| port phillip north & beyond with brenton hodges |
Dated: 11 May, 2011
 | | Snapper are still active in the northern reaches of Port Phillip Bay. |
Report #88 - 6th May 2011
Welcome to the ‘Port Phillip North & Beyond’ fishing column. This report will primarily cover the northwest region of Port Phillip Bay, from metropolitan Melbourne through to Geelong, including the Yarra, Maribyrnong and Werribee Rivers. Reports and images from various locations throughout the state, or indeed around the country, will be included as they are received. Information regarding the local tournament scene, fishing clinics, upcoming events and general fishing news will also be made available on a regular basis.
If you’ve been fishing recently and would like to see your name and perhaps a photograph of your catch published, please forward your 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 much appreciated. Likewise, if you have a fishing related question you think I might be able to assist you with, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
This instalment of ‘Port Phillip North & Beyond’ is packed with success stories from a range of locations, so let’s get straight into it!
Reports from the Easter long weekend are still filtering through with snapper to 3kg taken in perfect conditions across the northern reaches of Port Phillip Bay. Pinkie snapper have been active in the metropolitan rivers where school Mulloway are also making their presence felt at times. On the freshwater scene, there’s been a few trout moving in the western lakes, while redfin and carp have been abundant in most areas since the floods. The southern bluefin tuna season is well underway down at Portland, and just for something different, there’s a brief report and some fantastic photographs of beautifully marked brown trout taken on fly in New Zealand.
In other news, John Didge and the crew from ‘The Fishing Show’ (Saturday, 8-10am, 94.7FM) have decided to take a well earned rest over the winter months. In the meantime, there will be a short pre-recorded fishing segment available each week, until the full program resumes live to air in September.
 | | Good fishing can be expected to continue well into May. |
LOCAL WEATHER & TIDES May 7th & 8th, 2011
At this stage, south to southeasterly winds of 5 to 10 knots are forecast for Saturday morning, before shifting south-westerly and increasing up to 15 knots around midday. South to south-easterly winds averaging 10 to 20 knots, tending southwesterly during the afternoon, is the forecast for Sunday. High tide at Williamstown is expected to peak at 4:41am / 6:30pm on Saturday and 5:20am / 7:04pm on Sunday. Always be sure to double check the forecast and tide times before heading out on the water.
WILLIAMSTOWN TO WERRIBEE
Andre Lindsey and the team from Melbourne Fishing Charters put clients onto some terrific fish during the Easter long weekend. The highlights included plenty of snapper to 3kg and a 30kg seven gill shark, which was released after a few photographs. Overcast conditions coupled with an outgoing tide resulted in the hottest bite. While the action seems to have slowed up a little over the past week, good fishing is expected to continue well into May.
More recently, a few days either side of the new moon produced pinkie snapper to 2kg in the early hours of the morning and just prior to dusk at both Williamstown and Altona. The best baits have been pilchards and squid, with those casting worm or baitfish pattern soft plastics also amongst the action.
 | | Nick Vasiljevik displays the fruits of his dedicated approach to chasing mulloway in the metropolitan rivers. |
METROPOLITAN RIVERS
Over the past few weeks, Nick Vasiljevik has dedicated much of his spare time to specifically targeting Melbourne’s population of school Mulloway throughout both the Yarra and Maribyrnong rivers. According to Nick, the rivers certainly came alive during April with some terrific pinkie snapper and small to medium size Mulloway taken on live baits.
Of particular note, Martin Zgadzaj caught a Mulloway during each of his three consecutive nights on the water under Nick’s guidance. These fish ranged in size, from just 30cm up to 7.5kg, and were flanked by some very large bream that somehow managed to inhale a 5/0 circle hook pinned to a live mullet.
A week later, Nick landed yet another jewie of 5.9kg after sorting through numerous pinkie snapper. The next night he also put his girlfriend, Emma Camilleri, onto her first fish ever - a 6.5kg Mulloway! What a way to start!
While the pinkie snapper at Docklands appear to have thinned out somewhat over the past week, there’s still a few around for those prepared to source fresh bait and fish the tide changes. Peter managed to steer a solid 60cm snapper away from the jetty pylons on his bream outfit after hooking up on fresh mussel.
Adam Thatcher caught a few legal size bream in the Yarra River at Richmond on peeled prawns. Casting close to the reeds and allowing the bait to drift down with the current has brought about consistent results.
The Werribee South Fishing Club will host their annual Werribee River Bream Classic event later this month. Last year the winning fish of 1.205kg, was taken from the mouth of the system on a worm pattern soft plastic, rigged on a 1/32oz jig-head. More information is available online at www.werribeesouthfishing.com.
 | | Emma Camilleri is one of the few people in the world who can say their first fish ever was a mulloway! |
FRESHWATER
Lake Bullen Merri
Frank Benvenuto enjoyed a productive session chasing rainbow trout at Lake Bullen Merri during the week. After examining the stomach contents of a few trout kept for the table, it was evident they’d been feeding on minnows, yet most fish were taken on fluorescent red Powerbait.
Lake Eppalock / Campaspe River
Mark Petit and his son Matthieson caught redfin (english perch) to 38cm and a handful of carp from the Campaspe River below Lake Eppalock last weekend. Over the Easter break, the boys also spent some time fishing the lake where small redfin averaging just 15 to 35cm were in plague proportions, along with a few carp. Soft plastics and worms accounted for the reddies, whereas the carp were taken on corn kernels suspended under a float.
 | | Peter was able to steer this snapper away from the jetty pylons after hooking up on his bream outfit. |
FURTHER AFIELD
Western Port Bay
Simon Antonello spent Easter Sunday at Western Port Bay where he managed ten whiting, all of which measured 40 to 50 centimetres. Salmon to 1.5kg were also taken on the troll after spotting some birds working nearby.
Portland
Ian Jamieson had his arms stretched last weekend during a day on the water with Bag Out Fishing Charters at Portland. Trolling Rapala X-Rap diving lures in the Brown Squid colour pattern produced six southern bluefin tuna and four albacore, each weighing in between 15 and 20 kilograms.
OVERSEAS
New Zealand
James Laverty sent in some terrific photographs of brown trout taken while fishing the MacKenzie District of New Zealand’s South Island, under the guidance of Mathew McHugh - director of Fly Odyssey Angling Adventures.
 | | James Laverty managed a few beautifully marked brown trout while holidaying in New Zealand. |
BEEN FISHING?
If you’ve been fishing recently and would like to see your name and a picture of your catch published, please forward your 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 much appreciated.
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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