Often overlooked by the bigger more famous Yarra River, the Maribyrnong River or ‘Nong’ as it's known to by most, is one of the most popular fishing destination for anglers who love their estuary fishing.

The wide variety of species and methods you can fish is what draws the attention to anglers, which include bream, mulloway, snapper and salmon, just to name a few. This beautiful river is full of surprises and big fish.

In the warmer months bream become active feeding high in the water column and can be seen mooching on rock walls and the abundant pylons. As the bait pushes up the river, including salmon and mullet, it 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 are a must when targeting tricky spooky bream in clear slow flowing waters along the banks of the Nong.

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 or scrubworm is as good a bait as anything. Long light 4lb leader fished really light is the best method when targeting bream.

There are a number of lures that are all effective when fishing the Nong. Strike Pro Micro Vibes and sinking stick minnows hold their own when fishing the pylons and bridges. When fishing the rock walls and banks, then hardbodied lures are the go, as well as small lightly weight plastics.

If bait fishing then yabbies, mussel or scrubworms fished with a light running sinker is a deadly option for bream. For mulloway then live mullet or fresh squid baits are a must.

Lure fishing is a very productive and effective way to fish. 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 essential if lure fishing and can be used to sneak around 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.

Fishing the high tide is always a good place to start when targeting bream. The water is up high and covers structure like rock walls, which will push the bream in to the banks looking for food. This makes it easier to locate fish when you can spot them on the banks. These fish are generally a little easier to catch as they are in a feeding mode.