On the Bite, by Chris Pitman
Snapper fever has well and truly set in, with anglers making the most of any break in the weather to wet a line over the past week.
Corio Bay hosted numerous pinkie snapper to 40cm for anglers casting soft plastics. The Geelong waterfront at first or last light was most-productive, with Gulp soft plastics a standout lure.
The rocks at St Helens boat ramp also saw snapper to 4kg or so banked by anglers casting out baits.
Along the Bellarine Peninsula, Clifton Springs was by far the most-popular location. Squid, whiting, flathead and of course snapper were all been taken this past week.
Squid held over the weed beds in 2.5 to four meters of water. A run-in tide saw cleaner water and the squid came on the chew more, especially for anglers fishing white size three squid jigs.
Whiting anglers picked up good numbers of fish along the Curlewis Bank, along with some surprisingly large flathead.
When the weather was settled snapper made themselves know along the edge of the Point Richards channel. Fresh bait was key to success, with squid and silver whiting the best choices.
St Leonards was still the whiting capital of the peninsula, with the southern end of the area known as Bourke St producing the best fish. Whiting over 40cm featured in anglers’ bags with pippies the most-desired bait.
Huge squid inundated an area stretching from the entrance of Swan Bay though to the Point Lonsdale Bight. At the entrance to Swan Bay, 3.5-size jigs did the trick but when around at the bight baited jigs were most-effective on what can only be described as monster-sized southern calamari.
Freshwater scene also heated up over the week.
Lake Purrumbete had brown trout over 2kg on the go for anglers casting shallow-running hard-bodies around the weed edges.
Lake Elingamite was super productive for anglers fishing mudeyes under floats, with large redfin and impressive-size rainbow trout also taken.
Closer to home, the Barwon River produced a few smaller-model redfin fire as the weather warmed up. Small diving hard-body lures like the Atomic Shad 40 Deep in colour #17 were ideal.
Carp were also taken too, with corn kernels the preferred bait.
The annual Ron Nelson Memorial Junior fishing clinic will be held at Deakin University Pigdons Rd Waurn Ponds from 9am to 1pm this Sunday. Rainbow trout have been liberated into the dam, promising a great morning to teach the kids how to fish.
Next week anglers should look to wet a line at Clifton Springs for snapper, especially after trying to catch a few silver whiting for bait. Point Lonsdale bight should again be a great location for monster squid, while freshwater anglers should take a drive out west for trout.
