On the Bite, by Chris Pitman
Strong winds sent anglers to sheltered waters last weekend.
Corio Bay offered opportunities to land-based anglers. Casting soft plastics near the Carousel produced pinkie snapper and flathead to just over 40cm, while Limeburner’s Point’s rock wall allowed anglers to catch garfish on silverfish suspended under floats.
Indented Heads was a squid hot spot for anglers drifting around the reef sections in 3m to 5m. Timing trips with run-in tide seemed to increase chances of success, with size-three3 jigs in white colourations getting the job done.
Land-based anglers fishing off St Leonards Pier bagged good numbers of squid, especially on long casts.
Queenscliff Harbour was also a popular location to escape the strong winds, with silver trevally taking soft plastics. Nearby, Queenscliff Pier too was a great squid location.
Whiting were spread out at Queenscliff from the mouth of Swan Bay to Bell Reef. Fishing right on sunset was productive for whiting to 45cm.
Casting metal lures along the surf beaches continued working well on Australian salmon to over 2kg. The incoming tide was best, while lures of 25g to 40g in silver or pilchard colours worked well.
Anglers hardy enough to brave the cold beaches after dark landed mulloway and gummy sharks to about 1m.
Charter boat operator Chris Valisevski continued boating plenty of southern bluefin tuna off Portland. X-raps and skirted lures took fish over 15kg.
Further west, Port Macdonald was hot for school tuna in close and large barrels further out.
St Augustine’s Water Hole, at Highton, was stocked with rainbow trout for the upcoming school holidays. Light running sinker rigs with Powerbait should work a treat, along with small Rapala F-5 lures.
Wurdee Boluc Reservoir slowed a little over the past week, with a few brown trout taken. Spinning with Bob N Spoons was a safe bet for catching the trout and redfin around the weed banks.
Lake Bolac again had a run of rainbow trout averaging 1kg to 1.5kg. Trolling shallow-diving hard-body lures and Tassie Devils did the trick, while fishing pink Powerbait from the margins was also worthwhile.
Lake Bullen Merri was as reliable as ever among anglers downrigging for Chinook salmon. The fish averaged 1.5kg, while pink #55 Tassie Devils a consistent lure.
Next week should be worth fishing Indented Heads for squid or Queenscliff for whiting, while St Augustine’s Water Hole will provide family angling opportunities for rainbow trout.
