A J Azzopardi with one of the large squid he caught off Queenscliff last week (Picture: Cranbourne Fishing World).
Corio Bay/Bellarine Peninsula
Among snapper enthusiasts crowded around the Wilson Spit and Point Richards channel junction over the weekend was Stewart O’Brien who’d made an early morning start, but with nothing doing, neither by he, nor anyone nearby by mid-day, he was on the move.
While slowly motoring back, a promising echo on his sounder persuaded yet another try, which was more successful this time with the capture of a 7.8 kg snapper.
Andrew Johnson and Dennis O’Brien hit pay-dirt off Curlewis in fairly rough weather on Friday catching 20 whiting in disagreeable conditions. So, with calmer seas on Saturday they made it a double with yet another catch of 20 whiting, the biggest measuring 40 cm.
Mike Windsor of Clifton Springs Boat Hire reports the boat ramp car park was completely full on both days over the weekend, but good bags of fish – including whiting – were taken.
Among the successful anglers were Murray and Darcy Scott who picked up respectable bags of whiting, and – when one of their fish was pursued to the surface by a large squid – they put a jig over the side, taking three of these tasty cephalopods in quick succession.
Also picking up whiting off Avalon was Les Awty who also caught 10 squid, while Frank and Coral of Ballarat caught 23 flathead off The Springs.
Rod Ludlow of Beachlea Boat Hire at Indented Head reports that a good many anglers benefitted from the recent influx of large squid at Queenscliff and around the Bellarine Peninsula with both prawn imitations and stem jigs baited with fish like silver whiting, getting the job done.
Among those to catch them last week were A J Azzopardi who did well in 6 metres of water off Queenscliff, with Diesel Grech and his uncle Silvio picking up some beauties in 4 metres of water off St Leonards.
James Tenaglia and Anthony Dobran who caught the train, and then the bus, from Taylors Lakes and bagged out on squid; picking up two nice flathead measuring 44 and 46cm for good measure (Picture Rod Ludlow).
Offshore
Chris Stamalos and his friend Brendan were on the water off Barwon Heads by 3.30 am Sunday, and by 4.30, Chris caught a large gummy shark that later weighed 23 kg. It was a big slow after that though; their only other catch being a much smaller gummy shark and a large squid that was hooked in the tentacle.
Freshwater
John Clements of Lake Purrumbete Holiday Park reports that redfin have been on the bite with Terry Lindsay of Mario’s Fresh Bait taking respectable bags of fish to 600 grams on soft plastics.
Apart from that said John, it’s been pretty quiet, chinook salmon being the only other highlight with Chris Farrugia from Oaklands Junction picking up several to 1.5 kg, along with the occasional brown trout.
Kevin Wild and Amber Stone of the Maryborough Angling Club fished Taylors Lake near Horsham last week, and it was here they caught a number of golden perch to 42 cm on lures, and a Murray cod that was returned.
On Sunday, Kevin fished Cairn Curran Reservoir with his father John, where their catch included golden perch to 40 cm and eight redfin.
Hugh Johnstone and “Jamo” Goldby with their catch of blue eye trevalla taken offshore from Portland (Picture: Bob McPherson).
Hooked on Bellarine
Hosted by the Victorian Fishing Authority – and to which attendance is free – “Hooked on Bellarine” is funded by the State Government’s Target One Million plan to get more people fishing more often, and is to be held on the Portarlington Harbour foreshore from 10.00 am till 4.00 pm next Sunday, October 14.
Featured will be clinics by fishing experts Aaron Habgood and Kristina Royter, held in conjunction with casting competitions. There will be seafood cooking demonstrations by master-chef Sam Goodwin, along with additional drumbeats from marine scientist Dr Corey Green and Richmond footy star Bachar Houli.
Ollie asks:
Geoff, I read in an early edition of your book, Fishing Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula, that you can catch kingfish at the Alcoa Pier, Point Henry. What is the approach?
Ollie, I suggest it’s a bit early to look for kingfish around the Alcoa Pier with February and March historically being best.
As for the approach, I suggest being on the water before very first light to get some garfish using a spotlight and dip net, and troll them live along the south side of the pier. Failing that, you could perhaps, catch some small but legal-size salmon and present them in the same manner; but gars are best.