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Salmon on the chew as gummies come to the fore
  |  First Published: October 2013



Ninety Mile Beach has been tough to fish due to some very wild weather, however it’s time for the gummy sharks to make an appearance.

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING

Due to the wind there has been a few fishable days despite the weather and the windy conditions have created some very good situations for the salmon. Keen anglers have been mainly spinning the beaches as the persistent wind has created a lot of side wash and brought in some weed as well.

This made bait fishing last month almost impossible, but the spin anglers were able to walk with the side wash casting lures, using the side wash to their advantage by slowing the retrieve down and using the current to give the metal lures action in the water. McLoughlins surf beach has been the most popular and this has been because anglers have had the option to walk to the entrance of the estuary in case there was no action on the surf.

This was proven a wise move as spin anglers were able to find schools of salmon along the way and catch some good fish. There haven’t been any huge quantities of salmon each day but some anglers are finding schools of little fish with a few 60cm salmon mixed in.

Metal lures around 40g have been around the right size for the conditions, but on good days you can get away with smaller lures. Spin jigging has been a popular technique as well, as this allows the lure to sink to the bottom and bought in bouncing along the lower part of the water column, which is great if the salmon are not on the surface or are in a lethargic mood.

Offshore there have been schools of birds diving around 1km off the surf at most beaches, so there is definitely a lot of bait fish around and more than likely plenty more salmon to come. They just need to come in a bit closer.

WHATS TO COME

We have just hit the start of gummy shark season, so now is the time to get to the Ninety Mile Beach after work and chase the gummies. October especially is probably the best gummy shark month of the whole year, especially on the week of the full moon and during any tide changes either early morning or evening.

Golden Beach always fishes well for gummy sharks during spring but in fact the whole eastern end of Ninety Mile from loch sport to Seaspray produces fantastic gummy shark fishing this time of year. Seven-gill sharks will make an appearance this month and they will be by-catch for the gummy shark anglers fishing at night time.

To be guaranteed a gummy shark this month, use a surf popper on your top dropper of your paternoster rig but put a little bit of squid on it. I like the squid legs, as they don’t fly off when you cast.

On your bottom dropper, either use pilchards with Bait-mate or fuse wire to keep it on the hook, or use bluebait or better yet, fresh salmon pieces if you can.

If you do this around the full moon and the weather is good, you will catch a gummy shark.

For more information, contact Will at Allways Angling in Traralgon on 51748544. You will get expert advice and great deals on fishing bait and tackle. Turn in to Rex Hunt and Lee Rayner’s “Off the Hook” on 1242 to hear Will’s Report on what’s going on in Gippsland!

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