Big news this week has been the barrel tuna down the coast with Port Mac being the standout location, however don’t count out any ports between there and our backdoor step as these fish could pop up literally anywhere.
The bites have been very hot and cold – one day it could be double and triple hook ups with most boats landing fish and the next, the complete opposite.
Josh Caruso landed a solid barrel recently alongside Peri Stavropoulos from Trellys Geelong and Anthony Pirrottina with the fish pulling the scales down to 141kg bled. Great way to start the season for Josh. The fish was taken on a Skirted Lure.
Off Port Fairy has seen lots of school tuna hunting the 60 metre line with anglers getting down there and having some hot sessions on them.
Trolling small skirted lures with the aid of a teaser and diving lures has been working very well. Not only tuna on the chew but plenty of sharks on the bottom and top.
Mako, gummy and school sharks have all been in great numbers out in the deep.
St Helens rocks has fished well again this week with some big flathead being caught. Anglers launching baits like squid and pilchards have found flatties to over 40cm along with some pinky snapper and King George whiting. Fishing early morning or late afternoons are the prime time here.
North Shore is another great option if you want to try another sport or if it’s too busy at St Helens.
St Leonards to Queenscliff has still been productive for King George whiting with reports still coming through of boats getting stuck into good numbers of fish with the area known as Bourke Street proving to be the standout location. Fishing strong tides will definitely be your best time, which we are expecting this weekend. It’s going to be a great weekend for whiting fishing.
Out the front of Barwon Heads we are heading into that time of year when the gummy sharks should really fire up offshore.
The 30 metre line is a great area to start and yes, it’s mentioned a lot, but it really is the best line to fish (in my opinion). Fishing tides with fresh blood baits are your best chances.
