Port Broughton Fishing Charter: Amber tests the water in the Yorke Peninsula region of South Australia
With 600 kilometres of coastline, the Yorke Peninsula is a fisherman's dream - boating, crabbing, rock hopping or fishing from the beach - they are all favourite pass times. Then there are the jetties - for decades these local landmarks have been the spot to drop a line for a feed of thommies, gar or whiting.
At Port Broughton, an easy two-hour drive north west of Adelaide, the jetty reaches out to the deep channel, which is home to a fleet of professional prawn and crab boats. But it wasn't that long ago this was home port to a much bigger - wind-powered fishing fleet.
About five kilometres north of Port Broughton is a little settlement that gives a whole new meaning to the phrase, 'shackies heaven'. Fisherman's Bay isn't just confined to men - come the holidays there are plenty of women and children here and they all fish.
That helps explain the quirky street names in the little shack town which is all but deserted during the week - but come the holidays is a bustling metropolis of fishing fanatics. So time to test the water… and to do that I enlist the help of local Port Broughton Charter operator, Stuie Robb. Conditions are perfect as we set off - being careful to keep to the channel alongside the stands of mangroves bordering Mundoora Reach.
Stuie Robb: "Port Broughton itself is a very sheltered port because of the mangroves and you've got Shag Island - once again that's an important nursery area for the fish and the breeding of seabirds as well."
Soon, we're out into Spencer Gulf and Stuie sets the auto-pilot for one of his favourite snapper grounds. Forty minutes of cruising later and the sounder tells us we're 25 nautical miles west of Port Broughton in 15 metres of water. While lots of boats are working the nearby wreck of the "Illusion", Stuie's local knowledge tells him this is 'the spot'.
Stuie Robb: "There are a lot of smaller wrecks and banks around here where the snapper, you get whiting out here as well, but mainly people fish for snapper out here."
We get the rods in and it's not long before we're hooked up. Every angler boasts about a secret weapon - something that gives him or her the edge over the next boat or the bloke further along the jetty. Now, while Stuie's not telling us all of his tricks he has shared a few - after all he near guarantees you'll get a feed. And, there are some good tips a new booklet - 'A Fishing Guide to Yorke Peninsula.' It's the definitive guide to all types of fishing on the peninsula - great for people just starting out right through to hard-nosed boaties like Stuie.
With a decent feed in the esky we call it a day and head back to Port Broughton. But my seafood experience isn't over yet - next stop is Palate 2 Palette - a local restaurant that brings together good food and good art. We watch on as Palate 2 Palette chef, Jeff prepares our snapper in one of his favourite recipes - a pan-fried snapper cutlet with a cafier lime leaf sauce.
Not a bad way to end a day - a feed of fresh Spencer Gulf snapper, cooked in a favourite Yorke Peninsula restaurant. Stuie's Charter and Fishing operates from Port Broughton all year round. All gear and bait is included in his half and full day charters. Palate 2 Palette is at 6 Bay Street in Port Broughton and is open daily. And the new Yorke Peninsula fishing guide is available free from all tourism outlets. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au
Stuie's Charter & Fishing
Port Broughton
Bait & tackle supplied
Ph 0419 817 493Palate 2 Palette
6 Bay Street
Port Broughton
Ph: 8635 2552Yorke Peninsula Fishing Guide
Available from tourism outlets
www.yorkepeninsula.com.auPublished 3rd May 2009
