Port Macquarie Blue Water Fishing Club president Geoff Shelton says he expects it will be another six to eight months before bigger fish start to appear on the artificial reef.
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Mr Shelton went fishing on Sunday, April 23 with other club members. There were nine boats on the water.
He said the conditions out on the reef were quite quiet. Each boat caught about six or seven kilograms of fish.
Mr Shelton said the reason behind why there were not many fish caught might be due to the storm which hit the Mid North Coast in early March.
He said there is a saying that when there is a drought on land there is a drought out to sea. He said the same message might apply when storms and flooding occur.
The catch on April 23 included fish species Mulloway, Flathead, Snapper and Mr Shelton caught a 5.22 kilogram Mack Tuna.
The reef has become a popular attraction for those keen about fishing.
Mr Shelton said before the artificial reef was deployed boats had to travel for kilometres offshore.
He said there is about 100 square kilometres of sand directly off Port Macquarie, labelling it as a ‘desert’.
Mr Shelton made reference to Shoalhaven’s artificial reef which he said was put in about 12 months before the one at Port Macquarie.
He said that reef is only just starting to have big fish on it and expects it will still be a few months before the reef at Port Macquarie experiences the same.
The artificial reef was deployed off the coast of Port Macquarie in February, 2016.