We’ve seen a bit of everything this week, from excellent estuary action right through to jumbo tuna offshore - truly something for everyone across the South West. Let’s dive in.
Saltwater:
Social media has been flooded with crayfish photos and reports from across the region. Grant Bellman, Sam Powell and Neil Clarke headed out on Thursday evening in search of some Christmas favourites and were well rewarded, landing some quality crays and even releasing solid 1.5kg models after already having big ones onboard. Sam also had a monster estimated at over 4kg climb the side of the pot before swimming free to fight another day.
Ed Richardson and Matt Cook took the Stabicraft 2350 demo down the coast, diving with the hookah and hose reel, and collected some great crays destined for Christmas lunch. Locally built cray pots have been flying out the door thanks to their weight and build quality, with a standout feature being the integrated wire loops on the base, allowing bait to be cable-tied securely without the need for a bait bag or cage. Salmon and mullet halves have been the standout baits recently, with their tough skin making them harder for crays to strip compared to softer options.
A reminder to all anglers to follow Victorian regulations and only fish once per day. Fisheries officers will be active over the holiday period, so it’s best to do the right thing and avoid any unnecessary risks.
Offshore, school-sized tuna have made a welcome return closer to shore. Max Fry landed a solid fish around the 10kg mark on the cast in near-perfect conditions. Reports have also come in from further down the coast, with schools holding beneath boats while anglers bottom fish. These tuna, typically ranging from 8–15kg, are an excellent introduction to pelagic fishing and can be targeted by both casting and trolling a wide variety of lures. They also make fantastic table fish, offering plenty of meat for the family.
At the larger end of the scale, “barrel” tuna around the magical 100kg mark are still being caught, though less consistently. Some impressive fish have been landed off Portland, with one boat boating three solid fish in a single day trolling skirts. Popular lures have included the Bonze Exocet in Red Bait and Mackenzie Serial Pests in Yakka and Red Bait, with spreader bars proving effective at drawing fish up from deeper water.
School shark and gummy shark fishing has also been firing, with anglers using pilchards, squid, and fresh couta or wrasse landing quality flake along the coast. David Cassidy and crew fished off Warrnambool, boating some big school sharks along with a few nice pan-sized snapper.
Estuaries:
With warm nights settling in, many estuary anglers have turned to surface fishing. Tim Vincent, a keen surface enthusiast, recently landed a long-awaited personal best estuary perch while fishing a local system on a warm evening. Casting a Daiwa Infeet Slippery Dog, Tim connected to an impressive 54cm perch: a true trophy fish and one he’s been chasing for some time.
Landing fish of this calibre often requires both skill and luck, especially around heavy structure where big perch like to live. Leaders in the 8–15lb range are often needed, along with a rod that has enough backbone to pull fish clear. Having the right balance of tackle is crucial, and we have options to suit all budgets at the Tackle Shack — pop in and have a chat if you’re chasing a new PB this summer.
With the Christmas break approaching, expect increased numbers at boat ramps and in typically quiet fishing spots. A bit of patience goes a long way and helps ensure your trip starts on the right foot. Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable Christmas, plenty of time on the water, and hopefully a few great fish along the way. Until next time — tight lines.