Jason Treloar with his 47 cm bream from the Sheepwash.
Barwon Heads
Prior to the weather turning sour last week, Stan Owen and Jason Treloar headed down to The Sheepwash catching the last of the incoming tide and high tide change, hopeful of catching some good size silver trevally.
They had previously managed to gather a few shore crabs and were hopeful of also tempting a bream or two.
Initially the pilchard fillets they were using for bait attracted the attention of the numerous small tailer within the estuary, but at the cost of several hooks.
However, the trevally did arrive, and there were some good ones among them. In fact, the only line not in constant action was the one baited with crab.
But as the flood tide eased off toward high slack water, it was the outfit baited with crab that caught their attention, the rod nodding a warning before burying over to the growl of the reel.
Yes, it was a bream, and at 47 cm a real beauty, but despite the redistribution of the remaining crabs to other lines, that was it for the day.
Trevor Perry of the Maryborough Angling Club with the 70 cm Murray cod he caught from the Loddon River below Laanecoorie Weir.
Freshwater
With Thursday the only day forecast to provide relief from the windy weather, Simon Werner and Michael Dean visited Lake Bullen Merri, but the fishing was slow.
However, they did manage to catch a tiger trout each, both around the 2 kg mark. Both were caught on pilchard fillets suspended a metre or so above the bottom; one at around 9.00 am, the other around 2.00 in the afternoon.
Kevin Wild of the Maryborough Club reports that when weather permitted, most of the interest was focussed on redfin at Tullaroop Reservoir, several of which were over the 40 cm mark.
Club member Trevor Perry fished the Loddon River below Laanecoorie Weir last week and was rewarded with a 70 cm Murray cod, of which Trevor sent in a photo.
I received a press release from VFA reminding anglers of the closed season for Murray cod from September 1 until November 30. However, Cairn Curran Reservoir, along with Lakes Eppalock, Eildon, and Nillahcootie (north of Eildon), and several others will remain open to cod fishing.
Jamie Wells and wife Wendy with samples from their bass catch from Borumba dam, Qld.
Upstate
With local fishing reports scarce this week I’ve had to cast the proverbial net a little wider:
Jamie Wells and wife Wendy don’t mind covering a bit of ground when seeking good fishing prospects having just spent a week at Borumba dam, which is west of Noosa near Imbil in Queensland.
Their quarry – Australian bass – were really on the bite with catches of 10-20 fish in sessions lasting only two hours or so, with their biggest fish measuring 44 cm. All were taken on “Hotbite” lures.
With fishing that good, you’d think they might have extended their stay a little longer.
Possibly suffering cases of itchy feet though, they are now taking the 300 km drive to Cania dam that is not only stocked with Australian bass, but with silver and golden perch.
However, the real drawcard at Cania are saratoga, a species that – speaking from personal experience – will certainly get the kinks out of your line.
Cormio asks:
Geoff, I recently tried to take my small tinny offshore and made a 4.00 am start from the Ocean Grove boat ramp. However, while traversing the Barwon Heads bridge, a rogue gust of wind blew my tinny into a pylon, persuading my return to the ramp.
Do you have any advice on how to safely plan an offshore trip?
Cormio, the Barwon estuary is presently fishing well with numerous species on offer, and I daresay you’re equipped with a craft suited to take advantage of that situation, but – for reasons of safety – not for fishing offshore, neither during the day or at night.