First off, my crew and I would like to wish you and yours a safe and happy holidays.
Let’s get to fishing and some of the problems we may face in the New Year.
First off is the DFO proposed Rockfish Conservation Areas:
- the first one is an expansion of the original Race Rocks 20 fathom footprint that was originally settled back in 2000. For some unknown reason the department is back on it’s conquest to shut down our Salmon and Halibut fishing again. The tough part to take is that to this date they will still be allowing a Commercial Halibut fishery right along side the areas of closure. I can’t even fathom how they think a few, 100 hook skates is going to have less of an incidental catch of Rockfish and or Lingcod than you and I as boaters out trolling for Salmon or even Halibut fishing with 2 hooks.
- My next concern for you anglers to vent about is the proposed closure of a huge portion of Beecher bay thus crushing any Winter Spring fishing I have told you about in past years. This closure will basically run from Fraser Island out and circle the bay picking up Wolf Island all the way around to Creyke point. So if fishing at my end of town is quiet or the weather makes it unfeasible and you want to go to fish Beecher Bay, with the new rules it won’t be happening.
If you personally want to do something about it and you have a computer here’s where to go and speak you mind:
- Go to the DFO Rockfish Closure Proposal web site
- Click on SG1, our area, and you find both areas discussed above
- When you open the area you have a concern with, at the top of the page will be a comment field on that area. This is where you get to vent your feelings about these closures. We all have until Dec. 31, 2005 to respond so don’t waste time GET-ER DONE ASAP. It will be your messages and complaints that will eventually make the difference between an open fishing area and a closed area.
Now lets get on with fishing... Winter Springs are presently being picked off at all the regular fishing spots, 90-95 feet at the Can-buoy. Moving a bit farther out and thru the Race you will see Winter Springs at about 100 feet in the little valley that splits the two pinnacles right out in front of Christopher point.
If there’s no fish to be had there I’d suggest either moving straight up to Beecher Bay and try trolling the line between Fraser Island and Creyke point or even Fraser back towards Wolf Island. Watch your depths as there are a couple of tiny pinnacles as you approach both Creyke and Wolf Island. A good safe but productive depth would be 95 to 100 feet.
Last but not least there have been Winter’s taken right of the backside of Church Rock.
Average weight for this time of year is 6 to 9 lbs. But last Wednesday I had a nice Winter Spring caught by a rental customer that weighed in at 13lbs.
The week before that had a 26 lb. Spring weighed in at Cheanuh so there are some big fish still lurking around out there.
Remember gang: halibut closes January 1, 2006 so if you want to get one for your New Year’s bash you better get moving.
With the weather being so uncooperative of late please be careful and don’t venture to far, the crew here at Pedder wants to see you all in 2006.
P.S. Don’t forget to voice your opinion on your right to fish as a Canadian.
Season’s Greetings
Sean Moore
G.M. Pedder Bay Marina & Trailer Park
