Ray Long Fishing Report
On The Bite 7 Apr 2010
EASTER BONANZA
Well the Easter break certainly saw many land some quality captures and very few were better than the 1.2 metre monster elephant fish taken by Phil McMillan from the Barwon River estuary. Taken on fresh squid this was just one of many he has caught and released this past week. As mentioned squid has been the bait many of which can be caught at present also from the estuary. Fish the incoming tides after dark off the main bridge, use the larger size jigs to hold in the current and you should have fresh bait in no time.
While a few mulloway have also been taken from the Barwon of late, this species requires both time and patience if you are to have success, once again fresh squid has been the bait with the run off tides the most productive.
Good numbers of both mullet and bream were caught from the Angelsea River by the kids this week, peeled prawn and sandworm had everyone entertained for hours, while most fish were small this is a fantastic area to teach the kids on catch and release.
Corio Bay saw plenty of action with the inshore edge of the Stingaree spoil grounds on fire, here whiting and flathead dominated captures with early morning bringing the most action.
Both St Helens and North Shore rocks produced small flathead and snapper, after dark did give anglers the opportunity to land a better snapper, the best we saw was just under two kilo, here pilchard was the bait.
The outer harbour gave some of the best results, Bird Rock to the Quarries saw good numbers of whiting and flathead caught along with small snapper. The key to this area is to fish in close to shore, on average around two hundred metres or less from the shore line, this is where the structure on the bottom is at its best and holds the most fish.
Soft plastics anglers have been landing some great captures with the outer harbour spoil grounds a favorite, here snapper and flathead have been taking a liking to both Gulp three inch minnows and turtleback worms. This area will always fish best as the tide starts to run off from high. Darren Holt has landed four fish this week all over three kilo by this method.
Wilson Spit saw both snapper and gummy shark available to those fishing after dark, snapper are responding to fresh squid while you can’t go past cured eel to get into the gummy shark.
Point Wilson to Werribee has seen good numbers of salmon shoals working in shore, here they are chasing small pockets of white bait so are only working the surface for short periods of time. Success has come to those using electric motors where you can quietly come within casting distance of the feeding fish and cast a small baitfish profile lure be it soft plastic or metal into the action, the average salmon has been one kilo.
Swan Bay saw those laying a berley trail return with a mixed bag of whiting, flathead, garfish and gummy shark. Greg Harrison caught the best flathead that I saw at 2.6kg this is a quality fish and was one of over twenty fish Greg caught over the weekend.
Squid numbers seem to be currently high between St Leonards and Queenscliff, anglers are becoming more aware of the success achieved when using the better quality jigs such as Clicks and Harimitsu in the darker more natural colors. Early morning and evenings are the times to fish at present.
Due to the offshore winds down the coast we have seen only average results from the surf, Fairhaven was the best of the beaches with lures producing small fish of around 500 grams while the rocks at various locations between Lorne and Apollo Bay produced salmon to 1.2 kilo also to those casting small metal baitfish profile lures in the 30 gram weight.
Freshwater saw Lake Fyans your best choice, here both redfin and trout were taken by both bait and lure anglers alike. Mudeye have been great with a range of lures such as SX 40s and Celtas in size 3s hard to go past.
As the weather cools you will find lakes Purrumbete and Bullen Merri will come into there own, while both lakes are producing expect the fishing to improve over the coming weeks.
Inconsistent is all I can say when it comes to redfin reports from the Barwon River this week, while fish were still taken but not in both size or numbers that we have been seeing for the past few months. Best captures have come from above Buckley Falls, below the falls to Queens Park bridge and Landy Field. Lure choice seems to make a huge difference with clearly the Eco Gear SX 40s in the clear colors a stand out.
For those looking for an update on the fishing at Portland I can tell you the fishing has been frustrating with Albacore to 23kg and Bluefin generally small and difficult to catch, the fish seem to be holding down deep and rarely venturing to the surface hence numbers of fish caught, lack of bait currently in the area has added to the lean time being experienced.
This weekends tides are perfect for those wishing to catch a snapper on soft plastics from the outer harbour spoils, the early afternoon run off tides are looking ideal and this is my hot tip for the week.
This weeks SPECIAL is a REEL ripper, we have 7 ONLY SHIMANO EXAGE 10000FA Spin Reels Normally $199.00, but for this week or until sold out they are only $75. This is a heavy duty reel ideal for surf or offshore fishing, comes with a spare alloy spool and braid designed, get in quick.