It’s been tough fishing lately in south Gippsland due to the weather, but with spring finally here, we are ready to tackle those warm water species.

The water temperature and been very cold and with the all the rain we have had, there has been a lot of dirty water entering the estuaries. This has affected McLoughlins Beach the most and the entrance has been hit with a lot of slimy weed, which we get after large downpours during the colder months.

The Manns Beach entrance has been a lot nicer and had more clear water and hence more fish have been caught here. It’s mainly salmon that have been caught, but mostly small salmon of around 30-35cm. The upside has been that there have been plenty of them. The garfish have been hit and miss: some days they are there and others there not, but it’s still worth chasing them on the run-out tide.

Blue spot flathead have just started to get on the chew as the water warmed up, so it’s now definitely worth getting out here with the soft plastics and chasing a few. The biggest I’ve seen so far has been around 45cm, however we will soon see all those big southern blue spot flathead start to bite and you will be in for a chance to catch those 60cm plus fish.

The McLoughlins entrance, despite the weed, has produced a handful of really big Australian salmon. You have to keep those lures close to the bottom to keep the weed off the lures. Drift spinning has been a good method to do this.

The salmon that have been caught have been up to 60cm in length so there are a few good fish around. We should get another run of large salmon soon, especially considering how much bait is offshore at the moment. McLoughlins usually gets a spring run of salmon and they are usually big fish as well.

There have been some massive gummy sharks caught when the weather has allowed with reports of gummies up to 25kg.

There have also been some big seven-gill sharks caught by anglers chasing gummies. They will continue for the next two months. There has been some great flathead fishing out past 35m of water around the seal islands and towards the prom and it’s anglers drifting for the flathead out wide who are catching the gummy sharks.

Gummy sharks will enter the estuary this month, so it’s now worth chasing them inside instead of offshore. Fresh bait and tide changes is the key to early season gummies. Another tip is to fish at night in shallow water for the gummies, as they come into close at night during the spring period.

It’s just about time to start talking snapper, as October should see them increase. Port Albert entrance and the Snake Channel will definitely be worth having a go for the snapper.

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. Tune into Rex Hunt and Lee Rayner’s “Off the Hook” on 1242 to hear Will’s report on what’s going on in Gippsland!