| port phillip north & beyond with brenton hodges |
Dated: 28 September, 2012
 | | Joe Bonnici emailed through a photograph of his son, Thomas, with a 2.9 kg snapper taken on pilchard from P2. This was Tom’s first ever snapper! |
PORT PHILLIP NORTH & BEYOND...28th September 2012...Report #124
Seems as though the Snapper have been a little slow to get going in the top section of the bay, but after a series of warm spring days, they’re gradually starting to move.
If you’ve been fishing recently and would like to contribute to this report, please forward the details of your catch and photographs to blhodgey@hotmail.com.
I’d really like to turn Port Phillip North & Beyond into the most comprehensive local fishing report on the net, but to get there I need your help.
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.
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 terrific.
Good luck to those searching for Snapper over the coming weeks and months. The scene is set for yet another bumper season!
 | | Shurane Krishnan kick started his snapper season with a ripper taken from the pier at Mordialloc. |
LOCAL TIDE TIMES (WILLIAMSTOWN)
DATE / HIGH / LOW
Saturday 29th September – 1:53pm (0.8) / 7:43am (0.31)
Sunday 30th September – 2:46pm (0.82) / 8:57am (0.32)
MOON PHASE
DATE / PHASE
Sunday 30th September – Full Moon
Monday 8th October – Last Quarter
Always be sure to double check the local weather forecast and tide predictions before heading out on the water.
 | | Under the guidance of his father Daniel, Thomas Mizzi opened his snapper account with a solid red from St Helens in Corio Bay. |
PORT PHILLIP BAY
Joe Bonnici emailed through a photograph of his son, Thomas, with a 2.9 kg Snapper taken on pilchard from P2 last Saturday. This was Tom’s first ever Snapper! It’s also the first report of Snapper I’ve received from the western side of Port Phillip so far this season.
Joe says there was plenty of bait and quite a few Snapper marking up on the sounder. Getting them to bite proved a little tough, although Joe’s mate, Dave, managed to coerce a 6 kg specimen over the weekend as well.
Shurane Krishnan kick started his Snapper season with a ripper taken from the pier at Mordialloc last Sunday evening.
A butterflied fresh salmon fillet did the trick for Shurane, while his mate, Jess managed a 5.5 kg red on a whole cuttlefish earlier in the day. Not bad going for land-based Snapper action boys!
Also hoping to find an early season red, Ben Laverty skipped out from Williamstown where he hooked up third cast of the morning.
Casting a Gulp Turtleback Worm rigged on a 1/8th Rev Head jig, jubilation soon turned to frustration when the hook pulled mid-way through the battle. On closer inspection, the hook shank had actually bent. Based on the power of the headshakes, Ben estimates the culprit to have been in the 3 kg plus class.
From there it was tough going for much of the morning, though plenty of juvenile salmon provided some entertainment in the absence of Snapper.
Paul McDonnell from BOAB Boat Hire in Williamstown says clients did well on the Snapper across at Carrum last week, with four Snapper to approximately 3 kg taken by Brian and Rob.
Paul also mentioned that others have been doing well on the flathead off Werribee South, while the King George Whiting down at St Leonards continues to fire.
Youngsters, Harrison Gibson and Brad Kemp, were among those to snare a couple of flathead at Werribee South recently. According to Harrison, flatties to 47 cm were taken on cut pilchards while drifting in just 4 m of water off Duncans Road.
Casting Gulp Turtleback Worms and Crazy Legs Jerk Shads also produced a handful of good eating size flathead for Aaron Hassett and I earlier in the week, the best of which stretched the tape out to a respectable 49 centimetres.
While it’s still a little early, these fish will become even more active in the shallows as the water temperature continues to rise through October and November.
Under the guidance of his father Daniel, Thomas Mizzi opened his Snapper account with a solid red from St Helens in Corio Bay. He also managed his first ever Gummy Shark shortly afterwards.
