The Pelican's Pick
Friday, 9 January
Lake Tyers never disappoints, and after the holidays Tayla has had, she sure can vouch for that! A stunning morning spent on the water ended in great success, there was no time for relaxing as the rods kept going off and peeling line!
Tayla reeled in six chunky bream and a whopping 80cm dusky flathead! All were caught using prawns. What a great way to spend the holiday break and a fantastic effort from Tayla catching these beautiful fish and releasing them to swim another day!
Mr. Percy has scoped out the hottest fishing spots across the state. So grab your gear and dive into the best fishing Victoria has to offer!
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Along the Coast
Portland is the place to be this summer! Offshore has been filled with action, as massive barrel tuna are schooling up in the area! Keen anglers are also getting onto to some quality mako shark! Fishers preferring a quieter day on the water have been bagging out on whiting and flathead. Land-based fishers can rejoice, as there are snapper and gummies getting caught off the breakwater.
No need to worry about a boat because the pier fishing is prime at Lorne this week! Whiting, snapper, salmon and gummies are just a few of the many species on the chew! To hook into these spectacular fish, cast your line out with some pilchard, squid strips, or pipis for bait. If you’re boating offshore, be sure to visit our freshly deployed Fish Aggregation Device (FAD) around Lorne and Apollo Bay to hook into a variety of large pelagic fish.
If you’re targeting the big stuff, you’ll find sharks being caught along the 90 Mile Beach, with smaller fish also being caught in between the weeds. Corner Inlet has seen super snapper caught from the Toora Channel. Squid are still being caught off the jetties, although reports suggest the bite is starting to slow. Shallow Inlet is consistently fishing well, with salmon, whiting and gummy shark reported, along with good numbers of flathead throughout the system. There have been solid boat-based reports of flathead from Port Albert and Port Welshpool producing the goods.
Around the Bays
Port Phillip Bay has seen productive summer fishing, with snapper swarming around reef systems during low-light periods. Key locations have been Altona, Portarlington and Carrum. King George whiting are a consistent and reliable target across the bay, and are reacting well to fresh bait. Many anglers are bagging out and taking home a delicious feed.
Pier fishing in Port Phillip is remaining steady. Squid are popular in Queenscliff around weed beds and the pier. You’ll also find decent catches of trevally and flatties. Mornington Pier is a garfish hotspot, while squid continue to provide reliable action for land-based anglers.
Western Port is always offering exciting fishing opportunities! King George whiting are fishing well on the tide changes. Gummy sharks are biting along the deeper channels favouring boat-based anglers. Salmon schools are keeping things interesting and have been moving through the area, providing fast-paced action.
Squid are being caught around structure and weed edges, though reports suggest the bite can be patchy. Try rotating different coloured jigs to score some good results.
Snapper continue to give fishers a good day out on the water. Those casting squid strips around Corinella are reeling in big reds and decent pinkies. Overall, those fishing around tide changes and low-light periods are seeing the best outcome and taking home a feed!
Inland
Lake Eildon has been jam packed with people enjoying the water, and we love to see it! Under the surface there’s a different kind of hustle and bustle, with meteries feeling hungry! Steep quiet banks are offering the biggest bites on bright coloured spinners and hardbody lures.
Yellow belly fishing across the state continues to impress! The quality of the goldens coming out of Victorian waterways is better than ever! Lures have been doing the most damage, opt for size 3 stumpies or soft vibes. Waterways such as the Wimmera River, Lauriston Reservoir, Lake Eppalock, Eildon and Hume have all been receiving golden action!
The Goulburn River is flowing low and slow and is creating ideal conditions for a nice day on the water. The lower reaches have seen world class cod being caught on a variety of bait with cheese taking the top spot! The stretch of river from Nagambie to Murchison is a slice of paradise, with great camping spots and even better fishing! Respectable cod have been reeled in on hard body lures and some stunning trout cod are being caught and released on mozzarella.
Lake Wendouree is fishing well despite raised temperatures. There’s reports of mammoth redfin being caught on scrub worms and vibes. There’s also good catches of browns and rainbows. If you’re looking to target trout over the summer, head to some of the beautiful High Country rivers on offer. The Mitta Mitta, Kiewa and Ovens rivers are productive and accessible trout locations. They all present the perfect opportunity to wet a line and cast in on some fun fishing action! Tassie Devils, soft plastics, or even worms will entice a quick bite from these fast fish!
Always remember to check weather conditions before you head out for a fish, and stay safe in this heat!
Tight lines - Mr Percy!