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Summer fun at Lakes
  |  First Published: December 2008



In November we received a downpour of rain, resulting in the rivers and lake system getting a thorough flush out. Just before the rain the fishing was exceptional, with many bream and large flathead around the Number 2 Boat Ramp in Lake Tyers.

Because of the rain, I thought the fishing would be quiet for a few weeks but this has not been the case. Despite the low water clarity the fish are still taking bait, lures and flies.

Lake Tyers is producing the best results, with good numbers of bream, luderick, flathead and trevally being caught on prawn and sandworm. Lures such as Ecogear SX-40s, Stiffy Minnows and metal blades are doing the damage on the bream and flathead.

The tailor have been quiet but as the water warms up a few schools should start to show. I went for a spin a few days after the rain and found the going very tough. I fished hardbodied lures for a few hours and caught a few flathead, an average bream and a ripper 45cm luderick.

When I returned to the ramp I spoke with several anglers and they had all bagged out on flathead, and also had some large luderick in their bags.

Back in Lakes Entrance the jetties have been slow with only the odd flathead being taken by persistent anglers.

Around Kalimna Jetty a few small salmon have been taken on lures, but the highlight has been the whiting that have finally turned up. As expected, the earlier run of fish has been of excellent size, but as summer rolls on the smaller fish will predominate. They have been taken on a mix of baits, including worm, mussel and squid.

Leatherjackets have also made a return, and are appearing in good numbers around the Kalimna Jetty Rockwall. A small piece of prawn or mussel under a float on a size 6 long-shanked hook should see a few of these tasty fish turn up and play.

Large flathead are making their presence felt above Kalimna, often taking small baits intended for whiting. Larger soft plastics have done well on these fish. A few of the locals have even been complaining of the size of flathead they are encountering, as most of these guys are after a feed of 40-50cm fish, and the majority of fish caught (and released) have been 60-90cm. No complaints from me!

The recent heavy winds have hampered the efforts of those willing to travel offshore and chase snapper and gummies. The wind has also brought tonnes of kelp and red weed, making surf fishing a nightmare.

What is even more frustrating are the schools of salmon that can be seen cruising just out of casting range. Lately there have been some thumpers amongst them. On the days when fishing is possible, some great salmon have been taken on bluebait and surf poppers. Lure fishing is nearly impossible with the weed. Bait fishing also gives you a shot at a gummy shark.

If you have any pictures of fish you've caught recently, please e-mail them to me and I’ll try to publish them with my report.

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