An early start was the key to success for most anglers fishing Geelong’s waterfront over the past week.
Dr Chan Chee Keong arrived just before day break Saturday when Australian salmon erupted on the surface in a tightly-packed school. Casting four-inch Turtleback worm soft plastics, he landed multiple fish around 1kg.
Other anglers caught pinkie snapper on bait and lures around the old Yarra St Pier area.
Daniel Baden ventured out off Ocean Grove where a commotion on the surface caught his eye. Pitching small metal lures into the frenzied water, he pulled salmon, barracouta and pike.
Daniel was also amazed to catch a 43cm sweep on a trolled lure.
Jan Juc’s surf beach produced school-sized mulloway and salmon on bluebait and pilchards. The last few hours of daylight were most productive.
Kevin Bardsley fished off Swan Bay on Saturday where he had little problem catching squid and flathead, one of which reached 51cm.
Adam Vander Lught and Troy Janssens spend two fruitless hours searching for tuna off Apollo Bay until they decided to change tactics. Five minutes after deploying Rapala X-Rap 30s they hooked up a 100kg-plus fish.
Two hours into the fight and 10kms later they had recovered very little line but then the fish headed for the surface and was eventually boat-side. Unfortunately, the hooks pulled in the ensuing struggle but at least the boys were thrilled to have battled with true trophy fish.
Wayne Dobinson travelled to Port Fairy for tuna, finding school fish willing to devour trolled skirted lures.
Squid were caught off Clifton Springs. Anglers using size 2.5 Yamashita squid jigs fished slowly over the shallow weed beds had the best results.
Anglers such as Aaron Cook caught Chinook salmon of around 1kg at Lake Bullen Merri. Trolling lures such as Daiwa Double Clutch 75s at first light was the best method.
Moorabool Reservoir produced brown trout for a lucky few. Michael Evans landed a well-conditioned hen, also on a Daiwa Double Clutch.
Rick Wheeler spent a few hours casting the edges of Wurdee Boluc Reservoir on the weekend, catching a redfin over 1kg.
Send reports and photos to info@raylongtackle.com.au or facebook.com/raylongfishingworld or visit Chris at Fishing World Geelong, 105 Shannon Ave, Manifold Heights.
