On the bite
ONE OF Australia’s greatest runs of big southern bluefin tuna continued on our doorstep over the past week, with fish to 155kg taken from Apollo Bay to Port Macdonald.
Apollo Bay produced the majority of ‘barrels’ – tuna over 80kg – over the past couple of days. Water around Cape Otway was the most productive for anglers trolling Rapala Xrap 30s and large Tornado skirted lures.
Numerous multiple hook-ups were reported but boating more than one tuna at a time was rare due to the extended fights needed.
Kevin Mcloughin, Col Sheppard and Kaide Love set out from Apollo Bay before sunrise on Saturday to avoid the record launch time at the boat ramp. One of their rods buckled over and screamed off line late in the afternoon, with the boys finally landing a 102kg fish in the dark four hours later.
Closer to home, Mark Sesar and Adrian Cole spent a few hours targeting salmon and mullet in the Barwon River estuary as bait for a trip to Portland. Using chicken and prawns amid a strong berley trail, they caught both species but were surprised when a school of silver trevally to almost 1kg moved in for some specular fights on light gear.
Anglers spinning the beaches and rock platforms surrounding Lorne banked salmon to 2.5kg. The rocks were better for both numbers and size.
Snapper reports began trickling in from Corio Bay, with areas such as the quarries and spoil grounds producing the odd quality fish to 7 kg. Fishing into the night helped, along with fresh squid as bait.
On the freshwater front, many anglers made their annual pilgrimage for trout opening. Tackleworld Geelong’s Adam Van Der Lught tried Gippsland where he banked brown trout to 500g while walking small streams with hard-body lures.
Lake Bullen Merri produced rainbow trout and Chinook salmon to 1.5kg on Powerbait fished from the edges. Anglers who fished into the night caught the larger fish.
Redfin to 900g continued biting in the Barwon River above Queen’s Park. Lures such as Atomic Shads in the 017 colour and cast hard among the snags worked a treat, with the afternoon bite best.
The odd carp was also taken in the Barwon on super-sweet corn cornels and bread baits. The carp were spread throughout the whole freshwater section, so plenty of access was available.
For fishing options over the next week, the world-class southern bluefin fishery on our doorstep should continue to be worth fishing. Snapper could be another saltwater option, with anglers advised to spend a few evening hours at the Point Richards channel.
Freshwater enthusiasts should try Wurdee Boluc Reservoir for large brown trout on scrub worms or mudeyes suspended under floats.
