Whiting abounds around coast

Anglers seeking whiting were spoilt for choice last week, with fish wide spread from St Leonards through to Queenscliff.
St Leonards held fish to 38cm, with bag-limit captures taken quickly by anglers on the right marks. The Queenscliff whiting were larger but harder to catch, although persistent anglers still achieved bag-limit captures.
Fresh tenderised squid was the clear standout bait, especially on the larger fish.
Leon Robbins fished Queenscliff Harbour on Monday night for squid, landing seven while casting jigs around the moored boats. Other anglers fishing inside the harbour over the past week caught silver trevally on Gulp turtleback worms cast into the cut with 1/8oz jig heads during the last of the incoming tide.
The Barwon River estuary continued producing elephant fish in large numbers. The Thunderbolt area upstream fished well for anglers using strips of fresh squid, which also attracted the odd mulloway.
Emily Whitford fished the estuary for elephants to 1.98kg on 1kg line. Silver trevally were also caught, some almost 40cm.
The estuary also numerous juvenile tailor, which plagued anglers’ baits.
Anglers spinning rock platforms along the Great Ocean Road caught Australian salmon. Tackleworld Geelong’s Michael Moore caught a salmon of around 1.5kg while spinning with metal lures from rocks near Kennet River.
Andrew Orchard and Bruce Munro ventured out from Apollo Bay for a great session in 50m off Marengo. Drifting baits, they boated numerous flathead and a nice-sized gummy shark on octopus and salmon baits.
Freshwater fishing is really starting to fire, promising an exceptional season over winter.
Adam Van Der Lugt and Ross Gould began fishing Wurdee Boluc Reservoir before daybreak on Sunday. Their determination paid off when Adam hooked a brown trout of 2.5kg on his first cast with a Daiwa TD95 minnow.
Adam was still battling his fish when Ross hooked a 2.8kg brown on a Fish Arrow soft plastic. Both fish were in remarkable condition, which gave the duo a run for their money on light tackle.
Andrew Orchard tried Lake Purrumbete. While trolling slowly around 7am, he caught a 2.5kg Chinook salmon on a flat-lined Daiwa Double Clutch lure.
Ballarat’s Lake Wendouree fished well for brown trout and redfin. The trout averaged 1.5kg and 40cm reddies were common.
Next week should provide opportunities for elephant fish in the Barwon estuary, squid between Indented Heads and Queenscliff, and bluefin around Lawrence Rock, off Portland. Freshwater anglers should consider fishing Wurdee Boluc.