Here’s what’s been keeping lines tight and rods bent this week.

The rivers around Warrnambool are still fishing well for trout and redfin.

The Hopkins above the junction has seen the most action with anglers catching multiple fish in a single session.

Framlingham has been a great area for guys who want a bit of an adventure due to the walking involved and the terrain which you cover.

Casting lures in the five to nine centimetre range in bright colours or natural bait fish patterns will account for most fish.

If you’re planning on chasing these fish on bait, then scrub worms or the easily-gettable earth worm fished under a float will stand you in good stead also.

Hopkins Falls is also well worth a look this time of year and can produce some epic estuary perch and trout fishing in the runs and the snags that line the bank further downstream.   

The Merri has been consistent this week.

Some nice fish to 5.5lb have been landed in the section below the Bromfield Street Weir to Cassidy’s Bridge on plastics like the fish arrow Flash J Shads and Flash J Huddles along with the ever-reliable Berkley Power bait T Tails in black gold.

There have been a few bigger redfin taken this week and these catches should only become more common with the clear water starting to make its way back down the system.

If you’re struggling with fish committing to hardbodies or soft plastics then try a spinner such as the Mepps Black Fury or Aglia Streamer.

If you want to get out of town and try your luck, then Woodford behind the school or below the bridge would be the pick as it’s quiet and mostly visual fishing.

Koroit and District Angling Club held their latest comp on Sunday at Lake Bolac.

The fishing was very tough with only two fish landed for the entire event which was held in less-than-ideal conditions.

Billy was the lucky angler who caught the two rainbow trout on glassies while fishing with Trevor Richardson. Great job Billy!

The Curdies River at Curdievale is fishing well for both estuary perch and bream lately.

The majority of the fish have been taken on black Ecogear vx35s and Strikepro Cyber vibes worked on reefy structure down the lower end of the system.

The lake at Peterborough has been fishing well for anglers using baits such as grey back, cut mullet and shrimp.

This time of year the fish can be very schooled up which can result in some epic fishing.

This week has been pretty much non-existent due to the swell and wind, but hopefully the better weather is on the way and the offshore fisherman can get out.

Squid and King George whiting should start to turn up in good numbers and everyone knows that once the squid turn up the kingfish won’t be too far behind them either.

When the weather has allowed guys to head out they’ve been getting stuck into some epic gummy shark and school shark fishing.

Depths anywhere from 40 to 70 metres of water are well worth a look and can be approached either drifting or anchored up.

Drifting is a great way to cover ground, but with the winds the way they have been anchoring has been a much easier option.

Drifting baits will also require a heavier sinker due to the drag of the drift. Circle hooks such as the BKK Heavy Circle in 9/0s and 10/0s along with Black Magic KLT 8/0s should see you right for landing these tasty fish.

Yambuk Lake has been fishing very well for big bream on an incoming tide.

Anglers using both baits and lures have been having great success when the blue water makes its way into the system.

Baits such as prawns and glassies have been accounting for quite a few fish.

On the lure side of things, vibes and soft plastics being cast up current and drifting them down has been the best technique of late.

The Richardson Marine Shipwreck Coast Fishing Classic dates have been released, and with some new sponsors and more prizes this year, it is only going to be bigger and better.

Start organising your days off now so you can take full advantage of this great week-long competition.

The event starts at 5pm on January 4 and runs through until final weigh-in on Saturday, January 12 at 7pm.

The presentation day will again be run on the Sunday at the civic green from 11am.

The major prize will again be a boat, motor and trailer package from Anglapro, Easytow and Suzuki Marine.

This prize is a random draw too so there’s a great opportunity for a new boat up for grabs even if you don’t catch a fish.

Until next week happy fishing and stay safe on the water.

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