A weekly column from Brent Hodges covering the northern region of Port Phillip Bay, including the Werribee, Maribyrnong and Yarra rivers, plus occasional reports from other areas of Port Phillip and Corio bays.
Rain, hail and thunderstorms one day, rain and wind the next! There wasn't a great deal of relief from the elements last weekend as Melbourne was hit by a massive thunderstorm with plenty of follow up rain afterwards.
As is to be expected the local reports are a little thin this week but there’s plenty of information from further afield. In stark contrast, the weather bureau is predicting mainly sunny conditions with light to moderate winds over the next few days. High tide at Williamstown is expected to peak at 12:56pm on Saturday and 2:24pm on Sunday.
WILLIAMSTOWN TO ALTONA
While I haven’t received any new reports this week I expect the inshore reefs to fish really well this weekend for pinkie snapper and whiting, particularly in the stirred up water from the mouth of the Yarra River right through to Altona.
Pt COOK TO AVALON
Last week Mick Felsovary from Hooked on Bait and Tackle mentioned that gummy sharks were being taken in shallow water from Duncans Rd at Werribee South through to Campbells Cove. Squid were in reasonable numbers over at Pt Cook and whiting had been consistent off Werribee. With excellent conditions predicted over the coming weekend I’m hoping to supply a more up to date report next week.
CORIO BAY, BELLARINE PENINSULA & THE SURF COAST
Late last week some nice flathead up to 40cm were taken along the Geelong Waterfront on soft plastics, while pinkie snapper and whiting continue to prevail throughout the outer harbour from Pt Henry through to Clifton Springs.
Conor, Tom, Matt and Tristan with a few flathead taken on soft plastics from the Geelong Waterfront near Cunningham Pier.
On the Bellarine Peninsula, squid have been in terrific numbers all summer and are still being taken along the inshore reefs from St Leonards through to Pt Lonsdale. Swan Bay has also been productive with schools of squid also venturing into the harbour at Queenscliff on occasions.
Squid have been in terrific numbers all year from St Leonards through to Pt Lonsdale.
Swan Bay has also been productive with squid also venturing into the harbour at Queenscliff.
High quality jigs in the darker, more natural colour patterns have been the most productive.
Dylan Pace reports that the fishing down at Torquay has been reasonable in recent weeks with plenty of salmon being taken on metal lures at Jan Juc, although the larger fish haven’t shown up as yet. The mouth of Spring Creek opened up last weekend and the bream have been firing. Dylan fished the system over the long weekend and took fish up to 34cm on Damiki Grubs and Squidgy Wrigglers. The Anglesea River is also fishing well with plenty of juvenile bream available and the occasional fish up to 35cm taken on prawns. Interestingly, when Dylan and his mate ran out of bait they started using cheese from their lunch which was also productive. Further down the coast a few squid have been taken from the Lorne Pier on brown and orange jigs on the turn of the tide.
IN THE RIVERS
While the metropolitan rivers are currently suffering from stormwater run off it should make for some terrific action once it settles. In the meantime, freshwater yabbies and scrub worms are your best bet for a bream while pinkie snapper should still be a viable target in the lower Yarra River, particularly on the high tide.
Prior to the deluge, Mick Kaksa and John Bain caught plenty of bream in the Maribyrnong River casting Ecogear SX40’s along the edges.
Prior to the deluge, Mick Kaksa and John Bain caught some nice bream on small hard bodied lures in the Maribyrnong River.
John Bain had his hands and mouth full with this feisty urban bream.
FRESHWATER
Mick Kaksa and his nephew Adam caught and released two trout cod up to 64cm while fishing the Goulbourn River near Shepparton last week. Both fish were taken on 5/8oz tandem Spinner-baits.
Last Thursday Mick also fished a few of the small streams around Eildon with John Bain and they had a great day casting flies to rising trout that were feeding on ants.
Mick Kaksa enjoyed chasing trout on fly in the Goulburn River at Shepparton.
John Bain also got into a few trout that were spotted sipping ants off the surface.
Aaron Hassett found a few spare minutes to cast a line during a recent trip to Camp Cooriemungle in south west Victoria. Redfin up to 35cm were taken on bladed spinners from the backwaters of Cooriemungle Creek just prior to dusk.
Aaron Hassett found a few spare minutes to cast a line during a recent trip to Camp Cooriemungle.
Redfin up to 35cm were taken on bladed spinners from the backwaters of Cooriemungle Creek.
Just prior to dusk produced the hottest bite.
FURTHER AFIELD – GOVE (East Arnhem Land)
Kevin and Lenny Haegney recently spent a few days fishing at Cape Wilberforce which is situated approximately 20 nautical miles from Gove in East Arnhem Land. Trevally, Spanish mackerel, pikey bream and a range of other tropical species were all on the chew providing some excellent sport over the week.
Kevin and Lenny Haegney recently spent some time fishing at Cape Wilberforce in East Arnhem Land.
Spanish mackerel were taken on a range of trolled lures but avoiding the sharks was a battle in itself.
Trevally, Spanish mackerel, pikey bream and a range of tropical species made for some excellent sport.
WHAT’S ON Free Fishing Clinic / Competition & Live Fishing Show Broadcast
When: Saturday 13th March
Where: Geelong Waterfront / Corio Bay
Time: 7:00am – 10:00am
Who: All aspiring soft plastic anglers
Hosts: The Fishing Show (94.7FM The Pulse - John Didge, Paul Mayer and the crew)
Guests: Charlie Micallef, John Cranston, Andrew Mostert, Colin Baker and Brent Hodges
Cost: FREE (must supply own equipment)
Registration/Enquiries: Q Tackle (or register on the day)
Details: Participants must supply there own equipment. The clinic/competition based on fishing with soft plastics only. The major prize includes a quality lure fishing outfit supplied by Q Tackle.
BEEN FISHING? LET ME KNOW! If you’ve been fishing in the area recently, please email your reports and images to brent.hodges@fishvictoria.com. You’re certainly not obliged to give away your secret spot, but a general description of when, where, the technique and bait used, and who caught the fish would be much appreciated.
Conor, Tom, Matt and Tristan with a few flathead taken on soft plastics from the Geelong Waterfront near Cunningham Pier. 
