The winter snap has well and truly got a hold on the south-west, but don't let that dampen your spirits.
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Rivers are rising and beginning to flow, and the ocean is alive with activity, so there's no excuse not to get out and whack a few fish.
ESTUARIES
The Hopkins River has again fished well this week for bream. With their spawn run just around the corner, we will see them caught more regularly.
Mick Wilkinson got some great fish during the week on cut mullet, with his best bream going 1.41kg - a great fish in anyone's book.
The middle section from Deakin boat ramp right up to Jubilee Park has seen some great fishing of late, as Bradley Jubb found out on Saturday. He fished just above the pass, landing multiple bream over 35cm on scrub worms - great bait for this time of year as it is natural for these to be flushed into the system after some rain.
The Glenelg River has again produced some brilliant mulloway fishing for those braving the cold nights and frosty mornings. There seems to be a great run of fish from Dry Creek to Sapling Creek lately. Fresh squid, live mullet and spew worms are the choice of bait, with a lot of patience being the key to waiting it out.
Estuary perch have been fishing well over on the Glenelg River, with one going 50cm caught on a live minnow under a small float. Kobi Rothall and Bodi Pannenburg had an all-day surface fishing session on the weekend, which isn't rare for the Glenelg.
OFFSHORE
Small school tuna have made their way in close off Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Portland. They've been taking most lures when found. Standouts have been Samaki Pacemakers in the 140dd and 180dd and Rapala Xraps in 20s and 30s.
The fish will still eat stick baits off the surface, too, when they're feeding off the top. Just remember to try work out which way the school is swimming. Work up from them, kill your motor and drift in so they're not spooked. If they do go down, sit quietly and keep your eyes peeled as they will come up close by somewhere.
FRESHWATER
The rivers around Warrnambool have begun to flow a bit, which will turn the fish into feeding machines.
There have been a few good fish towards 5lb lost, and others to 4lb landed by guys casting small hard bodies along the weed edges.
The Merri is usually the first to produce fish, and this year is no different. Sam Powell saw a lot of fish in the lower section along Cassidy's Bridge. Until next week, tight lines and best of luck.