On the Bite
Australian salmon featured in anglers’ bags over the past week, with fish taken from Apollo Bay all the way through to Geelong’s harbour.
Tackleworld Geelong’s Michael Moore spun up a couple of 1kg fish at Point Lonsdale’s back beach on Saturday while using a 25g Sluk lure.
Later in the day Michael headed across to Bancoora Beach with the aim of using his fresh salmon to catch gummy shark. The gummies didn’t play the game but a number of anglers caught salmon to 2kg.
Most of the beaches and rock platforms along the coast have been producing fish to similar size.
Otway Sportfishing Club hosted its annual ANSA convention at Apollo Bay over the weekend, with great weather on Saturday and wild conditions on Sunday. A great range of species was taken, notable catches including John McGregor’s 21.8kg gummy on 6kg line and Marcus Sturzaker’s 19.63kg tuna, also on 6kg line.
Whiting, snapper, flathead, school shark and trevally also featured in anglers’ captures.
Southern bluefin tuna really started to fire up over the past week, with fish of all sizes taken from Portland to Apollo Bay. Most were in the 10kg-to-20kg range but the odd larger fish to over 100kg was also taken.
Pakula and Richter skirts as well as Rapala Xraps were the most consistent lures. Anglers reported that most fish were taken on larger skirted lures, with fish found feeding on prolific mackerel schools.
Some anglers capitalised on settled conditions last week to fish the deeper water off Barwon Heads. Anchoring in 40m was the most productive, with some nice gummies and snapper boated.
Patient anglers prepared to burley for a few hours were rewarded with impressive fish, including gummies over 15kg and snapper to 5kg.
Whiting continued biting well right around the Bellarine Peninsula. Queenscliff held fish to 45cm, while good bags were taken off St Leonards and Indented on tenderised squid and pippies.
Land-based anglers also caught some impressive bags of whiting, especially at St Leonards and Portarlington Pier. Both locations also fished well for squid to 2kg on size 3 Yamashita jigs.
Wurdee Boluc Reservoir continued producing quality redfin. Tackleworld Geelong’s Adam Van Der Lugt tried the new Entice soft tail vibe lure, bagging a fish on his first cast before landing a dozen more to 45cm.
Adam said casting long and a slow, steady retrieve were the key to bagging the redfin. Anglers thinking of fishing the reservoir need to observe restrictions on wading and ensure they take their rubbish home.
The next week should present opportunities to fish for whiting in the bays or salmon along the coast when the weather permits.
