IT IS tuna time along the southern coastline as anglers prepare to go head-to-head with one of the ocean’s most spectacular sportfish.
The annual migration of southern bluefin tuna has started well with large numbers of fish spotted along the South Australian coastline and into Victoria.
The word from Bob McPherson at Portland is that good numbers of smaller fish in the range of 18 to 24kg are quite prevalent with most boats returning with their full quota.
Albacore are also about in good numbers of similar size, so the action on the water is very good considering it’s only the start of the season.
At the moment most of the fish are still out wide near the shelf in an area known as the Horse Shoe, some 40km offshore.
As the numbers of bluefin tuna continue to grow they will begin to move closer into shore where smaller boats can comfortably target them.
The biggest fish for the season so far has been caught at Port MacDonnell weighing in at 87kg.
But for this fisho, the smaller fish at present are enough to put a puff in the breath and a sweat on the brow.
