Over the next few weeks we are going to be sailing up from Kettering through Dunalley canal up through Mercury Passage to freycinet. We have Tasmanian Anchorage guide and also Capt Jacks Tassie guide. Anyone got any tips on that part of the world including Marion Narrows?
http://www.mast.tas.gov.au/domino/mast/mastweb.nsf/v-lu-all/Publications~Denison+Canal+-+Transit+Information?OpenDocument
This looks very good - although the silly authorities say it must not be used for navigation.
Have someone stand up front with polaroid sunnies on, looking out for any hazards as you slowly motor through. Hand signal's back to the helmsman.
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Chinaman's Bay/Cove at Maria Island reputedly has flathead. Trolling over sand next to the weed can be good.
Everytime we have gone through the canal and narrows we have tried to make sure we are pushing the tide. If you are going with the 3-4 knot current it is hard to go slow and keep steerage where as if you are pushing against the tide you can keep half throttle and only be doing 1-2 knots over the ground or into the rocks!!
Best flathead fishing I have ever experienced was right in the middle of Wineglass. 60cm+ fish as fast as we could pull them up with regualr double hook ups. Also good place for crays and abs along the southern shore on the way out/in.
Thanks for the tips guys.
We made it through the denison canal and marion narrows. I went into the canal with the tide flowing into blackmans. I can see what you mean about keeping the steerage when going through the gap at the bridge was interesting. I dont know what the hype was about marion narrows, crossed it one hour before top of tide with no issues.
Anchored in Encampment Cove at Maria Island which had good protection form the NW. Fishing was good with plenty of flathead and a couple of australian salmon and a two gummies. We are now stuck in Triabunna with the WNW winds tassie is currently experiencing
Im tied up at the seafish tasmania wharf about 5km out of town. Rang the pub "spring Bay Hotel" (near the wharf in town) to enquire about the local taxi service. There was none, however the publican organised a local fisherman to pick me up on his way to town, and the publican got one of the locals to mind the bar and ran me back himself after a meal... I'd say its changed hands :)
