always worth a look in the build-up on the neaps.

Lachlan Lewis with an 86cm Barra fishing with River & Reef Fishing Charters

Kyle and Lachlan Lewis fishing with River & Reef Fishing Charters

Lachlan with a Billabong Saratoga fishing with River & Reef Fishing Charters

A proud Lucy with her 56cm Barra fishing with Top End Barra Fishing

Nicoles 80cm Barra fishing with Top End Barra Fishing

Fishing Report 11 Sept

With the weather warming up it looks like the billabongs may also be turning around, Corroboree is starting to fish a better with guides reporting some quality Barra up to the mid eighties being landed, Hardies & Shady Fresh are also starting to fish better.

With the BOM forecasting that the build up is pretty much with us, now is the time to start thinking about the saltwater Barra, shoal bay has been fishing well in the last few weeks and as the weather continues to warm it will only get better, those who fish Darwin harbour regularly are also having some great sessions on the Barra with reports of up to 18 Barra in a session, now that’s good fishing. Make a mental note to visit the shoal bay rock after the first rains as this is usually the trigger for the rock to fire.

Albert (Mr Prawn) has been in Darwin over 30years and never been Barra fishing he landed 7 fishing Shady Camp fresh with Top End Barra Fishing

Anthony with a healthy 77cm barra - Top End Barra Fishing

Gary Smith 77cm - Fishing with Mark Sedman, Untamed Fishing Adventures

Gary Smith 81cm - Fishing with Mark Sedman, Untamed Fishing Adventures

Tony Hutchins 86cm - Obsession Fishing Safaris

Fishing Report 5 Sept 2011

Reports from the Daly are that it still continues to fish well on the bigger tides with quality fish in the 80-95cm range still being landed by those in the know.

Justin Jones from Obsession fishing Safaris put his clients onto some good Barra in Bynoe harbour last week and also had a red hot sessions on the GT’s & Queenfish, wrestling them away from the sharks made for interesting fishing he said.

Guides report that you still have to work hard on Corroboree but those who persist are still landing some nice fish, I know of a couple in the 80cm being landed by clients this week.

On the Bluewater at Dundee I have heard good reports from the Sail City region with the Mackerel being thick and the reef fishing firing as well. A few free jumping Sail Fish have also been seen in the last week around sail city and some whales were also spotted, you know what they say “where there’s Whales there’s Sails”. If the winds are kind Fenton and/or Nth Gutter should be worth a look later this week for those keen on chasing a bill fish.

Darwin Harbour was also think with Tuna during teh nearp tides late last week and whilst they were picky on what lure they liked they will certainly be worth a bash on the next set of neaps.

Steve Berryman GT- Obsession Fishing Safaris

Hammerhead - Obsession Fishing Safaris

Jim Kelly 54cm Corroboree Barra - River & Reef Fishing Charters

Yours truly with a Darwin Harbour Longtail Tuna