After months of bemoaning the wind, the rain and the generally unfavourable conditions, we have finally been graced with a terrific run of mild, clear and windless days.

It was the perfect opportunity for the busy school holiday crowds to get out in search of a fish. And fish they did, with a veritable plethora of different species caught.

There is no doubt that this year the snapper warrant a special mention. This would have to be classed as one of the best late snapper seasons we have had in recent years. There have been moments where I‘ve had to scratch my head and take a moment to consider whether it is November or mid autumn!

Better yet has been the fact that the good fishing has been fairly widespread with snapper being caught from the Fairway at Mt Martha right through to the Ricketts Point at Mordialloc.

The grounds off the Mornington mussel farm in 19-21m were a particular hotspot with fish to 6kg common over the last few weeks.

It has been a terrific and consistent season on the gummies. The average size has been good and the numbers have been sensational. Ben Broomfield has had a special season, which was topped off when both he and his father landed a pigeon pair of gummies, both just over 20kg in the one session.

Hopefully we see a few more of these fish before they slow off in the depth of winter.

The squid have been consistent through the last few weeks with average hood sizes between 15-25cm. Most punters have been able to collect their bag within an hour or two. After the dredging over the last couple of years there has been quite a lot of sand movement and movement of weed beds especially over the extensive shallow grounds out from Sorrento and Blairgowrie, near the shipping channel.

This has opened up some new areas which are fishing very well, especially during the low light periods of the day, if you care to go and do a bit of drifting.

White jigs continue to be the flavour of the moment, although some purples are also fishing well.

Gars have been plentiful over the last few weeks at almost all of the local piers, although the average size has probably only been 20-25cm. Having said that, they provide for a consistent day to day staple for many local anglers.

Good flathead continue to be caught off the bay beach, with some anglers going to the length of wading waist deep and casting plastics around the weed beds which lie just off the beach at Tootgarook and Rosebud.

This can be an extremely effective method of catching flatties and you may be surprised at their quality. Fish up to 60cm have regularly delighted those out there doing the hard yards.

As we progress deeper into winter, the surf fishing should continue to heat up.

With Gunnamatta offering some of the best surf fishing in close proximity to Melbourne, we are sure to see the beaches come alive through this cooler period. The fish have been making a reasonable showing since mid-April, with patches of fish to 1.5kg but commonly being caught at around 800g.

For more information drop in and see the guys at Peninsula Total Tackle, 11 Boneo Rd, Rosebud or phone the shop on 5981 1994.