Recfishwest

Cray days are coming with the annual ‘whites run’! One of WA’s leading western rock lobster experts, DPIRD Principal Research Scientist, Dr Simon de Lestang, has forecast a terrific 2021-22 run this summer.

By the time this Fishing Monthly has gone to print, the 2020-21 would likely be in full swing – with early predictions it would get underway in mid-November.

For the State’s more than 50,000 licensed cray fishers who are keen to head out to get a bag of crays this summer years once the crays have matured to a legal size.

This data allows DPIRD to make accurate seasonal forecasts.

Although the puerulus settlement for the 2017 season was just below 2016’s levels, Dr de Lestang said fishers are still highly likely enjoy big bags of crayfish catches this summer.

“It’s going to be a much more solid run than we’d ever have expected based off the puerulus because of the residual lobster that were left in the water from last

Recfishwest Operations Manager Leyland Campbell is among cray enthusiasts who pull pots before work during the run.

before heading to work, this is fantastic news.

Dr de Lestang told Recfishwest the abundance of crayfish is set to produce plenty of nearshore fishing activity, as crays begin their annual migration to deeper waters.

“We’re expecting another terrific season,” he said.

“We’re getting amazing measures of lobster in shallow waters – really good numbers of reds, some of which are currently just undersized and also many which are legal.

“Once they begin to walk, the nearshore fishing opportunities for people with pots or those diving will be fantastic.” PREDICTING THE FUTURE

DPIRD collect the puerulus – a juvenile stage of a cray – with specialised buoys mimicking natural algae habitat where juvenile crayfish like to settle to forecast crayfish

abundance each season.

This method allows DPIRD researchers determine how many puerulus have concentrated on these buoys for each new moon period and then determine upcoming recruitment trends and patterns.

The settlement information has a strong correlation with crayfish catches in about four year,” he said.

“These residual lobster are going to ensure this is a much stronger run.”

WHITE WALKERS

The start of the annual whites run varies, but it is usually a safe bet that the whites will begin their northwesterly walk sometime around late November and The nearshore fishing opportunities for potters or divers during the whites run is world-class.

early December.

As all seasoned cray fishers will tell you, the reason it is dubbed the ‘whites run’ is relatively simple: A ‘white’ cray is a colloquial way to describe crayfish which have freshly moulted with their new soft, pale shell.

It is easy to identify a pre-moulted cray because they have a hard, dark red shell.

Juvenile crays settle along seagrass beds and rocky habitat close to shore and when they reach sexual maturity – at about three to four years – they migrate from this inshore habitat.

During the migration, crays set off towards deeper offshore reef platforms in a northwesterly direction – this is where the ‘run’ in ‘whites run’ comes from. A FIRM FIXTURE IN THE

FISHING CALENDAR

Once crays start their march, it is an annual phenomenon that generates a lot of excitement among cray fishers, with the annual migration providing awesome fishing opportunities for potters and divers.

What makes the whites run even better, Recfishwest Operations Officer Aaron Moses said, is that the action taking place at many reefs is relatively close to shore.

“The whites run is a major part of WA’s fishing calendar,” he said.

“The nearshore crayfish abundance during the whites run is what underpins this awesome fishing experience which sends fishers, like myself, ‘cray-zy’.

“During the run, it’s a common sight to see mad-keen crayfishers queuing up at most boat ramps from 4am to get out and pull their pots or go for a quick dive before work.

“I’m one of those heading to the local boat ramp, and trust me, it’s actually easy to spring out of a bed to hit the water when you know the potential reward is a feed of crays.”

THE INSIDE TRACK

ON THE HOT SPOTS

The nearshore abundance during the annual whites run is the contributing factor to more than half of WA’s total recreational cray catch taking place from December to February.

The awesome western rock lobster fishing is a testament to great fisheries management.

During the run, many nearshore locations to the north and south of Perth produce great numbers of crayfish.

For Perth-based fishers who are potting for crays this summer, Dr de Lestang suggested Two Rocks, Mindarie and Garden Island will be strong performing metro locations.

From page 110

proud of two of our Leaders for paving the way for future females in the industry. We congratulate Lee Spyrou and Chantal Meehan for being recognised and voted in as the most suited to the new positions they now hold in their fishing club – APYAC.

Lee is the first ever female to become the Albert Park Yachting and Angling Club Boat Captain, and Chantal is also the first female to hold Club Secretary. Now this club has been around since 1909 so what a mighty feat this is! Well done to you both. MEMBERS BRAG MAT

Tina Mellett and Jo Fyfe had a great snapper session out on Western Port and shared a few of their tips and hints within the group!

Emma-Jean Sommers and Leader Michelle Brittain headed out on a girls’ trip for some squid fishing. Emma tells us there is nothing better than spending the day on the water with friends – and we completely agree!

“It was such a fun day on the water targeting squid, a cook up, laughs and banter. Just what the doctor ordered after a long lockdown. To be able to go out on the boat and fish with female friends is so refreshing and builds confidence and independence.” – Michelle.

Greta Duff, who is still relatively new to fly fishing proves that practice makes perfect with her recent trip.

“I have only been fly fishing for a year, however I had never fished the infamous Steavenson River until recently. It was a peculiar day weather wise, with sun showers and even hail at some points. However, the fishing was absolutely amazing. Targeting pockets and deep pools with my euro-nymphing set up meant I was able to hook some spectacular trout. As always, I lost a few in between the others that I caught, but hey, that is fishing!

“I was very pleased with my two fish however, they were great size and also in good condition after winter, which is always lovely to see. The brown coming out of a lovely deep pool and my rainbow from the soft seam in some fast water. I can definitely see why the Steavenson River is such popular trout country and looking forward to get back on there,” said Greta.

One is never too old to fish. Check out the amazing 90 year old, Sylvia Francis, who had always wanted to try fishing and had never caught nor held a fish in her lifetime. And starting off with this ‘stonker’ of a trout, well it’s safe to say she has absolutely succeeded in her quest! • To stay up to date and see what else has been happening within the network and for upcoming events, please head to our Facebook group www.facebook.com/ groups/womenrecfishing/, @wirfnetwork Instagram page or via the VFA website/ Facebook page. Are you a WIRF member? If not, we’d love to have you on board! Join us on FB today.