Tuna fever has officially taken over—anglers from across the state (and beyond) are flocking to our local waters to chase jumbo southern bluefin tuna, and the excitement is at an all-time high. For those preferring a more relaxed fight, there’s been excellent action on gummy and school sharks, while our estuaries continue to offer reliable options in calmer waters.
It’s all about barrel tuna right now. Triple-digit fish (100kg+) are being landed daily on skirts trolled behind spreader bars. The bite zone is vast—from Port MacDonnell in the west to Peterborough in the east—so there’s plenty of space to spread out. This has made for more enjoyable sessions, reducing incidents of tangled spreads and close-quarter chaos that plagued earlier weeks. Boating etiquette reminder: Simple communication goes a long way. Use your radio to coordinate with nearby boats, and give each other room to work. Respect on the water makes a better day for everyone.
Bailey Petch has been consistent on the barrels, most recently boating a solid 100kg fish off Peterborough, where redbait is thick—so it’s no surprise the tuna are there too. A word of caution: the Peterborough ramp is steep and notoriously slippery. If you're unfamiliar with it, launching from Warrnambool is a safer bet. Corey Gauci and his crew also struck gold near Peterborough with a memorable double hook-up. Anglers are showing great care for their catches, with bleeding, coring, icing, and gutting done at sea to preserve meat quality. Remember, tuna retain heat for a long time—plenty of ice is essential to get the core temperature down quickly. Dan Hoey of Salty Dog Charters has been putting clients onto barrels off Port Fairy, including a birthday trip for daughter Ashby Hoey that resulted in two big fish on Bonze spreader bars. Andrew Buck achieved a personal milestone with his first barrel—a 110kg tuna—taken on a Bonze Exocet (Angry Squid). Xavier Ellul and Luke Gercovich chased tuna on spin tackle, landing a solid fish on the Saltiga. A celebratory lift into the boat saw the rod snap—now destined for the pool room. We’ve just restocked with Black Pete wind-on leaders, snap swivels, and heavy-duty tackle—perfect for chasing these beasts.
Meanwhile, gummy and school sharks have provided consistent action, with many anglers bagging out. Some quality pinkie snapper are also in the mix. Squid and pilchards have been the top baits, and berley is a must. Use a berley cage on the anchor chain or a dedicated rod with a weighted pot to ensure your berley stays near the bottom where the fish are feeding.
The Hopkins River has risen slightly after recent rainfall and may breach again soon. If we get a decent downpour, it could stay open longer—something many are hoping for. The eel migration from the river to the sea has been a fascinating sight, with slippery travellers making their way over the sand at Point Ritchie—a rare natural spectacle. Fishing in the Hopkins has been productive, particularly in 1–2m depths using unweighted or lightly weighted baits. Cut mullet, shrimp, yabbies, and peeled prawns are effective. Lighter sinkers are best to ensure a natural bait presentation—too much weight and the fish will often drop the bait. Further west, the Glenelg River continues to produce quality bream and perch, with the odd mulloway showing up too. Start at Taylor’s Straight and work your way downstream. Schools of fish are holding just off the edges, responding well to soft plastics and blades fished close to the bottom. Water levels remain high, and the mouth may open soon, improving boat access at the lower end of the system.
Weather windows remain tight, so offshore opportunities can be limited—but when conditions allow, the rewards are massive. Keep a close eye on the forecast for drops in wind and swell. Until next week, stay safe, fish smart, and tight lines!