The Pelican's Pick
Friday, 5 September
Not even last weekend’s wild weather could keep Denzki and his son from casting a line! Braving the cold, the duo headed to Lorne Pier where they turned a chilly evening into a fishing adventure. Opting for a 2.5cm plastic lure, the pair reeled in an impressive haul of yakkas, salmon and trevally, with Denzki’s son reeling in the largest salmon measuring 49cm, the biggest fish he’s caught so far! These are the memories that will last a lifetime!
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Along the Coast
Although last weekend’s rain and wind kept most anglers ashore, the start of spring is looking promising with a string of sunny days forecast.
Gippsland is once again delivering a mixed bag, with anglers spoilt for choice in the region. Flathead are around at Eastern Beach for those willing to put in the work, alternatively, fishers can grab some live bait and try their luck at the mouth of Mitchell River. Bream can be found all around the region, with the Mitchell River and Nicholson River both reporting success, with anglers using lures and bait to snag these fish.
If it’s salmon you’re after, Eastern and 90 Mile Beach are still producing good numbers. Time your fish with the run in of the tide at Eastern Beach to target this species.
The entrance is open, and the fish are on at Lake Tyers. Anglers are reporting decent sized flathead, bream, trevally and perch, metal lures are the go-to when fishing in the area.
Out west, Portland and Warrnambool continue to produce great offshore fishing opportunities. Anglers are landing good sized gummies and snapper, with the occasional school shark adding excitement to the mix. The western river estuaries are reporting good numbers of small mulloway being caught, as well as quality estuary perch and black bream landed as they school up to breed.
Around the Bays
Spring has arrived, meaning our bays are about to be in full bloom! As water temperatures begin to rise, anglers can expect an influx of snapper, whiting and squid on the chew in our bays.
Snapper season is well and truly kicking off in Western Port, with reports from anglers catching real nice reds flooding in. Heading out early with some fresh bait, like mackerel, at 8m depth will give you a better shot at landing these beauties. For those after some variety, squid and trevally are around the Flinders area, which is proving to be a hotspot.
Over at Port Phillip, pinkies are firing at the drop off at Altona Reef. Head out during low light periods with fresh bait like pilchards for the best shot at snagging a few. Squid are still biting across Portsea, St Leonards and Rye.
Inland
With the beginning of spring comes the start of the closed season for some of Victorias key recreational species. Murray spiny freshwater crays and Murray cod closed seasons are now underway to protect these native species during their breeding season. For those still eager to snag that one in a lifetime cod however, there are waterways where the closed season doesn’t apply.
For our metro fishers, the VFA’s annual stonker stocking season is well and truly underway, with 1,000 colossal rainbow trout finding their way to Victoria’s Family Fishing Lakes. These stockings are a great opportunity for kids and beginner fishers to reel in a fish of a lifetime, with both bait and lures working a treat. You better be quick though, these fish are hungry and are being snapped up fast!
This weekend is all about trout, with the open season beginning on Saturday September 6. Although Victoria’s lakes and impoundments have provided keen fishers with a steady supply this winter, there’s no doubt fishers will be taking advantage of the nice weather this weekend to try their luck.
Lake Eildon is consistently offering up large cod for those not afraid to get a little chilly, and golden perch are beginning to fire up in the Bonnie Doon end of the lake. With a much better weather forecast for this weekend, areas like Cairn Curran Reservoir and Loddon River are worth a try with some beautiful natives on the chew. Reports are the fish are preferring hardbody lures over bait for these areas.
The stocked lakes in Bendigo including Crusoe Reservoir and Lake Neangar are producing pan-sized yellowbelly – a great fish to take for a feed.
The Central Highlands are showing off, with anglers landing some impressive redfin. Lures are the preferred method here however, fish arrow soft plastics are landing quite the catch.
Upcoming Events
With September upon us the VFA’s event calendar is in full force with the last of the Recreational Fishing Forums taking place in Loch Sport and Marlo. Also on this weekend is the Ballarat Fishing Festival at Lake Wendouree and the Goulburn Fishing Festival at Eildon. Help us celebrate the opening of the trout season with these FREE events. For further information visit here.
Tight lines – Mr. Percy!