Fishing Report – October 26, 2017

ANGLESEA

» Still reports off most local beaches of salmon being caught
» Still reports of sand flathead offshore
» a few couta have also been reported
» The occasional gummy shark being caught offshore
» Some pinkie snapper catches have also been reported

APOLLO BAY

» Salmon are still off Wild Dog and Marengo
» Some big yellow eye mullet have been caught off the beaches as well
» Reports of some tuna being caught off the lighthouse
» Those fishing off the harbour wall are still catching salmon in numbers
» a few gummy sharks reported off local beaches and offshore
» The aire River upstream producing some trout
» Barham River producing a few trout.

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

» Still some reports of pinkies, snapper and whiting offshore
» a few odd reports of gummy shark catches from the beaches
» Salmon continue to be caught off most local beaches
» The Barwon River reports King George whiting, trevally and salmon.

TORQUAY

» Offshore is still seeing reports of pinkies and flathead being caught
» King George whiting and sand whiting are being caught inshore
» Still reports of barracouta being caught offshore
» Some reports of gummy shark catches off the beaches continue
» Salmon continue to be caught off most local beaches
» Spring Creek continues to produce bream.

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

» Reports of King George whiting, flathead, squid off St Leonards continue
» Reports continue of pinkies, King George whiting, sand whiting, calamari and flathead being caught off Clifton Springs
» Queenscliff is still seeing reports of King George whiting and calamari catches with salmon in the harbour
» The Creek is still seeing reports of trevally and salmon » King George whiting, taylor and calamari are still being caught off Clifton Springs along with some pinkies
» Point Lonsdale is still seeing reports of trevally and salmon continuing
» The White Lady is still producing whiting and calamari
» indented head has reports of flathead, King George whiting and calamari still being caught.

NEW management arrangements will permit the tightly controlled commercial harvest of pipis from Victoria’s coastal beaches to meet domestic demand for human consumption and fishing bait.

Victorian Fisheries Authority acting chief executive officer Dallas D’Silva said the arrangements would give eight existing licence holders the opportunity to access the fishery over the next 12 months, during which time the Victorian Pipi Fishery Management Plan would be finalised.

“Victoria’s beaches are home to healthy populations of pipis that can support sustainable commercial harvest, providing regional jobs and meeting increasing demand for the bivalve shellfish,” Mr D’Silva said.

“Pipis live on high-energy beaches in the intertidal and sub-tidal surf zone.

“They are highly prized for their eating qualities and as bait by marine anglers who use them to target premium table species, such as King George whiting.

“Currently, most pipis sold in Victoria are sourced from well-established commercial fisheries in South Australia and New South Wales.

“At Venus Bay, where one licence holder has operated for several years, commercial harvest will remain excluded from beaches one to five, which are very popular with recreational pipi collectors over summer.

“Harvest by the eight commercial licence holders will be limited to 150 kilograms per day, for only eight days of the month, and a minimum size of 35mm will apply.

“Licence holders will be required to prior-report their intention to fish and post-report their harvest.

“Research has shown pipi stocks fluctuate from year to year due to natural changes in the patterns of coastal currents and winds, which drive the transport of small pipis.”

Mr D’Silva said there were no changes to recreational fishing rules for pipis.

Family Fishing Competition

The Bellarine Pirates in conjunction with the St Leonards Angling club as well as with the St Leonards Yacht Club and Motor Squadron on Saturday November 4 and Sunday November 5 is holding this event.

You can win $500 just by entering, no need to catch or weigh in fish.

The competition is for six species: snapper, whiting, flathead, garfish, calamari and leatherjacket – points for each species weighed in and heaviest of species.

There are separate sections for male and female in adults, juniors 10-18 years, nippers 9 years and under, plus a “catch and release” section for juniors and nippers.

Total $2,500 in prizes and trophies. Briefing night and barbecue Friday November 3 from 6pm. Free early bird raffle on entry tag (rod and reel value $125). Weigh in noon to 3pm daily. Presentations are 3.30pm Sunday at the Yacht Club, Bluff Road St Leonards for any enquiries phone Phil on 0411 215 146.

MEANWHILE, the Bellarine Snapper Challenge, which began on August 9 and finishes on December 1 is seeing some nice results.

The opening fish was a 5.5kg snapper and was caught by Daryl McLachlan off Clifton Springs, but it wasn’t long before a bigger fish was weighed in.

Next big weigh-in was a 92-centimetre fish weighing 7.5kg, caught by past winner Tony Mollenhaeur (see photo).

Tony caught his fish off Pt Wilson, floating half a silver whiting on a slack line. After the first run at 4.30pm with no head shakes, Tony thought he had a gummy, it wasn’t until it hit the surface that he was sure it was a snapper.

He now leads the competition.

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.