Spring has finally arrived!

September is always an exciting time for anglers, as it’s the beginning of the warm weather, the start of the new fishing season and there is always a big build-up of excitement and anticipation as to what this year has to offer.

It’s snapper season! The elusive snapper is heading back into our bays for migration and anglers can’t wait for that rush of reeling in a big red.

The beginning of spring sees the first of the snapper make their presence known offshore. However, last year we did see a slow start to the snapper season with the cold weather still with us through to September; however this year we can only hope we have some warmer weather earlier on to kick start the snapper season.

Generally the offshore anglers get the first shot at the larger-sized snapper during late August and early September, but by October the snapper should have well and truly made their way into Port Phillip.

These red beauties can be found anywhere between 20-60m of water and we have found that fresh squid and fresh flesh baits are their choice of feed. Last year we did try Morrie’s homemade snapper snatchers from Queenscliff Bait and Tackle and found that they worked really well, particularly the red and green.

Gummy sharks can also be found offshore, so berley up and use some fresh flesh squid as bait and sit back and enjoy the springtime sunshine.

Last year produced an awesome squid season for everyone; there was abundance in supply that provided plenty of activity for months. Swan Bay was the place to be last year and we found the brighter squid jigs have been the most successful.

With winter coming to an end and the cooler months behind us, winter did not leave us completely disappointed. The whiting have been around providing entertainment for those hardcore anglers who braved the cold in order to get a feed. We have had good reports of whiting being caught at St Leonards, though smaller ones have been found out in the bight and at the Cottage by the Sea.

So with the waters heating up in Port Phillip and Bass Strait, be prepared for a bumper fishing season this year. With the snapper on its way and the gummy shark and squid in tow, hopefully this summer will provide us all with great tales of the one that got away and more importantly the ones that didn’t.