I miss the South Mole......

[@edwardcandlish3641]

❤ the video andy, agree with everything you said 👍👍👍

[@paddlefisher]

Cheers mate!

[@MafiaMiniMan]

Andy I agree with what your saying its getting more and more limited for fisherman and as you say its sad that the actions of the few ruin so much for the many across the board... respect mate

[@paddlefisher]

Cheers mate, hopefully it reopens in the very near future....Freo Ports just finalising a few things then should be good to go!

[@dfjmadventures]

Well said Andy. Our fishing spots in Perth are drying up for sure, particularly in the last few years, often in response to issues that recreational fishing has little or nothing to do with. Unfortunately, we're given little consideration as we seem to be (in my opinion) the consistent minority. There's always something or someone more important to satisfy than a few fishos wetting a line in the early morning it seems! I also have many fond memories of South Mole - hopefully it reopens fully soon - the Paddlefisher has spoken!

[@paddlefisher]

Cheers Paz, it's an unfortunate part of our current society that the noisy minority (or in this case the poorly behaved minority) control the outcome for the silent majority. More and more fishing spots will be lost because people can not treat their environment with the respect it deserves. I am hopeful of a positive outcome but for now that's all it is...hope.

[@fishwithchris03]

That's minus the spot where we can fish. Im sure closing the mole has a reason. Hope it reopens soon enough. Thanks for the info mate.😮😮😮

[@paddlefisher]

Cheers mate, hope it opens soon!

[@Azz151515]

I had my leg amputated as a kid, so I get around on a prosthetic leg so those accessible fishing spots are really important to me. Also a bit of a misanthrope so I don't really like fishing in the crowded areas where we seem to be funnelled into nowadays. 12 months ago I managed to fish from the rocks off Woodman Point boat ramp, on the Dept of Transport side, where the little beach is, security drove up on me and asked if I'd caught anything and how I'd got there. I told them that I had just walked and they said that I wasn't harming anyone, so enjoy my day fishing. Now there is a bit sign up there saying no trespassing o fishing, I suppose it's fair enough, it just sucks. That area has been blocked off with concrete from the road side now - I'd seen rough-sleepers and campers up on there in the past.

[@paddlefisher]

We seem to be losing more and more access, something of a concern for the future. Cheers mate.

[@John-kl3ue]

Well said mate ..I live in Mount magnet and only get to Perth now and then ..my wife and I love to go fishing ..hopefully it reopens ..didn’t they close under the old canning bridge as well ..I noticed old jetty’s disappearing as well ..

[@Kinglachlan_price]

its is reopened google it :)

[@paddlefisher]

Cheers mate, hopefully common sense will prevail and it reopens soon!

[@davidbombara1070]

Love this video well said...

[@paddlefisher]

Cheers mate!

[@bladeuser101]

You are spot on mate. This banning of fishing spots is happening all over WA and theyre closing more and more beaches to 4x4s also . This is a deliberate and orchestrated agenda they are also closeing camping and forest areas all over the state or forcing every one into caravan parks or crowded camping areas where you have to put up with drunken idiots and music blairing. gone are the days where you were free to camp by yourself and enjoy nature, which to me is the whole reason i want to get out of the city. As for people camping on the Mole as well as many other places this government has made it so difficult to be able to afford the high cost of rents, homelessness is getting out of control,

[@paddlefisher]

Yeah, it is not as simple as just a few back packers making a mess, some people have no choice but to live in their vehicle. As for camping and beach access, unfortunately it is the actions of the few that often impacts the access of the many. Hopefully common sense prevails in this case.

[@GraemeFrench-c6p]

Thanks for your thoughts. Well said. Fremantle Ports currently reviewing situation following a public comment period. Lot of pressure on them to reopen. I would appreciate it if you could forward video and comments to Fremantle Ports review group to view.

[@paddlefisher]

Cheers mate, hopefully Fremantle Ports review leads to a reopening soon!

[@briantennant6191]

You’re right Andy, people are dick heads, especially in large groups. We’ve had that happen a lot here in the U.S. but since it’s usually the government doing the closing, common sense never prevails. Hopefully your people do better, I’ll keep my eyes crossed for ya.

[@paddlefisher]

Cheers Brian, as the saying goes, "Common sense isn't that common." I will keep my fingers (and eyes) crossed for a positive outcome! 😁

[@Trent.willcox]

Well said mate

[@paddlefisher]

Cheers mate!

[@Podge.]

Such a shame Andy have fished there plenty of times loved fishing there and watching the ships come in and out surly there are other avenues they could try before shutting it down but it’s like camping spots Andy getting shut down through idiots that don’t care unfortunately we can’t stop it but I feel there are other ways to rectify the situation rather than painting everyone with the same brush

[@paddlefisher]

Cheers Podge, hopefully we will regain access soon but unfortunately the easiest way for Fremantle Ports to deal with the issue is to shut the gates...hoping we get good news soon and can drive back out there for a fish!

[@maxguesdon8325]

should just give access to people with fishing permits

[@paddlefisher]

Hopefully access is returned to anyone who wants to use the mole responsibly.

[@Kinglachlan_price]

am i wrong but i googled it and it says its reopened

[@paddlefisher]

Open to pedestrians, not vehicles.

[@rosco9387]

Thanks Andy, warranted gum flapping !!! Unfortunately restrictions to public access areas are becoming a sign of the times. Freo (Hamy Hill) lad myself, used to fish around the groin to the left of bathers beach and south mole, caught some great tailor and silver bream there. Definitely not an easy fix as there are multiple reasons and aspects to a complex issue, as you mentioned some folk are homeless and have nowhere to go so need to camp/squat somewhere. The housing crisis is ridiculous, one the cost to buy or rent plus the availability or lack of. There’s a lot of people living week to week and does not take much to tip the balance into unaffordable territory. As you mentioned, not all people that camp out are dickheads, they have nowhere to go. I guess on the other end of the spectrum there are genuine dickheads that seriously lack a few million brain cells, call them Darwin Award candidates!!! I’ve seen posts on KZbin of clowns in 4x4s down at Tim’s Thicket and other places cutting up in the dunes, I mean Duh ! The odds of them being caught by a local shire ranger would be minimal, it’s generally the damage and aftermath that’s seen and reported to authorities but the damage is already done. I’m thinking that’s where the reaction from shires to close public access to these areas comes from, they don’t have the recourses to police 24/7 and so they shouldn’t, people should be trusted to do the right thing and most do. Once again it’s a few muppets that screw it up for the majority. Anyway tight lines mate hope you get that pinkie soon. 🎣

[@paddlefisher]

Cheers Rosco, it's a tough situation for some people with no option but to sleep in their vehicles...it's a shame that others causing problems has led to the current situation. As I have said, hopefully common sense prevails and the mole reopens soon!