The jumbo tuna are still lingering offshore and feeding well when conditions allow. River systems remain high, with many estuaries requiring a solid downpour to break open and start flowing properly.
Only a few boats have made it out offshore recently, but those who braved the conditions were well rewarded. Mates Oscar, Jiles, Jack, and Johnny enjoyed an unforgettable session off Warrnambool, landing three giant tuna between 98kg and 129kg. These fish were taken on Bonze Weapons and a Jaks Zeus lure in the 'Angry Skittle' colour. A key to their success was the use of spreader bars, which not only help draw fish to the surface but, when rigged correctly, can assist in landing these powerful beasts. While it might seem unlikely that a piece of titanium dragging squid lures could help subdue a massive tuna, the trick lies in how you rig it. Rather than using a clip on the centre line, anglers are now running the skirt close to the end squid without a clip. When the tuna hits, the trailing squid crash into the fish, often triggering a long, energy-draining initial run. This can tire the fish quickly, making it easier to land. Matching skirt colours to the squid on the bar also helps present a more natural-looking offering. If you’re unsure about rigging your spreader bars effectively, we’re happy to assist.
In other offshore news, the Warrnambool Offshore and Light Game Fishing Club held an all-species competition over the weekend. Anglers fished in a variety of locations, from deep water to inshore grounds, with excellent results. Grub Cole landed a striking frostfish out on the shelf — always an odd-looking catch with its long, slender silver body. Janaka Kandage and Peter Sedgley boated a lovely snapper along with other bottom species, while Tom Holt hooked into a hefty 25.8kg gummy shark in deeper waters. These larger gummies are beginning to move inshore for breeding. In the junior division, the Neal kids had an excellent weekend. Kaitlin landed a beautiful 2.9kg blue morwong, while her brother Thomas caught a solid school shark.
Closer to shore, garfish have been active around Pea Soup, The Passage, and out the front of the Moyne River at Port Fairy. Peter Brilliant had great success using the new Cannonball berley powder. Float fishing with small pieces of pippi or prawn proved irresistible to the gars. To target them effectively, use super-sharp, fine-gauge hooks. We recommend the Daichi or Gamakatsu long shank models, both of which are ideal for their small mouths.
The Hopkins River has settled into full winter mode, with large numbers of small estuary perch moving downstream after spending the summer in the freshwater reaches. Barry Johnson had a productive outing using soft plastics, catching plenty of perch. Bream were harder to tempt, which is typical given the current water levels and seasonal conditions. One effective technique for this time of year is to use a 1/12oz jighead with a soft plastic slowly dragged along the bottom. Keep the rod tip low and apply subtle twitches — cold-water bream are less inclined to strike upwards, so keeping the lure in their line of sight is key. Adding scent can improve your chances dramatically. Squidgy S-Factor and Pro-Cure are both highly effective. Apply scent to the section of the plastic where the hook sits, rather than the tail, to improve hook-up rates. For winter, small paddle-tail plastics are the go-to choice. They offer a subtler action than curl-tail or grub styles, which are better suited to the warmer months when fish are more aggressive.
The Glenelg River has been fishing well for both estuary perch and bream, particularly around the shacks in the lower reaches. Both bait and lure anglers have reported quality fish, though many have been lost in the heavy structure. To boost your chances of landing these big, hard-fighting fish, use heavier leaders and shorter, more powerful rods. Mulloway reports have been limited, but we remain hopeful that new fish will arrive with the next favourable tide cycle.
Trout anglers are eagerly awaiting a decent rain event to get the rivers running again. The Merri River remains high due to a sandbar below the skate park, which is restricting flow. A buildup of duckweed has been reported around Cassidy’s Bridge and Bromfield Street, though recent rains should help clear it. Max Fry had success over the weekend, landing several nice trout on both flies and hard-bodied lures. Exploring new ground can pay off, especially when rivers are patchy. The Zipbait Rigge 70s continue to produce well in both rivers and lakes, with more anglers adopting them for their proven effectiveness. Lake Bullen Merri has been firing for tiger trout and smaller rainbow trout. Bright, flashy lures have worked well, whether flatline trolling, downrigging, or casting from the edges. One angler even found success trolling blades, catching a mix of tiger trout and chinook salmon. The sharp vibrating action of blades makes them great for targeting suspended fish.
This weekend is shaping up to be a rough one, with strong winds and heavy rain forecast. Offshore fishing will be off the cards, making it a good opportunity to service gear, restock tackle, and prepare for the next weather window. Until then — tight lines and best of luck on the water!