King George Whiting and Flinders Ranges

Al,

ANYTIME is the best time to see the Flinders Ranges.
It just depends if you like a little bit of water mixed into the equation.

During the winter months when it's more likely to rain, the creeks and riverbeds can sometimes make driving progress that little more difficult through the gorges, depending on where you wish to go.

Late spring is probably a good time as there would still be water in the creeks, but not "aggressively" flowing.

Now, about the whiting. Doesn't matter what time of the year I fish for them, they always seem to be elsewhere. Actually I blame it on my mate who owns a reasonable sized boat. He is so bloody impatient. If we're not "on" in 5 minutes, he wants to up anchor and try somewhere else.

Although KG Whiting can be caught all year round, Winter is the time when they are most prolific. A boat will give you the best chance and it doesn't have to be all that big. I go to Stansbury on the York Peninsula and have good success fishing for both KG Whiting and Garfish from my little 12 foot (3.4 metre) tinnie in the inshore waters of the bay. Port Hughes and Port Victoria on the other side of York Peninsula are also good spots but I have to put up with my impatient natured mate as the bigger 20 foot Haines is the better option here. But boy, when you get on a patch of whiting, you can chuck the rod in the bottom of the boat. All you need is a $2.00 handline, sinker, hooks (about a 4 or 5) and a bag of cockles. A fishing rod just gets in the way when you drop into a school of whiting that are "suicidal".

So, Late Winter and Spring is the better time for fishing. Anytime is good for me in the Flinders. I like the wet and I like the dry.


I have also been told, but haven't yet tried it, that

If it helps, the King George Whiting are biting here in Geelong now and should be for quite a while longer I reckon till next year.

Flinders is pretty dry though this year.

Flinders ranges:
Summer hot and sometimes wet. Winter cold at night and sometimes wet. In heavy rain some roads become impassable very quickly. I always think early to mid spring is the best.


KG Whiting
Whiting are migratory so they tend to move around. They can be difficult to find if you are not in the know. In reality a boat with a good sounder greatly increases your chances. I usually go with the brother in law and we usually reach the boat limit. He is the one with the knowledge I'm just along for the ride. They move from the gullfs to Kangaroo Island (and other islands). So the best time varies depending on where you go.

Steve