Fishing the Tasman Peninsula

Best time to fish: All year, with best game fishing January to June. Getting there; One hour from Hobart. Major species; Flathead, striped trumpeter, perch, southern bluefin tuna, yellowfin tuna, morwong, squid, mako shark, albacore, striped tuna and increasingly yellowtail kingfish. Other attractions; Sight seeing, Adventure boating tours, Scuba diving, Port Arthur and many other attractions. The diving is world class, suitable for all levels and ranges from wrecks to giant kelp forests, caves, fish schools, weedy sea dragons, seals and more. There is a dive centre at Eagelhawk Neck. Tasman Peninsula is best known as the site of Australias most famous convict settlement, Port Arthur. Tasman Peninsula as it is commonly known is really two peninsulas joined together - the Forestier and Tasman Peninsulas. Fishing Deep water is quite close to shore here, and with a vast topographic underwater terrain the game fishing can be nothing short of sensational. With deep water close to shore a lot of game fishers troll virtually along the bottom of the many spectacular cliffs. Water depths of over 100 metres are common close inshore. Southern Bluefin Tuna For gamefishers, southern bluefin tuna are the most prized species, and it is no surprise when you consider there are around 8 world records for these fish from this area. Southern bluefin are usually caught between the months of April to late June. You will need a decent sized boat to tackle southern bluefin tuna. Big seas with short swells and sharp chop can pound this area. When a

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calm day does come along, it might be pleasant, but it is not always productive as the rougher it is, the more the tuna seem to bite. The two most fished, and productive areas are the Hippolyte Rocks to the east of Fortescue Bay and Tasman Island to the south. Bottle fish (over 100 lb) although not common are still taken, while fish to 25 kg are more common. A world record Southern Tasmania 6233 9955 southern bluefin of 106.5 Northern Tasmania 6323 2555 kg was taken North-west Tasmania 6498 7755 on 15 kg line.in 1980 The best Eastern Tasmania 6376 0555 way to target these fish is with one of the professional charter boat operators.

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Boating Weather

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There is a good launching ramp at Pirates Bay, which gives access to the ocean side of the peninsula. It is the northern most ramp and is around 15 kilometres by sea from Hippolyte Rocks and 25 kilometres to Tasman Island. Other ramps are at Fortescue Bay and Garden Point. Deeper waters to the east and south of the peninsula are home to one of the very best table fish - striped trumpeter. Good fish weigh up to 10 kg - often much bigger. Striped trumpeter is highly prized by both commercial and recreational anglers. From the shore In the more sheltered bays and waters, especially Norfolk Bay, flathead are the major target. From the shore there is also great fishing to be had. On the seaward (eastern) side of the Peninsula, the coast line is very rough, so it is simply a case of get to the water where you can. Much of the fishing from the shore around this area is untouched, but

waiting to be discovered. Maps show most tracks that lead to a beach or the shore and it is usually easy to find some sheltered water. Australian salmon are often caught from the shore at Pirates Bay, Dunalley Canal, Wedge Bay and Norfolk Bay. Frederick Henry and Storm bays offer good variety of fish from Australian salmon to squid, flathead more. There is some easily accessed rock based fishing from the rocky ledge outside Pirates Bay, but this is very weather dependent. The jetty in Pirates Bay can be good for squid at times - especially evenings. Check it for squid ink on the deck. The jetty at Port Arthur is also popular and a safe place to spend some time dangling a line. Best advice is talk to the locals - they are friendly and will give you plenty of good advice.

Going Fishing?
Fish for the Future! Fish Responsibly - keep informed with the Recreational Sea Fishing Guide and use a fish measuring ruler.
The Guides and fish measuring rulers are available from all Service Tasmania outlets and major tackle shops. Information can also be found by visiting: www.fishing.tas.gov.au

Fishing Restrictions in Tasmania This pamphlet provides only basic fishing information. For more detailed information about marine fishing rules including area restrictions, size and possession limits, refer to the Recreational Sea Fishing Guide and for inland fishing, to the Tasmanian Inland Recreational Fishing Code. These are available from Service Tasmania outlets and most bait and tackle shops. They can also be downloaded at www.fishing. tas.gov.au or www.ifs.tas.gov.au respectively. Rod and Line Fishing You do not need a licence to fish with a hook and line in marine waters, including rod and line and squid jigs. You can use any number of lines with up to 5 hooks as long as you are within 20 metres of your gear or the lines are attached to the boat from which you are fishing. A set line licence is needed to use a set line which is a dropline or longline with up to 30 hooks. Licences for Inland Waters An Inland Fisheries licence is required for any fishing in inland waters which includes some river mouths and estuaries. Inland waters and seaward limits are described in the Recreational Sea Fishing Guide and the Inland Recreational Fishing Code.

Licences for Marine Waters In marine waters a licence is not required for fishing with a rod and line, squid jigs, spears, bait traps, small nets (landing, dip, bait and cast nets), or collection of small shellfish such as periwinkles, oysters, clams, cockles and mussels. Sea fishing licences are required when fishing for abalone, rock lobster and scallop or fishing with a pot, ring, graball net, mullet net, beach seine net and set line (a longline or dropline with up to 30 hooks). Recreational sea fishing licences are available from all Service Tasmania outlets and on the internet at www.fishing.tas.gov.au/licence Aborigines engaged in aboriginal fishing activities are exempt from holding a fishing licence but must comply with all other fisheries rules. Bag and Possession Limits Most bag and possession limits are personal limits, although boat and on water limits apply for some species. Possession limits apply everywhere, including in the boat, at sea and in your home. Seasons and Area Restrictions Season apply to most inland waters. In marine waters, closed seasons and area closure apply to taking various species and using particular fishing gear. Fishcare Volunteers Fishcare Volunteers are enthusiastic individuals who give up their time to educate members of the recreational fishing community. Volunteers are well versed in the rules relating to recreational marine fishing and are happy to answer queries that you may have. If you are interested in finding out more about the Fishcare Tasmania program, please visit our website at www.fishing.tas.gov.au or call 6233 2033.

Useful Contacts Recreational Sea Fishing ( Wild Fisheries Management Branch) inc Fishcare: 6233 7042 www.fishing.tas.gov.au Inland Fisheries Service: 1300 463 474 www.ifs.tas.gov.au Marine and Safety Tasmania: 6233 8801 www.mast.tas.gov.au Marine Police and Fishwatch: 0427 655 557 Bureau of Meterology: www.bom.gov.au

Illustration Peter Gouldthorpe

Fishwise licence fees are used to benefit our fisheries The Fishwise fund is supported by the sale of recreational sea fishing licences. It covers the administration of licences as well as funding programs that support recreational fishing. The majority of funding for this pamphlet is from the Fishwise Fund. Your sea fishing licence fees at work!