I know I have said it over and over but this season has been the best gummy season ever offshore and with the prospect of catching great pinkies and big flathead, why wouldn’t you go over to South Gippsland.

We have had a great season offshore from Mcloughlins Beach and Port Albert with plenty of gummy sharks over the 15kg mark being caught and some over 25kg as well. Through May, these big gummies will still be available, however you will have to fish out a bit wider, normally past 30m of water. Over the past few weeks, there have already been big gummies caught in these areas so it’s a good sign for the colder months.

Whale Bay will also be another location to try through May for big gummies. Just remember, fresh baits such as calamari are a must and fish the tide changes.

The snapper have been going okay but I haven’t heard of any massive fish, just heaps between 30-40cm. This is both outside on the reefs off Port Albert and around the Seal Islands, and inside in Port Albert as well.

Offshore, most anglers are getting the pinkies anchored up over the reefs using squid and pilchards. Inside, the pinkies are getting caught as a welcomed by-catch while chasing whiting, however there are heaps of undersized ones still with a few bigger ones mixed in.

The flathead have really come on the bite inside over the past month and this is due to the fact we have had excellent water temperatures all year. If you get out your soft plastics and fish the shallows during the run-off tide, you are sure to catch a heap of good sized flathead ranging anywhere from 35-60cm. I have been using 3-4” sized plastics in Berkley and Z-man brands with 1/4oz jigheads and doing very well.

Port Albert has been producing plenty, but inside Mcloughlins has just started producing as well. Over the next month, the flathead will ease off a bit, especially in the cold water. Once the water cools, you will need to head out wide for bigger flathead and drifting in 30-50m will be the best way to catch flatties.

There are already plenty of big flathead out wide and it’s only going to get better. Just make sure you’re on the bottom, so 10oz and 12oz sinkers if the current is strong will be needed. Make sure you are using braid so you can feel the bites in that depth of water as well.

• For more information, contact Will at Allways Angling in Traralgon on 5174 8544. 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!