The Pelican's Pick
Friday, 5 December
Cod season is officially here, and anglers everywhere are hitting their local rivers and creeks to celebrate! Young Riley kicked things off in style with this stunning Murray cod.
Following in the footsteps of his mum, WIRFAB leader Shea Bloom, Riley hit the water early in the week and got stuck into an epic session. Casting a purple and black spinnerbait with a willow blade in his local Upper Murray Creek spot, and this healthy cod absolutely crunched it.
Amazing work, Riley, if this is how the season’s starting, we’re in for a good one!
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Along the Coast
December is here and so are the large kingfish cruising the Victorian coastline. The best way to target these legendary fish is by using live bait and vertical jigging bright lures. Target areas with built up reefs, as these are prime hunting grounds for quality kingies. Mallacoota to Lakes Entrance is receiving the fishing love first as the kingies migrate down the east coast. Remember that the bag limit has now changed to 2!
Lake Tyers is nice and clear with stunning dusky flathead, trevally, and mullet all waiting to chomp your bait! Metung is receiving the same action around built-up areas favouring land-based anglers. The black bream there will have you peeling line if you cast out fresh sandworms and pipis.
Fish love structure, and what better structure than the Lorne Pier! It’s packed with all the fishing action you need, especially around the incoming tide. Small schools of Aussie salmon have been passing through smashing pilchards. There’s been good catches of whiting and squid with the odd pinkie around as well. If you’re looking for a feed, head down and enjoy a few hours of fishing with a great view.
Artillery Rocks is keeping anglers busy with plenty of fish to be caught! Those targeting King George whiting are having great success on pipis, while those with squid on their line are reeling in some quality snapper! There’s been a few Aussie salmon about caught on metal spoons, and some respectable gummies can be found, too! When fishing from the rocks, remember to stay safe and always wear a lifejacket.
Around the Bays
Snapper are well and truly on the chew. Black Rock has been inundated with large schools and both boat and land-based anglers have been reeling in the reward. Altona has got pinkies around and quality flathead attacking mullet and prawn baits.
Wanting a big bite with no teeth? You’re in luck! Huge gummy sharks have been getting reeled in around Port Phillip. If you’re taking one home for a meal, soaking in milk or a saltwater brine for 30 minutes will help tenderize the fillet and increase flavour! Keep the flavouring simple to maintain the mild, sweet flavour such as lemon, fresh herbs and garlic.
Corinella is offering up consistent catches of snapper that are trophy worthy! Fishers have been successful using freshly cubed squid cast out at around 10m. There’s so much silver trevally swimming around, you’d think a pirate lost their treasure. Use berley to attract a school and then target using small chunks of pilchards and squid.
Queenscliff is proving to be the perfect spot for some squid-tastic fishing! There is plenty of sandy flats with sea grass beds in the area that are perfect for drifting over with a combination of bright and dark coloured jigs. Let the slack of your line drift and reel in slowly with quick jerks to entice the squid to follow your lure.
Inland
It’s tools down and rods up this week – cod season officially kicked off on Monday and every worker from jobsites to offices collectively vanished, tacklebox in hand! But how can you blame them when the fishing is on fire!
The Goulburn River isn’t just flowing, it’s pumping out mammoth cod that could rival our big Murray cod at Arcadia. With fishing pressure being quiet over the closed season, they are coming back with an aggressive bite! Opt to use brightly coloured spinnerbaits or large profile hardbodies. Once it hits dusk, switch to surface lures to provoke a territorial or feeding response. Remember when cod fishing the slot limit is 55cm – 75cm.
The Ovens River has got quality Murray cod. Look for fallen down logs and built-up structure. Target with small hardbodies, chicken and cheese! The Ovens also has a good population of trout in its higher reaches so be sure to pack small hardbody lures and spinners. Look for patches of fast to slow moving water and cast up stream to ensure your lure swims back into prime feeding grounds.
If you want to sit back and relax while you drown a bait, head to Rocklands Reservoir near Horsham. Thanks to our stocking program, it’s full of quality native fish. Scrub worms and yabbies are the key to enticing a bite from the big cod and yellowbelly that prowl the lake.
While you’re in the west, head to Lake Fyans and make sure to pack the big esky. Anglers are reeling in redfin big enough to feed the family! Use soft plastics that imitate grubs or Tassie Devils and you’ll be sure to reel in one of these gigantic fish. Or hook into some of the quality brown trout that this lake keeps producing! It’s the perfect place to take the family fishing!
Tight lines - Mr Percy!