In the heart of Melbourne lies the mighty Yarra River.

Starting in the hills of the Yarra Rangers with trout and cod being the target species, it winds its way through the hills, before turning to salt and into Port Phillip. With abundant life that lurks beneath with bream and mulloway being the main targets. This beautiful river is full of surprises and big fish.

In the warmer months bream become active feeding high in water column and can be seen mooching on rockwalls and the abundant pylons. As the bait pushes up the river, (including salmon and mullet) this is always a good time to test your patience on the ever elusive mulloway that lurk in the shadows.

Light graphite spin rods are the go when targeting bream in the river. 2-4kg rods with 6lb braid is ideal. Long fluorocarbon leaders is a must when targeting tricky spooky bream in clear slow flowing waters around the docks. You need to fish light to get the bite. But pull them out quick before it's all over.

If bait fishing a bait holder size 4 hook with a freshwater yabby is as good a bait as anything. Long, light 4lb leaders unweighted is the best method when city breaming.

There are a number of lures that are all effective when fishing the Yarra. Strike Pro Micro Vibes and River2Sea Baby Vibes hold their own when fishing the pylons. If fishing the rockwalls and banks then hardbodied lures are the go as well as small, lightweight plastics. If bait fishing then yabbies and mussel fished unweighted is a deadly option for bream. For mulloway then live mullet or fresh squid baits are the go.

Lure fishing is a productive way to fish and very effective way. You cover more area and you have a better chance at finding the fish by moving around and searching for them. An electric motor is a must if lure fishing and can be used to sneak around from pylon to pylon or hold position against the wind and tide.

Make sure you check the rules and regulations and no fishing zones. Port security is right onto anyone who is doing the wrong thing, so to enjoy this fishery and keep it going for years to come do the right thing and do the research before entering the water.

Cast way up in the shadows of the pylons and watch your line. Most bites occur when fishing micro vibes and plastics and you won't even feel the bite. You will see it in your line as your lure presentation is sinking. Watch for the tick and pay close attention to your braid.