The Patterson River complex

By Mark Bolger.

When the words "Patterson River" are mentioned, many fishermen think of plush, new boat launching facilities, and good snapper grounds nearby. When I hear the words "Patterson River", I think of large, hungry black bream, as well as a multitude of other angling options.


HISTORY
In the early 19th century, stories emanated of Aboriginals spearing flounder the size of stingrays from the mouth of what today is the Patterson River. In my mind, there is no reason why these stories would be untrue.

Back in the 1920s, there was a large estuarine swamp, running all the way from Frankston to Caulfield, and out to Berwick. It was aptly named the "Carrum - Carrum Swamp". The local Aboriginal tribe, the Bunarong tribe, would hunt duck, fish and other wildlife on the swamp, and in the surrounding grasslands. The "Carrum - Carrum Swamp" was a very large swamp, especially by today's standards; and imagine this - it took 4 days, by horse and cart to get from Caulfield to Frankston. Frankston was seen as a holiday resort in the 1900s. It was a very popular fishing destination.

But in the late 1980s, the Patterson River, which was enclosed by sand dunes, was turned into a mini - city. Today, it is one of the most exclusive suburbs, with many water front homes, with not driveways but private jetties! Also in the late '80s, work started on making the soon to be man made Patterson Lakes. Extensive work is still carried out today.

The Patterson River mouth was dredged, in order to provide access to Port Phillip Bay, and the man made "Patterson Lakes". Currently, the township of Patterson Lakes has a population of around 2000 people.

LOCATION
Only 30 kilometres from Melbourne, and only 10 kilometres from Frankston, the Patterson Lakes is easily reached for most metropolitan-based anglers. Anglers who drive can drive to the Patterson River on the Nepean Highway. The relevant Melways reference is Map 99.

For junior anglers, and those who do not drive, the Patterson River can be reached by using public transport. Simply board a Frankston Bound train, from Flinders Street Melbourne, and hop off at Carrum station. To reach the mouth of the river, it is simply a quick 2-minute walk across the Nepean Highway, then head north. You will be able to see the river from the station.

SPECIES
Surprisingly, the Patterson River abounds with fish. Considered that there have been several reports of illegal fishing over the last few years, the fish always seem to fight back in this popular waterway.

BREAM
The main species targeted here is the black bream. These rather large specimens can be caught all the way up the river, right from the mouth, all the way down to Thompson Road, where a wall breaks the river. One of the best spots, especially after heavy rain, is the large Pylons only 100 meters upstream from the river mouth; large amounts of bream, of all sizes I might add, congregate around the pylons and river mouth, escaping the large amount of freshwater in the river.

Some of the best baits are garden worms, and bass yabbies, cast hard up against the pylons. Do not be afraid to hit the pylons. Sometimes these noises tend to send the bream into a feeding frenzy. Other good spots include near the numerous boat moorings, where bream happily pick away at mussels growing on the bottom of these boats, and at the "dredge dock", approximately 5km upstream. This large dock is just covered in mussels, and is a prime feeding ground for the black bream. There are several large, territorial fish, which live under this dock.

Basically, anywhere along the river, you are a chance for a bream. Fresh bait, used in conjunction with berley is very hard for a bream to refuse.

AUSTRALIAN SALMON
Perhaps one of our best tasting saltwater species, the Australian salmon is a regular customer to the Patterson River. I remember flicking a 'wonder wobbler' at a school of around 100 BIG salmon, making their way towards the river mouth, one morning at about 6am. They were aggressively attacking a large school of baitfish. However, they would not take a lure; I tried several types, with no luck at all.

Some excellent salmon are taken from the rockwalls, which extend about twenty metres out from the end of the walking track adjacent to the mouth of the Patterson River. Fish will aggressively attack a 'popper' style lure, and take 'Lazer' style lures with ease.

Australian salmon will also push into the Patterson Lakes themselves. Basically, they can turn up just about anywhere in the system.

YELLOWEYE MULLET
LRegarded as a sweet tasting fish, this species inhabits the Patterson River system in large numbers. I have found the best mullet fishing is actually in the Patterson Lakes. Tuna oil and bread attracts them by the thousands; the only problem is getting a bait on the bottom, which will not be attacked by the smaller fish. Decent yelloweye mullet can be caught around the large pylons which support the light rail tracks, 100 meters upstream of the river mouth.

