| port phillip north & beyond with brenton hodges |
Dated: 31 August, 2012
 | | Late winter residents or early season front runners? It doesn’t really matter what you call them - the bottom line is the reds are on! |
PORT PHILLIP NORTH & BEYOND...31st August 2012...Report #123
Late winter residents or early season front runners - call them what you will, but the reds have made an appearance over the past week with some rippers reported across Port Phillip.
LOCAL TIDE TIMES (WILLIAMSTOWN)
DATE / HIGH / LOW
Saturday 1st September – 3:27pm (0.85m) / 9:14am (0.25m)
Sunday 2nd September – 4:11pm (0.87m) / 10:10am (0.26m)
MOON PHASE
DATE / PHASE
Friday 31st August – Full Moon
Saturday 8th September – Last Quarter
Always be sure to double check the local weather forecast and tide predictions before heading out on the water.
 | | Not a bad way to kick off the snapper season for Matt Cini and Reel Time Fishing Charters! |
PORT PHILLIP BAY
Ryan Scarborough from Noel Clarks Tackle Bar has heard a few whispers of Snapper to 5.5kg taken by anglers anchored up just out from the piers at Port Melbourne.
Local land-based anglers perched on the rocks at the northern end of Battery Road in Williamstown have also been amongst the odd early season red. Ben Moussa and his father Michael managed a cracking 68cm Snapper from Point Gellibrand. Ben says the fish took a whole pilchard rigged on two 4/0 hooks late in the evening on a rising tide.
Michael Felsovary reports some serious Snapper have been marking up around P2 with fish to 5kg taken over the past week. Small pilchards or silver whiting rigged un-weighted with your reel in free spool is a proven method at this time of year.
Mick also mentioned some reasonable Gummy Sharks, from just size up to 4.5kg, have been taken on pilchards and fresh squid in 4-6m of water off Werribee South. Those fishing from the shoreline between the jet ski ramp and the new marina have also picked up the odd gummy on the top of the tide.
Driving back from another successful session on the King George Whiting at Sorrento, Matt Cini and Alex Matic thought it might be worth a shot at an early season Snapper. With fresh whiting heads and squid on board, abating southwest winds and a rising barometer, Matt says it was almost a sure bet!
As predicted, it wasn’t long before the first set of rods buckled over and a handful of cracking winter reds to 5kg were brought onboard. Not a bad way to kick off the Snapper season for Reel Time Fishing Charters!
Unable to contain his enthusiasm, Matt was out there again the following day where he picked up four more Snapper averaging 3.5 to 5 kilograms. Once the wind swung around to the north and the barometric pressure dropped, the bite shut down.
According to Matt, Snapper have been marking up along the 18m line at Frankston and Mornington, as well as 12m of water off Carrum.
He also mentioned the inshore reefs at Ricketts Point, Mordialloc, Beaumaris and Sandringham have been fishing well with soft plastics accounting for pinkie Snapper to 1.5 kg and the odd larger fish days of rough weather.
 | | The incredible run of King George whiting continues in the southern section of Port Phillip. |
For those interested in learning more about fishing for Snapper on Port Phillip, Matt Cini will be running a series of specialised tuition charters during the month of October.
These are perfect for anglers who want to learn more about anchoring, sounding, bait presentation, wind, tides and much more. For more information or to book a charter, give Matt a call on 0438 302 093 or visit www.reeltimefishing.com.au.
METROPOLITAN RIVERS
Jack Cridland managed a solid 39cm (1.1kg) bream while flicking a metal vibe around the Patterson Lakes system last weekend.
Ryan Scarborough says reports of bream schooling in the middle reaches of the Maribyrnong River have been gradually filtering through. Most of the fish reported in recent weeks have been taken on tube and earth worms. Ryan also suggests metal vibes would be well worth a try.
FURTHER AFIELD
Merimbula Lake
While fishing for bream at Merimbula on the southern New South Wales coast, Jaun Le Tran was starting to get a little restless after not attracting a single bite all morning!
Ditching the frozen prawns, Jaun opted for a piece of raw chicken he found on the ground! A good move as it turned out as he soon found himself hooked up to a monster flathead.
Without a suitable landing net, Jaun had no option but to wade out and push the beast up onto the sand. After a few photographs, the big old girl was allowed to swim away in good health.
 | | Jack Cridland managed a solid 39cm (1.1kg) bream while flicking a metal vibe around Patterson Lakes. |
FRESHWATER
Lake Purrumbete
Brad Hodges fished Lake Purrumbete for the first time last weekend where the resident Brown Trout were keen to inspect a lure.
Casting shallow running hard body minnows around the weed fringed shoreline produced numerous follows and hook ups, though only a handful were landed. A few beautifully marked redfin rounded off a reasonably productive morning.
Great Lakes (Tasmania)
Accompanied by Jim Giles, Grant Gilham ventured over to Tasmania for “work”, but still managed to squeeze in a spot of trout fishing on the Great Lakes.
Grant says Jim waded out about 30m and caught a beauty on a soft plastic third cast! Though this was the only trout taken for the afternoon, he is eagerly awaiting a return trip.
NOEL CLARK’S TACKLE BAR – TROUT OPENING SPECIALS
This weekend will see the trout streams open and there’s plenty of fresh bait available at Noel Clark’s Tackle Bar, along with some trout opening specials.
 | | Brad Hodges fished Lake Purrumbete last weekend where the resident browns were keen to inspect a lure. |
RAPALA Lures - 20% OFF (this week only)
NS Black Hole Hurricane Trout Rods – Now $139.00
G-Loomis Rods 20% Off (all floor stock this week only)
Daiwa Exist Hyper Branzino – Now $899.00
Noel Clark's Tackle Bar
158 Deakin St, Essendon
PH: (03) 9379 4623
www.noelclarks.com.au
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 please include a general description of when, where, the technique and bait used, and who caught the fish.
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.
 | | Jaun Le Tran snared this cracking Merimbula dusky flathead while fishing for bream! |
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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