Fuzzell's Fishing Charters: Ron wets a line on the Eyre Peninsula in the West Coast region of South Australia

Back in the 1880s, the coastal town of Arno Bay on the Eyre Peninsula was a very isolated community known as Salt Creek Cove. It's where they loaded the sailing ketches with wheat and barley from inland farming communities like Cleve and Kimba. By 1940 the name was changed to Arno Bay and today it's all about fishing so we climbed aboard Grant "Fuzzell" Fenell's fishing charter boat and head for a place called 'Misery' with a promise of some King George Whiting.

But before long we come across an industry which has transformed employment prospects of the Eyre Peninsula - Aquaculture. We watch as the crew on a giant Kingfish pen owned by Clean Seas use some hi-tech camera gear to check on the fish in the pen.

Our next stop is "Housechilds Bay" where Fuzz reckons the omens look good. Soon we're rigged up and within minutes another squid is in custody - caught by the Fuzz. There's no size limit with squid and it seems no limit to the amount my host will haul in while I watch on - helplessly.

You're allowed fifteen per person… but soon we're reeling in royalty - in the form of the prized King George Whiting

Grant "Fuzzell" Fenell: "That's a horse, that's what they call a 'bum slapper'.

How big can they get? The biggest caught last year in the fishing comp was 55 centimetres by a lad who I think was only seven years old. The fish was nearly as big as him."

After thirty a minute lull my luck finally changes and I add a few squid and whiting to the haul. And soon we're back at the Arno Pub under a big fish hanging over the bar and talking about the ones that didn't get away.

It surely has to be one of the best ways to spend a day and end it with more than enough calamari and whiting to go round. Ask for Fuzzell's Fishing Charters at the pub or call him on 0428 282 271. The Arno Bay Hotel Motel has plenty of reasonably priced cabins for those who want to try their luck.

Fuzzell's Fishing Charters
Grant "Fuzzell" Fenell
0428 282 271

Arno Bay Hotel Motel
Tel el Kabir Tce
Cabins from 85 per night
Ph 8628 0001

Published 9th May 2010