| port phillip north & beyond with brenton hodges |
Dated: 13 July, 2012
 | | Matt Cini has been doing well on the winter whiting down the southern end of Port Phillip. |
PORT PHILLIP NORTH & BEYOND...12th July 2012...Report #120
This instalment of Port Phillip North & Beyond features a couple of awesome catches from near and far, highlighted by Richard Linossi’s monster winter red and Ben Laverty’s maiden Mulloway.
LOCAL TIDE TIMES (WILLIAMSTOWN)
DATE / HIGH / LOW
Sat 14th July – 10:49am (0.83m) / 3:58pm (0.54m)
Sun 15th July – 11:59am (0.82m) / 4:45pm (0.59m)
MOON PHASE
DATE / PHASE
Wed 11th July - Last Quarter
Thurs 19th July – New Moon
Always be sure to double check the local weather forecast and tide predictions before heading out on the water.
 | | There’s some good sized squid starting to gather over the weed beds at Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale. |
PORT PHILLIP BAY
Sustained periods of offshore northerly winds have produced ultra-clear conditions across the inner reefs at Williamstown, Altona and Point Cook. During the week it was possible to see the bottom in 20 feet of water and as a result the fishing was tough.
For those searching for pinkie Snapper, first and last light are about your only option in conditions such as these, but expect the shallow water action to pick up soon after the next onshore blow.
Following the murky waters of the Yarra River towards Port Melbourne and beyond, it’s a totally different story. Huge schools of juvenile Australian Salmon continue to work their way through the abundant bait and the seagulls, terns and gannets have been all over it. Pinkie Snapper can also been found lurking below, cashing in on the free feed.
According to Andy Smith, a reasonable run of squid have made a welcome return to the local weed beds with some anglers achieving their bag on occasion.
Further west, there was plenty of action at Geelong last weekend with anglers standing shoulder to shoulder along rock wall at St Helens in the hope of snaring a big winter red.
More than a dozen boats and a handful of kayaks were also anchored up nearby after some positive reports in the weeks leading up to the full moon.
According to the local Coastguard volunteers, it had been a relatively quiet day with most anglers returning to the ramp empty handed.
Keen kayak enthusiast, Richard Linossi, must have slipped past unnoticed after landing a cracker on a soft plastic in 8 metres of water.
Aaron Hassett and I spent a few hours searching for squid off Queenscliff during the week where it was slow going in most of our usual haunts, though we did manage a few rippers in the deeper water towards Point Lonsdale.
Both casting and drifting Berkley Powerbait jigs produced a handful of calamari to roughly 2 kg, but the wind sprung up and forced us to return earlier than we would’ve liked.
Since returning from a stint on the tuna at Portland, Matt Cini from Reel Time Fishing Charters has been doing well on the winter whiting down the southern end of Port Phillip. Sorrento, Point Nepean, Queenscliff and St Leonards have been producing excellent numbers of whiting of late.
Matt says a squid-mussel cocktail, presented on a running sinker or paternoster rig, has been the best bait amongst a mashed pilchard berley mix. Fishing in 4 to 6 meters of water at first or last light and either side of a tide change generally results in a larger run whiting.
 | | Keen kayak enthusiast, Richard Linossi, nailed this cracking winter Corio Bay red on a soft plastic. |
METROPOLITAN RIVERS
Jack Kotas hit the metropolitan rivers for the first time in six months hoping for a jewie, but had to settle for a red hot Snapper bite instead! Fishing well into the night, Jack and his mate, Tom, caught numerous pinkies to 3 kg on raw chicken and live mullet.
Ryan Scarborough from Noel Clark’s Tackle Bar mentioned that some better than average Yellow-eye Mullet have been taken in the Maribyrnong River on the rising tide. Australian Salmon are still in good numbers around the Yarra River junction and the entrance to Victoria Harbour.
Andy Smith says the Werribee River is still fishing well for bream, particularly along the middle to lower reaches of the estuary. Live tube worms and Bass yabbies are undoubtedly the most productive baits for the finicky bream that occupy this system.
 | | Sorrento, Point Nepean, Queenscliff and St Leonards have been producing excellent numbers of whiting. |
FURTHER AFIELD
Glenelg River - Nelson
Ben and James Laverty recently returned from a successful weekend on the Glenelg River at Nelson.
According to Ben, conditions were perfect and there were good reports of Mulloway schooling in the area.
Casting metal vibes and soft plastics in the lower estuary for much of the weekend produced a couple of close encounters, but alas, no Mulloway in the net. That was until 4:30pm on their last day, when Ben managed to hook up again, and this time stayed connected.
After some seriously big runs over a twenty minute battle, which required the boys to dump the anchor rope and give chase, Ben finally had his prize in the net. Stretching the tape out to 95 cm, it would be fair to say both Ben and James were over the moon with their first jewie! T
The magnificent fish was taken on just 6 lb braid and a Berkley Gulp Crazy Legs Jerk Shad in the watermelon colour pattern.
Though much of their time was spent chasing Mulloway, the boys also found a few bream and Estuary Perch to 35 cm casting small diving minnows, vibes and grub pattern soft plastics further upriver.
 | | Ben and James Laverty display the highlight of a successful weekend on the Glenelg River at Nelson. |
FRESHWATER
Lake Purrumbete
Neil Slater, Daniel Kent and a couple of mates spent a weekend at Lake Purrumbete and despite ordinary conditions, still managed a few small trout and plenty of redfin. According to Neil, casting minnow imitations around the weed beds at first and last light produced the hottest bite.
Lake Bolac
Jack Kotas also snuck over to Lake Bolac during the week where he managed a handful of Rainbow Trout on Powerbait suspended under a float while fishing from the shore. Jack says there were plenty of fish rising, but they were reluctant to hit a lure on this occasion.
TOURNAMENT NEWS
Vic Bream Classic 2012
Round 4 Hopkins River, Warrnambool
Brad and Mike Hodges of Team Berkley took out Round 4 of the 2012 Vic Bream Classic Series held on the Hopkins River at Warrnambool in mid-June. A 10/10 bag of 5.05 kg secured the win for the boys after sitting in second place overnight.
Daryl Hislop and Greg Cahill of No Breaming Idea were the runners up with (6/10) 3.69 kg, followed by Mark Gercovich and Nick Murrel of Team Daiwa with (7/10) 3.33 kilograms.
The Big Bream prize went to Team Minn Kota with a 1.12 kg bruiser.
 | | Brad Hodges (pictured) and his father Mike combined at the Hopkins River to secure another Vic Bream Classic win for Team Berkley. |
BEEN FISHING?
If you’ve been fishing recently and would like to see your name and a picture of your catch published, please forward reports and images to blhodgey@hotmail.com. You’re certainly not obliged to give away your secret spot, but a general description of when, where, the technique and bait used, and who caught the fish would be fantastic.
Any information based on the top end of the bay especially, would be much appreciated, but I'm also interested in reports from further afield.
Of course, if you have a fishing related question you think I may be able to assist you with, please don't hesitate to ask.
Lastly, if you would like to receive a link to this report each week via email, let me know and I’ll add your name to my distribution list.
All the best,
Brent
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This report is proudly sponsored by:
Noel Clarks Tackle Bar, visit their website for your tackle needs...
BOAB Boat Hire, Williamstown, visit their website to see their range of boats for hire...
Team HONDA MARINE, visit their website for latest offers and news...
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