Fishing Report – November 2, 2017

ANGLESEA

» Reports of some salmon catches off local beaches
» Reports of sand flathead offshore
» Some couta have been reported
» Gummy sharks are still being caught offshore
» a few pinkies catches have been reported.

APOLLO BAY

» Salmon continue off Wild Dog and Marengo
» Big yellow-eye mullet continue to be caught off the beaches
» Nice snapper, King George whiting and a few gummies have been caught offshore
» Those fishing off the harbour wall are still seeing salmon
» Gummy shark still reported off local beaches
» The aire River producing some perch.

For all your bait and tackle, go to Apollo Bay Sports. Phone Steve or Jen, they will be more than pleased to help you. Phone 5237 6434.

BARWON HEADS

» Reports of pinkies, snapper and whiting offshore continue
» Still a few gummy catches being reported off the beaches as well as salmon
» The Barwon River is still reporting some King George whiting, trevally and salmon.

TORQUAY

» Offshore, reports of pinkies, snapper and flathead being caught
» King George whiting and sand whiting are still to be had in close
» Reports of some barracouta offshore
» Gummy shark catches are still happening off the beaches
» Salmon are being caught of most local beaches
» Spring Creek, the usual bream reports continue.

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, or phone 5264 8207.

QUEENSCLIFF

» St Leonards continues to produce King George whiting, flathead, squid
» Reports of pinkies, King George whiting, sand whiting, squid and flathead being off Clifton Springs continue
» Queenscliff reports King George whiting and squid catches with salmon in the harbour
» The creek reports are still of trevally and salmon
» Clifton Springs is seeing King George whiting, taylor and squid still being caught as well as some nice pinkies.
» Point Lonsdale has reports of trevally and salmon being caught
» The White Lady reports whiting and squid still being caught
» indented head is seeing flathead, King George whiting and squid being caught.

With summer on its way, it’s time to get your free rock lobster tags.

Coastal waters are warming up ahead of the recreational rock lobster season reopening on November 16.

Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) chief executive officer Travis Dowling said thousands of keen divers would be checking wetsuits, fins, masks and equipment in the countdown to opening so they would be ready to hit the water and make the most of Victoria’s wonderful rock lobster resource.

“Among preparations, we are encouraging divers and fishers to familiarise themselves with new rock lobster fishing rules introduced in July,” Mr Dowling said.

“The major change is a requirement to tag all recreationally caught rock lobsters with free tags available from the VFA.

“The tagging program started on July 1, 2017 and is off to a great start with over 1,600 fishers registered and 26,000 tags sent out.

“Tagging all lobsters will help estimate the total recreational catch and will ensure the sustainable management of lobster stocks into the future, which is important for a priority species so highly valued by the community.”

Mr Dowling said the VFA was not after the location of everyone’s favourite rock lobster ledges, but rather broad locational information that would enable them to map recreational harvest at various scales and model the overall health of rock lobster stocks.

“Victoria is the first state in Australia to trial this innovative tagging approach. “Recreational fishers and divers can order up to 20 tags at a time, which must be attached to each and every rock lobster they keep.

“There is no limit to the number of tags people can order in a year, although fishers must report the use of tags via the VicRLTag smartphone app or the website (vic.gov.au/lobstertag) before a second order can be fulfilled in five-seven business days by mail.

“For convenience, tags are also available for free over the counter at departmental offices in Warrnambool, Queenscliff, Geelong, Traralgon and Lakes Entrance.”

Mr Dowling encouraged fishers to report the use of tags over the course of the season because that harvest information was critical to the success of the three-year trial.

To order tags online, or learn more, visit www.vic.gov.au/lobstertag

There are no changes to bag or possession limits for rock lobsters, or to existing tail fin clipping requirements.

Codference to show cod love in Shepparton

Recreational anglers can learn about Victoria’s Murray Cod fisheries and how to improve their own fishing success at the second annual Codference in Shepparton on December 10.

The free Codference will be held at the Eastbank Conference Centre, 70 Welsford Street, Shepparton, from 9am until 4pm.

In 2017, the conference presentations will
include:

• flagship native fisheries and how we got there
• record native fish stocking
• how fishing licence fees contribute
• native fish habitat
• native fish population surveys across 10 rivers, and
• an update on the National Carp Control Plan.

Tea, coffee and lunch will be provided. To reserve your free seat, visit vfa.vic.gov.au/codference2017.

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.