Leeuwin Current and FADs providing rare bumper catch of dolphinfish for Albany sport-anglers say Recfishwest

Albany’s recreational fishers are hauling in a bumper catch of dolphinfish thanks to an extra strong Leeuwin Current and fish aggregation devices attracting the warm water species to the south coast. Dolphinfish are a rare find in southerly temperate waters but the Leeuwin Current — a flow of warm water from the State’s north each summer — has brought with it a plethora of tropical species. Baitfish that use fish aggregation devices, such as buoys or floats, as shelter are also attracting fish like mahi-mahi, tuna, and marlin. Albany angler Alesandro Daniele was fishing near a FAD, which are moored 11-16 nautical miles offshore, when he scored a dolphinfish bonanza. “It was one of the most insane bits of surface fishing action I’ve ever experienced,” he said. “We landed 20 dollies off 20 casts casting stickbaits — there were hundreds of fish out there. “We released most of them but kept a few of the smaller ones which are good to eat. “They’re also very sustainable because they are so fast-growing.” Recfishwest spokesperson Ben Carlish said catching dolphinfish used to be extremely rare. “A number of years ago, captures of these fantastic-looking sportfish would have been practically unheard of, but that all changed when Recfishwest introduced the Albany FADs in 2019,” he said. Albany’s Scott Coghlan also made use of the FADs, reporting good numbers of dolphinfish around his boat. “When we got out there, fish were jumping out of the water and as we got closer the water was lit up with the dolphinfish,” the Western Angler editor said. “It’s another great new facet of fishing in Albany — adding something really different into the mix. “Long may the FADs continue.” Fishing off FADs means recreational fishers switch species, giving fish stocks — such as pink snapper and dhufish — a chance to recover.