And this year has been no exception.

Typically in the 10-30kg size class, this summertime run of fish seem to prefer the inshore coastal waters, where baitfish are in abundance.

Anglers fishing from Portland right through to Port Campbell have recently reported coming across abundant schools of these highly classed sport fish.

While local anglers love these fish, they present a great boom for our towns due to the people traveling from all over the state to catch a tuna.

However, it's been our local waters around Warrnambool and Port Fairy that have seen the bulk of the attention with the hottest bite on the bluefin this season.

With large schools of baitfish holding anywhere from 15 metres through to 50 metres, there's been no need to travel far to get a few reels screaming.

Some days, the tuna have even been sighted busting up only a couple of hundred metres off the Warrnambool break wall.

Last Sunday presented anglers with some outstanding conditions.

Low swell, combined with light winds and lots of tuna, equalled some stoked anglers.

The pick of the action occurred just off Warrnambool, where more than a dozen schools of fish were feeding on whitebait throughout the day.

With some of these schools holding only half a kilometre off La Bella Reef, an opportunity was presented for anglers in smaller tinnies to get in on the action.

Phil Pirotta and Amanda Richards were fishing down on the Glenelg River when they heard the bluefin were biting off Warrnambool.

They quickly left the mulloway biting and made the run back to Warrnambool.

It was a good move as it turns out.

They were rewarded with some quality tuna, and all only minutes from the boat ramp.

Luke and Mark Gercovich decided to make the run out after cricket.

They had an unreal session, with tuna to 30kg inhaling stickbaits casted into the busting fish.

These fish have been fairly locked into eating smaller bait, so lures that mimic species such as whitebait and pilchards have been preferred.

Trolling skirts in the 4 inches through to 6 inches has proven to be incredibly effective.

Black Magic Jet Setters, Jaks Barrell Bullets and Pakula Uzis have been among the most popular lures.

Running a diver in your spread, such as the ever popular Rapala X-Raps or Nomad DTX Minnows, in close under the prop wash is always clever little way to rise a tuna or two.

Stickbaiting has also produced plenty of fish, some days being the preferred method to get a strike.

Casting smaller stickbaits in the 25 gram-60 gram range into schools of tuna smashing through bait schools is about as exciting as fishing can get.

Stickbaits such as the Rapala X-Rap SXRLS and other Nomad Riptides are not only easy to use, but are an absolute favourite on the tuna.

Going on previous seasons, we can expect to see the tuna fishing to only get better from now on.

Traditionally, the autumn and winter fish will head out a little further and hang in the 45-70 metre line as well as out at the continental shelf, particularly off Port Fairy and through to Portland.  

These fish are often a little smaller, with 8-15kg common, but provide plenty of hot action for fishos while bringing a great boost to the south-west businesses tourism industry.

Until next week, tight lines and best of luck.