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Offshore species are in the frame if the weather is good
  |  First Published: October 2013



Hopefully October will be throwing up some sensational weather and flat seas so anglers can get out amongst the snapper, gummy sharks and other offshore species.

I say hopefully as the past month has seen winds of such a strength and consistency that have seen any offshore angler impossibly frustrated and restricted. Last October produced some exceptional fishing for gummy and school sharks off both Warrnambool and Port Fairy in 30-40m. Fresh bait such as squid or cut fish seemed to be a key to some of the better fish that were well over the 10kg range.

Estuary anglers are not quite as restricted as offshore anglers by the wind, but then had what joy they were experiencing wiped out by some heavy flood waters. Before the heavy flows the Hopkins River had been still producing the odd small mulloway, some good estuary perch and a few bream.

Trolling bibbed minnow lures like the Daiwa Double Clutch around the lower reaches was a productive technique as was using heavily weighted curl tail soft plastics. I know of at least 3 EP over 45cm taken during early August.

October traditionally has always been a good month for targeting these fish in the Hopkins but the locations and techniques are going to depend on how long it takes for the rivers to clear.

With all the rain we have had, trout fishing should be good in all the local rivers and lakes this October. The lakes have been perhaps the best and only angling option of late and places like Tooliorook, Purrumbete and Elingamite have been productive options for anglers driven inland by horrendous winds and flooded rivers.

Brown trout, after fattening up in the flooded waters, will return to their runs as the water drops and should provide some excellent angling. Despite many local rivers being defined as sea run trout fisheries most trout taken are resident estuary dwelling fish.

However if you were going to tangle with a true sea runner October is the time to be looking.

October is often a good month to do some surf fishing. There is still the chance of some good salmon being around whilst the summer species such as pinkie snapper and various shark species should also be an option.

A nice calm evening on Yambuk, Fitzroy, Logans or the Cutting beaches could provide some good action

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