Fishing Report – January 11, 2018

ANGLESEA

» Still reports of a few small pinkies
» A few small salmon are still around to be caught
» Occasional flathead are being reported offshore
» The occasional whiting has been caught in close
» A few gummy sharks have been caught.

BARWON HEADS

» Still reports of salmon, trevally and King George whiting in the river
» Snapper and pinkies reports continue offshore
» Some reports of a few nice gummy shark being caught
» Kingfish have also been reported.

TORQUAY

» Reports of snapper being caught offshore continue
» Flathead and King George whiting are still being caught, whiting in close
» Reports of some nice salmon being caught off most local beaches
» Spring Creek has reports of bream with some nice-sized bream being caught.

Remember Torquay Tackle and Sports. For all the best available advice in Torquay on tackle and bait, drop in at the store and see Ross or Josh to ensure you get the most up-to-date information available. Phone 5264 8207.

QUEENSCLIFF

» St Leonards, still reports of snapper out wide, a few whiting and good-size flathead continue to be caught along with reports of some nice Gummy shark also being caught, squid as well
» Pt Lonsdale is still seeing reports of Salmon, Trevally with some good-sized whiting and squid being caught
» Queenscliff harbour has reports of trevally, salmon, mullet and some pinkies
» White Lady, reports of a few whiting and squid, with some reports of flathead
» Indented Head is seeing reports of flathead, squid and snapper as well as some nice gummy shark being caught.

Bellarine Snapper Challenge

Competition runs from Monday January 1 to Sunday April 1.

Entry Fees Senior $20, Junior under 18 years $10. All fees used for prizes.

Entry fee must be paid before any fish weighed in.

Weigh in as many times as you like, but only five weights eligible for mystery weights. Weights must be verified by weighmaster.

Catch and release: quality digital image on a brag mat verified by weighmaster – longest fish on digital photo on brag mat.

For more information on the competition, phone Phil Walters 0411 215 146 or Peter Kellam on 0408 581 685.

This competition proudly conducted by St Leonards Angling Club and Bellarine Pirates Angling Club.

Abalone poachers busted

TWO men and a woman from Werribee were arrested by Fisheries Officers at Cape Schanck last week for allegedly taking more than 1,100 shellfish from the intertidal zone.

Victorian Fisheries Authority director of education and enforcement Ian Parks said the trio would be charged on summons with a range of abalone and shellfish offences.

“Fisheries Officers seized their 2012 Ford Territory on the spot along with all dive equipment, having discovered the illegal haul of 423 periwinkles, 539 dog whelks and 204 abalone, 195 of which were allegedly undersize,” Mr Parks said.

“Two officers on patrol came across the three people acting suspiciously in the Cape Schanck car park. The female allegedly attempted to conceal a backpack in the bushes, which was later found to contain 70 abalone.

“One of the men ran away as officers introduced themselves while the other man allegedly tried to distract officers and prevent them from inspecting the car.

“The female allegedly further hindered officers by attempting to conceal bags of abalone and shellfish that had been removed from the car by officers. The man who’d earlier run away eventually returned, having been convinced by repeated calls from his male companion.”

Mr Parks said the trio faced penalties of up to $79,000 in fines, five years imprisonment, forfeiture of the car and lengthy fishing prohibition orders if convicted.

In a separate incident on Christmas Day, near Kennett River on the Great Ocean Road, Fisheries Officers apprehended three male divers allegedly with 17 undersize abalone.

Officers intercepted the pair at their parked car at Dog Beach, as a third man made his way up from the beach.

Upon being alerted to the presence of Fisheries Officers by the two men, the third man allegedly tried to conceal his catch in beachside vegetation.

Inspections of their catch revealed 19 abalone, 17 of which were allegedly under the legal minimum size of 12cm for that area. Three infringement notices were issued totalling $1,745.

Mr Parks said shellfish formed an integral part of the marine ecosystem and Fisheries Officers would continue to tackle illegal harvest, whether it be undersized abalone or bigger hauls of more than 1,100 shellfish.

Anyone who sees or suspects illegal fishing is urged to call Fisheries’ 24-hour reporting line, 13 FISH (133474). You can remain anonymous.

Photos

I would also like to remind everyone to keep those photos coming in of your big catch! Please forward them to [email protected], with type of fish, weight, length, location and your name. I am more than happy to place your photos in My Big Catch.