| geelong & corio bay with geoff wilson |
Dated: 16 April, 2012
 | Ryan Mallon 12, with a good sample from Lake Bolac.
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Bellarine Peninsula
Heading out off St Leonards to catch the early flood tide on Saturday afternoon, Jeff Richards and Chris Hately were hopeful of catching at least a few whiting before circumstances required their presence elsewhere that evening.
They caught 22 beautiful whiting to 42 cm. That was up until their agreed upon time of departure at 5.00 pm, while fishing the West Sand between the Coles and West Channels off St Leonards.
Rod Ludlow of Beachlea boat hire at Indented Head reports that the whiting have increased both in size and number over the past week or so and are turning up in anglers bags along with the omnipresent squid which have also been of good size. For the record though, the squid are on the outer reefs with not much doing in close.
On Saturday Morning, Steve O’Keefe of Geelong Charters and Fishing Trips found a good patch of whiting over the Swan Island grass beds on the ebb tide. Using squid for bait, there were smiles all round with whiting to 45 cm gracing the fish box.
Freshwater
Following favourable fishing reports from Lake Tooliorook near Lismore, Ashley Manzie and sons Daniel and Ben, went there on Thursday where the first order of business was to catch some of the local minnow for bait.
 | Rod Sheperd with a redfin (english perch) sample from Lake Tooliorook.
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Trolling Rapala bibbed-minnows and Tassie Devils, and using the live minnow they caught in a bait net on their arrival, they were soon onto the redfin, catching a dozen or so. They also caught a nice Rainbow Trout approaching 2 kg.
Making a pre-dawn start at Lake Tooliorook on Friday, Steve O’Keefe, along with sons Murray 13, and Findley 11, and friend Joey Carmody, broke out the bait net for a bucket of live minnow before heading out into 4 metres or so for the redfin.
They caught 46 redfin altogether, the larger ones stretching the tape out to 40 cm or so, before looking for a change of pace.
Pulling the boat up onto the west bank of the lake, they baited a couple of rods with Berkley Powerbait in the hope of catching a Rainbow Trout or two, while casting lures.
Both approaches were successful: Joey caught the biggest trout, a rainbow of 1.9 kg on a soft plastic. The Powerbait accounted for another three, and the last fish was taken on a Pegron Tiger wobbler.
An outing on Lake Bolac, which on the Glenelg Highway between Skipton and Dunkeld, paid off for Ryan Mallon 12, with a 2.5 kg Rainbow Trout.
 | Charelle Alinslie with her prize winning catch. (Photo Bob McPherson)
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After catching some of the local minnow for bait, Ryan, along with his brother Daniel, cousin Tyler Stavenuiter 10, and his uncle Steve Stavenuiter, headed out onto the lake for an hour or so, Ryan returning with his prize catch.
Offshore
Taking advantage of good weather on Saturday, Simon Werner and Shay Doherty headed out off Barwon Heads to Charlemont Reef where they were undoubtedly hoping for a kingfish or two.
They had no luck there but Barracouta were on they go, and they caught a few of those, along with several Snook, including a beauty of 2.5 kg.
Fishing nearby was Justin Burns whose modest catch included pinkie Snapper and Silver Trevally to 800 grams.
There were also large shoals of Australian Salmon breaking the surface out from the Barwon Heads Bluff on Friday afternoon, but nobody seemed to be interest in chasing those.
Portland
Portland Sport and Game fishing Club’s annual offshore fishing competition was blessed with good weather over the weekend. With the main cash prize for heaviest tuna going to Charelle Alinslie.
Bob McPherson was on the water with John Haber, Charlie Micalef and Darren Hose at the weekend, and while they broke no records they did return with a respectable catch of Striped Tuna to 6 kg, Albacore to 8 kg and several bluefin approaching 17 kg.
 | Christine Casha with a good bluefin sample off Portland.
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Among a good many other fishing off Portland at the weekend were Phillip Jordan, Christine Casha, and Mark Stewart. They also returned with everybody on board catching tuna as well.
Pat asks:
Geoff when you are out at sea, what the best way to catch live bait?
Pat, the best procedure is to take a good supply of berley; either the tuna logs that you can buy from fishing tackle outlets, or your own mixture: Allow the mix to disperse gradually into the water, and should there be bait fish like slimy mackerel about, you will soon attract them.
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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. |
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