Tim Beusmans with yet another trophy size brown trout from Lake Purrumbete. It weighed 4.45 kg and was taken on a trolled Tassie Devil (Picture: Chris Farrugia).
Apologies to column readers for its absence over the past two weeks while I was in the care of Geelong excellent medical professionals. However, I’m now back on deck.
While wintry weather has discouraged most anglers, the hardy souls fishing our beaches have been blessed with some great catches of Australian salmon, a species well represented at this time of year, regardless of the weather.
These include fish to 4.5 kg taken by Michael Levett and partner Christine Kemp at Johanna Beach (which is north west of Cape Otway) early last week, along with stories of other – perhaps even larger fish – that got away.
Beaches closer to home, including Jan Juc and Bancoora also produced salmon for the hardy souls braving last week’s appalling weather. The high tides during the middle of the day reportedly the most productive.
Kevin Wild and his partner Amber Stone (pictured), picked up five Murray Cod from a recent visit to Lake Mulwala; this one measured 93 cm.
Ben Butcher from Ballarat with a 45 cm redfin that he caught from Lake Toolondo on Saturday evening (Picture: Victorian Inland Charters).
Clifton Springs jetty upgrade
As part of the State Government’s $46 million commitment to have a million anglers fishing in our state by 2020, a $320,000 investment was announced by State Premier Daniel Andrews at Clifton Springs over the weekend to extend the fishing jetty, which was part of an earlier funding plan. This upgrade is expected to be finished by October.
Rod Ludlow of Beachlea Boat Hire at Indented Head found last week’s weather a stumbling block, but prior to that, he reports cleaning some many dozens of flathead for clients, something which took him well into last Sunday evening.
James Tenaglia and Anthony Dobran of Taylors Lakes with one of their recent catches made from Beachlea Boat Hire at Indented Head (Picture: Rod Ludlow).
From left, John Hall, Wayne Rigg and Chris Rigg with their catch from Lake Toolondo after Tuesday’s storm (Picture: Victorian Inland Charters).
Freshwater
John Clements of the Lake Purrumbete Holiday Park reports that just prior to last week’s bad weather that thinned out even the most dedicated anglers, Lake Purrumbete was fishing well with trophy size brown trout on offer.
Among those to catch them was Tim Beusmans whose biggest brown trout weighed 4.45 kg and was caught while trolling a Tassie Devil along the surface: A remarkable looking male, it was accompanied by the capture of a 3.4 kg female.
Redfin have also been on offer said John, with George Gillies of Winchelsea taking fish to 1.2 kg on soft plastics.
Despite the bad weather, John mentions that land based anglers fishing nearby Lake Bullen Merri of an evening, and using pilchards for bait – have caught any amount of chinook salmon to a kilogram or so.
Kevin Wild of Maryborough reports on a recent visit to Lake Mulwala with partner Amber Stone where their catch included five Murray cod, the biggest measuring 93 cm.
Kevin also reports that anglers fishing from the bank at Tullaroop Reservoir – which is between Maryborough and the Cairn Curran Reservoir – have been consistently catching both brown and rainbow trout; the larger fish taken being around the 3 kg mark.
I am anxiously awaiting the result of Kevin’s planned fishing trip to this destination
Trevor Holmes of Victorian Inland Charters reports that redfin, and the occasional brown trout have been on offer at Lake Toolondo with John Hall, Wayne and Chris Rigg taking a good sample of each after Tuesday’s storm.
On Saturday evening, clients Ben Butcher and Zac Pritchard from Ballarat also did well, their combined catch including a 50 cm brown trout and a 45 cm Redfin. These were taken on OSP bent minnows, Stump-jumpers, and Rapala XPs.
Christina Kemp with one of the large Australian salmon taken by her and partner Michael Levett from Johanna Beach last week. (Picture: Michael Levett).
Bob McPherson of Portland photographed this close encounter between a whiting fisherman and a large whale just offshore from Danger Point.
Roland asks:
Geoff, with no boat, I am at a loss to know what to fish for land based in Corio Bay. While I’d settle for more of less anything, I would really like to catch one of those big snapper that turn up at this time of year. Can you provide any guidance?
Roland, catching snapper during the winter is a challenge, and fishing for them – whether from a boat or land based – usually requires considerable time and effort.
Should you be prepared to fish into the night – or very early in the morning – from the Geelong Waterfront, or from the platforms beside Lascelles Wharf at North Shore, you have a chance.
Likewise, you may be successful from the small jetty at the Grammar School lagoon, as I have on occasion, particularly during the first three hours of the incoming tide when this occurs either before, or just on daybreak.
Australian salmon have been plentiful around the Geelong Waterfront in recent times, and – should you be a proficient lure caster – it’s well worth looking for them between Cunningham Pier and the breakwaters at Limeburner’s Point boat ramp. Birds wheeling overhead are a good indication of their presence.
Garfish are also present, and an early morning start from any of the structures within Corio Bay’s inner harbour provides the best chance of a good catch.