According to Daniel, garfish heads did the trick on the turn of a late afternoon tide change. He also mentioned there were plenty of fish marking up on the sounder, but the bites were very timid.
 | | Though it’s still a little early, some good eating size flathead are starting to move across the western flank of Port Phillip. |
METROPOLITAN RIVERS
Reports from the metropolitan rivers have been few and far between in recent weeks, though there are still quite a few bream up for grabs for those fishing the Werribee River with live tube worms and Bass yabbies.
Further down the coast, the lower Barwon River continues to produce juvenile Australian Salmon by the truck load.
Despite the recent flow of dirty flood water, Lara Secondary College students were amongst the action just prior to the school holiday period.
Baits of frozen prawns, cut pilchards and worm pattern soft plastics are the go with the hottest bite coming either side of high water.
Some good size Yellow-eye Mullet are also still on offer for those using smaller hooks baited with chicken, maggots or again, frozen prawn.
 | | Casting Gulp Alive Crazy Legs Jerk Shads and Turtleback Worms from a drifting boat produced these two keepers and a few more earlier this week. |
FURTHER AFIELD
Tambo River
Work colleague, Michelle McCrea, reports her husband Noel recently returned from a successful trip to the Gippsland Lakes with a couple of mates.
Fishing the Tambo River, the boys caught plenty of bream and Yellow-eye Mullet on various fresh and live baits. Much to Michelle’s approval, quite a few were brought home for dinner.
 | | Further down the coast, the lower Barwon River continues to produce juvenile Australian salmon and some quality mullet. |
FRESHWATER
Goulburn River
Brad Hodges spent the first few days of the school holidays wading the Goulburn River where the resident trout were keen to intercept a lure.
Casting a range of shallow diving minnows, including the Cultiva CT55F and Berkley 3B Walking Stick, produced both brown and Rainbow Trout in bright sunshine and warm spring conditions.
 | | Baits of frozen prawns, cut pilchards and worm pattern soft plastics are the go with the hottest bite coming either side of high water. |
UPCOMING EVENTS
Junior Fishing Clinic
Sunbury Angling Club, in conjunction with The City of Hume and support from Sunbury Police, will be holding a Junior Fishing Clinic on Saturday 6th October from 11:00am to 3:00pm at Spavin Lake.
All families are welcome for a fun day of learning how to rig up, bait a hook, cast a line and hopefully reel in a fish. Limited fishing equipment will be available on the day, so those with a suitable rod and reel are advised to bring it along.
Prizes for the kids and a sausage sizzle should cap off a great day. Let’s hope the weather is kind. For more information, please make contact with Greg Golding (0400 297 898) or Phil Johnson (0414 916 500).
 | | Casting a Berkley 3B Walking Stick in the Hey You colour pattern produced this fine brown trout for Brad Hodges in the bright spring sunshine. |
BOAB BOAT HIRE
With the Snapper season on the cusp of hitting full swing, now is the time to get amongst the action. Port Phillip North & Beyond report sponsor, BOAB Boat Hire in Williamstown, offers two fully equipped boats, including a 5.7 m Bowrider and a 6.0 m Centre Cabin.
5.7 m Bowrider - $445 (Full Day - 8 hours, capacity of 6)
Includes all safety gear, sounder and GPS
6.0 m Centre Cab - $495 (Full Day – 8 hours, capacity of 7)
Includes all safety gear, sounder and GPS
Please note the driver of either boat must hold a recreational boat license. Either boat can be used in all areas of Port Phillip, or towed to a venue of your choice. Discounts apply for consecutive days.
Special Offer
Hire a BOAB boat for 2 or more consecutive days during October and receive a FREE Waeco 17 litre Esky!
BOAB Boat Hire - Williamstown
PH: 0458 262 212
Brentwww.boabboathire.com.au
williamstown@boabboathire.com.au
 | | Paul McDonnell from BOAB Boat Hire in Williamstown says recent clients did well on the snapper across at Carrum. Special Offer: Hire a boat for 2 or more consecutive days during October and receive a FREE Waeco 17 litre Esky! |
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.
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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