On the Bite, by Chris Pitman
Anglers were spoilt for choice over the past week, with most species on fire.
Kingfish went nuts right along the coast as reports of tuna inside Port Phillip Heads sent excitement levels into overdrive.
Anglers caught kingies on many different methods. Jigging was successful in the heads area and offshore, while fishing live baits like squid, slimy mackerel and yakkas was a great way to tangle with some of the larger specimens.
Tuna went strong from Portland all the way to Port Phillip Heads. Last weekend large schools were reported inside the heads, with a few fish to 15kg taken on smaller-profile lures such as the Sea Iron Pelacus.
Larger plastics like the nine-inch Slug-go or 10-inch 10-I nch Hogy could also be worth casting at these tuna as well as kings.
The grammar school lagoon also fished well. Tony Hynds had an awesome session casting Atomic Hardz in the Matt Ayu colour around the moored boats, catching beam to 35cm and pinkies as well as a couple of much bigger fish that blew him off.
Quality snapper were still moving around the outer-harbour. Nicholas Hinks and father Stuart anchored near the edge of the channel off Portarlington where they caught an 85cm fish.
Plenty of snapper from 2kg to 4kg were also taken along the channel’s edge on fresh baits such as pilchards, silver whiting and squid.
Freshwater anglers again had success at Stony Creek Reservoir. Rainbow and brown trout to just over 1kg were a common capture on lures cast out from the rock wall.
The Barwon River was a hot spot for redfin to 35cm. Small hard-body lures worked hard against the bank caught plenty of fish, with Queen’s Park an ideal place to start the search for redfin.
Some big carp to 6kg kept kids busy toward the end of the school break, with corn and worms being the most successful baits.
This weekend’s settled weather should provide more opportunities to chase tuna hanging around the heads as well as kingfish also in the area at the moment. Snapper enthusiasts should target the outer harbour as the place to be.
