Mount Gambier

It’s never a nice way to kick off my weekly fishing report when the news articles come filtering through of fishos losing their lives while doing something we all love. Having been through it myself first hand, it hits close to home. My thoughts are with the friends, family members and all the first responders down in Beachport and surrounds in what is a very difficult time.

The weather wasn’t super kind over the weekend, we did see a bit more swell and wind than we’d perhaps have liked, but there were still some very nice fish caught. From the offshore to the sand and even up the river, there has been plenty reported already, so let’s get straight into it.

Last week we saw some glamour conditions for the offshore boaties. Many took the opportunity and headed wide to the shelf for some good results. Blue eye were on the menu for many, along with a good selection of ling, ocean perch and blue grenadier just to name a few. Anglers are reporting a few mako sharks out there over the shelf at the moment, it doesn’t hurt to have a set up ready to go if one should pop up, not only are they an incredible sport fish, they’re unreal on the table. In a bit closer, there has been some nice bottom fish caught this week in the 60mt through to 140mt depths. Gummy and school shark are still the primary targets and we’ve seen fish to 20kg of both species, but the snapper, nannygai, latchets and morwong have all been in good touch also. Tuna news is still predominately Portland and Port Fairy centric, anglers have reported seeing bait, birds and surface activity here off Port MacDonnell, but yet to see a tuna plucked yet.

Snapper fishing on the inshore kelp beds has again been solid this week. Fish to 4kg and around the 70cm+ mark have been landed, though the majority have been those perfect eaters around the 45cm – 55cm mark. As shallow as 4 foot of water has been productive for some anglers, while those who prefer it a bit deeper have found success in 30 feet or more. There are quite a few whiting in the same areas, along with salmon, squid and the odd shark too.

Off the surf this week, I’ve seen some more nice snapper hit the sand. Solid fish to 60cm haven’t been at all uncommon, and its very encouraging to see that they’re quite wide spread. from Piccininni, Browns Bay and the Woolwash at Port MacDonnell, through Nene Valley, Blackfellows Caves and into the Canunda NP. Shark are on the chew also, the majority being gummy shark, and most only around that 3kg – 6kg range. We’re seeing some nice salmon turn up off the beaches, but we’re not seeing winter numbers yet, so targeting them with lures is hard work at the moment.

Freshwater fishing has been good this week. Rocklands is producing some nice fish for the trollers and those throwing lures. Curtis Richardson boated some nice yellas over the weekend, his lure of choice being a Keitech Noisy Flapper surface plastics. Trollers have had their best luck on stumpjumper size twos, and anglers throwing spinnerbaits are also picking up a handful of fish. There isn’t a secret spot there, just trust your sounder is the only tip I’ve been given.

The Glenelg River has steadily risen again this week, now I’m hearing of a few landings starting to disappear underwater. The fishing is still red hot though, bream and perch are still in good numbers right along the river, and are quite happy to eat either a lure or baits. Lure fishos have found success this week on Hurricane Sprat 65mm plastics, Rapala Crush City suspects and Zman grubs in natural colours, while the bait anglers are using prawn, whitebait and cut crab to land their fish. Mulloway are still about, but they’ve been a little trickier to find this week. There’s no shortage of small mullies at the moment, which is very encouraging, it’s cracking the 60cm minimum that’s been tricky! Trolling live mullet is still the most reliable and productive, but even getting the mullet is proving to be a bit of a challenge for some.

The forecast for the coming weekend looks like we should see some very fishable weather. Wind and swell are both down, and the temp should creep back into the twenties. Fingers crossed it stays that good!

Until next week, safe fishing!

Coatsy.