Spring has arrived, so prepare your gear for one of the best seasons to go fishing. Spring fishing is fantastic for many reasons. It’s more pleasant with warmer temperatures and stable weather. It’s also a very productive time of year. Let’s look at where to fish during spring, the species to target and a few tips for success.
Fish the conditions
Fishing seasons don’t always follow dates. Long before people relied on calendars, they judged the seasons by the weather. The same principle applies today. Just because it is spring doesn’t necessarily mean conditions are right for fishing. My advice is to choose favourable weather conditions. It can be a finicky time of the year to catch fish. The fish are migrating and can refuse to eat a bait or lure if conditions aren’t perfect. If there’s too much cold, fresh water in the system, stay at home. Don’t expect to catch a lot of fish just because it’s spring. Of course, the opposite can apply. There’s no doubt we’re seeing milder conditions and warmer days. Unseasonably warm weather can accelerate fish migrations and mean the fishing is in full swing by October. It all depends on the species of fish, the location and the weather.
Species
Choosing a species to target this spring is the fun part. We’re lucky in Australia and New Zealand to have a variety of species to target year-round. Best of all, that number typically increases as the weather warms. If you’re a freshwater fisho, the Australian bass season opens in spring. They’re migrating back up coastal rivers and they’re hungry after a long and cold winter. It’s by far the best time to catch a trophy fish. Unfortunately, Murray cod season is closed in spring, although there are a couple of dams in NSW where fishing is allowed year-round. Another inland native is golden perch and the warmer water typically fires them up. Golden perch can be found all throughout the Murray Darling river system in rivers, creeks and impoundments. They’re the second biggest freshwater fish in Australia and great fun to catch on lures of fresh bait. I really enjoy fishing in places such as Windamere Dam or Wyangala Dam in NSW and targeting these fish in spring. It’s important to note, given Murray cod and golden perch share the same waterways, that you use smaller lures suitable for golden perch so there’s less chance of hooking a cod.
In the salt you have any number of species to focus on during spring. Water temperatures, especially in larger harbours and offshore are more dictated by ocean currents rather than outside temperatures. The exception is the upper reaches of estuaries and saltwater creeks. For that reason, if you’re finding ocean temperatures are still running cold, it pays to focus on those upper estuaries and shallow water where a few days of sunny weather will increase the temperatures. Species such as flathead, bream, estuary perch, tailor, salmon and more are prolific during springtime. Offshore, the shoulder season is a little quiet, depending on your location, but you will still catch some tuna and the odd marlin off the East Coast. Further north, spring is a fantastic time to fish the Top End. Late spring is what’s called ‘the build up’ as the wet season get closer. The days warm up and get very humid. The storms build and the wind calms. It can be uncomfortable if you’re a southerner and not acclimatised. But it’s a great time of year to catch barramundi and a whole range of species in the tropical rivers and estuaries.
Finding fish
Success in spring often comes down to finding the fish. It may sound obvious, but it’s often overlooked. Many fish are migrating during this season. Some of the aforementioned fresh and saltwater fish are moving up rivers or down coastlines. So how do you know where they are? You can look out for fishing reports or ask your local tackle shop. You can also do some research on your chosen species and work out the details of their migration or seasonal habits. They’re typically moving through the same areas roughly on the same dates, so that’s a good option. That said, remember I mentioned that we should be looking at weather patterns or current movements rather than dates. The best option for fishing migratory fish is to spend as much time fishing as possible. The more you jump in the boat and have a cast, the more you will be in tune with the location of your chosen species. Sure, you’ll have a few fishless days, but overall you’ll have more success.
Techniques
In reality, the same techniques you use in spring will work all year. That said, I always like to slow things down in winter and spring. The water temperatures are cold until summer and the fish will need more coaxing into eating a lure or bait. Slow your retrieves and stay longer in an area before moving on. Some fish will need a while before they decide to bite. Experiment with different lures or baits and compare results between casting and trolling. Spring can be a ‘reset’ and it may take a while to work things out and recognise a pattern.
Gear prep
For many fishos, spring means peak fishing season. For that reason, I always use this time to look over my fishing tackle. I clean it up, organise it, throw out anything broken and service reels. Modern reels are incredibly reliable and hassle-free these days, making servicing and maintenance easier than ever. Even so, it’s important to organise your tackle and make sure all your gear is in good working order. It might also be time to invest in some new gear and create a system for storing your tackle. There’s a lot to consider when it comes to tackle storage and organisation, and it’s a topic that could easily fill a whole article on its own! Personally, I prefer to divide my lure boxes by species. I then pack a bag or tackle box with pliers, leaders and accessories depending on what I intend to chase. If you can afford to buy multiple sets of pliers, leaders and accessories, you’ll make it easier for yourself when out fishing.
Be prepared
Spring weather can be unpredictable. As such, you should be prepared for anything. Depending on your location, you should be ready for unseasonably bad weather. The change of seasons can be windy and the southern parts of Australia and New Zealand can be cold. I always take warm clothing and a decent rain jacket. The same goes for boating. The water is still cool and the wind can make it dangerous. If you have any doubts about the weather, stay home and wait for a day with better conditions.
Enjoy the season
Spring fishing is a lot of fun. It’s full of surprises and challenges and often some of the best fishing of the year. My advice is to fish often, experiment with techniques and slow down your fishing for the best chance of success.
By Scott Thomas