Fish bites: Illegal trapper cops 5-year ban
Seasonal fishing closures; Shimano’s new rods; Penn updates Slammer IVTwo mates sprung last year setting fish traps on the Macquarie River have received a mix of fines, the threat of jail and even a five-year ban from fishing as punishment.
NSW Department of Primary Industries Fisheries officers allegedly found the men downstream of Warren, NSW with seven fish traps, nine golden perch and a Murray cod.
The men’s boat and its trailer, and a grapnel were all seized, and the men fronted Dubbbo Local Court this month facing charges under the Fisheries Management Act 1994 for unlawfully using traps, possessing fish illegally taken, and using excess and unattended lines.
According to the department, a 49-year-old Dubbo man was ordered to pay $3300 in fines and costs, and issued two seven-month terms of imprisonment to be served by way of intensive correction order and a prohibition order preventing him from fishing in NSW inland waters west of the Great Dividing Range for five years.
The prohibition order prohibits the man from being in possession of any rigged hand lines, being in possession of specified inland fish species, being in possession of nets or traps and being on board any boat that has fishing gear or being used to carry out any fishing activities in inland waters.
A 58-year-old Wongarbon man was ordered to pay $4900 in fines and costs.
Seasonal closures kick in
The last month of winter also marks the start of a number of significant changes affecting recreational fishing.
Queensland officially closes a number of rivers to line fishing to protect Murray cod species during the spawning season.
Closures include:
- Coomera River and tributaries upstream from the junction of Guanaba Creek and Coomera River (includes Guanaba Creek)
- Albert River and tributaries upstream from the junction of Canungra Creek and Albert River (includes Canungra Creek)
- Running Creek and tributaries (top of the Logan River catchment)
- Christmas Creek and tributaries (top of the Logan River catchment)
- Stanley River and tributaries upstream of the Somerset Dam full supply level (above Neurum Creek and Stanley River junction)
- Mary River and tributaries upstream from the junction of Six Mile Creek and Mary River, including Six Mile Creek and excluding Baroon Pocket Dam, Borumba Dam and Lake MacDonald (from dam walls to full supply level for each)
Meanwhile, the scallop season closes for Tasmanian fishers from July 31, and is set to reopen on April 16 next year – it is traditionally timed with the Saturday before Easter. The D'Entrecasteaux Channel remains closed under a separate program to build scallop numbers.
Shimano rolls out new Raider range
Shimano has updated its Raider rod series for 2021 with what it says is a lot more than just new looks to lure new buyers.
It says the rods now use 30-ton graphite to give it more strength and a responsive, lightweight, and crisp feel.
Guides also have upgraded to lighter-weight single-foot Fuji FazLite K guides. Shimano says the Raider range, priced from $139, is fitted with custom Shimano reel seats and a mix of split and full-length custom cork grips across 35 models.
New entry-level workhorse for Penn
Penn has released its Slammer IV spinning reel in a new entry-level size, meaning it is now available as both a 2500 and higher gear ratio 2500HS.
“HT-100 drag technology is packed into the small, but tough, 2500 size, a new and highly sought-after addition to the Slammer family,” Penn said.
“Whether you’re live baiting in the surf, spinning from the rocks, popper fishing a coral reef, deepwater jigging or switch baiting a billfish, the Slammer IV range won’t let you down.”
Penn has priced the Slammer IV 2500 and 2500HS from $369.99.
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