On the Bite, by Chris Pitman
The Barwon River estuary produced respectable mixed bags over the past weeks.
The deeper sections just up from the Barwon Heads Bridge fished well for King George whiting and small Australian salmon. The bank along Sheepwash Road provided much the same action along with the odd bream.
Surf anglers again enjoyed sensational fishing, with Jan Juc giving up plenty of salmon to a thumping 2kg on bait and lure. Bancoora produced similar results, although I only found a few smaller fish while spinning the beach on Sunday morning.
Corio Bay was again a safe bet for flathead and pinkie snapper around structure, while garfish kept land-based anglers busy during the less-windy days.
Portarlington’s new harbour was a new hot spot for land-based anglers seeking pinkie snapper, whiting, squid and salmon. Casting three-inch minnow-style plastics around the inside of the harbour caught salmon to 35cm, while pilchards cast outside accounted for larger specimens along with pinkies.
Squid were relatively easy to catch between Clifton Spring and St Leonards. Drifting in 4m to 5m around reef and weed patches worked well.
The area’s whiting were sometimes eluding anglers but fishing though sunset generally produced a few catches.
Freshwater fishing continued firing up, with Lake Bullen Merri giving up Chinook salmon to almost 2kg on lightly weighted pilchard fillets deep.
Lake Bolac fished well for rainbow trout. Trolling Rapala F-5 and F-7s or fishing with Powerbait from the bank help land remarkably conditioned trout reaching 2kg.
Wurdee Boluc Reservoir lived up to its reputation as The Lake of 1000 Casts, proving hits and misses on redfin to just over 40cm.
St Augustine’s Water Hole, at Highton, was a great place for the kids using Powerbait and small hard-body lures to catch recently stocked rainbow trout.
The Barwon River between Breakwater and Queen’s Park held plenty of carp, with fish to 8kg grassed.
Next week should provide opportunities to fish land-based for squid at St Leonards at for a mixed bag at Portarlington’s new harbour. Freshwater fishos should keep casting away at Wurdee Boluc for a big brown trout.
