Port Jackson sharks in WPB

[hillbilly]

Ive just got back from a week away at our van at Lang Lang where like most places the weather conditons didnt allow for much fishing to be done, however the 3 times I did get out on the water were great, we landed 2 gummys just over legal size which were returned to the water, bags of snotty cod, 2 skate and 2 ling all returned , but we caught 5 port Jackson sharks all differant sizes the largest measured 2.4 feet, I usually catch 1 or 2 per year from WPB so I was suprised landing 5 in the 3 days
can anyone please tell me if they have also noticed the increase in population of these shark in WPB or PPB and do they school or are they a solitary species ?
Thanks
Kaz :wink:

[fishing_dave]

There was a moratorium on the netting of gummy and school shark, that was introduced in 1993, it is now bearing fruit, not only with the increased numbers of gummy and school shark but with other species of shark like 7-gills and port jackson

dave

[Dekka]

Kaz, you must have been lucky. I seem to bag 1 or 2 every trip to WP and always have done.

Definately more likely to do so the closer I fish to the Western Entrance.

Also cop a fair hiding from the other pest (draughtboard) over the winter months.

[hillbilly]

Ive never caught a draughtboard shark but have been told there are a lot out there, I always fish the same hole which is opposite stockyard point and approx 50 metres off French island , this spot has been very productive for a few years now but I think its time that I venture out and try some new grounds now that I have a boat that can get me there and back without a hitch { touch wood }, Im thinking I should motor on towards Corinella so if any of you guys know of a worth while spot in that area and you dont mind sharing it then please let me know, I dont as yet have GPS but a few more suck jobs should get me one soon I hope. :lol:
Kaz :wink:

[fishing_dave]

One of the top spots in western port is directly in front of the old tankerton jetty ( which is no longer there) straight out from stony point, the non-exesisting jetty was 400mtrs long, spent many nights on there , landing snapper, gummies, elephant, squid, whiting and trevally, boats always anchord just out of casting reach, not sure if they removed the pylons when they demmoished the old pier, be carfell just incase the are still there, also hooked into some humungus toothies which we never landed,

dave

[triman]

As a youngster many years ago we used to see plenty of Port Jackson sharks in the shallows just off the Shire Camping Ground at Cowes, and with a cousin we'd use a short net and could fill it with Elephant sharks on the flats opposite "Lovers Lane" at the right state of the tide.

[hillbilly]

I remember fishing around the Tankerton jetty many many many years ago when my old dad had his boat, back then we would come home with a hession bag full of coutta, whiting,big flatties and even a couple of bronzies on one trip, :) but this was over 40 years ago when the water was thick with fish and they were all big fish as well. :)
Back then we used hand lines we didnt have the top notch gear that we have today home made soft plastics were a real innovation made from red and green rubber bands knotted together, :lol: the flatties loved em.
We always caught enough fish to feed our family with always enough left to share around the rellies and friends. :D
I often wonder what the fishing will be like another 40 years from now :roll: and I truely hope that my grandkids will have the fish around to enjoy as much as I have done and still do. :D

Kaz :wink:

[triman]

Hillbilly, as I enter my dotage, well, maybe not, but approaching it, it is my heartfelt desire to teach my present and as yet unborn grandchildren the simple pleasures of fishing.
By that I don't mean tally fishing, where he who gets the most wins, but more the skills of the game including finding the fish, matching tackle to target, catching the fish, landing a fish that weighs more than your tackle can handle, preparation and cooking and finally eating the fish with the correct wine.
By sensible legislation and regulation, together with strict compliance and enforcement I believe I will be able to achieve my aim. Fishermen with attitudinal problems along the lines of "he who dies with the most fish wins" and the intrepid lawbreakers who catch well over the limit several times a day then flog them to their mates and the local markets will only ensure the extension of Marine Parks and Sanctuaries and the only boats to be seen on the Bays will be enforcement vessels.
And Victoria, and the world will be a darker place when a man can't take his grandchildren fishing.