| geelong, corio bay & beyond with geoff wilson |
Dated: 27 February, 2012
 | Joe Costoso with his 210 kg blue marlin taken off Lakes Entrance on Sunday.
|
Lakes Entrance Marlin
On Sunday, Geelong angler Joe Costoso – along with Bob Hirs and Warren Horrigan – took advantage of good weather to take an 85 km run out from Lakes Entrance toward the oil rigs in Bob and Warrens 7 metre Formula Haines; an area where marlin had reportedly been sighted of late.
After a couple of strikes that failed to connect, Joe’s Top Gun soft-head, skirted lure, which was rigged on 37 kg tackle, was struck in spectacular fashion. This time there was no mistake and a magnificent Blue Marlin, that eventually tipped the scales at 210 kg, was bought alongside.
Bellarine Peninsula
Whiting are about off Queenscliff, but taking a bag limit catch of respectable fish is a challenge for some. Not for Roger Lewry though who consistently comes up with the goods.
I ran into Roger at the Queenscliff boat ramp last Thursday with a bag limit catch that included some absolute purlers which he’d taken over the grass beds off Swan Island on the last of the ebb tide using cocktail baits of squid, mussel and pipi.
Also successful on the whiting was Brad Andrews who, along with Kevin and Jarrod Messinger, found a good patch early last week about 400 metres out from the Queenscliff harbour entrance where they took near bag limit catches of fish averaging better than 40 cm.
Brad admits there was a bit of luck involved because they were having some difficulty holding bottom with the strong flood tide, but when the anchor did take hold, they were onto fish straight away.
Rod Ludlow of Beachlea boat hire at Indented Head reports that the whiting have been a little slow in that area. However, squid have been present among clients bags, along wit some impressive catches of garfish and flathead, the latter being a sure bet on the drift along the edge of the Prince George Bank.
Offshore
Brad Andrews was on deck duties with Geelong Charter and Fishing Trips at the weekend with clients keen to catch a kingfish or two.
 | Roger Lewry with another good sample from Queenscliff.
|
Trolling white rubber occys, sweetened with strips of squid offshore from Port Phillip Heads toward Collendina in 12 metres of water, they eventually took ten kingfish to 65 cm or so with diving sea birds giving away their position.
Simon Werner and Terry Begg found the kingies off Barwon Heads over the weekend, and they caught fifteen or so using the same method, keeping 5.
Western District
Doug Lucas of Colac reports that Roger McKewon hit the jackpot on the estuary of the Aire River late last week while casting and retrieving a Rapala CD5 hopeful of catching one of the large Brown Trout this stream is known to produce.
Roger took two as it turned out, one of 1.8 kg and the other 2.9, both of which he described as sea run fish with silvery flanks and large red spots.
Marie Jopling of the lake Purrumbete Caravan Park reports that Rainbow Trout to 1.2 kg or so have been the main catch from the lake of late. However, there have been a few bigger ones including a beauty of 2.8 kg taken by Mick Giles of the Bannockburn Angling Club who was using mudeyes for bait.
Marie also reports that redfin are being taken in good numbers: Soft plastics enthusiasts have been getting their share with some very large catches being taken using the drop-shotting technique.
Portland
Taking a run down to Portland over the weekend, Keith Fry and Adrian Cole, along with Adrian’s friend Corey, took a run down to Portland where they were somewhat disappointed to find undersize pinkie Snapper taking the garfish they’d gone to the trouble of catching prior to the trip.
However, as the day wore on, they were amazed to see dozens of kingfish around the boat, and re-rigging their baits without sinkers, they caught them almost at will while anchored in 14.5 metres of water, keeping several around the 65 mark, releasing the rest.
Bob McPherson of Portland, and several companions, took a run out wide looking for tuna, but without success. However, they did come across a pod of killer whales of which he managed to take several photos as they approached his boat while trolling a spread of lures.
Bob says that fishing has been good at Portland of late with good catches of whiting coming from the inshore section of the Lee Breakwater at dawn and dusk, and during tide changes as well.
Graeme asks:
Geoff; my wife and I are going to Streaky Bay in South Australia in May. We will be fishing land based and would like to know what the options are: Do we need fishing licences?
 | One of several killer whales photographed by Bob McPherson off Portland at the weekend.
|
Graeme; I rang South Australian Fisheries to find that you don’t need a recreational fishing licence to fish at Streaky Bay.
There is a jetty inside the entrance to Blanche Port which is the streaky Bay Harbour from where you can fish. Whiting and squid are the main chance here in May. You may also fish from the rock breakwater at the main boat ramp (inside Blanche Port).
Other places where you might try include the Smooth Pool and Speed Point, both being clearly signposted from the township. For more info, you could phone the fisheries office at nearby Ceduna on 08 8626 9240.
|
|
Geoff Wilson
Fishnet Pro Angler
Email : geoffw10@optusnet.com.au
Fishing reports may be sent by e-mail, or mail to Geoff Wilson:
PO Box 384,
Geelong 3220. |
|
| choose location |
|
State:
|
|