Tamar River Tasmania "Winter Whiting"

Whilst some anglers perceive Autumn - Winter, as the proverbial nail in the fishing season coffin, many anglers will lay up their boats and fishing pursuits till the next perceived productive season. The ideal sun kissed dawn of the silly season whereby every man and his dog converges on Tassy's Tamar River in pursuit of our notorious King George Whiting.

Most people know what I'm talking about, I'm Adam Cousens the Skipper of North Tasmania Fishing Charters. I'm a self-confessed Whiting nut and not much makes me weak at the knees more than when my 3 to 4kg whiting stick that's singing tight, maxing out on multiple 20 meter runs, for fish of up to 1.5 Kilograms and 60cm plus are taken here annually, and regular catches of 50 centimeter plus fish are common.

Id like to back it up for a moment, as I mentioned the word "perceived" earlier, as I believe there's much more to the perceived fishing season in the Tamar River than meets the eye, if you really "tune in" to the actual nature and habits of this prized sport-fish. The common perception of the winter months is that the Whiting head off shore deep to Spawn, (personally I've boated Whiting in rowe in March in 5 meters) which could lead one to believe the season is not as black and white as many would believe.

The condition of the fish over winter is truly magnificent and most often they've accumulated a nice fat layer, they've thickened up if you like and get that unique boomerang arched back, which sets them apart from school or juvenile whiting. So we know those who stay tuned/invested in the pursuit of these bulldogs reap the benefit.

As one of the regular fisho's if you like, I do spend enough time on the Tamar River to notice that at certain periods, bite intensity can vary from tentative to full blown gut hook ups. Is it sunshine, visually related, tidal flow or wind related, is it temperature, metabolism or competition related? I'm usually keen to chalk a mental note and understand the "why" and shift my approach to what is required at the time.

So I guess when we understand the "why" we look at how we can change up tactics, for how to best intercept these very efficient foraging and ambushing predators at their own game.

Tidal flow and understanding its effect at various stages of the tide will narrow down likely feeding zones. Large King George Whiting are not big by coincidence and generally are predictably clever when the water flow slows down.

I mentioned sunshine earlier, which in Tasmania we are blessed with even on most chilly winter days. Sunshine in my opinion has been a catalyst in some cracking days on the water for us, as I believe Whiting can see just as good as they can smell and they are hound dogs.

There are times of the year I will use home-made red fly material on my hooks to enhance the interest however a squid strip pinned one end is suffice. Other fisherfolk use colored beads and tubing, I like red tinsel as large flathead will sercombe to this rig also. Tied to a 2/0 longshank fished either hard on the bottom or long paternoster. There are a few companies who sell pre-made rig variations with whiting flashers and they'll do the job adequately.

My go to rig for reasonably clear sand patches is a size 2 running ball with a 2/0 Mustad long shank, fished rod in hand is my favorite prospecting tool.

My advice is simply to get out and have a go, push boundaries, new structure, new bite windows and experiment out of the normal. Always try new spots, keep a diary and don't over fish, as they say you cant catch a fish twice!

Tight Lines!

Bellow: Tom displays a healthy Bag of Tasmania Tamar River King George Winter Whiting around 48cm range.