Unfortunately there's not much different to report this week, like the last few! Nonetheless, despite average offshore fishing conditions, the trout fishing has been excellent right across the south west.
Offshore has been quiet this week but a few crews have been out. Salty Dog Charters again has been putting clients onto great fishing, both bottom bashing and on the tuna front. The guys bagged out on tuna earlier this week out of Port Fairy, but also picked up some big gummies, snapper and nannygai on the same day; not a bad winter bag! When conditions allow it's definitely worth getting out there as at this time of year, you'll have good fishing usually to yourself! Barwon Heads continues to be the hotspot for barrels this week. Zac Cross from Cross Country Charters got his mega Seacruiser 9000 in the action landing a solid barrel, one of many in that locality this week. Inside the river at Barwon Heads has seen some monster trevally to 55cm, salmon to 2kg and even some mulloway this week for those fishing a bit further east.
Plenty of big trout have been taken by local and travelling anglers this week, including fish over 60cm! Skeeta Andrews has continued his fine form with some really solid browns taken throughout the Merri. Skeeta has been running the Daiwa Presso minnows, heading out before or after work. We are lucky to live in a spot where world class quality trout are so convenient to access! Oliver Andrews travelled down from Geelong to sample the trout fishing and wasn't disappointed. Fishing on Friday with Ben Woolcock, the guys landed 7 fish including 2 at 60cm. These fish took both soft plastics and hardbodies, despite the fast flowing muddy water. Oli then headed out the next day with Darcy Cutter and again landed some more fish to the high 50cm range. Brent Saulitis took advantage of an easy boat launch on the Merri and landed his new personal best at 58cm, a well deserved fish. Young Toby Hellessey got amongst the action too, with a 55cm trout taken from the lower stretches of the Merri. Toby was running a Daiwa Double Clutch; a popular lure choice for it's long casting properties, great colour range, and long bib which tracks straight in heavy current. The new shallow running models are very popular too. The crater lakes continue to fire. Lake Purrumbete has been giving up some really nice trout and redfin. The new skipper of Victorian Inland Charters, Ken Carman, has been straight into the action in his new role getting clients onto big trout and big bags of redfin. This week has seen brown trout to 6lb, as well as tiger trout, chinook salmon, and some cricket score catches of redfin with fish to the mid forties. That's great fishing! For a guided trip get into touch with Victorian Inland Charters. Lake Bullen Merri has also seen some good fishing, with Tim Vincent walking the shorelines last Sunday and picking up some tiger trout.
The Warrnambool and District Angling Club had their first competition for the year last weekend. Plenty of nice bream were caught in the Hopkins; including Jordan Butler who took out the heaviest fish award with his 1.165kg bream. Shane Murphy took out the heaviest bag award and Jess Lane took heaviest ladies fish. Despite the dirty water, good fishing can definitely be found in the Hopkins this time of year!
Best of luck with your fishing endeavours this week and we will see you out on the water.