www.fishfindermaps.com

The Kay-lee hull pictured being sunk to become part of the outstandingly successful Lee Point artificial reef system

Matt Flynn's Northern Territory
fishing report: August 21, 2005

Also available in the Darwin Sunday
newspaper, Sunday Territorian


The Lee Point Reef Artificial System has become a whole lot more exciting with the addition of a 16m, 15-tonne steel fishing vessel.
The Kay-lee was scuttled at one of the existing three sites and looks set to be a great fishing spot.
A professional fishermen, John Conway, donated the old boat.
This new wreck's exact position will be revealed by fisheries when it has had time to settle.
The reef sites off Lee Point include the Bottlewasher, The Tippers and the Rick Mills - which are all about a nautical mile apart. There is also a large natural reef in the area called Angler Reef.
The reefs have been very busy at weekends with boaters vying for spots.
The Lee Point reefs produce jewfish, mackerel, trevally, cod, snapper and occasional coral trout and cobia.
Steel hulls produce the best artificial reefs off Darwin.
Wooden hulls fall apart fairly quickly, probably from storm action and because silt moves inside and busts the hulls.
Darwin also has an artificial reef system at the Fenton Patches, as well as WWII and cyclone wrecks in Darwin Harbour.
Primary Industry and Fisheries Minister Kon Vatskalis said the NT Government was committed to ensuring the Territory remains Australia's premier recreational fishing destination for both locals and visitors.
****
Don't miss the Boat and Leisure Show at Marrara Stadium this weekend.
All the latest in marine toys for the boys and girls who can afford them will be on display.
Boats, motorbikes, cars, pools and camping gear will be on display.
The annual event by the Boating Industry Association (BIA) is open from 9am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday.
Special guest Rick Huckstepp will discuss using sounders, GPS units and fishing equipment.
Rick recently released his first in a series of How To DVDs, the first one is called Boating Basics.
A car-topper dinghy package valued at $4500 - including a Honda 5hp 4-stroke outboard and Savage 3.6m punt - will be raffled, with the draw taking place
at 4.30pm Sunday.
The Boating Industry Association NT (BIANT) has 26 members.
BIANT organises conferences as well as sending fact sheets and quarterly newsletters to keep members up to date on environmental and safety issues and legislative changes.
****
Barramundi are set to go wild in Darwin Harbour on the next of spring tides.
As the weather warms, the harbour is expected to come to alive, and people are predicting a good saltwater barra season during the coming build-up.
Long-range weather forecasts suggest we could be in for a traditional wet season this year, with periods of extended monsoonal rain.
Long periods of heavy rain starting early (in late November) are apparently ideal for barramundi breeding and recruitment.
Despite last year's poor wet season, the billabongs have fished well this year - maybe many big barra did not have a chance to swim downstream.
The only problem is that the lilies have not been flushed out of places such as Corroboree, so it is quite hard to fish in places.

Home