It really doesn’t seem like 12 months has gone and we are into the Christmas holiday period once again. With a bit of luck, the Gippsland area will be free of bushfires this year so that holidaymakers can enjoy uninterrupted stays at their destinations of choice. Things are looking really good here at the Bemm, and there should be some great fishing on offer for all types of anglers in the coming months.

The luderick have really turned it on again over the past couple of months, with most fish caught averaging 1kg or better (a couple of the bigger specimens have been over 2kg). The channel is still producing some of the bigger ones, but they are still spread pretty much throughout the system. The odd one is even being caught in the river. Sandworm fished either on the bottom or under a float has been the best bait. Quality bream are also being caught in both the lake and river on sandworm and peeled local prawn.

For the lure and soft plastics enthusiasts, the river has provided some top action. The bulk of the bream have completed their spawning run and headed back into the estuary, however there are plenty left behind and they can be targeted around the snags. On some days they are free swimming in the middle of the river, too. Any of the worm patterns and wrigglers have worked really well when fishing deeper around the snags, while unweighed flickbaits have been the go when sight fishing in open water.

The beaches are great places to take the family, and the surf fishing over the past month or so has really started to pick up. The salmon, which had been pretty quiet for a few months, have started to show up. A few gummy sharks have also been caught over the full moon phase. For me, sitting on the beach on a warm moonlight night catching the odd gummy really takes some beating. Once again this year, cured eel has been the most successful shark bait, with a few also taking squid and fish fillets. I still think the eel is the best option because of the scent it puts in the water, and it’s overall toughness makes it that much harder for the crabs to get off.

The flathead really haven’t fired yet with only a couple caught on bait, but with some warmer weather in the coming months they should eventually start biting. There’s no sign of any prawns as yet, but it is still only early. Last year nothing really happened until late January.