The Easter holidays are upon us and many anglers are enjoying the last of the warm weather.

April is elephant season on Westernport, but they seem to of started a bit slower than usual. Last year there were numerous captures being reported from locations all across Westernport by mid February. At the moment some anglers are landing a few but they certainly aren’t in plague proportions just yet. But by early April the elephant’s should be in full swing.

If you’re chasing Calorinchus milli (ok, that’s just the Latin name for elephant fish) try the ‘Elephant Triangle’. This area was named by local Westernport guru, Paul Worsteling, as it holds large numbers of elephant fish at this time of year. It is a large patch of shallow rubble located between Corinella, Rhyll and Newhaven.

Shane Hutchinson is one angler that has been having some success here. He has been catching elephant fish, up to 4kg out from Corinella. Pilchards and squid are the best baits, and we now have packets of squid pre cut into strips just the right size for elephants.

I fished with Tackle World staff member, Vicky, and her parents, Mike and Anna Parker, along the middle spit recently. In a three hour session we managed 14 whiting, a 3kg elephant and a 44cm Black Rock flathead. The first hour of the flood tide was the best.

Interestingly, I had never caught a Black Rock flatty before. They are rarely caught by recreational anglers despite the fact that there are large numbers of them around. They generally eat Bass yabbies and small crabs. We landed half of the whiting and the flathead on peeled black tiger prawns. Next time you’re whiting fishing, have a look at how a prawn tail fits on a #6 long-shank hook, they are fantastic!

The following week my sister Lisa and I caught 6 whiting, some mullet and another Black Rock flatty in the same spot.

The annual whiting challenge was held on the 2 and 3 March in Westernport. The weather was fabulous and a total of 2,156 whiting were weighed in for a combined weight of 604kg. Terry Landrigan of Mt Martha caught the biggest whiting of 766 grams and Jack Thomas caught the biggest fish in the junior division with a 698g whiting.

There were over 100 prizes distributed, which were kindly donated by Cranbourne Tackle World, Yamaha and Central Marine.

On a recent trip to Phillip Island I noted several boats fishing around the buoy 13 area. Sure enough, the following week I was told of a late season run of snapper that averaged 3.5kg. The 14-16m ebb tide produced the most fish.

Stockyard Pt has kept its reputation as a premier spot for anglers to wet a line off the shore. Customer Chris has caught a few elephants to 2.8kg and gummies to 5.5kg. Salted tuna strips, squid strips and cured eel have worked well. You have to fish the low tide change here as it offers access to the deeper channel.

Stoney pt and Flinders piers have been fishing very well for big calamari squid at night under the lights. The last of the flood tide is usually the best. There have also been some pike around so it’s worth casting a few lures about.

Look forward to a great chance of catching a mulloway soon. April and May are prime months for these huge predators. Be sure to read next months report with plenty of prime ‘mulloway magic’ tips.