FISHING REPORT – November 23, 2018

ANGLESEA
» Salmon are still being reported as being caught off local beaches
» Some flathead have been reported offshore
» Snapper have been reported
» A few pinkies continue to be caught but in great numbers
» Occasional whiting is also being reported
» Some gummy shark catches have been reported.

LORNE
» The flathead are really on the chew at the moment with some 50cm-plus ones coming in
» There’s been a few good-size snapper being caught but you have to be patient because they are still patchy.
» Good size King George whiting have appeared but not really abundant just yet
» Plenty of medium-size gummy sharks being taken but the schoolies have disappeared
» We caught a few nice jackass morwong or Teraki recently, which are a nice by catch when snapper fishing
» The pier fishing is improving with plenty of salmon and calamari being caught
» The sea sparkle plankton is everywhere at the moment which isn’t helping. Fish avoid it because it gets in their gills and irritates them. It also secretes ammonia which they avoid.

Thanks to the Lorne Aquatic and Angling Club for the report.

BARWON HEADS
» Offshore, snapper and pinkies catches are still being reported
» Flathead continue offshore with beach catches also occurring
» Still reports of some whiting, trevally and salmon in the river
» Salmon continue off local beaches.

TORQUAY
» King George whiting have been reported in close
» Reports of pinkies and snapper offshore continue
» Flathead continue to be caught off the beaches
» Reports of squid catches offshore
» Some gummy shark reports
» Salmon of local beaches are still being caught
» 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: reports of catches of King George whiting, flathead and squid continue
» Clifton Springs reports a few whiting, pinkies and flathead
» Queenscliff is still seeing whiting, flathead, salmon as well as reports of squid
» The creek is still said to be producing trevally and salmon
» Swan Bay reports squid, salmon and the occasional pinkie still being caught
» Point Lonsdale, trevally, salmon and snapper continue to be caught
» The White Lady sees reports still of whiting, pinkies and squid
» Indented Head: snapper, flathead King George whiting and squid are all being reported.

KEEN recreational fishers are checking their dive gear and rigging their hoop nets with the season open for rock lobster.

Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) CEO Travis Dowling said rock lobster fishers planning a season-opening trip at week’s end could expect to see plenty of uniformed Fisheries Officers out and about as part of Operation Brass.

“Officers right along the coast, from east to west, will be undertaking patrols focusing on rock lobster fishers,” Mr Dowling said.

“They will be checking recreational fishing licences, inspecting catch bags and boosting community awareness of the three-year tagging trial, now in its second year.

“Introduced in 2017, the tagging trial requires everyone who takes rock lobster recreationally to tag each lobster individually, using free coloured tags provided by the VFA.

“The aim of the trial is to quantify the recreational take of rock lobster so that, combined with commercial harvest managed by quota, the fishery remains sustainably managed.”

Tags for the 2018/19 recreational season are now available online or from selected Victorian Government offices at Warrnambool, Queenscliff, Geelong, Lakes Entrance and Traralgon.

Up to 20 tags can be ordered at a time.

To order tags for the coming season, fishers need to report on last year’s tag use, which can be done easily online at www.vic.gov.au/lobstertag

Mr Dowling said the rock lobster fishing community had embraced the tagging trial, which reflected the value everyone puts on rock lobster and their fine eating qualities.

Fishers are reminded that:

• The daily bag limit is two and the possession limit is four (applies state-wide including your home for priority species such as rock lobster)
• The minimum legal size (carapace) is 11cm for males and 10.5cm for female rock lobster
• Rock lobster tails must be clipped or tailpunched
• Rock lobsters with eggs or soft-shells cannot be taken
• Rock lobster can only be taken by hand or with hoop nets. Snares, gaffs, hooks and baited sticks cannot be used to assist in the taking of rock lobsters.

Other fishing rules apply to rock lobster and can be checked at vfa.vic.gov.au. Meanwhile, if you see or suspect illegal fishing activity any time over summer please phone the 24-hour reporting line 13 FISH (13 34 74).

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].