The Pelican's Pick
Friday, 3 July
Over centuries there’s been tall tales of deep-sea monsters across the globe!
Whilst fishing around Warneet, Andrew felt an almighty tug on his white glow squid jig. Reeling in his line he couldn’t believe his eyes when this absolute Kraken squid landed on his deck!
The fun didn’t stop there as he reeled in several more giant squid on what was a day to remember on the stellar waters of Western Port!
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Along the coast
Portland is getting inundated with gummy sharks especially around Yambuk. They are chomping into squid strips and salmon chunks. Tuna barrels remain as consistent as ever, with reliable action keeping offshore anglers smiling!
Apollo Bay tuna schools have left the bay and are now moving east, with good sized specimens caught offshore at Fairhaven.
Anglers fishing along the Curdies River have been bagging out on bream using red shore crabs.
Gunnamatta Beach fishos are going crazy for Aussie salmon! There’s plenty of deep gutters along the beach to get stuck into a good school of fish. Fishing one hour before high tide will get you the most rod bending action, with reports averaging catches of 3–4-pound beasts! Green surface poppers and metal spoons are reeling in the quality catches.
Lake Tyers is a winter wonderland for those chasing donkey bream and shiny silver trevally! There’s quality fish about for those putting in the effort especially on cool still days. If it’s bream you’re after; soft plastics or metal vibes are yielding the best results. Bait is best for trevally with prawns taking the top spot particularly when fishing around deep channels.
Around the bays
Rosebud is serving up a fresh feed, with decent gummy shark being caught around 12m and near edges of deep drop offs. They are hammering squid strips and oily pilchards. Fishing the shallows is just as fruitful, with consistent catches of squid on red, dark blue, and black coloured jigs.
The stretch of water from Altona to Werribee is proving productive with excellent catches of squid that have been responding well to jigs worked over broken ground. Meanwhile, the waters around the mouth of the Werribee River are producing catches of quality flathead, with both drifting and casting soft plastics or lightly weighted baits proving effective.
Stony point continues to fire with an assortment of fish to keep every angler busy! Squid have been the most sought-after catch, with healthy specimens being caught on brightly coloured jigs. Whiting remain active in the area, particularly around the 5m mark, on the edge of muddy flats. Pipis and mussels are still the favourite option for larger sized whiting.
There’s trevally at Tooradin and they are loving small squid cubes. Fish fast flowing water to entice a bite! Whiting have been schooling up around sandy flats and mud patches with mussels being the most effective bait. There’s been sporadic catches of flathead on squid and pillies.
Inland
It’s midwinter madness and anglers are going cray-zy for crays along the Goulburn River! Murray spiny crays are loads of fun to catch whether it’s for catch and release or you’re chasing a feed. Dropping hoop nets near fallen logs baited up with chicken bones, pumpkin and chunks of red meat will have you seeing good results. Hot spots have been around Nagambie and Shepparton.
Lake Eildon is offering up world class trophy fishing and it’s attracting crowds of keen anglers! The Big River Arm is packed full of brown trout slabs! Trolling or bait fishing are both working well to secure a catch. Switch it up and chuck a large swim bait on your line to cast around structure and deep banks to catch the cod of a lifetime!
The stocked lakes in the Grampians region are producing excellent trout fishing too. Trolling Tassie Devils and diving hardbodies at a fast walking pace is producing some great fish for those willing to brave the wintery weather.
Lake Hume has some nice winter cod on the chew. Specimens within the slot limit are getting caught on chicken, cheese and yabbies. There’s reddies about too, and can often be found on the troll when using hardbody minnows and Tassie Devils.
Anglers are making the most of the school holidays at Wurdiboluc Reservoir. Reports of many catching stonking browns and rainbows and plenty having success on the fly rod too! There’s the occasional redfin getting caught as by-catch on worms and small spinners.
Tight lines – Mr. Percy!