February Fishing Report 2026

Store NewsTasmanian Fishing ReportTasmanian Trout Fishing

2 Mar

The inshore reef fishing for Stripey Trumpeter and Morwong Perch on the Tasman Peninsula has been productive

Good weather has made for some great fishing…

Saltwater

Bluefin Tuna
Good numbers of larger fish are being caught around the Mewstone, with several solid Southern Bluefin pushing well over the 100kg mark been caught recently. Trolling skirted lures and deep-diving hard bodies has been productive, while those prepared to cube and fish deeper are finding the better-quality fish holding below the bait schools. Weather windows have been tight, so make the most of the calm days.

Yellowfin Tuna
Reports from St Helens have confirmed a few Yellowfin Tuna landed over recent weeks.
While not in big numbers yet, the captures are a promising sign. Most fish have been taken wide in warmer current lines and around bait concentrations. Keep an eye on water temps — once they stabilise, the bite should improve.

Marlin
The marlin run has started strongly off St Helens, with multiple Striped Marlin hooked and landed most days in around the 200m mark. Trolling skirted lures along current edges and temperature breaks has been the go-to method. With good bait presence and favourable currents, this season is shaping up to be a standout.

Swordfish
The odd broadbill has been caught over the last few weeks when currents and weather have permitted wider trips.
Most fish are coming from deep drops during the day in 400m+ depths. With stable weather patterns, expect more consistent reports in the coming weeks.

Bream
Fish are now well spread throughout the Derwent River, with reports from above the paper mill right down to Ralphs Bay. Soft plastics and lightly weighted baits have been effective, particularly around structure, rock walls and moored boats. Early mornings and late afternoons are producing the better sessions.

Salmon
Large numbers of solid fish have been caught off Tranmere, Blackmans Bay and Cremorne. Casting metal slugs into surface bust-ups has been very effective. Keep an eye out for bird activity, as schools are moving quickly but feeding aggressively.

Squid

Adventure Bay, Margate and Opossum Bay have all been producing good numbers of squid over the last few weeks.
A good tip is to match your squid jig base colour to the time of day:

Silver/Natural tones – Midday
Reds, Pinks & Oranges – Mornings and evenings

Fishing over weed beds in 2–5 metres of water during tide changes has been particularly productive.

Kingfish
Kingfish have been very few and far between locally this season. However, fresh reports suggest good numbers have shown up along the east coast from Bicheno down to Port Arthur. With some smaller school also getting sited throughout the channel. Strip baits and knife jigs around reef systems, mooring buoys, boat hulls and bait schools are giving anglers the best chance.

Flathead
Many anglers sadly may enjoy their last chance to keep Sand flathead from the southern parts of the state with the pending closure.

Numbers remain consistent across most sand and mud grounds. Drifting with strip baits, squid or soft plastics in 5–30 metres has been productive, with some quality fish mixed in among the usual table-sized catches.

Striped Trumpeter
Reports indicate a steady trickle of striped trumpeter coming from deeper offshore reefs in 60–120 metres. Fresh bait fished close to the bottom has been key. As always, pick your weather carefully and target reef structure for best results.

Snapper
Small pinkies have been caught in most bays and estuaries over the last month, with a few larger fish taken by lucky anglers fishing deeper reef edges and during low-light periods. Fresh squid and pilchards remain the standout baits.

Freshwater

Great Lake
Has been a standout with a good number of healthy Brown and Rainbow trout being caught, early morning has been the most successful with the fly rod while lure fisherman has found good success all day long.

Bronte
Some lovely fish continue to get caught with the average size remaining better than most years. Trolling has been one of the most productive ways of getting good numbers of fish with better models hanging in the cooler water in the middle of the lake.

Woods
After a fairly quite early season woods has started to fire up with some good numbers of smaller fish starting to get caught. Fly fisherman have had some very productive mornings with fish seen actively feeding on the surface.

Tyenna
Lower levels have made fishing a little tougher but plenty of fish are being seen rising to caddis.

Styx
Smaller numbers of fish are being caught but the average size remains very good. If you like a bit more of a challenge and the chance of a really nice fish the Styx is a great option.

Nineteen lagoons
Fishing has been tough with water temps starting to get quite high. deeper lakes have been more productive and early mornings are seeing the best action.

IFS News

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