The Pelican's Pick
Friday, 21 February
The Ovens River has been cooking up absolute treats for fishers near Freeburgh! A cracking brown was the catch for Piotr, a true prize from these crystal-clear waters. This impressive brown was caught using a black soft plastic nymph. The Ovens River is known for its mix of wild trout in the upper reaches and cod further downstream, making it a prime spot for anglers chasing variety. Fishers, keep chasing that summer sunshine and don’t forget, if you’re out fishing this week and would like to feature in the Pelican’s Pick, send your snapshots to pelicanspick@vfa.vic.gov.au.
Along the Coast
Heading to Lakes Entrance, offshore is producing large snapper, with fishers reeling in quality catches on the reef using a variety of baits. Closer to the shore, fishers are being treated with gummy shark and flathead. Small hard body lures cast into shallow sand flats has been the best method for flatties, tempting some up to 85cm!
Big news in Lake Tyers, as it opened to the ocean in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Prior to the opening, there were large tailor being caught up the front of the lake. The lake may need a few weeks to settle before the fishing conditions improve there. However, since the opening, flathead have fired up, being caught in the lower lake taking baits up the arms.
The Tambo River and Paynesville have been standout spots for bream. The jetties are holding good numbers and sizes, some up to 45cm! There’s also the occasional King George whiting in the Gippsland Lakes. We’re seeing kingfish landed around Metung, and rivers towards the mouth’s also fishing well for bream after the rain on baits and lures. Additionally, there are good reports of dusky flathead falling to hardbodies and soft plastics.
Bream on bait at Snowy River in Marlo has been the go, and perch are also taking lures around the islands. Over at Cape Conran, kingfish are on the chew, with fishers reporting good numbers on Marlo Reef. We’re also seeing gummy shark being caught, with large schools moving up and down the beaches, offering plenty of action for keen anglers!
Around the Bays
On the search for kingfish? Head over to the entrance of Port Phillip at the rip, where fishers have been very successful lately. The occasional kingfish has also been found near Barwon Heads. In Portarlington, flatties and gurnard are what you’ll find. Corio Bay has been producing quality snapper in the northern area of the bay.
Trevally on pilchards has been the hot catch for fishers in Newport, just off the warmies, with the occasional pinky around, too.
Down in Mornington, trevally have also been a hit off the pier. If you’re looking for squid, Frankston after sunset has been rewarding fishers. Salmon have also been sticking around for fishers in Frankston, being seen off the pier in good numbers.
In Western Port, the best action is around the high tide change. Successful fishers caught gummy shark in depths of 20m, caught on fresh yakka, mackerel chunks and calamari. Expect plenty of yakkas and slimys, but watch for tailor or small sharks snipping baits. Stick around, as snapper are also being caught in the top end of Western Port.
There’s lots of reports of solid sized kingfish coming in around the islands off Port Welshpool. Anglers have been using a range of techniques, with live baits and knife jigs proving the most effective. Small patches of southern bluefin tuna are also recent hits by anglers. Traditionally towing small skirted lures and divers has been getting some great results, with fish ranging from 8-15kg in weight. There’s some great fun to be had on poppers and stick baits when they are boiling on the surface! Good reports of gummy sharks are being caught offshore from Port Albert and Port Welshpool in the depths of 20-35m, and fresh bait is key! A great way to break up the day from chasing the kingfish and tuna and take some quality flake home for tea!
Inland
The Goulburn River may be running low, but that hasn’t stopped the cod action! Anglers are still landing solid fish using grubs and chicken as bait, while those tossing smaller hardbodies near sand bars are also getting results. Over in Kialla, bait fishing with worms and yabbies has been a winner, producing yellowbelly and the occasional redfin. If you’re after yellas, the Broken River is also worth a shot, where anglers have been hooking up on shrimp and worms. Meanwhile, for cod in the area, anglers have been rewarded with a combination of worm and cheese baits.
Eildon Pondage is delivering top notch Murray cod and trout. If you’re looking to up your game, try working jointed swimbaits in the late afternoon and evening, which is the prime time for a strike.
For bass enthusiasts, Lake Bullen Merri is firing, with fish up to 34cm coming in from Wurrung Point. Trolling deep-running bibbed lures is the key to success. Bass also continue to be a hit in Blue Rock Lake with surface lures. Over at Lake Purrumbete, keen fishers are cashing in on the Chinook salmon bite, making it a hot spot right now!
Tight lines – Mr. Percy!