By CHRIS PITMAN
A FANTASTIC start to the year for anglers saw mighty kingfish to beast bream and anything in-between finding its way into fishing bags.
Clifton Springs was a popular location over the holiday period and with good reason. Joshua Bourke found himself anchored up just out from the Point Richards shipping channel last Friday in search snapper.
When Joshua’s rod loaded up and drag screamed he knew he had a good fish connected and after a nervous fight boated a 5.5kg 83cm long snapper.
Other anglers found great numbers of squid over the grass beds in three to five metres of water. Those wading in the shallows of an evening landed some outstanding flathead to 55cm by casting plastics.
In the lead up to Christmas, Swan Bay was producing some of the best mixed bags yet seen. Chris Saddington spent some time over New Year fishing the Swan Bay jetty. He had a ripper of a morning Christmas eve landing a well-conditioned gummy shark of 5kg and dropping another three at the jetty.
Wanting to replicate his success Chris returned to the jetty, catching a chunky pinkie snapper of just over 40cm. Chris noted that early morning starts were a key to his success.
Over at Queenscliff, the harbour is holding good numbers of silver trevally to 45cm for anglers fishing the last of the run in tide.
Out on the grass beds whiting to 40cm are on offer for anglers fishing baits such as pippie and tenderised squid.
Kingfish are on the minds of most anglers at Queenscliff and should make an appearance anytime soon.
Offshore comes into its own this time of the year. Over the holiday break smaller kingfish were taken around Charlemont reef as well as some thumping big salmon.
Matt Walker wanted to test out the new rod he received for Christmas so he ventured off Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads. He encountered good numbers of kingfish to 65cm, putting his new rod through its paces.
Further down the coast at Fishos, Ali Smith landed a snapper of 45cm fishing out of her kayak. Anglers casting lures from the beach at Bancoora encountered salmon to 2kg.
During the break many anglers travelled far and wide. Jim Robinson found himself at Lake Bullen Merri on New Year’s Eve where he took two Chinook salmon at 2.7kg and 2.2kg.
Jim was fishing in 30 meters of water and found live minnow to be extremely effective bait. Fishing as light as possible also helped him to get bites from the finicky salmon.
Anyone looking for options next week should consider chasing kingfish and salmon off Ocean Grove or Barwon Heads. Charlemont reef is another good place to start for both species.
Try jigging for the kingfish and casting small slugs for salmon. Snapper will still be on offer at the channel out from Clifton Springs, so fishing an evening tide change will see you in with the best chance.
Spinning the beaches around Lorne for salmon will remain productive. Lake Bullen Merri will be worth the time for Chinook salmon. Drifting lightly weighted pilchard fillets should see you find a one or two.
Send reports and photos to info@raylongtackle.com.au. All photos go in Tackle World Geelong’s draw for a monthly prize.
