The season has just kicked into gear again and with no better fish than the whiting and gummies.
Right now, we have a bit of everything haunting our estuaries. The summer species such as whiting and gummy sharks are really taking off, but we still have some massive Australian salmon poking their heads around as well. Also, our favourite winter fish that was missing all winter, the garfish, have finally turned up as well.
The whiting have been huge in spring and not just in one spot; they have been fairly prolific through the whole south Gippsland system. McLoughlins Beach itself, hasn’t had huge numbers of whiting, most anglers are catching half a dozen to a dozen tops, but the whiting they are catching are monsters, ranging anywhere from 40-50cm in length. Bass yabbies are working the best, but fresh calamari has also been exceptional baits, especially at port Albert and Welshpool.
The good thing is there is loads of calamari around at the moment at both these ports so most anglers are getting a few for the table and a few for whiting bait. Over the next month, the whiting sizes will drop back to their summer sizes of around 32cm, so get out there asap whilst there are few of these big winter whiting still lurking around.
The gummies are starting to come inside Port Albert in good numbers now, but they are only biting on the tide changes. Pilchards have been the best baits as well. Outside the gummy shark numbers are going stronger than ever and there have been some crackers caught ranging up to around 1.5m. Most are getting caught around White Rock, but they are coming in closer to whale bay now and it will only get better over the next couple of weeks.
We had the worst winter salmon season of all time in South Gippsland, but the start of spring bought us some truly massive salmon. I think we deserved it as it’s taken all year for them to come inside. They mainly been in Kearneys Entrance but they are all around Dog Island as well. If you are going to have a shot at them before the water gets too warm, head to Port Albert and take the short cut to Robertsons Beach. This would be the best bet to catch a 3kg plus salmon. Soft plastics have been the go fished with a 1/4oz jig head.
At the time of writing there has only been a very small number of snapper caught down our way, but November will bring it on. I will guarantee that they are going strong by the time you read this, so send in your photos.
Many anglers are like me, they love the garfish. They are one of my favourite fish not only to catch but also on the table as well. Not only that they are a great fish for the kids as the jump and fight well and can be caught in good numbers which keeps the little ones entertained on the boat.
They were a bit quiet this winter but have returned now in pretty good numbers at least a lot better than they have been. They are also schooled up with good amounts of mullet. Look for the days with a good run-off tide and use a lot of berley and you should have a lot of fun. They have been in pretty good numbers down at Manns Beach but also around Sunday Island at Port Albert as well.
For more information, contact Will at Allways Angling in Traralgon on 51748544. You will get expert advice and some great deals on fishing bait and tackle. Don’t forget to tune in to Will’s Gippsland report on Rex Hunt and Lee Rayners’ “Off The Hook” on 1242.
Reads: 3269![Mo Machen caught this lovely bag of whiting using Bass yabbies and squid as bait during the run-out tide. They ranged up to 40cm in length. The whiting have been the biggest they have been all year.](/img/uploads/4c0b584ff3eb5cd2a2f1b773de85208c_ThomMB1112_1.jpg)
Mo Machen caught this lovely bag of whiting using Bass yabbies and squid as bait during the run-out tide. They ranged up to 40cm in length. The whiting have been the biggest they have been all year.
![Gummy sharks have finally turned up in good numbers inside Port Albert now. This one took a pilchard on the tide change.](/img/uploads/4c0b584ff3eb5cd2a2f1b773de85208c_ThomMB1112_2.jpg)
Gummy sharks have finally turned up in good numbers inside Port Albert now. This one took a pilchard on the tide change.
![Six-year-old Tate Chisolm from Yarram caught these massive salmon in the McLoughlins Entrance using metal lures. They weighed in at around 3kg and he even out fished his old man!](/img/uploads/4c0b584ff3eb5cd2a2f1b773de85208c_ThomMB1112_3.jpg)
Six-year-old Tate Chisolm from Yarram caught these massive salmon in the McLoughlins Entrance using metal lures. They weighed in at around 3kg and he even out fished his old man!