The Pelican's Pick
Friday, 30 January
It was a day like any other when Brodie set out in the boat for a morning on the water around the bottom lake in Mallacoota. Brodie was casting out a large paddle-tailed soft plastic when something grabbed her lure and the reel started to squeal! After a rush of excitement, Brodie reeled in this beautiful 60cm Mulloway! A large celebration ensured having caught her first jewie, Brodie was over the moon!
Please be safe when planning your next fishing trip as many regions across Victoria continue to face active fire conditions. Be sure to download the VicEmergency app or check all live updates here.
To be our next Pelican’s Pick star, submit your photos to pelicanspick@vfa.vic.gov.au, or share your fishing story here.
Along the Coast
It’s busier than Bourke Street at Lake Tyers, with many families hauling in palm sized prawns while fishing at night. For those who prefer daylight hours, the fishing is off the charts! Plate sized trevally can be found in high flowing areas while monster flathead are lying in wait around shallow edges ready to ambush hardbody lures.
Those fishing the 90 Mile can rejoice as the weed is beginning to clear in some areas. Fishers who can break through the rough patches are in for some unreel fishing! Poppers and metal spoons are resulting in delicious catches of salmon. While anglers casting out fresh oily baits are reeling in spectacular pinkies! If you’re chasing bigger game, there’s some absolute behemoth gummies schooling up just offshore, and large bronzies too!
The fish around Portland work hard but the fishers work harder! Dedicated anglers have been producing stellar results off the breakwater and offshore. Kingfish, snapper, tuna and squid have all frequently been caught in the area on a variety of baits. When preparing to fish an area with this much variety, ensure you pack a diverse range of baits and lures as you never know what might be biting when you cast your line!
Around the Bays
Anglers chasing whiting better get to Warneet ASAP! Fishers are bagging out on quality fish! It’s best to target whiting in shallow, sandy areas with small fresh baits. Swap to larger chunks of bait and reel in some of the quality flathead and snapper on the chew. Tooradin is proving to be a snapper hot spot this week with large catches for determined anglers! Fresh salmon strips around Western Port have been working exceptionally well, especially around the channels. Casting out around the 15-18m mark is seeing anglers reel in impressive fish.
If you’re fishing between Mornington and Black Rock this weekend be sure to have the esky ready, with confirmed reports of snapper big enough to feed the family, with leftovers! While fishing this broad stretch of water, stop by Patterson Lakes and get stuck into the bream and mullet that are biting on sandworms and fresh prawns.
There’s royalty in Werribee, with large schools of King George whiting frequenting the area. These fish will only bite the best stuff and the gold standard for bait is pipis, with fresh squid coming in at a close second!
The Geelong and Cliffton Springs area have had plenty of action, with squid chomping on jigs, whiting devouring small, oily baits and snapper smashing squid strips! Both boat and land-based anglers are in for a chance at capturing this seafood basket!
Inland
Lake Eppalock is becoming the worst kept secret for absolutely awesome fishing! If you’re looking to break your PB catch, then you better pack some large spinners or fresh yabbies as gigantic cod are on the prowl! They can be found lurking around deep banks and amongst the many snags found around the lake.
Cairn Curran is a small but mighty impoundment offering up quality fishing for patient anglers. There’s been an influx of mature yellas ready for a feed. Yabbies and small hard body lures are their food of choice. Fish around the deep edges and you’ll be in for a chance!
Lake Hume’s redfin population has exploded! If you find the right bank to fish from, reports are coming in of a fish a cast. While most of the reddies appear to be quite small still, if anglers up-size their lures and persist, there are larger fish to be found within the schools that are worth taking home for dinner. Look forward to the future of Hume’s reddies as all these smaller fish begin to grow.
The Wimmera River has got a tasty treat instore for those casting out small hardbody lures and worms. Anglers have been boasting large catches of the famous Wimmera whiting AKA redfin and have been putting their cooking skills to the test to make a delicious meal! There’s nothing better than eating self-harvested food!
Interested in chasing Murray cod in clear water? Look no further than Victoria’s northeast rivers where anglers are catching in some beautifully patterned “clearwater cod” on a range of baits and lures, and even on the fly rod. Look for deep pockets of water with shade and structure, and don’t be surprised if a cod takes your lure even in the middle of the day!
The Toorongo River is the perfect summer spot for trout fishers. It features shallow stream pockets and beautiful green surroundings. It gives anglers a technical yet rewarding challenge. When fishing this area use an ultra-light set up and cast out small spinners and hardbody lures. This will result in some stunning browns and standout rainbows!
Tight lines - Mr Percy!