Crays craze off to slow start

Despite there being plenty of rock lobsters to catch, fickle weather has produced a slower than expected start to the season for recreational fishers in the South West.

The recreational rock lobster season began on October 15 with predictions from the Department of Fisheries there would be plenty of crayfish to catch.

Bunbury friends Leigh Trigwell and Trevor Billinghurst were among the fishers diving for crayfish off Bunbury's coast on Tuesday.

Mr Trigwell said it was his second time diving since the recreational season began.

"The visibility was quite low in the shallows on both days, we caught 11 crayfish between us on Tuesday but they were hard-fought," he said.

"There were lots more crayfish this year compared to last year but they were difficult to catch and a bit skittish."

Mr Trigwell said he only noticed a few other people catching crayfish on both days he was out.

"When we got back to the Bunbury and Districts Power Boat Club on Tuesday at 2pm there were no other boats," he said.

"It was a bit gusty on Thursday and Friday and I think the rain and bad weather contributed to the poor conditions but I believe it will settle later this week."

Getaway Outdoors Bunbury retail assistant Bonita Vinck said people were still going out despite the tough conditions.

"The people using pots are having some success but the recent swell created a problem with visibility but I believe the divers have still got some crayfish," she said.

"The cray snares and bait for pots have been popular at the store this week."