ON arrival in Fingal Bay I was keen to explore all the fishing options available.
Little did I consider that some 50 years later I am still learning all the opportunities that Fingal has to offer.
The beach was the most obvious target on an incoming tide about halfway between the Surf Club and the notorious Fingal Spit is a hot spot known as “Green Hill” by the locals.
Green Hill is where the waves from a southerly swell crash onto the beach stirring up shellfish and worms that attract fish. Bream, mulloway, tailor, whiting, salmon and flathead are regularly bounced up the beach throughout the year.
Across the Spit, Fingal Island offers a lifetime of fishing chances with the greatest rewards to be had on the eastern face, in front of the outer Lighthouse, where numerous rocky outcrops and shallow reefs attract fish into the white waters that continually surge.
Of all the fishing excursions I have been on nothing compares to visiting one of those rocky outcrops – “King Tommy”.
Years ago, when I was much fitter and younger, I would cross the island before diving in and swimming on to King Tommy. These days I prefer to either moor “Stinkpot” in a rock pool or simply anchor over the reefs that are so productive.
Berley up and hang on!
Snapper is the main target.
Thumpers to a handsome 6kg cruise through the shallows and are keen to attack a well-presented bait of king prawn, cubed yellowtail, slimy mackerel or bonito.
In shallow water big snapper take off like the last bus to Salt Ash buckling your rod and sizzling the reel.
Check your drag and let them run.
Unlike kingfish, snapper are clean fighters and rarely bring you undone on the reef.
Stay connected and in control – don’t panic.
After three or four solid runs the snapper will come your way.
By John ‘Stinker’ CLARKE
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