FISHING REPORT – January 3, 2019

ANGLESEA
» Reports continue of salmon off most local beaches
» Pinkies still being reported but once again not in great numbers
» Some snapper have been reported but few and far between
» A few whiting in close
» The odd gummy shark has also been reported
» Reports of flathead offshore continue.

BARWON HEADS
» Snapper and pinkies are being reported offshore
» The occasional flathead are also being caught offshore
» Whiting, trevally and a few small salmon reported in the river
» Salmon off local beaches continue.

LORNE
» Flathead are going crazy and getting bigger with a few Blue Spot or Yanks being caught. Anglers are catching their bag limit in under an hour
» King George whiting have arrived with a few good catches coming in
» Big gummy sharks are coming in but not a lot of school or snapper sharks being caught
» Plenty of good size snapper are being caught with good numbers of Teraki and Nannygai in among them
» Yakkas and slimy mackerel are everywhere at the moment which is a good sign
» The pier is fishing extremely well with lots of pinkies, salmon, calamari and whiting being caught. Report thanks to the Lorne Aquatic and Angling Club.

TORQUAY
» There are still reports of King George whiting being caught in close
» Reports of pinkies and snapper catches continue offshore
» Reports of flathead both offshore and off the beaches continue
» Reports of some squid still being caught offshore
» Some gummy shark have been reported offshore
» Salmon are still being caught off most local beaches
» Spring Creek is producing some catches of 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. Phone 5264 8207.

QUEENSCLIFF
» St Leonards: King George whiting, flathead and squid continue
» Clifton Springs, pinkies, whiting and flathead reports are still being received
» Queenscliff has reports of whiting, flathead, salmon and squid continuing
» Reports from the creek see trevally and salmon continuing
» Swan Bay, squid and salmon are still being caught
» Point Lonsdale, trevally, salmon and snapper are being caught
» The White Lady is still seeing reports of whiting, pinkies and squid
» Indented Head, reports of snapper, flathead, King George whiting and squid also continue.

THE Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre Summer holiday program is upon us once again.

If you are looking for something to do these school holidays with the kids why not go along and join in on some fishy fun at the Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre!

Located on the shores of Swan Bay in Queenscliff approximately one and half hours from Melbourne, the MFDC provides curriculum-based education for early childhood, school and tertiary groups as well as specialised programs and programs for the general community and school holiday programs.

Their facilities include a visitor’s aquarium, student laboratory and classroom as well as being surrounded by a diverse range of habitats, ideal for field activities such as rock pool rambles and mudflat activities within our intertidal zones.

The school holiday program runs Wednesday January 2 to Friday January 25.

The Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre is open from 10am until 4pm daily during the program period, except for public holidays.

Where: 2A Bellarine Highway, Queenscliff
Phone: (03) 5258 3344
Visitor Information Children must always be accompanied by an adult on activities and in the centre.

Entry fees to the Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre:

Adult $8.00 / Children $5.00 / Family $25.00 Refunds will be given if cancelled due to unsafe weather conditions; if you cancel and they receive 24 hours’ notice.

Bookings are essential for some activities.

Email: [email protected].

Send them your details and they will call you back. Phone: (03) 5258 3344 MEANWHILE, Fisheries Officers apprehended four men allegedly in possession of 80 abalone, half of which were undersize.

Victorian Fisheries Authority Director of Enforcement and Education Ian Parks said Fisheries Officers from the Warrnambool station responded to the call and inspected the men’s catch, which at the time was six abalone between them.

“Officers asked the foursome if they’d caught any more abalone that day. Their answer was no,” Mr Parks said. The daily catch limit is five abalone per person.

“Officers undertook surveillance of the men, who after visiting the main street of Port Fairy, drove their car to several locations and allegedly retrieved hidden bags of abalone collected earlier that day.

“A short time later, the four men were intercepted by officers on the Princes Highway, where they allegedly tried to escape.

“The men were apprehended and interviewed by officers. All the abalone and dive equipment was seized on the spot.

“The four men will appear in court charged with exceeding the abalone catch limit, taking undersize abalone and hindering authorised officers. They face heavy penalties up to $30,000 and/or 12 months imprisonment.”

Mr Parks said most abalone divers do the right thing and abide by recreational catch limits which ensure a sustainable fishery that can be enjoyed by all. 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).

Free come and try fishing days
Fishcare, supported by the Victorian Fisheries Authority, have organised experiences that teach all family members how to fish responsibly while enjoying what recreational fishing has to offer. Check for these events at fishcare.org.au/events. No bookings are required.

Club Corner
The Lorne Aquatic and Angling Club held its AGM recently and awarded the winners of their fishing competitions.

The Club Champion was Andrew Clarke 15,945 points, 2nd Paul Staley 14,547 points and 3rd was Bill Staley 14,205 points.

The Winter Cup Champion was Paul Staley 8,930 points, 2nd Ian Middleton 8,500 points and 3rd was Steve Arundell 7,750 points.

The club runs 10 competitions each year with six major comps and four winter cup comps with roasts and mixed grills being supplied to all competitors.

If you are an Angling Club and you wish to let people know what’s going on within your club as well as help promote your club, just email [email protected] and we will post your club news here.

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.