If you thought the tuna fishing was going to slow down, think again. The local offshore scene continues to fire, while the region's rivers and beaches are also producing plenty of action for anglers chasing something different.
Offshore
The Southern Bluefin Tuna season continues to go from strength to strength, with another outstanding week on the local barrels and kegs. While we haven't seen many of the truly giant fish over 100kg, the numbers of 60-80kg tuna have been remarkable. In my 17 years working in the tackle industry, I can't recall seeing so many fish of this size class being caught consistently.
There are plenty of theories as to why these fish have appeared in such numbers, but no one seems to be complaining, especially tackle shop owners and lure manufacturers. Anglers have been snapping up proven performers as fast as we can get them in. Jaks Zeus skirts and Big Barrel Bullets have been selling out within half an hour of being featured on our social media, highlighting just how popular these effective lures have become. Anything resembling redbait or pilchards continues to produce excellent results.
In recent weeks, the fish have begun to move east with the best fishing now off Apollo Bay and even further east towards Lorne and Barwon Heads. There are still local fish however they've now moved much wider than the 500m distances from shore they were recently holding in!
Harry Anders recently took Brent Saulitis and Rob offshore from Port Fairy, where both anglers landed their biggest-ever tuna, estimated at 70-80kg. To make things even more challenging, Brent battled a broken reel seat during the fight, with the reel spinning around under load. Despite the setback, he managed to land the dream fish with a little help from his mates. Jordan Sicely has also maintained his hot form, boating quality fish trolling skirts, particularly the redbait-coloured Jaks Big Barrel Bullet.
Another technique gaining momentum is casting stickbaits and poppers into large bait schools. While highly effective, anglers should be prepared for long, physical battles. The heavy spin rods required for casting offer great distance but lack the lifting power of traditional game tackle. The result is plenty of fun but also plenty of pain.
Luke Gercovich, Xavier Ellul and Bilal Khanyari have enjoyed outstanding success targeting tuna on both topwater lures and live baits fished beneath active bait schools. On one recent trip, the trio landed five fish from six opportunities, an impressive conversion rate and further evidence of just how well this season has started.
Importantly, not every fish was kept. The boys released what they didn't need for the table, demonstrating responsible fishing practices. Keeping a fish for a feed is one thing, but we should all remember that healthy tuna numbers aren't guaranteed forever. We've seen lean years before, so sustainable practices are important to ensure future generations enjoy the same opportunities.
Once you've landed your fish, proper handling is critical. After bleeding and brain-spiking the fish, the priority should be rapidly reducing its core temperature. Fresh flake ice is one of the best ways to achieve this. Pack the body cavity and gill plates thoroughly to maximise eating quality. Fish bags have also become increasingly popular, helping preserve your catch while keeping the deck cleaner and more organised.
While most attention has been focused on tuna, anglers fishing the bottom have still been finding success on gummy sharks and school sharks. Pilchards, squid and freshly caught salmon remain the standout baits. Speaking of salmon, beaches around Killarney continue to produce good numbers, with anglers finding success on both metal lures and bait. Bluebait has been particularly effective lately, and we've just received some excellent fresh stock. Running a double paternoster rig can be a great way to maximise your chances and collect bait more efficiently.
Estuaries
The Glenelg River fished surprisingly well over the weekend despite some challenging weather conditions. The Warrnambool and District Angling Club held its annual competition, with 11 anglers braving the elements.
Michael Hunt landed a quality 1.5kg bream on a soft plastic while fishing the flats before completing his bag using a mid-diving Daiwa Infeet Crank in the Brown Suji colour. Holding position in the strong wind was critical, with his Minn Kota Raptor shallow-water anchor proving invaluable for staying locked onto fish without spooking them.
The Raptor remains one of those products that attracts plenty of curiosity at boat ramps and service stations alike. While many people initially have no idea what the pole is for, once they see it in action they quickly appreciate the concept. Being hydraulic, it's almost silent and can anchor effectively in shallow water out to 2.1 metres with the 10-foot model. If you'd like to learn more about how they work, feel free to drop into the store for a chat.
Other anglers found success fishing live crabs on the incoming tide, while a handful of mulloway have been reported by anglers trolling hard-bodied minnows and live mullet. No particularly large fish have been reported yet, but it's likely only a matter of time before bigger mulloway begin moving into the system for winter and spring. Historically, dirtier water and increased flow often trigger improved mulloway fishing as baitfish and eels concentrate in the lower reaches of the river.
The Hopkins River has only recently opened and water levels have already dropped considerably. Some good bream are being taken out of the ski run, and Tim Vincent is finding plenty of EPs upstream in the freshwater.
Trout reports have been quiet but the coming rains should get things happening! We are holding our annual winter trout comp during June & July with plenty of prizes up for grabs thanks to Pure Fishing, with three categories. With two rod & reel combos and a huge lure and tackle pack available, you can enter with either the biggest fish, measured on a mat or tape with spool of leader visible, best photo and also any purchase trout related or Pure Fishing product will get an entry for every $50 spent.
As you can see, despite the colder weather there are still plenty of options available across the South West. Whether you're chasing giant tuna offshore, salmon from the surf or bream in the estuaries, there's no shortage of quality fishing on offer right now. Grab your rod and reel and make the most of it.