Fishing Report – November 1, 2018

ANGLESEA

» A few salmon being reported off local beaches
» Reports of a few flathead
» A few pinkies occasionally
» The occasional whiting.

BARWON HEADS

» Reports of a few snapper and pinkies offshore
» Reports of some flathead
» A few reports of gummy sharks
» Still the occasional whiting and trevally to be caught in the River
» Reports of salmon being caught off local beaches.

TORQUAY

» A few King George whiting have been reported
» Some pinkies and snapper are still around
» A few reports of squid being caught
» Still some reports of flathead offshore
» A few gummy shark have been reported
» Salmon being caught off most local beaches
» Still bream to be caught in Spring Creek.

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

QUEENSCLIFF

» St Leonards still reports King George whiting, flathead and calamari
» Clifton Springs is still reporting a few whiting, pinkies, and flathead
» Queenscliff: whiting, flathead, salmon and calamari are being caught
» The creek is still reporting a few trevally and salmon
» Swan Bay continues to produce calamari and salmon as well as a few pinkies
» Point Lonsdale is still receiving reports of trevally, salmon and snapper in the evening
» The White Lady is still producing a few whiting, pinkies and calamari
» Indented Head: the occasional snapper, flathead, King George whiting and squid are being reported.

MORE YABBY NETS ARRIVE FOR FREE SWAP

RECREATIONAL anglers are being encouraged once again to swap their opera house yabby nets for free wildlife friendly open-top lift nets at any one of 60 tackle shops that have just received their second delivery.

Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) chief executive officer Travis Dowling said there was an incredibly positive response from anglers in September to the first offer that saw 4,000 nets swapped in only a few weeks.

“Some tackle shops ran out of stock in days given the overwhelming support for the program and widespread willingness to embrace wildlife friendly ways of yabby fishing.

“Our second delivery of 6,000 nets has now arrived with tackle shops so we’re keen for anglers who missed the first offer to return and swap over up to three opera house nets for three open-top lift nets.

“The yabby net swap program is raising awareness of the impending ban on opera house nets in all waters, public and private, from 1 July 2019 and is funded by the state government’s Target One Million plan, which is investing a record $46 million to get more people fishing, more often.

“Open-top nets are permitted in public and private waters, so the rule change next year will make it simpler for fishers who will be able to use the same nets regardless of location.

“Opera house nets are associated with drowning wildlife such as platypus, turtles and native water rats, which can be avoided entirely if open-top nets are used instead.

“Unlike opera house nets, open-top nets feature a gap at their top, which enables air-breathing animals such as turtles to escape.

“Research shows open-top lift nets are very effective at catching yabbies when compared to opera house nets.

“A limited numbers of open-top lift nets will also be available at selected VFA regional events and handed out by Fisheries Officers on patrol in northern Victoria.”

Mr Dowling encouraged anglers to first contact participating stores before dropping in because this second delivery is expected to go like hotcakes.

“We have ordered another 10,000 nets given demand, which are expected to arrive in early December.”

Participating local stores include BCF Geelong (5275 0238), Compleat Angler Geelong (5272 3201), Trelly’s Geelong (5222 3257) and Mario’s Fresh Bait (5248 5201).

For more information, head to vfa.vic.gov.au/yabbynetswap.

I would also like to remind everyone also to keep those photos coming in of your big catch!

PHOTOS

Please forward them to the email address below, with type of fish, weight, length, location and your name. I am more than happy to place your photos in My Big Catch. Email photos to [email protected]

Also, if you see or suspect illegal fishing activity any time over summer, phone the 24-hour reporting line 13 FISH (13 3474).