The Pelican's Pick
Friday, 24 July
Nothing better than blue skies, calm water and the chance to take your mate out for a day on the boat!
Kim and her friend Jojo made the most of Sunday’s unusually warm weather with an afternoon squid mission on the Bellarine, launching from Clifton Springs in search of some local calamari.
While soccer fans were talking about Spain’s World Cup triumph on Monday, Kim and Jojo had already enjoyed a high-scoring contest of their own, finishing the session with several high-quality squid destined for the dinner plate.
The pair found success fishing 2-3m of water on the run-out tide, with a size 3 prawn-coloured jig proving irresistible to the squid.
With crystal clear water, plenty of laughs, and a healthy haul to take home, it was a cracking way to spend a Sunday on the water.
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Along the coast
Southern bluefin tuna are being caught off Port Fairy, and for those willing to give fishing for these pelagic species a go, keep an eye out for working birds and bait schools, cover plenty of ground, and watch your sounder for signs of fish. Being patient and staying mobile can make all the difference.
Decent sized winter salmon are being caught right along the Great Ocean Road, including off the beach at Fairhaven. The ever-reliable metal slugs remain a top choice for shore-based anglers, utilising the extra casting distance to get lures into deep gutters and rips where salmon wait for food stirred up by the current. As always, keep a close eye on the surf and stay aware of changing conditions.
Winter is a fantastic time to fish the lower reaches of the Barwon River. Freshly pumped bass yabbies are hard to beat as bait, accounting for a variety of species including silver trevally and whiting. Lure anglers are also finding success targeting trevally and estuary perch with soft plastics. Make sure to look at the tides in advance and remember that if there’s no run there’s no fun!
For those venturing offshore, Six-Mile Reef off Lakes Entrance is producing solid pinkies and morwong for anglers chasing a feed. Fishing around the start of the run-in or run-out tide when the current isn’t racing can improve your chances and make it easier to keep baits on the bottom. Fresh bait is always the best options, with squid strips remaining a favourite.
Heading further up to Mallacoota, the salmon fishing is 10/10! Huge schools around the mouth have provided fun for the whole family, with metal lures cast off the beach proving irresistible to the salmon. You’ll also find them in the inlet, with pilchard tail or fillet as the best bait.
The Twin Rivers Bream Classic was also held over the weekend, showcasing some of the fantastic fishing available through the Gippsland region! With more than 1,000 fish caught, including some impressive-sized bream, the event highlighted the area as a quality destination for winter bream fishing. Whether you prefer fishing from the boat or bank, using bait or lures, there are plenty of opportunities to get amongst them.
Around the bays
Despite the cooler weather there is still plenty of action to be had in the northern reaches of Port Phillip Bay. Land-based anglers are finding success chasing the pinkies and the occasional flathead from Williamstown to St Kilda. Don’t be afraid to brave the less than perfect conditions, as pinkies can often become more active when onshore winds stir up the water and bring life to the shallows.
Over at Werribee, spearfishers willing to dive into the chilly water have been getting stuck into the flathead! Keep keen eyes focused along the weedy edges, where flathead can often be found lying in wait for an easy meal. Squid are also being caught along the western shoreline, with anglers finding them down towards Avalon while working the weed beds.
For those looking to get amongst some light tackle action, garfish are currently on the chew around the bay. A steady stream of fine berley is the key to bringing in schools and keeping them interested. Small hooks and a float keeping baits in the upper reaches of the water column has been the recipe for angler success. Follow these simple techniques and you’ll have a great chance of putting together a tasty feed of these sometimes underutilised table fish.
Over in Western Port, fishing has been a little quieter, but those putting in the effort have been rewarded with some quality captures. Impressive snapper have been landed, with fresh pilchard proving a standout bait. Gummy shark have also been making regular appearances throughout the system.
Inland
For those chasing salmonids, the Crater Lakes have been producing plenty of trout and Chinook salmon. Trolling the tried and tested Tassie Devils remains one of the most effective methods, with matching the lure colourway to the local baitfish often improving results. If you’re lucky enough to catch a fish for the table, have a look at the stomach contents to home in on exactly what the fish are eating!
At Lake Fyans, the renowned redfin fishery has been living up to its reputation, with reports of some cracking English perch hitting the nets. This shallow system is perfect for kayak anglers, offering plenty of structure to fish. Be prepared to hook up a few lures when fishing the snaggy areas, but persistence can pay off when those tricky spots hold quality fish. If you’re making a weekend trip to the area, don’t forget to pack something to cook on and enjoy one of Victoria’s best table-quality freshwater fish.
Out to the east, dedicated anglers are finding it worthwhile braving the cold at Blue Rock Lake. Despite the cooler temperatures, there are still plenty of opportunities to target a range of species including bass, trout and redfin. For the best chance at catching a fish, you can’t go past a good old-fashioned worm. For those fishing lures, remember to slow down your retrieve during these colder months, retrieving just fast enough to keep the lure working. Patience and persistence are key!
Tight lines – Mr. Percy!