Logan Hunt 3, with the catch of whiting that he and his dad Taylor caught over the Swan Island grass beds (Picture: Taylor Hunt).
Corio Bay/Bellarine Peninsula
Taylor Hunt and his three-year-old son Logan launched off Queenscliff early last week and fished over the Swan Island grass beds for whiting in 3-4 metres of water.
Despite blustery winds, they stuck to their plan, and – using pipis and squid for bait – they did find a hot whiting bite, bagging a dozen fish to 40 cm before enjoying ice creams back at the harbour.
Paul Raduka, Jamie Jackson, and Jaimie’s teenage son Jack, first headed out off St Leonards on Saturday morning catching 15 squid to 800 grams or so, and a cuttlefish of around 1.5 kg on the last of the incoming tide.
Come the top of the tide, they motored out into 16 metres of water hopeful of catching a gummy shark, but it was banjo sharks to the fore, and a false alarm when one of their squid baits temped a large eagle ray.
Well, with around half of the ebb tide still to run after their ill-fated gummy shark trip, they decided to try for whiting off the entrance of Swan Bay, where – anchored up off Edwards Point in just over 2 metres of water – they caught 27 whiting and several garfish before the tide, and the whiting bite, bottomed out in the late afternoon.
Fishing for whiting offshore from Point Richards before the storm front came through last week, Gordon and Carol Williams were out to catch the last few hours of the incoming tide, but pickings were pretty lean with just a handful of small fish that were returned.
However, after a couple of moves, a drop in 6 metres of water produced 10 nice fish before the tide slackened off earlier than they’d hoped, and along with it, the whiting bite. But the largest of their whiting were nudging the 40 cm mark and accompanied by two good size flathead.
Mike Windsor of Clifton Springs Boat Hire reports that flathead, including some good ones to 45 cm, have been caught by those prepared to try their luck in what is usually less than ideal weather.
However, small, and undersize pinkie snapper have been stealing a lot of baits, said Mike, but there’s nothing unusual about that.
Rod Ludlow of Beachlea Boat Hire at Indented Head reports that whiting have been the main attraction with some good catches being made within 500 metres of the shore between Grassy Point and the Governor Reefs with mussels, pipis and squid being the preferred baits.
However, Rod mentions that some bait suppliers have been selling cockles as pipis, and – considering they are not half the bait that pipis are – it’s something to be aware of.
Don Rayner of the Maryborough Angling Club with a 43 cm redfin from Tullaroop Reservoir (Picture: Kevin Wild).
Robert Rayner with a sample of his redfin catch from Tullaroop Reservoir (Picture: Kevin Wild).
Freshwater
Kevin Wild of the Maryborough Angling Club reports that Tullaroop Reservoir remains the most productive redfin fishery for club members with he, Don, and Robert Rayner among those to partake in the harvest.
Effective methods of catching the reddies included the use of lures, including beetlespins, soft plastics and vibes. However, should you be able to get a supply of small yabbies … Well, need I say more about how effective they are?
Fishing Lake Bullen Merri on Friday evening were Michael Korbut and his friend Boris who caught chinook salmon to 60 cm while suspending pilchard fillets just above the bottom from Boris’ boat.
They tried again the following morning only to find two of Michael’s bait traps, which were properly identified, had been stolen from 8 metres of water; just another disappointment we shouldn’t have to put up with.
Never-the-less, they bagged out on each of the two days they spent fishing with chinook salmon to 2.2 kg, and several rainbow trout and tigers.
The once common trout cod, particularly in northern Victorian waters, is currently listed as endangered and the taking of trout cod from all Victorian waters has been prohibited for some time now.
However, recently announced by VFA is that a $15 million investment from Victorian Government’s Go Fishing and Boating Plan will initiate the expansion of both Snobs Creek and Arcadia Hatcheries where an increased production of trout cod fingerlings will be a priority.
James Harmon with one of the mulloway he’s caught after fooling the sharks of Moreton Bay, and within the port of Brisbane.
Upstate
My friend Scott Goleby from Brisbane often sends me information on Moreton Bay, but lately, sharks have been troublesome.
Simon Harmon, another Brisbane angler should have had a good day in one of his favourite spots on Moreton at the weekend, but lost each of two mulloway he hooked, but got the better part of a snapper after the taxman took his share.
Mind you, that’s only a part of the story with Simon’s brother, James, already getting the job done as Scott describes here:
“In the waters of Brisbane River, its port, and Moreton Bay, angler James Harmon sets out on an exciting quest for Jewfish and Snapper. Equipped with a 95mm Zerek Fish Trap, Nomad Vertrex Max Vibes, and 5-inch Molix Forkflex Plastics, he’s ready for the challenge.
Using side-scan sonar, James locates schools of fish near structures and dredge lines. But there’s a twist: sharks are a constant threat. To counter this, he uses a strong 50lb mainline and 55lb leader, aiming get his catch in quickly.
After a day of fishing, patience, and a few thrilling encounters with sharks, James emerges victorious with impressive catches of jewfish and snapper. James’ fishing affinity in Brisbane River and Moreton Bay is a perfect blend of technology, experience, and a deep respect for the marine world.”
Simon Harmon’s change from the Morton Bay taxman.
Please send your reports to geoffw10@optusnet.com.au, on messenger, or by phone, 03 5248 1307.