It’s hard to believe that another year has come and gone, but here we are entering 2012 buoyed by one of the best snapper seasons in living memory and with all the signs of a scorching summer to come.

Perfect for all us fishing fanatics! News from the peninsula has been thick. We have literally been inundated with reports, many focussed around the fantastic snapper run but plenty targeting other species as well. The Christmas crowds are arriving, it’s a crazy time and we love it!

It’s hard to avoid starting this report without talking about snapper. It has simply been an incredible season. As always it took 3-4 weeks longer for the fish to come on the bite off Mt Martha than for those fishing the northern section of the bay. However, when they turned on, they really turned on. We had good reports coming from 16m right through to 22m out by the Fairway, along the east and western sides of the shipping channel.

As we go to print, snapper have also started to move into the area around the mussel farm to the north east of Mud Island. This area always produces some big fish at this time of year and is well worth a visit!

Over the last month or so, the gummy sharks have seriously come on the bite. I would go as far as to say that we heard of an unusually large number being caught as by-catch while snapper fishing, which is a good sign that they are in good numbers this year.

Most of the bigger fish caught in the last few weeks have come from guys fishing along the edge of the south channel. Ben Broomfield, among others, already has a 19kg model to his name for the year!

With so many holidaying visitors on the peninsula, many of whom do not have a boat, we thought it right to give you a quick summary of what has been happening land based.

Portsea Pier has been seeing consistent catches of calamari. While the size has diminished from a couple of months back, it is still a class area to throw a jig or run a baited jag. Good-sized gars have been also coming from the pier mixed with some medium size tommy ruff.

Sorrento and Rye piers have been seeing some sporadic catches of whiting, while garfish continue to be a staple at Dromana Pier and around to the Mt Martha rocks.

The back beaches, such as Gunnamatta, have an abundance of yellow eye mullet at the moment, but you must downsize your hooks if you are to catch them. Salmon hooks are simply too big. Try a size 6.

Salmon between 400-700g are still fairly common, with first light proving to be the best time to target them. As we move through the month, we will start to see a few pinkies caught from our local back beaches which are always a welcome addition to the catch bag.

Blairgowrie Marina has been seeing some nice catches of small to medium-sized squid in the evenings. Get there early though, the area around the first light pole gets crowded!

Finally, from all the boys at the shop, thanks to all those who have provided us with their fishing reports throughout the year.

If you are visiting the peninsula, please drop into the shop and say g’day. And remember it’s an extremely busy time of year so have a bit a patience at the ramps and lend a hand to those who need it!

For more information feel free to drop in and see the boys at Peninsula Total Tackle, 11 Boneo Road in Rosebud or phone: 03 5981 1994.