Everything from trout to sharks offshore were caught by the many anglers braving the morning frost.

The Hopkins River played host to 36 of the best bream teams in the state for the fourth round of the Vic Bream Classics series, and to say it was tough was an understatement.

Short strikes and half-hearted bites were the flavour of the weekend for most, but it all came together for Isaac Primmer and Morgan Flook, who were awarded the first-place trophy on their home waters.

Most fish were caught along the ski run to the hen and chicken's reef on a range of soft plastics and vibes.

Adam Brown and myself were lucky enough to come away with second after throwing soft plastics all weekend in 2-2.5m of water. We were plagued by the short takes and frustrated by the bites.

The biggest fish for the comp was caught by Morgan and Isaac at a healthy 1.36kg, and the biggest bag by locals Michael Hunt and Buck Saunders weighing 4.27kg, claiming the Graham Taylor Memorial Trophy. The series moves to Marlo on the Snowy River near Orbost.

The Glenelg River has again fished well for mulloway of all sizes.

The welcome sign of mullet down the estuary should mean that fish continue to eat going forward. From the estuary right through to Sapling Creek, there has been reports of fish being taken on a wide variety of techniques. But the most popular remains live mullet being trolled behind the boat.

If that sounds like too much work, try trolling Daiwa double clutches in the 75mm and 95mm size or any other minnow profile hard body in that size range. This time of year, you will pick up the odd perch and bream doing this also.

The Curdies River was fishing extremely well before being opened and has since slowed dramatically. But give it a week or so and those angry fish will turn back on. Black vibes and slightly heavier weighted plastics will be the most productive way of targeting these edge huggers.

The Garmin South West Victorian Game Competition was held over the weekend after some foul weather put a stop to it multiple times.

Anglers were required to launch at Port Fairy and Warrnambool ramps, where they encountered some seriously difficult fish. The sole fish for the weekend was caught by Janaka Kandage, Max Kandage and Sam Powell, sweeping the pool of prizes.

Portland remains the pick of the spots for tuna of all sizes by recreational anglers and charter operators. Many have bagged out each day on school fish before lunch.

The majority of fish are between 4-10kg, but the big fish seem to be still hanging around. Trolling Halco Lazer Pros and small skirts are the best option, along with the Zerek speed donkeys.

The upper Hopkins continues to produce some nice trout for the Gercovich crew, who have been casting some soft plastics and shallow running hard bodies in the streams and deeper pools below. Xavier Gercovich landed a nice fish on a Westin Shadteez cast into a bit of running water.

Cassidys Bridge in the Merri has had a lot of activity around it of late, with some nice fish around the 4lb mark taken on Tassie Devils and shallow running hard bodies such as Xrap 6s and F7s in gold colours.

With the water starting to get some flow to it, the fishing is only going to get better from here. So get out, walk the banks and put in the miles to get the smiles.

Until next week, tight lines and best of luck.