On the Bite, by Chris Pitman
Clifton Springs was busy over the past week, with anglers boating whiting, squid, flathead, gummy shark and, of course snapper.
Whiting schooled in large numbers over the Curlewis Bank just out from Hermlesy Road, some nudging 40cm.
The nearby weed beds provided fresh squid for bait for anglers using 2.5-sized jigs.
Gummies were often a by-catch for snapper anglers such as Danny Sparks and Kevin Hunter.
Danny was fishing a squid strip out wide off Point Richards on Sunday only to catch a gummy shark of 7.45kg.
Snapper anglers were successful around Wilson Spit area and toward Alcoa Pier.
Swan Bay’s main channel continued fishing well for impressive sized salmon on bait and lure.
The incoming tide was best for keeping lures free of weed.
Queenscliff is a hot spot for big squid, with the grass beds to the east of the harbour holding good numbers.
Point Lonsdale Bight produced whiting and respectable-sized pinkie snapper.
James Gillians casting 3.5-inch Z-Man grubs in Queenscliff Harbour for a bag-limit capture of salmon to 35cm.
Tackleworld Geelong’s Michael Moore enjoyed some land-based squid action at Queenscliff during the week, noting that casting right out was essential to success.
The Barwon River estuary fished well for King George whiting from the entrance through to the Barwon Head’s boat ramp.
Anglers with live bass yabbies also banked bream.
Surf beaches still had plenty of salmon available for lure anglers on the run-in tides.
Fish of 2kg were reported, although they were finicky at times.
Adam Van Der Lugt and I ventured over to Mallacoota for dusky flathead. We caught one of 67cm on a Z-Man Trick Swim in the top lake, with numerous bream to just over 40cm as a by-catch.
Tony Hynds and Robert Nguyen travelled up to Lake Eildon. Robert landed a 5.7kg yellow belly on a grey and black vibe lure, one of eight big yellows taken for the trip.
The Barwon River was a hot spot for carp, which, while not the most glamorous fish, certainly put up an outstanding fight.
Over the next week, Clifton Springs will be hard option to pass up, with a mixed bag on offer.
The Barwon estuary should provide great land-based options, while freshwater enthusiasts should try Lake Bullen Merri for Chinook salmon and rainbow trout.
