Now that we are into spring, with summer soon to follow, the water is slowly beginning to warm up. Longer hours of daylight and better weather will increase catches of various summer species, including good-sized calamari squid and snapper.

October is the best time to target calamari squid as they arrive en masse. Snapper will also turn up at the same time, and both have been caught from the Lee Breakwall; along with gummy shark, King George whiting, couta and salmon.

The north shore has been busy with anglers taking great catches of gummy sharks ranging from 5-12kg. There have also been decent takes of snook, lythe, snapper, King George whiting, salmon, squid and the odd mulloway.

Snook and lythe have been coming in from around the Lawrence Rock area. Numerous reports of morwong, coral perch, snapper, large flathead and gummy sharks from 60m out in front of Cape Nelson lighthouse and towards Cape Bridgewater, between Point Danger and Pivot Beach have been entertaining anglers.

King George whiting have been landed in good numbers, and for those surf fishing there have also been good-sized salmon, 1-3kg. Salmon and the odd gummy shark are also being caught at Bridgewater Bay and Shelleys Beach.

In and around the harbour, anglers have been busy catching snapper, whiting, trevally, salmon, mullet and calamari squid. The best method of fishing in the harbour is to use a running sinker with a size 6 long shank hook or 1/0 circle hook with plenty of berley.

The canal is still producing mullet, trevally, small salmon and the occasional bream, which is keeping young anglers keen.

Off the marina, calamari squid have been the main catch. These make excellent bait for when the kingfish arrive later in the season.

As the season progresses mako sharks will begin to make their presence felt for those that love the thrill of the hunt for these magnificent fighting fish.

The Fitzroy and Surrey rivers have been fishing well for freshwater anglers. Good-sized bream are the main catch while using soft plastics and prawns as bait.

So if you’re heading down Portland way, give the boys at Portland Bait & Tackle a call on 03 5523 5213 for all your latest fishing and weather reports, we are open 7 days a week from 7 till 7.

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Better weather will increase catches of calamari squid, like this one caught by Jack Hose.

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Deano with his snapper caught off the Lee Breakwall. They will start to make an appearance this month.