SILVER TREVALLY
Silver trevally occasionally make the odd appearance at the Patterson River mouth. Many are caught from the rockwalls at the mouth of the river on pilchard fillets and small silver lures. Also, trevally have been caught from the beach, on both sides of the river.

FLATHEAD & TUPONG
Surprisingly, flathead are not commonly caught in the Patterson River/Lakes. When they are caught, they are usually large specimens. Known hotspots are around 4 kilometres downstream, around large cumbungi bushes. Fish are known to lurk on the bottom around these bushes, searching for food.

Tupong are uncommon, but are caught. In my time, I have seen 4 caught with my own eyes. Two by my father, two by my sister. All were caught on the same day, after heavy rains, using garden worms. These fish were caught behind the now defunct Riverside Nursing Home.

EELs
Eels are very common in the Patterson Lakes and River. Best baits are roast beef, and tough meats. Eels have no trouble taking fresh mussels or other baits though!

PERSONALLY SPEAKING...
Personally speaking, the Patterson Lakes is my favourite local waterway, simply because it is the best bream fishery located close to me. I normally head down to the Lakes after school on Friday afternoons or early on weekend mornings. Increasingly I have been arriving at my favourite land based spot around midday on Sundays, with reasonable result. I have only not caught a fish once; now that is pretty good results!

The Patterson River complex is a favourite spot of mine for another reason, because it has provided me with my best bream to date. This fish weighed around 2 pounds. Not bad for only my first trip there! I used fresh a fresh mussel, in conjunction with a berley comprising of breadcrumbs and tuna oil. This fish was taken at about 8:00am, and fought hard for approximately 15 minutes, Absolute chaos was caused when I realised my drag was not properly set; luckily I did not have my reel handle lock on!

TIPS
TACKLE
II recommend using a size 6 hook, with 2 kilo monofilament line. Mono gives more stretch than braid, but then again, braid has the power to steer a hard pulling bream away from a large pylon. The choice is yours; however, I have had best success using Maxima "Ultragreen" line, in 2 kg breaking strain. A graphite rod makes fishing much more enjoyable, preferably around 6 feet tall.

BAIT
Without a doubt, bass yabbies are the best bait, closely followed by freshwater yabbies and mussels. Freshwater yabbies can be caught from dams in the Mornington Peninsula, but unless you know a land - owner, you could get yourself into trouble. Bass yabbies can be pumped on low tide in the Patterson River, in the numerous weed beds near the large pylons, at the mouth of the river. If not, bait can be bought from:

BILLFISHER TACKLE
Billfisher Tackle, 495 Nepean Highway, Frankston, run by Brett & Michelle sell freshwater yabbies, maggots, mudeyes, mussels and a host of other live and dead baits. They can also give a reliable update on what's happening in the area.

STYLECRAFT MARINE
Stylecraft Marine, Located off McLeod's Road Patterson Lakes, is the only stockist of bass yabbies. Be quick though, as the literally sell out first thing in the morning. Stylecraft Marine does not sell freshwater yabbies. Staff at Stylecraft are reliable sources of information, and sell a host of frozen baits, as well as tackle.

Black crabs can also be collected from underneath the rockwalls that make they way down from the mouth of the river, to about 500 metres down the river. You can grab them from under the rocks, or, you can lure them out with a bait on a hook, then net or grab them. Watch it though, as the have VERY sharp claws. Removing one of the back legs makes hooking them through the body very easy. They are a top bait.

BEST TIMES TO FISH
I have found the best fishing times to be from January - April. The unpredictable nature of weather in this timeframe seems to drive the bream crazy, particularly before a thunderstorm. The barometer has a big effect on bream.

I believe you will have most success early in the morning. From 5 - 8am is an ideal time. With a frosty night, your chances improve ten fold. However, you will catch fish mid afternoon, but fishing will be a lot quieter. Right on dusk is another good time too. My mate Gary has his precious rod ripped from the rocks! Funny thing was that the bream was only half a pound!

I strongly recommend you fish early morning; there are no crowds of people, just dedicated fisherman, who are 'in the know'... Talk to them, learn from them!

AND FINALLY...

The Patterson River complex has a lot of history, and I'm sure there will be more to come. Give the 'Patto' a go, it is really worth it.