A mixed week of captures has seen everything from whiting to more big tuna being landed in the south-west. The water is heating up and so is the fishing action, so let’s have a look at what hit the decks and nets of local fisherman this week.
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Estuary
The Hopkins River is a tough assignment for those wanting to target bream unless you’re bait fishing, as they’re not responding well to lures or plastics on a consistent basis.
They might switch on for a day or two and then go quiet again for a week so. Cracking a pattern has definitely been a struggle for most. Bait fishing has been the standout choice with scrub worms, clickers, yabbies and crab the preferred baits. Most fish have been coming from the secondary drop due to the high water, so start looking in 2-3m of water, use your electronics to find the schools and work off that.
Estuary perch have still been responding well to topwater lures around dusk and dawn in the middle sections of the river from Jubilee down to the Deakin University. Best lures have been the Jackall Micro Pompadours, Tiemco Deruzze and the ever faithful OSP Bent Minnows.
Find shallow flats where the rising water has begun to make it up on the paddocks and vegetation on the banks, as the shrimp and bait fish will be using this as cover so the perch will be somewhere close to the area. Keep your eyes peeled for any type of topwater movement.
Mulloway have again been caught throughout the system with some quality fish to 20lb being landed by anglers using live mullet, spew worms and clickers.
The most productive areas have been Sandy Point near Toorum Stones, Deakin Uni, Pelican Point at the end of the ski run and The Bridge.
Offshore
Big bluefin tuna continue to build a buzz around the district, with more fish exceeding the magical 100kg mark.
Reports are coming in from as far as Barwon Heads in the east and Port MacDonnell in the west. The standout lure of choice has been the JB Dingo in Saury colour and the Pakula Evil Angel in the Mini Sprocket and Sprocket towed on 24kg stand up tackle around the 50m mark.
The bait seems to be wide spread the last few weeks which has slowed things down, but the guys who have been doing the hard yards are being rewarded.
In other offshore reports, the snapper have moved into the shallower grounds in 20-40m off Warrnambool and Port Fairy.
Paternoster rigs fished either drifting or at anchor with a steady berley trail will help you attract a school into your area. The Black Magic Snapper snacks are the perfect pre-made rig for this style of fishing and involve little work by you to get the most out of them.
Squid has been the best bait and will stay on the hook for longer especially if the smaller pinkies turn up. Soft plastics can also be a great way to deter the smaller fish and can be a great bit of fun on light gear. If you’re looking for some fresh squid, try the weed beds along the mouth of Port Fairy or at the breakwater at Warrnambool.
Freshwater
The crater lakes are still producing some nice trout and chinook salmon, both trolling and casting lures along the countless weed edges and drop offs.
Rapala Jointed Shadow Raps that dive to 4m are going to be the best lure for fishing that deeper ledges in Lake Bullen Merri.
Just a reminder the crayfish season starts tomorrow and finishes on June 1 next year. You do need tags for each fish you take. Also, entries are open for the 2019 Shipwreck Coast Fishing Classic. You can enter in store at the Tackle Shack or online at: bit.ly/2B3Sn5l
Until next week, tight lines and good luck.
