I’d be lying to you if I said that the squid fishing started off red hot this year.

It was a slow build through early spring but when the water cleared, after all the winter and early spring rains, the fishing heated up and saw some fantastic calamari taken along the Mornington Peninsula. Of course this was only a distraction from the main event – the snapper run – which has started again this year in terrific form.

The last few weeks has seen an inundation of the smaller size squid which were missing throughout much of the middle of the year. Of course, mixed in with these, particularly around the more tidal waters of the heads has been a healthy number of big breeder squid, trophies, if you are a lover of all things calamari. We had plenty of reports of squid to around 2kg with hotspots including Portsea, especially throughout the boat moorings, Point Nepean, Queenscliff and the entrance to Swan Bay.

This year there has been no doubt that Gancraft and Evergreen have been the two biggest selling ranges of jigs. Gancraft released a number of new colour designed by local boy, Paul Carter, which have been red hot! Check them out in your local tackle store.

Well, this is the month isn’t it? November is generally considered the hottest month of the year for snapper in Port Phillip with the volume of fish taken at peak levels. Early in the season we received a pic of a 9kg model taken off Mornington by Mark ‘Sully’ Sullivan which was simply sensational. Much of the action in the bottom half of the bay has still been centred around Mornington and Mt Eliza in depths 16m-18m, where anglers have been finding some good fish.

While many anglers are probably more interested in the red species right at the moment – the King George whiting should not be forgotten. To give you an idea of the quality of fish available I will refer to my good mate Joe Farr from Joe Farr Fishing Charters who managed many trips this month where he bagged on whiting with not a fish under 40cm! Most of these trips were around Point Nepean and around Queenscliff. Fresh Squid his preferred bait.

As we get further into the month we will see the snapper bite improve off the Fairway and the Mt Martha grounds between 20-22m. Other options will include targeting big gummies or even getting ready for your first assault on the peninsula kings! It’s an exciting time of year with Christmas and the very busy summer period just ahead of us. So soak up the calm while it’s still available.

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.